Jim Gibbons

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address the very important issue of school violence. I was recently pleased to learn that this administration will finally hold a national conference on school safety sometime in October of this year. Because no community in America is immune to the plague of school violence, and because we, as a Nation can no longer sit idly by while violence in our schools continue to rise, I sent a letter to the President on June 24th encouraging him to listen to the solutions of the American people from coast to coast and border to border. For America to achieve success in combating school violence in our local communities, we must first address three important issues. First, the Federal Government must redirect its resources to States to focus on this problem at the local level. Secondly, our communities must continue to improve cooperative relations among local agencies whose job it is to address this problem associated with school violence. Finally, it is important that any conference bring together, in a round table discussion, several representatives from local and Federal law enforcement agencies, courts, city councils, and school boards to develop local solutions to a national problem. Mr. Speaker, our children deserve no less.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, during this appropriations season here in Congress, we should all remember exactly why we are here and what promises we made to the American people. Those promises are to reduce the size and the scope and the power, especially the power, of the Federal Government over our lives. Some people believe that government was solely created to correct the wrongs in people's lives. However, I think that is only half right. I look at the government's responsibility from a different perspective. Over the last 40 years, government has shown that its one-size-fits- all approach rarely if ever solves problems, whether it is here in Washington or in my district in Nevada. Government provides little opportunity to create wealth, and over the years has become very effective at taxing one person's wealth and giving it to another. Sure, government has a role to play in helping people who are truly in need by providing needed resources to State, county and local governments so they can create targeted local solutions to those in need. I urge my fellow colleagues to remember that government must never become counterproductive or create unnecessary entitlement programs without proper responsibility.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, yes, President Clinton is back from his 9- day, $50 million, taxpayer-financed road trip to China. I have to give it to him, however; most Americans never get a chance to have an overseas vacation, let alone one where they take 1,200 of their closest friends. While they did not accomplish much on the road, I think they probably set a record for the cost and size of a presidential delegation traveling abroad. The President's press secretary explained that ``this wasn't just the President going to China, but this was the United States Government, and we brought a lot of government with us.'' Mr. Speaker, I cannot think of anyone they did not take. But, when questioned, McCurry spilled the beans; ``there might be people we shouldn't have included.'' Well, no kidding. Now, I do not want to sound too critical. After all, they did cut corners where they could. I am told with only 600 rooms available at the Shanghai Ritz Carlton, our intrepid travelers bit the bullet and doubled up. Thank you, Mr. President, for that, saving what you could where you could. I yield back the remainder of any pocket change this country may have.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, last week, the President invited people to the White House so he could share his concerns on school violence. Once again, however, I'm afraid the President is headed in the wrong direction. He has called for a federal manual on school violence--to be created here in Washington, D.C.--and directed at our local teachers, parents, and communities. Well, Mr. Speaker, Nevadans have a better idea. Recently, we held a ``Town Summit on School Violence'' in Reno Nevada to gather local input on possible solutions. Local solutions that we would then send back here to Washington, telling the President how we want to solve our own problems. Like most states, Nevadans are tired of the Washington borne, ``Washington knows best,'' ``The Washington way or the highway,'' attitudes here. Local problems require local solutions and I commend all Nevadans who supported and participated in this important event. I would encourage all members to hold similar events throughout their districts and to share their solutions with us--the safety and future of our children demand no less.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the President and his entourage just recently returned from a 9-day, taxpayer-paid, $50 million trip to China. It appears that America's tough-talking trade representative, Charlene Barshefsky, has shunned and even ignored American trade law. My word, Mr. Speaker, we now have the Barshefsky Beanie Baby Capergate. Apparently, the President's trade rep, who is supposed to know, who is supposed to understand, who is supposed to follow trade laws, was caught red-handed in China's unregulated back-alley Beanie-Baby black market. Barshefsky illegally acquired a boatload of Beanie Babies while in Beijing and tried to bring them back to the United States. ``Whoa, not so fast,'' said the U.S. Customs, since it is illegal to purchase these toys in China. Well, what is next? I hope the Clinton Administration does not think that this is an even trade for the top-secret missile technology they just gave them. With a $50 billion U.S. trade deficit, maybe the Chinese were secretly paying off the Clinton Administration with Barshefsky Beanie Babies. I yield back to the American people any legal Beanie Babies not hiding in the White House.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Record.