Paul Gillmor

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and salute a church in my area. This year, Elyria United Methodist Church in Elyria, OH, will celebrate the 100th year of its founding. Located in Northern Ohio, the church was founded in 1896. Many of the same family names are still in the congregation 100 years later. The vision at its founding a centennial ago was to be a church where people live with God and work for the communal good. The same vision is true today. The church building has been a source of civic pride for many years and the stately design of the building solidifies its place as a local landmark. A monument such as this does not survive on structure alone, however. The building is a testament to the dedication of the congregation in preserving links to their heritage. Mr. Speaker, as the church marks its 100th year of service, we commemorate the past and celebrate the future. A new generation continues the exemplary record of community service and pride that distinguishes Elyria United Methodist. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this special church.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2579, the Travel and Tourism Partnership Act, and commend the work of the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth] who in the final days of his congressional career is bringing this bipartisan legislation to our attention. Travel and tourism are vital components to our growing service and leisure oriented economy and I think it is appropriate that Congress, like many other countries, recognize the benefits and implications of travel and tourism from a national and international perspective. H.R. 2579 tries to reverse the decline in the number of tourists visiting the United States by establishing a federally chartered private tourism organization. Travel and tourism efforts are not just for warmer, tropical climate far south of here. I think we would be missing the boat--or plane, train, and automobile--if we stopped right there. Many of our own districts have places that people flock to for relaxation and enjoyment of their precious free-time. In my own district, which encompasses significant portions of Lake Erie, we have several areas that rely on travel and tourism to bolster their economies. In particular, I would point to both Put-In-Bay and Cedar Point, OH, whose popular restaurants, amusement parks, and taverns serve as an oasis to the rigors of the workweek. These places are the under-recognized stories of this industry. Mr. Speaker, this bill reminds the world, and ourselves, about the numerous sojourns our country offers. H.R. 2579 offers opportunities, tempered with the current budget realities and ongoing government downsizing, that many would argue are necessary to move the United States up from 33d in tourism promotion and increase the number of travel-related jobs now held in our country. While this bill is not a panacea, it is a good first step for an industry that employs nearly 14 million Americans, contributes $400 billion dollars to the economy, and generates a $19 billion trade surplus. I urge all my colleagues to support passage of this bill. It should not be forgotten that many small businesses are the beneficiaries of a vibrant travel economy. Travel and tourism are as much about creating and maintaining jobs as they are about rest and relaxation.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that we can never thank our veterans enough for putting their lives on the line in defense of our Nation. As a veteran myself, I am aware of the tremendous service veterans organizations give to their communities and the country as a whole. For this reason, I am proud to rise today and recognize Mr. Kenneth Bockbrader of American Legion Post 183, Pemberville, OH on the occasion of his 50 years of service to the post. Kenneth is a veteran of World War II and is presently a member of Freedom Post 183 Color Guard. Mr. Speaker, Kenneth Bockbrader's distinguished military service is a model of patriotism and citizenship. His commitment to the American Legion continues this exemplary service. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Kenneth and his family well as they begin this new chapter in their lives. May they fully enjoy the blessings of peace and freedom that Kenneth Bockbrader has so ably defended as a U.S. veteran.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that we can never thank our veterans enough for putting their lives on the line in defense of our Nation. As a veteran myself, I am aware of the tremendous service veterans organizations give to their communities and the country as a whole. For this reason, I am proud to rise today and recognize Mr. Robert Ladd of American Legion Post 183, Pemberville, OH, on the occasion of his 50 years of service to the post. Robert is a veteran of World War II and has been the post's finance officer since 1962. Mr. Speaker, Robert Ladd's distinguished military service is a model of patriotism and citizenship. His commitment to the American Legion continues this exemplary service. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Robert and his family well as they begin this new chapter in their lives. May they fully enjoy the blessings of peace and freedom that Robert Ladd has so ably defended as a U.S. veteran.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Capt. Dave Stein, an outstanding individual and a fine officer, who is entering civilian life after a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve. Captain Stein was born in Sandusky, OH. He was appointed midshipman, U.S. Naval Reserve, in September 1961 and attended Villanova University on a 5-year NROTC scholarship. