Paul Gillmor

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize my constituent, Graig B. Turson of Plymouth, Ohio, who recently accepted his appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Graig will soon graduate from Plymouth High School. During his high school career, he has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and is ranked first in his graduating class. He is an accomplished athlete, earning varsity letters in basketball, baseball and cross country. And, he has demonstrated his leadership ability, serving as captain of the basketball and baseball teams, and as President of the senior class. Graig Turson can be very proud of his many accomplishments. He is a credit to his family, his school, and his community. By accepting his appointment, Graig is accepting a unique challenge. The Academy is the pinnacle of leadership development for the United States Air Force. As a member of the Cadet Air Wing, he will face a most demanding academic curriculum and physical regimen. He will live, study and prepare in an environment where strong leadership thrives, individual achievement is expected, and personal integrity is demanded. Mr. Speaker, General John W. Vessey, Jr. once wrote, ``The Nation's ability to remain free and at peace depends in no small measure on whether we will continue to inspire our youth to serve.'' I am confident that Graig Turson has the character and ability to excel at the U.S. Air Force Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him well as he begins his very important service to our nation.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize my constituent, Bryan F. Siebenaller of Bascom, Ohio, who recently accepted his appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Bryan will soon graduate from Hopewell-Loudon High School. During his high school career, he has maintained a 3.9 grade point average, ranking high in his graduating class. He is an accomplished athlete, earning varsity letters in football, basketball and track. And he has clearly demonstrated his leadership ability, serving as President of the Student Council and as President of the National Honor Society. Bryan Siebenaller can be very proud of his many accomplishments. He is a credit to his family, his school, and his community. By accepting his appointment, Bryan is accepting a unique challenge. The Academy is the pinnacle of leadership development for the United States Army. As a member of the U.S. Corps of Cadets, he will face a most demanding academic curriculum and physical regimen. He will live, study and prepare in an environment where strong leadership thrives, individual achievement is expected, and personal integrity is demanded. Mr. Speaker, General John W. Vessey, Jr. once wrote, ``The Nation's ability to remain free and at peace depends in no small measure on whether we will continue to inspire our youth to serve.'' I am confident that Bryan Siebenaller has the character and ability to excel at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him well as he begins his very important service to our nation.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize my constituent, Jaclyn F. Smith of Pioneer, Ohio, who recently accepted her appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jaclyn will soon graduate from Montpelier High School. During her high school career, she has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and is ranked first in her graduating class. She is an accomplished athlete, earning varsity letters in track and cross country. And, she has clearly demonstrated her leadership ability, serving as captain of the track and cross country teams, and as Vice President of the National Honor Society. Jaclyn Smith can be very proud of her many accomplishments. She is a credit to her family, her school, and her community. By accepting her appointment, Jaclyn is accepting a unique challenge. The Academy is the pinnacle of leadership development for the United States Air Force. As a member of the Cadet Air Wing, she will face a most demanding academic curriculum and physical regimen. She will live, study and prepare in an environment where strong leadership thrives, individual achievement is expected, and personal integrity is demanded. Mr. Speaker, General John W. Vessey, Jr. once wrote, ``The Nation's ability to remain free and at peace depends in no small measure on whether we will continue to inspire our youth to serve.'' I am confident that Jaclyn Smith has the character and ability to excel at the U.S. Air Force Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing her well as she begins her very important service to our Nation.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize my constituent, Taylor G. Markward of Middle Point, Ohio, who recently accepted his appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Taylor will soon graduate from Van Wert High School. During his high school career, he has maintained a high grade point average, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is an accomplished athlete, earning varsity letters in football and basketball. And, he has clearly demonstrated his leadership ability, serving as Vice President of the Student Body, President of the Key Club and as a captain of the football and basketball teams. Taylor Markward can be very proud of his many accomplishments. He is a credit to his family, his school, and his community. By accepting his appointment, Taylor is accepting a unique challenge. The Academy is the pinnacle of leadership development for the United States Army. As a member of the U.S. Corps of Cadets, he will face a most demanding academic curriculum and physical regimen. He will live, study and prepare in an environment where strong leadership thrives, individual achievement is expected, and personal integrity is demanded. Mr. Speaker, General John W. Vessey, Jr. once wrote, ``The Nation's ability to remain free and at peace depends in no small measure on whether we will continue to inspire our youth to serve.'' I am confident that Taylor Markward has the character and ability to excel at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him well as he begins his very important service to our nation.