Bart Gordon

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. But, Mr. Speaker, if we vote against this rule, we can turn right around and come back and have a vote not only on trying to find out better the problems of outsourcing, but allow any Member who has a good idea about trying to improve and increase our manufacturing base in this country, to allow them to bring it to the floor and try to improve this situation; is that correct?

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, just to be clear, we are getting ready to vote on this rule, and if we vote for this rule, any Member who votes for this rule is voting not to allow us to have the opportunity to have a study on outsourcing?

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I would point out that now we are on the House floor, and so there is no jurisdictional problem.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the gentleman, did any Republicans on the Committee on Science vote for the amendment? Did they vote against it?

Mr. GORDON. It was just a study?

Mr. GORDON. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I think we all recognize that we are in a manufacturing crisis right now, and it is going to impact the quality of life and the standard of living not only for our generation, but for my little girl's generation and for my grandchildren's generation. We have a crisis. By all accounts, a major portion of that problem is around outsourcing and offshoring of jobs. I have always understood that we cannot solve a problem until we better understand the problem. We had an opportunity today to try to do something about understanding that problem. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) had an excellent amendment that would help us understand it, and I would like to have the gentleman explain to us how we are going to try to understand this problem of outsourcing.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, as I listened to my friend, the gentleman from Florida, present the Committee on Rules majority view on the MEP program, it just reconfirmed my belief in epiphany. Let me remind my colleagues that the MEP program was a bill and a program that the President of the United States, President Bush, has tried to kill for the last 3 years, that the House appropriators and the majority last year produced no funding for. So we are making progress today. And I am glad to hear, as I say, my friend present the view of the Committee on Rules, and I hope it is the view of the majority of this Congress, that the MEP program is important. And then I listened to my friend who is the chairman of the committee, who does know that the MEP is good, and he has fought for it over the years, say, well, even though there are some other things that we might be able to do to help unemployment, let us wait. Let us not mess up this bill. Mr. Speaker, I am not prepared to tell those 2 million Americans who have lost their jobs over the last 3 years to wait a little longer, to wait, and maybe we will get to some more progress later. I just do not think we can do that. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to House Resolution 706, the rule for consideration of H.R. 3598, the Manufacturing Technological Competitiveness Act. This rule does not allow for consideration of many excellent Democratic amendments that would improve this bill. For example, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) offered an amendment in committee that would have required data collection, study, and policy responses to offshoring of American jobs. We need to understand how these trends are affecting our manufacturing and professional workforce. It is hard to imagine a more needed or a more nonpartisan provision that could help us work together in addressing the challenges of American manufacturing. How in the world can we be addressing a bill that deals with manufacturing and not think about offshoring, and not at least say, can we have a study to see what are the problems and how can we correct that? How in the world in common sense could we not be dealing with that kind of an amendment today? The gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) offered an amendment in committee that would have improved the training of manufacturing technicians at our community colleges. We clearly need to be doing more to address technical training in an increasingly competitive international marketplace. How in the world can we be dealing with a manufacturing bill and not talk about how we can make our workers more productive? The gentleman from California (Mr. Honda) offered an amendment in committee that would have funded the Advanced Technological Program at the Department of Commerce at current levels; asking for no additional funds, just let us keep this important program going. The ATP program should be an increasingly important factor in providing needed resources for the entrepreneurs who will create jobs and industries in the future in America. This is not a wish. We know ATP works. It has worked. It has created thousands of jobs all across this country. And there were a number of other worthy amendments that were not made in order as well. So, Mr. Speaker, during the past 4 years, perhaps nothing has dominated the economic news more than the loss of manufacturing jobs and our manufacturing base. Each new report on job creation and job losses on offshoring and on our growing trade imbalance stimulates lots of hand-wringing and partisan sniping, but the reality is that Congress has done little to directly assist our manufacturing sector, especially our small and medium-sized manufacturing base. H.R. 3598 provides us with the opportunity to show what Congress can do. The rule for this bill should have provided every Member of this body with the opportunity to offer his or her ideas on dealing with the manufacturing crisis. Surely to goodness we need more ideas, not less ideas, on how to keep jobs here in America. Instead, the rule before us today limits both the amendments that can be offered and the debate time that they can be afforded. It is as if the majority wants to make sure that this bill gets as little public attention as possible. This is not the way one of the most important issues of the day should be handled in this House. Again, Mr. Speaker, we need more ideas on how to create jobs in this country, how to stop offshoring, not less ideas. For that reason, I encourage a no vote on this rule so that we can come back with an open rule that will allow us to bring all of the ideas to help get America back to work.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions Grace Clayton has made while interning in my Washington, D.C., office. Grace, a fellow Middle Tennessean, has been a wonderful addition to the office and a great servant to the constituents of Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. Grace is finishing her second internship in my Washington, D.C., office, but she must return to the University of Alabama, where she is majoring in public relations. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and an acolyte in the Episcopal church. During her internship, she has been a tremendous help to me and my staff as she assisted us in numerous projects. Not only did she win us over, but she also won over constituents as she guided them through the U.S. Capitol. I hope Grace has enjoyed her fast-paced internship as much as we have appreciated her hard work. I wish her all the best in the future.