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1966, Captain Stein was commissioned as a regular line officer on May 16, 1966, and ordered to duty in USS Hassayampa, AO 145, as cargo fuels officer and assistant engineer. He served in the Tonkin Gulf for 3 years duty and four Vietnam campaigns. In 1969, he completed EASTPAC, LANT, and MED cruises and completed qualification as fleet officer of the deck and surface warfare officer. He was designated a surface warfare officer in 1975 and an engineering duty officer in 1986. Captain Stein joined the Naval Reserve in 1970 and began his civilian career with Universal Electric, Inc., as an electrical power systems designer and project manager. In 1975 he was appointed vice president and chief engineer, and in 1980, president of the company. He served for 14 years as president, leaving the company in 1994. During this period, he completed an MBA in business systems analysis from Baldwin- Wallace College, graduating first in his class and was selected for distinguished membership in the national honorary graduate business society. In addition to his distinguished careers in the Navy and business, Dave has been a leader in his community. Captain Stein is a past president of Kiwanis and the Lake Erie Chapter of the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers and a past director of the National Electrical Contractors Association. He is a Sandusky, OH city commissioner and a member of various military, civilian, and engineering societies. Mr. Speaker, Dave Stein's distinguished military service is a model of patriotism and citizenship. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Dave, his wife Carol, and their children, Paul, Rebecca, Christy, and Nathan well as the Stein family begins this new chapter in their lives. May the Stein family fully enjoy the blessings of peace and freedom that Dave Stein has so ably defended as an officer in the U.S. Navy.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Colonel Robert Y. Foerster, an outstanding individual and a fine soldier, who is entering civilian life after a distinguished career in the United States Air Force. Since August of 1990, Robert Foerster has served as Director of Admissions for the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Robert has worked tirelessly assisting candidates and their families as well as Congressional staff members to work within the USAFA Admissions process to identify, nominate and offer appointments to a select few of the best and the brightest of our high school seniors. Robert Foerster is a Baltimore native. Robert graduated from University Military School in Mobile, AL in 1960 and after one year at Michigan State, entered the U.S. Air Force Academy. Upon graduation from the Academy, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and entered pilot training in Texas. Colonel Foerster earned a master's degree in business administration from Inter American University, Puerto Rico, in 1971. He attended Squadron Officer School in 1972, the Naval College of Command and Staff in 1976, and the National War College in 1980. Robert Foerster has received numerous military decorations, including the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. Mr. Speaker, Robert Foerster's distinguished military service is a model of patriotism and citizenship. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Robert, his wife Sheila, his daughters Janet, Leslie, Katrina and his son Mark well as the Foerster family begins this new chapter in their lives. May they fully enjoy the blessings of peace and freedom that Robert Foerster has so ably defended as an officer in the United States Air Force.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to vote for this conference report H.R. 3734 reforming our Nation's outdated welfare system. The current welfare program has been the biggest social and financial failure in the history of the country. We are replacing it with a program of hope and responsibility. It is a good thing we have Presidential elections occasionally. The President, who is now in an election, has said he will sign welfare reform after vetoing it two times before. Over the past 30 years more than $5 trillion has been spent on welfare. That figure is more than the national debt. During that time the poverty rate went up, not down. More children are in poverty, more families have broken up than before the current program was adopted. The American people have consistently said they believe in helping others and that there should be a safety net in society. They also do not want this help to be wasted on outdated formulas. This bill restores the promise of hope for the families on welfare and the trust between taxpayers and the managers of our welfare program. In the final analysis, it is clear Republican leadership was necessary to finally tackle this problem. I am happy we were able to lead the President to reform instead of standing in the way.