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize a true hero. Since September 11, the definition of a hero has changed dramatically. People who selflessly put their lives on the line for others have always been recognized as heroes, but their deeds are even more appreciated today. One of my constituents fits this description, James Blake from Tiffin, Ohio. Three days after the Christmas 2001 holiday, Mr. Blake, a truck driver for Fry Foods, and his son, Zach, were traveling on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania, returning home after a trip to New York City. Over his CB radio, he heard of an accident ahead of him caused by a snow squall. When he and his son came across the accident scene, they saw that it involved a tanker truck that was loaded with powdered iron, an extremely flammable substance. Debbie Weeda and her three children were wedged in their car under the tanker. Her car on fire, her youngest trapped, she screamed for help. Mr. Blake reacted without regard for his own safety, running to the burning car to save Dominick, age 1, who was trapped in his car seat. On his first try, he was unable to extract the child. Wielding his pocketknife, he returned a second time and cut the restraints that trapped the infant. Having extricated Dominick from the burning car, the children, their mother and the Blakes fled the scene just before the tanker exploded. Mr. Speaker, James Blake is a true hero. Today, at a time when the forces of evil have threatened our way of life, Mr. Blake exhibited the American spirit. I thank Mr. Blake, his son, and the countless fire and rescue personnel who put their lives on the line for others. Mr. Blake, you are a truly selfless American.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize a woman who has served the Fifth Congressional District with patriotism, devotion, and kindness. Today, Yvonne N. Darling of Elmore, Ohio will be retiring from the Ottawa County Board of Elections. For the last eight years, she has ensured the accuracy and sanctity of Ottawa County elections. Her dedication and optimism will not be forgotten. Mrs. Darling's service to our country started long before she came to Northwest Ohio. She began her marriage as a military wife, making her own sacrifice while her husband, Jim, served our country. After his retirement, Mrs. Darling and her husband returned to Elmore, Ohio where she joined the Ottawa County Republican Central Committee. Taking on a leadership role, she served as Women's Club Treasurer. As an Elmore Village Councilwoman for 8 years, she again demonstrated how important it is to give back to your community. Most recently, she has served on the Ottawa County Board of Elections ensuring that our elections are safe and accurate. Since 1975, Mrs. Darling has been an active member of the American Legion Post 269 and her efforts speaks for themselves. As the Chairman of the Americanism Committee, Mrs. Darling helps foster a sense of patriotism in high school students across Ottawa County. She motivates young people to give back to their communities and encourages them to reach for their dreams. At every opportunity she has made a positive impact on her community and the people around her. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Darling is an example of how American values can make a difference in each of our communities. Her passion for service and charity towards all will remain an important staple in the Elmore community for many years to come. I ask my colleagues of the 107th Congress to join me in saluting Mrs. Yvonne N. Darling and wishing her the very best in her future endeavors.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize a great man who has dedicated much of his life to his community. At the end of the year, Mr. Michael Anthony Grandillo will retire as President of the Tiffin City Council. For the past 14 years, he has served as Councilman of the 4th Ward of the City of Tiffin in the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio. Mike has had a long and distinguished career on the Tiffin City Council. He was appointed to the seat in 1985 and was re-elected to every four-year term since then. He served as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee when the city of Tiffin experienced tremendous growth. He was also Chairman of the Law and Community Planning Committee who has oversight responsibility for economic development in Tiffin. Under his leadership, Tiffin recognized as having one of the top three municipal economic development programs in the State of Ohio. His dedicated service to this community does not stop with the Tiffin City Council. He is currently Secretary and Director of the Friedman Village, a non-profit corporation which developed and manages an 18 acre assisted and independent living facility. He is an Executive Committee Member of the Independent College Advancement Associates of Ohio and Director of the Ohio Northern University Alumni Board. In addition to his education affiliations, he is a member of Elks International, the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club of Tiffin, Ducks Unlimited of Seneca County, and the Media Institute, a National Italian-American Foundation. Mike continues today to serve his community. In addition to his post as Vice President of Development of Tiffin University, he serves as Director of the Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Seneca County Industrial Economic Development Corporation, and Chairman of the Revolving Loan Committee for Tiffin that develops the City's infrastructure to encourage business growth. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues of the 107th Congress to join me in saluting Mike for his years of service to the Tiffin community. I want to wish my friend, his wife Nancy, and their two children, Vincent and Gina, all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Safe Drinking Water Act, I am taking this opportunity to elaborate on and clarify the provisions of the legislative text of Title IV of H.R. 3448, the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2001. Because this legislation was considered under suspension of the Rules and without the filing of a report by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I want to provide and more detailed explanation of Title IV for the Record. Section 401: Amendment to Safe Drinking Water Act Title IV of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2001 requires community water systems serving over 3,300 individuals to conduct vulnerability assessments and to prepare or revise emergency response plans which incorporate the results of the vulnerability assessment. The legislation, however, also recognizes that many community water systems have conducted or will be in the process of conducting vulnerability assessments at the time of enactment. Title IV is thus explicitly drafted not to create a regulatory program which could slow down ongoing efforts or to require systems that have completed vulnerability assessments to undertake another such assessment. The title only requires that systems certify that an assessment has been completed by a specific date, not that the assessment was initiated and/or completed before or after the date of enactment. Title IV does not create a regulatory role for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in defining what is or is not an ``acceptable'' vulnerability assessment. EPA is provided no regulatory authority in this regard; instead, the Agency is only to provide information once to community water systems (by March 1, 2002) regarding what kinds of terrorist attacks are probable threats. EPA is to coordinate its efforts with other agencies and departments of government who have expertise in this area, to compile information readily available or already developed, and to promptly distribute this information. The statute does not provide a continuing duty for EPA in this area past the date specified in the legislation. In this regard, vulnerability assessments are defined in statute only to the extent that they include a review of certain specified items. These items are those which make up the physical structure of a public water system (as defined in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)), electronic, computer or other automated systems, physical barriers, the use, storage, or handling of various chemicals and the operation and maintenance of a drinking water system. Title IV recognizes that there are many different types and sizes of community water systems (CWS) and gives CWS wide discretion to devise and conduct a vulnerability assessment. EPA is not given any rulemaking or other authority to define further what is or is not a vulnerability assessment meeting the requirements of section 1433. Nor does Title IV require that a community water system utilize any particular vulnerability assessment tool, or conduct any specific type of analysis. Community water systems are not required to determine the consequences of intentional acts or terrorist acts, analyze their use of specific chemicals, including chlorine, as opposed to other chemicals, or to characterize the risk of any offsite impacts. Further, the term ``physical barriers'' does not necessarily include ``buffer zones'' or any other area around physical structures. Title IV does not contain any requirement that the EPA or any other governmental body receive for review vulnerability assessments conducted by water systems. Nor does Title IV contain any requirement that community water systems provide such information to EPA or to any other person or governmental entity. It only requires that community water systems certify that they have completed an assessment. Community water systems are to coordinate with local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) in the preparation or revision of emergency response plans for the purpose of avoiding duplication of effort and taking advantage of previous information developed by the LEPCs for first responders and local government response. There is no requirement that community water systems disclose any of the information developed by the vulnerability assessments to the LEPCs. Vulnerability assessments could contain very sensitive information about a drinking water system which would be of assistance to a terrorist or an individual contemplating an attack. Therefore, Title IV was explicitly and intentionally drafted to avoid triggering any requirement under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (Section 552 of Title 5, United States Code) to disclose any information developed in connection with a vulnerability assessment. The President should carefully consider whether assessments and related materials should be exempted from the FOIA by executive order. The legislation authorizes EPA to provide financial assistance to CWS for several specified purposes. EPA may provide assistance for vulnerability assessments, for developing or revising emergency response plans and for expenses and contracts designed to address basic security enhancements of critical importance and significant threats to public health. Title IV does not define either ``basic security enhancements of critical importance'' or ``significant