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous contributions Paul Rumler has made to Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. Paul has been an integral part of my Washington staff for the last few months, but he has moved on to greener pastures. Paul was a versatile contributor in the office, lending a hand to constituent services and the development of legislation. His research on methamphetamine abuse played an important role in the development of H.R. 4636, the Methamphetamine Remediation Act. During his time here, he quickly won over the staff as well as Middle Tennesseans who were visiting our Nation's Capitol. His easygoing attitude and gentlemanly demeanor made him a wonderful addition to the office. Although my staff and I will miss his hard work and enthusiasm, we are happy for Paul as he embarks on his new journey. I wish him all the best.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Jason Hicks for his help while interning in my office. Jason is a resident of Cookeville, TN, which I represent in Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. Jason just finished his freshman year at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he is majoring in English and political science. He is a member of the Phi Alpha Delta fraternity and vice president of the university's Tennessee Debate Society. Jason has been a great help and a wonderful addition to my office. He has helped address constituent concerns, assisted me and my staff with numerous projects, and served as a friendly and informative tour guide of the U.S. Capitol, providing visitors from Middle Tennessee with a personalized look at a national treasure. I trust that Jason has enjoyed his whirlwind internship and his first-hand examination of the workings of Congress. I know that I have enjoyed having his fresh perspective and enthusiasm during his time here. My hat is off to Jason Hicks. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mark Beeler on his retirement from the Trousdale County Agricultural Extension Service. Mark is a resident of Hartsville, TN, which I have the pleasure of representing in Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. For 27 years, Mark has been a dedicated employee of the Ag Extension Service, but the agency has been in his blood for much longer. His father, H.Y. Beeler, is a retired extension agent from Williamson County. Mark began his own career in Hickman County before transferring to Trousdale County in 1981. In addition to his commitment to Ag Extension, Mark has been a first- rate public servant. As a member of Hartsville's Volunteer Fire Department, he has championed fire-safety education programs. In fact, Mark was instrumental in establishing fire-safety education in the local school system and day-care facilities. I applaud Mark and all that he has accomplished. He and his coworkers at Trousdale County Ag Extension have made certain that Middle Tennessee farmers have access to the latest technology and techniques. I am sure the Hartsville community will be sad to see him go, but I know I join with them in wishing him a very happy retirement.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Jay Lovell for his service during his internship this summer. Jay is a fellow Middle Tennessean, and he has been a great help and service to my constituents in Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. Jay just finished his sophomore year at the University of Missouri. Despite his youth, he has already shown himself to be dedicated to public service. While attending high school at Nashville's Montgomery Bell Academy, he worked in a soup kitchen and was a member of Habitat for Humanity. He is always ready to lend a hand and a kind word to others. Jay has experienced the many facets of Congress first-hand. He has been very helpful in answering constituent concerns, guiding schoolchildren through the U.S. Capitol and assisting me and my staff with countless projects. I hope Jay has enjoyed this learning experience as much as we have enjoyed having his help in the office. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. J. Deotha Malone on her retirement after 55 years of service to the Sumner County Board of Education. Dr. Malone is a resident of Gallatin, Tennessee, which I have the pleasure of representing in Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. Dr. Malone began her teaching career in 1949, the year I was born. She retires this year as the longest working educator in the Middle Tennessee region. Dr. Malone is a remarkable humanitarian. She has made certain that lack of money does not stand in the way of her students. She has held free remedial reading classes, and she even taught French to students at her own home for no charge. And Dr. Malone hasn't stopped yet. She still tutors adult non-readers in her spare time. Dr. Malone has served her community not only by teaching, but also by leading. In 1969, she became the first African American to serve on Gallatin's City Council. And she currently serves as the city's vice- mayor. Congratulations to Dr. Malone on her retirement. I know I join with the citizens of Gallatin in wishing her all the best in the future.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 35th year of existence of the Bible Baptist Church of Hendersonville, Tennessee. The congregation will celebrate the church's 35th anniversary on July 24- 25, 2004. Bible Baptist Church has grown from its original 60 members to more than 500 members today. The church has served the community and its congregation well for the past 35 years, and it continues to benefit the Hendersonville area in innumerable ways. Over the past 35 years of dedicated service, the church has seen great changes. Beginning with the Phillips Robinson Chapel in 1969, the church constructed a 300-seat auditorium in 1972. It built the fellowship hall in 1989 and a church office complex in 1993. The church plans to move to a 36-acre property on New Shackle Island Road in the near future. Over the years, the dynamic nature of the church's facilities has served as a mirror for its ever-increasing role in the community. Hendersonville is a better place because of the work of the Bible Baptist Church and its congregation. I am sure the church will continue to make a positive difference in the community for the next 35 years, and I congratulate the congregation and pastor Jim Crockett for all the good work they have done.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Arc-Diversified for being named the Department of Agriculture's Javits Wagner O'Day Contractor of the Year. Arc Diversified is located in Cookeville, Tennessee, which I have the pleasure of representing in Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. Arc-Diversified is a truly remarkable organization that specializes in the employment and training of people with disabilities. Currently, Arc-Diversified employs 183 such people. These workers provide a valuable service to the community as they manufacture foods for military feeding programs, the USDA and commercial and prime vendors. Not only does Arc-Diversified manufacture quality products, but it also provides quality training to its employees. The workers learn valuable industrial skills and have access to a wealth of vocational services such as on the job training, job coaching and supported employment. The USDA award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the employees and the administration of Arc-Diversified. They are the sort of people who make Middle Tennessee such a fine place to call home.