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the actions of a brave police Officer. Recently, Officer Todd Shelton's quick thinking and cool judgement are responsible for saving the life of a potential drowning victim. On June 23, 1996 in the Village of Put-In-Bay, OH, Officer Shelton observed a man stumbling on a municipal dock off Lake Erie. The man fell in the water and became trapped beneath a boat. Quickly running to the scene, Officer Shelton located the victim and jumped in after him. By going beneath the water, the officer was able to grab the victim's shirt, free him, and bring him to the surface for air. After making sure he was breathing, Officer Shelton pulled him from the water and summoned medics to treat numerous cuts and abrasions on the victim. Had Officer Shelton not responded in the manner he did, the victim would have assuredly drowned. Mr. Speaker, Officer Shelton's actions represent the courageous decisions made everyday by police officers all across Ohio and America. These dedicated personnel continue to exemplify the good characteristics in society and are tremendous role models for our children. By risking his own life, Officer Shelton was able to save another. Too often, we forget the awesome responsibilities we ask our safety personnel, whether it is firemen, police, or Coast Guard, to undertake. Safe and responsible behavior is not just important in protecting ourselves but also those whose profession is to serve and protect. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Officer Todd Shelton on his good work and encourage him to continue to serve his community with such dedication.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Craig Swartz, an outstanding individual and a fine soldier, who was recently installed as State commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Ohio. A resident of Fremont for 45 years, Craig is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was wounded three times in Vietnam. He has been active with the V.F.W. since 1983. Over the course of his service, he was elected commander of the Fremont Post 2947 in 1986 and served three terms in that capacity. In 1989, he was elected commander of Firelands County Council and was named all-State and all-American county council commander. He has now been honored six times as an all-American, an accomplishment that had never been achieved by an Ohio member. I firmly believe that we can never thank our veterans enough for putting their lives on the line in defense of our Nation. As a veteran myself, I am aware of the tremendous service veterans organizations give to their communities and the country as a whole. Mr. Speaker, Craig Swartz's distinguished military service is a model of patriotism and citizenship. His commitment to the V.F.W. continues this exemplary service. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Craig, his wife Cindy, and their children well as the Swartz family begins this new chapter in their lives. May they fully enjoy the blessings of peace and freedom that Craig Swartz has so ably defended as a U.S. Marine.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exciting news for a business in my district. Bettcher Industries of Vermilion. OH, is the proud recipient of the 1995 Industrial Engineers' Excellence in Productivity Improvement Award for the development and manufacturing of the Airshirz pneumatic scissors. Some past winners of this prestigious award have been: Boeing, Anheuser-Busch, Ford Motor Co. and Texas Instruments. The award is given in recognition of ``diligent and innovative achievements which increased productivity, eliminated human drudgery, and improved the quality of working life.'' Creation of the Airshirz pneumatic scissors dramatically increased worker productivity while reducing exposure to cumulative trauma disorders. After successfully introducing the Airshirz in the poultry processing industry in 1995, they have been installed in a range of industries where workers are involved in cutting light metals, fiberglass and flexible sheet, heavy fabrics, plastics, rubber, and other industrial materials. Ohio continues to be a leader in developing new products. The ergonomically designed, hand-held Airshirz scissors fit comfortable into the palm of the hand and are fully controllable by a finger loop similar to that of regular scissors. Because cutting power is delivered by air pressure, not the worker's hand, the gripping force and muscle activity required to perform tasks are dramatically reduced. Bettcher Industries is a company renowned for its civic pride and commitment to service. The company is not only a world-class performer, with offices in Switzerland, on the international stage, but a model citizen in its own community. Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that Ohio has greatly benefited from the efforts of the employees of Bettcher Industries. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the achievements of these dedicated achievers and encourage them to continue to uphold what has become the standard for excellence in America.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and give congratulations to Don and Dorothy Bero on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary which will take place this Friday, June 29, 1996. By joining themselves in marriage 50 years ago, Don and Dorothy made a commitment to sharing a life of love and respect for each other. It was a commitment they have kept to this day. Their strong marriage is a testament to this love and has provided an inspiration to all who have met them. A famous theologian once said, ``There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.'' The honest and unselfish love that Don and Dorothy Bero have demonstrated during the past 50 years strengthens the institution of marriage. I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating the Beros and to extend these warm wishes to their daughters, Nancy and Sally, and their grandchildren, John, Corbin and Jane.