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the President is back from a $50 million trip to China and he said that the Chinese now plan to move their nuclear-tipped missiles away from American children and American cities. So why are Americans a little confused and scratching their heads over this? Well, because time and time again this President has guaranteed the American public that we were free from the threat of nuclear missile attack. In fact, the White House web site says that the President has made this promise 131 times. And in at least a quarter of these speeches, he stated very clearly that no country anywhere was aiming nuclear missiles at Americans. The President was not alone in his claim. It seems the Vice President, as well as former Secretary of Defense Perry, have made similar claims. Here is another surprise. President Clinton never mentioned that both Russia and China are upgrading their nuclear missiles with U.S. help. He also failed to mention that the missiles can be retargeted in minutes. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure when to believe this President. All I know is he is asking us to blindly trust the Chinese, and that worries all of us.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, well, never let it be said that the Communist Chinese do not learn from their mistakes. Or, perhaps we should better say from our mistakes. It seems that when the Army realized and analyzed their web site that catalogs a variety of ``lessons learned,'' they were surprised to find out who came calling the most often. Mr. Speaker, it was not the 82nd Airborne Division, it was not the First Infantry Division. It was not the Air Force. It was not the Navy. It was not the Marines. Mr. Speaker, you guessed it. It was the Communist Chinese. That is right, the United States Army web site is most often visited by the People's Liberation Army. I guess it has attained ``China's Most Favored Website'' status. I suppose we should be flattered. After all, is imitation not the sincerest form of flattery? It does point out that the People's Liberation Army is not a sleeping giant. Communist China's army is actively working to improve its capabilities and learn from our mistakes. At the same time the President is pushing for China to receive Most Favored Nation status, China has selected the United States Army as its ``Most Favored Website.''

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, American schools are under a siege of violence. Recent events have again focused this Nation's attention on violence in American schools. Despite the long-standing lip service to the problem, media reports have recently highlighted that schools are not safe places of learning. Mr. Speaker, let me share with this body some alarming statistics. Physical attacks or fights without the use of weapons lead the list of reported crimes in our schools, with about 190,000 such events occurring in any given year. Moreover, 116,000 incidents of theft or larceny were reported, along with 98,000 incidents of vandalism. Most alarming, Mr. Speaker, is that serious crimes included 4,000 rapes or sexual assaults, 7,000 robberies, and 11,000 physical attacks or fights with dangerous weapons, knives and guns. These events are taking place in every congressional district in the country. Mr. Speaker, the time to act is now. For the safety of our children, it is imperative that this Congress focus its attention on this critical issue.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, as a Nation we can no longer sit idly by and watch while the violence in our schools continues to rise. That is why I will be holding a town forum on school violence in my district on July 7th, 1998. Recently, acts of school violence have taken place all across this country, such as the nationally publicized incidents in Arkansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Oregon. Our children's lives and their promising future are at stake. It is important to realize that this battle will not be won from Washington, but from the streets, neighborhoods and schools in the communities where our children live. I encourage all Members to hold a town forum on school violence in their districts, and establish a program that supports and encourages local communities to create a comprehensive, long-term plan that will reduce violence and substance abuse among our youth. This is the only way we are going to get to save our children from a growing deadly cycle of drugs and violence in our schools and communities.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, first of all I would like to join my colleagues also in extending my congratulations to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) for their hard work on this bill. Both their time here, their commitment and service to America is certainly and greatly appreciated by me as well as the entire Congress. Mr. Chairman, the reason I am here is to discuss the ability of the State of Nevada and all affected local governments to carry out their oversight authority on the proposed Yucca Mountain project in Nevada. This oversight authority was granted to them in the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Currently the Department of Energy is conducting tests to determine if the Yucca Mountain site will be a permanent repository for nuclear waste. When the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 was created, Members of this body felt that it was imperative for the State of Nevada and all affected local governments to have sufficient resources to carry out their own oversight. These necessary funds are used to properly oversee tests the Department of Energy is carrying out to determine whether or not Yucca Mountain is suitable or not suitable as a permanent nuclear waste site. This was a very critical part of the 1982 act, because it allowed Nevada, and particularly the citizens and residents of that State, to have confidence in the scientific studies and especially the validity of those tests that the Department of Energy has been conducting. These resources will allow for State and local governments to continue to perform their own independent validation