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a momentous year for the Steve Smith family of Brentwood, Tennessee. Not only is Steve celebrating his 50th birthday this year, he is also celebrating 25 years of marriage to the former Denise Stinson and the 50th anniversary of his business, Haury and Smith Contractors. Steve's late father, Reese Smith Jr., started Haury and Smith Contractors with a high school buddy. Beginning as a simple two-man operation, the residential home-building company has prospered into a venture now boasting an annual volume of business at $20 million. Steve's father would be proud of what he and his brother, Reese Smith III, have accomplished with the company. Steve is known by his friends as having been an outstanding baseball player at Middle Tennessee State University. He is also a big-game hunter and an accomplished Tennessee walking horse enthusiast. But it's widely recognized that his most significant accomplishment was getting Denise to marry him. They have two outstanding sons, Matthew and Stephen, who, fortunately, took after their mother when it comes to academics. Stephen currently is attending Princeton, and Matt will be joining him this fall. Steve is a good friend who has given me great advice over the years. I congratulate him for reaching these remarkable milestones. And I congratulate his family for putting up with him for all these years.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the memory of the Rev. Donald A. Winhold, the father of Laura Sue Gaines. Laura Sue is a former staff member of mine whom I highly regard. Her father passed away on May 24, 2004. Laura Sue's father was a man of strong convictions, untiring dedication and infinite compassion. He was a devout Christian who dedicated his life to serving the Lord and helping his fellow man. As a Southern Baptist minister and area missionary, Rev. Winhold helped charter five churches during his tenure. Those churches are the First Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Sioux City, Iowa; the Trotwood Baptist Church in Trotwood, Ohio; the First Baptist Church in Napoleon, Ohio; the First Baptist Church in Azle, Texas; and the Greeneville Baptist Church in Greeneville, Ohio. He also was responsible for establishing the first public library in Raymond, Illinois. Rev. Winhold used every means at his disposal to spread the gospel, including through his television and radio ministries. He was truly a man of vision who understood the nature of the people he ministered. Rev. Winhold was also a man who valued family life and service to his country. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Korean War. And he was married 46 years to his beloved wife, Rosalie. They had four children: Michael Winhold, Michelle Hopkins, William Winhold and Laura Sue. I commend Rev. Winhold for his full and rewarding life. He will be remembered as a true servant of God, and he will be sorely missed by his family, his church and the communities for which he worked.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Robert Pruitte, a good friend who always gave me useful advice. The Wilson County, Tennessee, resident was a pillar of strength in his community and an admired activist in the Democratic Party. In honor of Robert and all he did for his community, the Wilson County Democratic Party is instituting an annual event in his memory called the ``Robert Pruitte Democratic Celebration.'' The event will be used to raise funds for a scholarship in his name and to promote the Democratic Party. Robert would have been proud to know his name was associated with giving deserving children an opportunity to excel in higher education. Robert worked four decades for TRW and was an international representative for the United Auto Workers. He worked hard for his company, the union he represented and the family he loved. And he was always willing to give time of himself to promote worthy causes in his community. Robert was an honorable man with impeccable character and a thirst for life. He is sorely missed by all those who knew him. But his legacy will live on through this newly created event that aims to help children get a quality education and allow others to share in his political philosophy. Robert was truly the epitome of decency and dedication.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding public service of a good friend of mine, Mike Webb. Mike served on the La Vergne, Tennessee, Board of Mayor and Alderman for 16 years, including the last 10 years as mayor. Mike has helped La Vergne grow from a sleepy little community to a major distribution hub. In 1990, for example, the city had a population of 7,499. Now that population has grown to nearly 22,000 people. Mike can be proud of the leadership and integrity he has provided during that tremendous growth. Issues ranging from trash pick-up to fire and police protection, and everything in between, have crossed Mike's desk during his tenure as an alderman and a mayor. His common sense and wit prevailed through it all. Some facilities of note that occurred under his administration are the construction of a 20,000-square-foot award-winning library, a 10- million gallon-per-day water treatment plant, and several major road improvement projects. His years of experience and leadership have created a fiscally sound and well-managed city government. The city of La Vergne will sorely miss Mike's leadership, his unflinching dedication and his tireless service. I congratulate Mike on his outstanding public-service career and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a good friend, Frances W. Preston, or her nearly 50 years of commitment and service to the music industry, spending the last 18 years as president and chief operating officer of BMI, a powerful organization of songwriters and publishers. She will retire in September. Frances is widely regarded as one of the music industry's most influential executives. Fortune magazine, for example, called her a ``powerhouse'' in the business. During her tenure as president of BMI, which represents more than 300,000 songwriters and composers in all musical genres, Frances helped the organization triple its revenues. Last year, BMI distributed $533 million in royalties to songwriters and composers. Frances has helped shape copyright-protection legislation both here in the U.S. and abroad. Her business acumen and commitment to the music industry have garnered her the utmost respect. An outstanding advocate for the artists who write songs and compose music, she has helped me better understand music-industry issues during my tenure here in the House of Representatives. I sincerely have appreciated her friendship and candid advice over the years. Despite her busy and hectic schedule, Frances took part in numerous civic organizations and charities. And she never forgot her Tennessee roots. Instrumental in helping country music become a mainstream entertainment venue, Frances began her career at country radio station WSM in Nashville, Tennessee, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. Her service to the industry has been truly remarkable. I congratulate her for her dedication to the industry and wish her well in future endeavors.