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Markey amendment. The Markey amendment continues to support a failed program when there are better alternatives available. This amendment ignores some simple and widely accepted facts about Superfund, and unapologetically defends the failed status quo. The Markey amendment preserves the current retroactive liability system--a system that has proven to be successful at enriching lawyers, but not in cleaning up the environment. When Superfund was originally passed in 1980, and when it was reauthorized in 1986, it was a program with great hope. The hope was that the billions of dollars raised by the corporate taxes in this program would go for cleaning up some of the Nation's most dangerous hazardous waste sites. Regrettably, the promise was not met. Superfund turned out to be an all-too-typical Federal Government program. First, it failed in its purpose. After 16 years and a cost of $15 billion, only 91 sites have been cleaned up. Second, it was an all- too-typical Government program because in the process of failing, it consumed billions and billions of dollars. Third, much of the money that was spent did not go for helping the environment. It went to enrich attorneys and it went for regulatory and bureaucratic costs. This program must be reformed and we have a vehicle pending before this Congress to reform it in the Commerce Committee. The appropriations legislation offered here to fund the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] in fiscal year 1997 places a priority on Superfund spending for actual cleanup, limiting the resources used for redundant administrative and support services. I could not agree more with this strategy. I offered in the Commerce Committee, and the committee accepted, these same provisions to the House reauthorization and reform of the Superfund program. I am glad the Appropriations Committee has decided to accept this idea in the report language to this bill. EPA says it is spending roughly about 65 percent of their Superfund budget on remedial actions, the rest going to administrative, research, and oversight activities. However, only about 40 percent goes to actual cleanup. So, 60 percent winds up going to other activities. Environmental protection, especially when it comes to Superfund, should not be just spending money, but in spending money wisely for environmental cleanup. A vote for the Markey amendment is a vote against reform of Superfund. The major problems with Superfund are its liability determination, retroactive liability, and a failed method of remedy selection. If you really care about the environment, you want the limited resources we have spent for dealing with real environmental needs, and not wasted. The money ought to go to pay the people who move dirt, and clean up the actual sites, and not go to the consultants and lawyers. A ``no'' vote on this amendment coupled with the passage of real reform in Superfund will be good for the environment, and especially it will be good for the people who live near these sites.

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. (Mr.. GILLMOR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, today the House will debate the interior appropriations bill. While I support many of the provisions of this bill, I do have serious concerns in at least one area. Nearly 20 years ago, Congress asked the Energy Department to set energy efficiency standards for home appliances. This was an effort to stem the unnecessarily rapid rate of energy consumption in this country. By establishing national standards for everyone to use, a valuable measuring stick was created to permit manufacturers to commit time, investment and engineering resources. However, this was all placed on hold in our spending bill in 1996 which put a moratorium on rulemaking. While I have never been one to support increased regulation, this issue should have been handled better. Congress ought not be in the business of artificially manipulating a steady market once it is established. Yet this is exactly what the appropriations bill report language purports to do. Second, the issue of energy standard should be dealt with through the Committee on Commerce, the committee of jurisdiction. What the committee is attempting to do is to interfere in the economic marketplace.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the following committees and their subcommittees be permitted to sit today while the House is meeting in the Committee of the Whole under the 5-minute rule: Committee on Agriculture; Committee on Banking and Financial Services; Committee on Commerce; Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities; Committee on Government Reform and Oversight; Committee on International Relations; Committee on the Judiciary; Committee on National Security; Committee on Resources; Committee on Science; Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Committee on Veterans' Affairs; and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the minority has been consulted and that there is no objection to these requests.