threats to public health.'' However, existing SDWA programs which provide assistance to water systems have not provided assistance for continuing expenses such as operations and maintenance or personnel expenses. This legislation does not change this long-established public policy. Finally, Title IV clarifies that EPA has discretion to act under Part D, Emergency Powers, of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) when the Agency has received information about a specific threatened terrorist attack or when the Agency has received information concerning a potential terrorist attack (but not necessarily a specific, identified threat) at a drinking water facility. In exercising this discretion, the EPA should only rely upon substantial, credible information. EPA should not interpret ``potential terrorist attack'' to mean that there is merely some possibility or statistical probability of a terrorist attack. Neither should EPA interpret a general warning, general announcement or general condition to be sufficient information of a threatened or potential terrorist attack. Specific, credible information is required, and all other elements of section 1431 must be met, including the existence of an imminent and substantial endangerment to the health of persons, that appropriate State and local authorities have not acted to protect the health of persons served by the drinking water system, and that the EPA Administrator has consulted with State and local authorities regarding the correctness of the information regarding both the specific threat and the actions which the State or local authorities have taken. The authority granted to EPA in section 1431 is a limited, case-by-case, contingent emergency power.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Speaker be authorized to entertain a motion to suspend the rules relating to H.R. 2869, as amended.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2869) to provide certain relief for small businesses from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, and to amend such Act to promote the cleanup and resuse of brownfields, to provide financial assistance for brownfields revitalization, to enhance State response programs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill now under consideration.

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may be permitted to yield one-half of my time to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us, H.R. 2869, is the most important reform of the Federal superfund program in the past 15 years. 0430 In fact, it will be the most significant environmental reform legislation to pass Congress in several sessions. I am happy to see the strong bipartisan support for this bill. I want to thank the cosponsors, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce; the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin); my colleagues on the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone); and I also want to single out the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for the extraordinary work that he has done on the part of this bill dealing with small business liability, not only in this session but in the last session. This legislation deals with Superfund, which is the Nation's major program dealing with dangerous hazardous waste sites. As good as the goals of Superfund have been, the actual way this program has worked has unfortunately been an example of what too frequently is wrong with government programs. Some responsible observers have estimated that as much as half of all the money spent for Superfund goes not for cleaning up anything, but goes for attorney fees and regulatory costs. The legislation before us today reforms two very important parts of Superfund. It provides relief for small businesses from Superfund liability in a number of cases, and it reforms the brownfields program. Earlier this year, I introduced and the House passed by a margin of 419 to nothing the small business liability reform legislation. That legislation has not moved in the Senate, nor has it had any hearings. Also earlier this year the Senate passed by a 99 to nothing vote a brownfields reform bill. We have held several hearings on this legislation in the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials. What this legislation before us today does is combine those two bills in one package with the hope that we can facilitate getting those bills adopted by Congress as soon as possible and on to the President's desk. There are approximately 500,000 brownfield locations in this country. Brownfield reform is necessary both to protect the environment and to protect public safety. Too often today, current law produces an outcome that is very anti-environment. Several witnesses testified before our committee that fear of liability kept them from cleaning up brownfields, and when people are afraid to use a brownfield because of the expense, because of the aggravation involved, they go out and acquire green spaces or virgin land for development instead of safely cleaning up and developing a brownfield. At a minimum, reform is required to stop the unnecessary plowing up of green spaces in farmlands so they can be covered with asphalt and concrete. I have been a Member of Congress for six terms, and throughout that time I have heard from Members of both parties, of the public, of three administrations talk about reforming Superfund, and it has yet to happen. Hopefully, today's action will result in a piece of that reform. Among other things, the brownfields portion of the bill provides money and incentives for State clean-ups, includes limits on Federal enforcement, and protects contiguous property owners, prospective buyers, and innocent landowners. It also creates more liability in the brownfields program. The Senate passed a good bill. It