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) for putting this issue on the table. I also would like to thank the gentleman from New York (Chairman Boehlert) for working with us to incorporate some of our suggestions into the manager's amendment. The legislation now includes a grant program to encourage universities to incorporate green chemistry into undergraduate curricula in chemistry and chemical engineering. The curriculum changes encouraged through this program will assure that students are familiar with green chemistry and ready to enter the workforce with skills in pollution prevention and green design. The explicit authorization for research in economics and other relevant social sciences will help us to better understand the barriers to widespread adoption of the green chemistry techniques. H.R. 3970 is a good start. However, we are disappointed that the bill does not go far enough to move findings in the laboratory into practice on the factory floor. There are a number of green chemistry success stories. The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Program, established in 1995, has recognized these achievements. But many other safer chemical substitutes and pollution prevention techniques are not widely used. Research and development alone are not sufficient ingredients to guarantee the transition to a safer, cleaner environment. And this is an area where research has been done for a number of years. Programs and policies to overcome the barriers to more widespread adoption of green chemistry must be part of a truly comprehensive Federal green chemistry program. Democratic amendments on procurement, homeland security, and technical assistance grants would have created incentives to adopt green chemistry practices. We hope this bill will continue to expand in scope as it moves forward in the legislative process. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, we have no other comments, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).

Mr. GORDON

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 4030, the Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Science and Math Education Act of 2004. I want to commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) of the Subcommittee on Research and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), for their work in developing H.R. 4030. I also want to thank the Committee on Science chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), for working with the minority to perfect the bill and for helping to move the measure through the committee and to the floor. The Congressional Medal for Outstanding Contributions in Math and Science Education Act seeks to recognize the efforts of companies and nonprofit organizations that have worked with our schools to help improve student performance in math and science. Many good corporate citizens have already stepped up to the plate and have established a long record of contributions to achieving this important goal. I hope this bill will encourage others to contribute such sustained efforts to education improvements. Providing more efficient math and science education for all students is a task that will require the attention and efforts of both the public and private sectors. Nothing less than success is acceptable because the future economic strength and security of our Nation is at stake. Good jobs are created by technological innovation. I believe this bill will help draw attention to innovation and successful education improvement efforts now under way and, equally important, will provide for sharing of information about these best practices. Mr. Speaker, I commend this legislation to my colleagues and urge their support for the passage in the House.