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding student organization within my congressional district. Members of the Keystone Future Farmers of America captured fifth place in both the national poultry contest and national nursery-landscape contest held in Kansas City during the National FAA Convention last November. A total of 44 nursery-landscape State championship teams and 33 poultry State championship teams entered the competition. In nursery-landscape the team posted 2,264 points and was edged out of the national title by Bear Creek, NC, who posted a winning score of 2,558. Individually 2 members were in the top 20 with Matt Kappan placing 18th with 779 points and Keith Diedrick scoring 771 points for 20th place. Brad Smith scored 713 points to round out the team scoring. Members of the poultry team placed 3 members in the top 20 posting a team score of 2,409 and was edged out the by national champion Latrina, TX, who scored 2,570 points. Individually, team member Julie Aldrich scored 805 points good for 15th place, Anna Pickworth scored 803 to place 16th. Any Holcomb scored 771 points and placed 36th in overall competition. A total of 176 individuals entered nursery-landscape while 132 took part in the poultry contest. For teams to qualify for national FFA competition they must win the State contest. In the past 4 years, six teams from Keystone FFA have qualified for the national competition. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the talent and hard work of these students, who under the able direction of Larry Lokai, have set the standard for FFA excellence in Ohio.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and pay tribute to an outstanding citizen of Ohio. After 30 years of dedicated service delivering the U.S. mail in Port Clinton, Ohio, Letter Carrier Ron ``Pete'' Peterson is hanging up the mail bag for good. I am especially thankful for Ron's dedication because he has been delivering to my family and friends along Sand Road for almost 28 of his 30 years. We have often heard that America works because of the unselfish contributions of her citizens. Ron is an Air Force veteran, serving for 7 years. He has continued this service for his country through the United States Postal Service. Over the years, Ron has set the standard for dedication to duty and he is an example to others. Anyone who knows Ron Peterson knows he is an avid fan of the Buckeyes, Indians, and Cavaliers. His enthusiasm for sports is matched by his knowledge and appreciation of jazz music. He has been extremely helpful to scores of colleagues and residents alike and has always provided positive leadership for the Post Office. Sometimes the only compensation you get for the extra time and effort put into your career is the thanks and appreciation you receive from the community. By that standard, Ron Peterson is indeed a wealthy man. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending a special thanks to Ron Peterson and recognize the example he has set for others. I know his friends and family are proud of his career and wish him well as he enters this new chapter of his life.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding school in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. The Charles A. Krout Elementary School was recently chosen as one of the best in the State of Ohio by the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators. This is an honor very few schools receive. When you walk through the front door at Krout Elementary, you cannot help but see that the staff works extremely hard every single day for every single student. One of the points stressed at the school is the high level of parental and community involvement. The education of the children is a collective effort. About 200 parents, grandparents, and retired people volunteer for different school functions. This level of dedication should be the standard for our children. Mr. Speaker, quality education is at the heart of America's future. Krout Elementary has done enormous good for its community and the country through solid dedication to the power of learning and knowledge that our young people need. This honor is a time to reflect upon past accomplishments. It is also a time to look toward new horizons. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the achievements of the Charles A. Krout Elementary School and encourage its faculty, parents, and students to continue to uphold its impressive legacy.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and bring to the attention of my colleagues an important event being held in Edgerton, Ohio, June 19-22. The Village of Edgerton will be celebrating the 75th Diamond Anniversary of the community's homecoming. This annual summer festival is a time for friends and neighbors to get together and honor their community spirit. A true railroad city, Edgerton was surveyed in 1854 where the proposed Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad crossed the St. Joseph River. Named after former newspaper editor, Ohio State Senator and U.S. Congressman Alfred P. Edgerton, the city grew quickly. By the end of the Civil War there were two general stores, three saloons, a grocery, hotel, produce dealer, harness shop, house painter, four carpenters, two blacksmiths, and a wagon maker. Through the years, the occupations have changed but the sense of pride in community has remained. This pride is manifested every summer through the village's homecoming. Throughout its history, Edgerton has been blessed by their enthusiasm and volunteer labor for its many projects. Anniversaries are a time to reflect upon a steadfast tradition of service, they are also a time to look toward new horizons. The residents of Edgerton have made it their responsibility to serve those in need by keeping pace with the ever increasing challenges facing mankind. This summer's celebration honors that heritage. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Edgerton's Diamond Anniversary Homecoming and encouraging the residents to continue to set the standard for community involvement in Ohio.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize an exceptional young man from my district who has recently accepted his appointment as a member of the class of 2000 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The son of Denise Jerger, Joel P. Jerger will graduate from Montpelier High School later this month. While in high school, Joel distinguished himself as a leader among his peers. He has earned a 3.93 grade point average while earning varsity letters in football and baseball. In addition, he was the freshman class president, participated in Buckeye Boys State, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is an outstanding citizen and patriot. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important responsibilities of Members of Congress is to identify outstanding young men and women and to nominate them for admission to the U.S. service academies. While at the academy, they will be the beneficiaries of one of the finest educations available, so that in the future, they might be entrusted with the very security of our Nation. I am confident that Joel Jerger has both the ability and the desire to meet this challenge. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him for his accomplishments to date and to wish him the best of luck as he begins his career in service to our country.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize an exceptional young man from my district who has recently accepted his appointment as a member of the Class of 2000 at the U.S. Naval Academy. John P. Waggoner will graduate Margaretta High School later this month after 4 years of outstanding academic achievement as well as extracurricular involvement. While in high school John has distinguished himself as a leader among his peers. He is first in his class with a 4.00 grade point average and a varsity letter winner in football, baseball, and track. In addition, he was president of the National Honor Society, participated in Buckeye Boys State and is an active volunteer for the YMCA. He is an outstanding student and patriot. Mr. Speaker, one of the most important responsibilities of Members of Congress is to identify outstanding young men and women and to nominate them for admission to the U.S. service academies. While at the Academy, they will be the beneficiaries of one of the finest educations available, so that in the future, they might be entrusted with the very security of our Nation. I am confident that John Waggoner has both the ability and the desire to meet this challenge. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him for his accomplishments to date and to wish him the best of luck as he begins his career in service to our country.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and bring attention to a civic event being held in Elmore, OH, on June 13. This is the 10th annual BrushPride Day sponsored by the Brush Wellman Corp. The theme for this year's event is ``BrushPride-- Community Wide.'' This Ohio company and its subsidiaries supply worldwide markets with beryllium products, alloy products, ceramic products, precious metal products, and speciality metal systems. As their mission statement so aptly states: We are committed to on time delivery of defect free competitive products and services to all of our customers by always performing to requirements. The company is not only a world class performer on the international stage, but a model citizen in its own community. BrushWellman is a company renowned for its civic pride and commitment to service. This year's event will highlight the good works BrushWellman employees contribute to their community. Anniversaries are a time to reflect upon a steadfast tradition of service. The 10th annual BrushPride Day is also a time to look toward new horizons. BrushWellman employees have made it their responsibility to serve those in need by keeping pace with the ever increasing challenges facing mankind. Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that Ohio has greatly benefited from the efforts of the employees of BrushWellman. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the achievements of these dedicated achievers and encourage them to continue to uphold what has become the standard for excellence in Ohio.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and recognize an outstanding citizen from Sandusky, OH. Mr. Joe Groscost will be retiring from his distinguished career of teaching and coaching at the conclusion of the 1995-96 school team. Joe started his coaching career as an assistant swim coach at Perkins High School in 1966. He became the head coach in the fall of 1967. Joe started one of the first girls' high school swim programs no northwest Ohio in 1978. His record as a head coach is outstanding. He holds the Ohio State High School record for the number of victories as a head coach at one high school with 455 wins and 136 losses. His teams have garnered more than 135 titles. He was selected Boys Northwest District Coach of the Year five times plus Girls District Coach of the Year two times. Mr. Groscost founded the Vacationland Swim Club in 1970 to promote swimming and fitness in his community. The club has been in continuous existence since that time and is an asset to Sandusky community. Mr. Groscost also started a learn-to-swim program that has been instrumental in teaching young children how to swim and water safety. Mr. Speaker, Mr. ``G'' as he is affectionately known, has been a positive influence on the lives of the many young men and women who have come in contact with him. He has been instrumental in guiding many teens and has provided constructive assistance to people that have come into contact with Joe even after their high school days were over. I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the successful accomplishments of Joe Groscost and to wonderful example he has set for others.