is not perfect, but the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. The small business liability relief part of this legislation, which passed earlier as H.R. 1831, that bill also enjoyed bipartisan support, and it seeks to end 20 years' worth of anguish and anxiety for individuals, for families, and for small business owners across our country. It seeks to address the problems of people like Barbara Williams of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, who has come before our committee in the past to tell how her former restaurant, the Sunny Ray, became enmeshed in the financial quagmire of Superfund liability because she threw chicken bones and other ordinary trash in the local dump. That outcome is not right, and it is not an isolated story. Specifically, the bill before us provides relief to businesses of 100 people or less who should never have been brought into Superfund and its resultant litigation. This legislation protects small businesses which disposed of very small amounts of waste or ordinary garbage, and it shelters small businesses from serious financial hardship by offering the affected businesses expedited settlements. It does not save any business from Superfund liability if their waste stream caused serious environmental harm. The bill provides an appropriate helping hand, while keeping the onus on all businesses to be responsible stewards of our environment. This legislation is supported by the Bush administration, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Building and Construction Trade Unions, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Real Estate Round Table, including the National Association of Realtors and many other groups. I would urge all of my colleagues in the House to support the legislation before us, which incorporates both brownfields reform and small business liability reform. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GILLMOR. How much time remains, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney).

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to, in closing, just touch very briefly on this Davis Bacon question which a few groups have risen. There is no expansion of Davis Bacon in this bill. Brownfields grants are now done under section 104 of the CERCLA Act. Those are covered by Davis Bacon. All this bill does is increase the funding from about 100 million to 200 million and Davis Bacon applies the same as it did before. Increasing funding for a program that is already covered is not an expansion. I think most of the Members of this Chamber vote for the education bill last week. They voted for all the appropriations bills. All those appropriations bills increase funding for various programs to which Davis Bacon applies. And we do not consider that an expansion. So for those who say it is an expansion in this bill, it is not logical but then it is Congress. Let me just conclude by saying this is very important legislation, reforming brownfields, reforming small bills liability. I very much appreciate the broad support of bipartisan support in this Chamber, broad support outside of this Chamber this legislation has received and I urge all of my colleagues to vote for it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1741) to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify that Indian women with breast or cervical cancer who are eligible for health services provided under a medical care program of the Indian Health service or of a tribal organization are included in the optional medicaid eligibility category of breast or cervical cancer patients added by the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000.

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative day within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this legislation.

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1741, the Native American Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Technical Amendment Act of 2001. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out I do want to express my appreciation to the tremendous work that our staff did on the previous legislation we passed.

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate my colleague, John Thune, for his determination and tenacity in bringing this bill before the House today. It is because of him that the people of South Dakota have a high tech future that is environmentally friendly. Earlier this year, the Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota announced that it was closing its gold mining operations after 125 years of work. Homestake planned to abandon its mine and allow it to fill up with water. Ordinarily, this would have been devastating news to the community, but the gentleman from South Dakota insisted that something could be done with the mine to create jobs and help prevent future environmental damage. On November 15 of this year, the Senate passed legislation to transfer the Homestake Mine to the State of South Dakota for the purposes of constructing a National Underground Laboratory. While well intentioned, that bill, S. 1389, had potentially far-reaching implications for the environment. I am pleased to say that Mr. Thune and our committee staff worked diligently to change the course of the Senate bill and put the power to make polluters take legal and financial responsibility for their actions back in the hands of the appropriate Federal agencies. I want to point out a few places that are of great importance to me. The Senate bill set up a few requirements in order for the Mine to be transferred, and the Mine and State to be relieved of all liability, in addition to receiving indemnification against future actions. Originally, the Senate bill also prevented the EPA Administrator from rejecting conveyance of the mine unless and only if an independent