tests to ensure the best science is used to determine site suitability. It has been my experience that these local and State scientists have been unbiased in their work and as such have produced needed assurances that only the best scientific data is used to determine the hydrologic and geologic character of Yucca Mountain. Mr. Chairman, we have over 1.8 million people in Nevada, and their safety and quality of life in this debate should not be ignored, making it imperative that we provide the financial resources to ensure the State of Nevada and affected local governments are able to monitor and report on this activity. Therefore, I would ask that the House conferees work with me to get $4.875 million for the State of Nevada and $5.54 million for affected local governments included in this appropriation. These appropriation amounts are consistent with the moneys appropriated in the Senate fiscal year 1999 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. As the Federal Government moves to designate Yucca Mountain as a permanent nuclear waste repository, it becomes imperative that we address the scientific and safety concerns of the citizens of Nevada. Again, I would like to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) for their work on this bill. I would appreciate their willingness to work with me on this very important issue.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, will we ever learn from history? Last year the liberal Democrats said, ``We need to spend more money on education because it will improve the education of our children.'' And so Congress voted to do so. The year before that, the message was exactly the same: Spend more money. And Congress did. And the year before that, we heard the same arguments: Spend more money, and children will do better in school. And Congress did. And the year before that, the liberals were in full cry demanding that more money be spent on education because that will surely improve student performance. And indeed Congress bowed to those demands. But somehow we have still failed schools, and student performance is as dismal as ever. My question is to the other side: At what point do they conclude that the problem in education is not a question of money? Is the other side utterly incapable of thinking seriously about the question, or will no amount of failure, absolutely no amount of evidence, ever have the slightest impact on their thinking? Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of any thinking time they may have.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the first responsibility of Congress and this government is to protect the citizens of the United States from an outside attack and to be prepared to defend this great Nation. It appears that the Clinton administration, however, has woefully failed in this responsibility. If true, then they have failed this Congress, and regrettably they have failed America. I strongly support House Resolution 463 to establish a Select Committee on U.S. National Security to examine the illegal transfer of classified U.S. technology to Communist China. Mr. Speaker, this is not a partisan issue, this is not politics as usual. This is a national security issue that cuts to the very core of what we stand for and what we believe. We have equipped our military with the finest technology in the world. To deliberately allow that technology to fall into the hands of enemies places each and every soldier, sailor, airmen and marine at risk. Ultimately it needlessly places the Nation at risk. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. It is the right thing to do, our national security demands it, our military deserves it, our Nation expects it.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the tax man cometh and cometh and cometh. Yet, there is a bright light at the end of this dark tax tunnel. Today in Congress, Congress will have that chance to answer the call of millions of hard-working families in this country who feel the Federal Government needs a new system of taxation. Today, the Federal Government has the great opportunity to renew the American dream. Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress have a chance to lift the tax burden off their constituents by passing legislation to sunset the current Tax Code. It is time to retire this outdated and oppressive Tax Code; it is time to give our children and generations to come the opportunity to participate in the American dream that rewards hard work, not penalizes it, with an unfair tax system. It is time to clear the way for a fairer, less complicated, and less burdensome tax system in this country. Mr. Speaker, let us tell the American people that we are serious about changing the tax system and pass the Tax Code Termination Act. It is our commitment to a more secure fiscal future for our children and future generations.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, in 1997 then-President Ronald Reagan signaled an end to the Cold War when he called upon Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. The time has come for President Clinton to make a similar call to the Communist Chinese. Next week President Clinton will have a landmark opportunity to call for human rights reforms in Communist China. He will have a historic opportunity, and millions of Americans hope and pray that he will not squander it. The President will be greeted in Tiananmen Square. This is the same site where 9 years ago the world watched as the Chinese Government brutally crushed the prodemocracy demonstration and killed or jailed thousands of Chinese citizens. As the world's only true leader, America cannot abdicate its responsibility to call for an end to China's human rights abuses. At every turn, President Clinton must call on the Chinese Government to respect the rights of Chinese citizens to assemble and to freely express themselves. The President must speak for the conscience of the civilized world and call for an end to China's notorious labor camps. The time has come for the U.S. to exercise its leadership and moral authority, and I sincerely hope that President Clinton doesn't waste it.