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding citizen from Tiffin, OH. Dr. William C. Cassell, president of Heidelberg College has announced he will retire at the end of this school year. Dr. Cassell's retirement marks the end of a 16 year era in Heidelberg's development. In 1980, William Cassell became the 11th President of Heidelberg College, one of Ohio's oldest colleges. Under his leadership, the college has made a significant turnaround, enjoying a large increase in enrollment, the elimination of huge deficits, and widespread recognition as a leaders in innovation liberal arts and international education. Heidelberg College is a selective, independent, liberal arts college situated atop College Hill in Tiffin, OH. For 8 consecutive years, it has been ranked as ``One of America's Best Colleges'' by U.S. News and World Report. There is a saying about education that brings President Cassell to mind. ``When you teach the people, you reap hundred harvests.'' William Cassell, after a career of distinguished service, should feel the deep satisfaction that comes from creating the harvests of our future. He has been a creative, innovative, and reliable education leader. Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to make the best possible use of Heidelberg's resources for the sake of the education of each student. In the process, he has led a staff and an education community that has mirrored his special sense of dedication and service. William Cassell's commitment to education has stretched far beyond Heidelberg's campus. He was chosen by the former President of the United States as one of 10 appointees to the Advisory Council on the White House Conference on Library and Information Services. In 1988, the former Governor of Ohio appointed Cassell as one of nine members of the Ohio Higher Education Facilities Commission. Internationally, Cassell is the Honorary Royal Cousul General of Nepal. He was a member of missions for American Management Techniques to Indonesia and Jamaica, and chief of a mission to Thailand. He is on the executive committee of the International Education of the American Council of Education. Along the way, he has always earned the respect and admiration of his peers in the field. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Dr. William Cassell on the occasion of his retirement, and wish him, his wife Jeanne, and their three children, Paul, Susan, and David, all the best in the years ahead.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, as the House was not in formal session on April 22, Earth Day, I wanted to take the floor and talk about the importance of protecting the environment. While I recognize this day was used by many to feign interest in appearing ``Green,'' not to mention fund raise, I think it is time to cast aside the ``sound- bites'' and have an honest and open discussion about the best way to improve our environment. While some people planted trees, posed for pictures with fuzzy birds, or made fiery speeches set against a scenic backdrop, it takes more than symbolism and scorecard votes to make our environment safe. Even though Russell Peterson of the National Audubon Society coined the phrase ``Think Globally, Act Locally,'' our national environmental policy has been void of local control, flexibility, or involvement. We need the efforts and input of every thoughtful and concerned person to move environmental protection from the sloganeering stage to a daily reality. Several times during this Congress, we have been presented with legislation in which it has been suggested that passing these bills would improve the environment. Now, without commenting on the merits of these bills, I want to suggest that many of them were dismissed out of hand because they did not follow a ``traditional'' protocol for environmental protection, greater regulation and/or use of expensive technology. This development troubles me in that collegiality of thought is continuing to be sacrificed on this issue. Many here in Congress, on both sides of the aisle, as well as those in the media, propose and advance the notion that the only way to enhance environmental protection is to use the most expensive technology available or institute more restrictive regulations. I reject that notion. While new technology or tough restrictions are not in themselves evil, it shows lack of foresight and depth of understanding that other means can accomplish the same end. The bottom line is that tighter regulations and ``Cadillac'' technologies cost money. And, regardless of what people may think, we only have a limited amount of resources, private and public, that we can commit to environmental protection. We should be placing our resources toward the most pressing environmental concerns of our day, and getting them remediated, not chasing allegations of hearsay or negligible, scientifically defensive problems. Let