entity found an egregious environmental problem. The bill on the floor today, however, not only makes the assessment of the mine responsibility of EPA, but also opens up the criteria for rejection of conveyance to include anything that would present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and the environment. Most importantly, though, the legislation states that the EPA Administrator has an absolute right to reject the conveyance if the transfer is in any way contrary to the public interest. Mr. Speaker, this is not a perfect bill, but it is worthy of consideration by this House. I believe the product before us is significantly better than the one sent to us one month ago. It still treats this mining company differently than we treat any other company. Instead of passing this legislation to benefit one company, we should be looking at liability reform for all companies under Superfund. But, I again want to congratulate Mr. Thune for this holiday present to his State and his concern for new economic development and sustained environmental and public health protections.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this anti-terror legislation and urge all my colleagues to vote in support of it. Three months ago, to the date, our country was reminded that freedom is not free. It is a painful lesson, but one from which we have learned in the past and one we should never forget. On one of the buildings here in Washington lies the inscription of John Philpot Curran's famous quote: ``Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.'' The legislation before us establishes the first down payment on securing our borders. I want to congratulate Chairman Tauzin and the distinguished Ranking Member, John Dingell, for their vision on this project, as well as all the other subcommittee chairs, their ranking members and the committee staff for its hard work. As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, which has jurisdiction over hazardous chemicals and drinking water, I am particularly pleased with many of the sections in this bill. Our committee has been researching and evaluating over the last couple of months to come up with a reasoned and responsible approach. We have worked hard to encourage improvement in places that needed it and avoided either slowing or punishing those who have taken pro-active steps to secure our public's health and its environment. For starters, Title II of this bill closes current reporting loopholes for those people either receiving or transporting select, dangerous toxic agents. Now, not only will there be an established screening process to keep suspected criminals or terrorists away from these chemicals, but all people who possess these chemicals must report that they have them to the Federal government. In addition, Title III of our legislation provides new procedures to assess and detect efforts to intentionally harm our food and its delivery system. The legislation calls for advance notice of food coming into the country, extra maintenance of shipping records, and grants new authorities and money to the Federal government to commission food inspectors to handle any manpower shortages. Finally, Title IV addresses the crucial issue of protecting our nation's drinking water. It encourages water systems to assess their vulnerabilities, come up with a response plan, and take any necessary actions to secure their facilities. Next, it calls for a review of current methods to diminish threats as well as for biomedical research on chemical, biological, and radiological contaminants. And on the issue of unfunded mandates, this title provides the funding to communities to make requirements become realities. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank you for this time to speak in favor of this bill and I urge all my colleagues to support it. As I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks, freedom is not free. We can take the step of learning from September 11 and prepare for the future. Or, we can hold our breath and ``wait for the other shoe to drop.'' I hope we will all decide to be vigilant.

Mr. GILLMOR

Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, on October 6, 2001 the Tiffin Knights of Columbus Council 608 will celebrate their 100th anniversary. For the past 100 years, this fraternal organization has worked to promote charity for those who are less fortunate, to promote unity and brotherhood among Catholic men, and to promote patriotism in our country. More than 120 years ago, a small group of men met in the basement of St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. These men formed a fraternal society that would one day become one of the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service organizations. Their purpose was to bring men together under the banner of fraternity and philanthropy. These men bound themselves together by the ideals of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas, the one whose hand brought Catholicism to America. For the last 100 years, the Tiffin Council has carried on the principles of their founding fathers. Their services to the Tiffin community are profound. The Tiffin Council provides religious education and activities for students and those with mental and physical disabilities. Their efforts at the Ecumenical Sharing Kitchen ensure that those who are less fortunate have a hot meal. Through their charitable efforts, the Tiffin Council raises funds for the Firefighters' Projects for Children, St. Rita School for the Deaf, and Catholic Guild for the Blind. Mr. Speaker, I ask all the members of the 107th Congress to join me in applauding the efforts of the Tiffin Knights of Columbus Council 608. Their selfless acts of volunteerism and brotherhood over the past century are truly an example for future generations.