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I hope all of the Members in this body remember that old saying, ``Play now and you can pay later.'' It seem that the antics of the Clinton Commerce Department have made it clear that their motto is, ``Let's play now and we will all pay later.'' One would think that even the most naive administrative appointee would understand the law of cause and effect and unintended consequences. Take, for example, Japan when it sold $40 million worth of high-tech machine tools to Russia to help them develop quieter submarines. That innocent sale cost the U.S. Navy billions of dollars to compensate for losing their advantage in anti-submarine warfare. Now the Clinton administration has sold the Communist Chinese advanced tool machinery for a measly $5 million. Lo and behold, those tools immediately turned up in a Chinese factory where anti-ship cruise missiles are built. Who knows what that little snafu will cost us in years to come? We can bet that it will not be cheap. What is next? Stealth technology? American technology has given our military the very best. Let us stop this ``play now, pay later'' attitude.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, most Americans are familiar with the old saying, ``Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.'' Well, Americans are now starting to wonder just how many times the Communist Chinese have fooled this administration. The Clinton administration has been selling U.S. secrets to China for the past few years. You name it, nuclear technology, missile secrets, computer technology, they have sold it. Now we have another foolish deal to add to the list. In 1993, in exchange for a deal on commercial airliners, the Clinton administration pushed a sale to China of special computer-controlled machinery used to make parts for America's premier war planes. The Chinese gave us their word, they gave us their solemn promise, that these machines would not, repeat, would not, be used for military purposes. Should anyone have been surprised when that sophisticated equipment showed up in a Communist Chinese factory that makes military cruise missiles, military cruise missiles that can be aimed at American soldiers and sailors? Mr. Speaker, it is time the Clinton administration and their Commerce Department take off their blinders and see these technology transfers for what they are, risks to American national security that clearly endanger American lives.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, last weekend a bomb exploded on a Pakistani train. Pakistan in turn immediately blamed India, its longtime adversary, for the death and destruction and vowed revenge. For many Americans now this tragedy makes a potential of a nuclear exchange between Pakistan and India a very, very real occurrence. But, Mr. Speaker, the most alarming part of this scenario is that this administration and Communist China are responsible for helping both Pakistan and India acquire their nuclear technology that now threatens the peace in our world. Americans are just learning that this administration and its Commerce Department are responsible for selling nuclear weapons and missile guidance technology to China. Then China nearly provided this technology that Pakistan needed for its fledgling nuclear program. Meanwhile U.S. companies like Digital and IBM were playing a huge role in India's advances by supplying them with supercomputers. Mr. Speaker, this administration has let the fire-breathing nuclear dragon out of its cage. The time has come for this administration to end its policy of promoting and licensing mass destruction to anyone who is willing to pay for it.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, most Americans know and understand that one's actions speak louder than words, but yesterday the President proposed giving permanent most favored nation trading status to Communist China saying that it was, and I quote, clearly in the best interest of this Nation. We need to look past these words and check out their actions. It was just 18 months ago that our President said, and I quote, not a single, solitary missile was pointed at American children. We now know that China with the help of this administration has at least 13 nuclear missiles aimed at the United States and our children. In 1990, China provided Iraq with the chemicals needed for a hydrogen bomb. China supplied Pakistan with a weapons grade plutonium reactor in 1991. Despite China's claim that they were not making any nuclear deals with Iran, China gave Iran a nuclear reactor in 1994. Now we are told that China is the single most important supplier of weapons of mass destruction in the world. MFN status is supposed to be reserved for our best friends, our allies, the countries we are trying to help. Communist China is not our friend.

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 195, I was unavoidably detained with committee business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. GIBBONS

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, just when we think we have heard it all, yesterday China asked the United States for this, and get this, permanent most-favored-nation trading status. It seems that the Chinese feel that our annual congressional reviews are an obstacle, a roadblock to improved relations between the United States and China. Did my colleagues catch that? It is Congress' fault that our countries are not closer. Mr. Speaker, several obstacles to better U.S. China relations come to mind, but none of them are the fault of the United States Congress. It was 9 years ago this week that China cracked down on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square; 250 people are still jailed as a result of that protest. China has been implicated in a scheme to funnel money to the DNC. This administration placed business issues over U.S. national security by approving the transfer of highly classified missile technology to the Chinese. Now the CIA says that China has at least 13 nuclear-tipped missiles pointed at the United States. Most-favored-nation status? My foot.