me propose one of my favorite examples of what I mean to illustrate this point. Federal regulations currently require cities to keep atrazine levels in drinking water below three parts per billion-- which on the surface sounds reasonable, nobody wants to be serving up a glass of weed killer to their friends or family. However, under these levels, a human would have to drink 3,000 gallons of water, or 38 bathtubs, per day with three parts per billion atrazine to equal the dose found to be cancerous in rates. Of note, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a ``Health Advisory'' for atrazine, which states that a child can drink water containing 100 parts per billion for 10 days or 50 parts per billion for 7 years without adverse health effects--this ``Health Advisory'' is much lower than the EPA guideline. Yet, the city of Columbus, OH found that compliance with this regulation could require a new $80 million water purification plant. For the same amount of money, the city could hire an extra 2,300 teachers at the average State teacher's salary. We must remember that protecting our environment has real costs and that we cannot squander those resources on minimal threat, extreme cost environmental boondoggles. Another thing that we, as Americans, cannot tolerate in our environmental trek, is a cumbersome bureaucracy that makes environmental protection difficult to attain. The Endangered Species Act first passed with strong bipartisan support, all of us can agree that we should not be willfully trying to eradicate the creatures important to our ecosystem. However, the two pronged efforts of the act, protection and recovery, have become stymied in bureaucracy and court cases so that many species have become protected, but very few species have been recovered at all. This undermines the real intention of the law. But as bad as the bureaucracy has been with the Endangered Species Act, the Superfund Program has been worse. This program, which was put into law 16 years ago to clean our Nation's worst toxic dumps, has been a miserable failure; it is the archetypical government program. Everyone believes this program needs to be reformed. We have spent billions of dollars on this program only to see hazardous waste sites sit uncleaned, with lawyers and bureaucrats drawing ever-increasing paychecks. The American people deserve a much better return on their investment. I have successfully offered an amendment to congressional efforts to reform Superfund that would force greater amounts of the Superfund's cleanup budget--the money that should be going to ``dirt moving'' activity, not bureaucrats, desks, and reams of studies--to go to site remediation. The private sector generally spends over 200 percent less on administrative costs in cleanup projects than the Government. The money we save here could be used for tangible environmental improvements and I am hopeful that this important provision can be enacted into public law. Our country has made significant strides over the last 30 years to make our environment safer, cleaner, and healthier. We should not abdicate the responsibility to protect our air, land, and water that has been establish and been successful. However, we should not forget to reform or improve those laws that have actually perpetuated the problems. More of a bad thing does not make it a good thing, it only becomes a bigger bad thing--and delay is worse. This should be our credo in finding environmental problems, as well as in proposing their solutions. Trying something new, or looking at the problem in another way, does not immediately constitute an infringement on environmental protection, we all want a clean environment. Mr. Speaker, much of the public debate on the environment has been cast in purely partisan tones, yet, I am here to set the record straight that making our natural inheritance better for present and future generations should not be confined to party identification. If we were to keep score from that perspective, as most people do in this town, I would like to remind people that the Republicans were the first ones to embrace the cause of conservation. Teddy Roosevelt, the first real standard bearer for the National Park System, was a Republican. And, the Environmental Protection Agency was established by Richard Nixon and would have been elevated to Cabinet-level status under President Bush had certain political considerations not come to the fore. Our environment is too important to become a political football, filled with hot air every election cycle. Emotional pleas and incendiary direct mail pieces only clutter the burgeoning waste stream of environmental perspectives. We need a science-based policy which gives us solid, substantiated information; governing by fearmongering is no way to responsibly lead. Using informed, expert opinion and legitimate data, we can make our natural inheritance better for present and future generations. I am hopeful that this Earth Day will be an opportunity for us all to consider the environment and how we can make it better. Billions of tax dollars are spent to ensure our public health and safety, they should not fund unreasonable regulations or stifling bureaucracies. We should take a prudent, realistic course, that realizes we are currently able to accomplish a finite set of objectives, as our resources allow. And, we should see that local involvement in priority setting, on top of proven and substantiated research, lead us to environmental quality in which we can all take pride.