Gene Green

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am really here to talk today about the budget, Medicare, and social security. We have the opportunity to show the American people that we can work together and agree on a budget resolution. While it is important that we continue the effort to balance the budget, we need to ensure that programs that benefit the American people the most are protected and strengthened. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle keep talking about tax cuts, and all of us like to give tax cuts, but I do not want to do it at the expense of social security, Medicare, or the educational opportunities for our children. We cannot risk these valuable programs simply to give tax cuts. It is critical to have a budget that ensures national projects like the expansion of the Port of Houston in my district. The Port of Houston is important, not only to our Nation, but also locally because dredging the channel ensures safety for many of our residents. It is our responsibility to take the necessary steps to have a budget that saves and protects Medicare, Social Security, education and projects like the Port of Houston.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Capt. Joe Warfield on his retirement as president of the Texas State Pilots' Association. The Texas State Pilots' Association is the professional organization that represents our State-licensed maritime pilots. These professional mariners navigate ocean-going ships safely to and from the many important commercial ports in Texas. I am proud that our State's largest port, the Port of Houston, is in my district. The Port of Houston is connected to the Gulf of Mexico by the 53-mile Houston Shop Channel. The Port of Houston is the busiest U.S. port in foreign tonnage, second in domestic tonnage and the world's eighth busiest U.S. port overall. More than 6,435 vessels navigate the Houston Ship Channel annually. It is largely because of the skill and viligance of professional state pilots such as Captain Warfield, that our vital waterborne commerce moves safely and efficiently through our state waterways. Captain Warfield, an active Houston Pilot, served as president of the Texas State Pilots' Association from 1994 to 1998. He had been vice president of the association the previous 4 years. Captain Warfield is a graduate of Texas A&M University and has over 20 years of experience with the Houston Pilots. He has held numerous leadership positions within his pilotage association, including three years as Presiding Officer. On the national level, Captain Warfield is active in the American Pilots' Association. He was an APA Trustee for the State of Texas from 1994 to 1998 and served as a member of the APA's Navigation and Technology Committee for several years. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the distinguished service to the Port of Houston and the State of Texas of Captain Joseph Warfield for his leadership and professional commitment to the safe dispatch of commerce on our waterways. We will miss his leadership, but we wish him well in his retirement.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 820. In representing the Port of Houston in my district, the U.S. Coast Guard has the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of the vessels not only in my district but in the ports and waterways around the country. Also, in recent years the Coast Guard has been charged with the task of engaging in drug interdiction activities. In fact, just in late January, the Coast Guard intercepted and seized a Panamanian vessel 125 miles off the coast of Jamaica. The vessel was then escorted back to the Port of Houston and upon searching the vessel nearly five tons of cocaine with an estimated street value of $375 million was discovered. This was one of the largest drug seizures in both Texas and our Nation's history. In this year's Coast Guard authorization, there is a 10 percent increase in the funds for discretionary activities. I am glad to see that. Hopefully this bill will pass very easily. That will mean approximately $400 million is earmarked for drug interdiction activities. That increase in funds will fully implement the Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act, enable the Coast Guard to operate an additional fifteen patrol boats, eight cutters and seven marine vessels to stop drugs before they enter our country. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the bill and also in support of the Coast Guard's effort not only for the safety of our harbors and waterways but also for the drug interdiction activities.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 24. This resolution was introduced barely six weeks ago to make clear the United States' position on the Middle East peace process. Today, this resolution will send a clear signal to Palestinian and other Middle East leaders that this government remains unified on two things. First, we unconditionally support the Middle East peace process and the agreements that have been entered into by the Palestinians, Israelis and other nations. Second, we stand firmly and unconditionally opposed to actions that either undermine the peace process or contradict the Olso or Wye agreements. A unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state will only lead to turmoil and destabilize the peace process. The recent passing of King Hussein of Jordan combined with the upcoming election in Israel places the already fragile peace agreement on even shakier ground. That is why it is imperative for all parties, including the United States, to redouble their commitment to a fair and lasting peace. Again, I am pleased to support this resolution because I believe it clearly and fairly reinforces our support for peace in the Middle East.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Medicare Full Access to Cancer Treatment Act. This bill is critical to protect the Medicare beneficiary's access to the newest and best treatments for cancer. The BBA of 1997 directed HCFA to implement a prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient services provided through the Medicare program. When Congress passed this requirement, we recognized that some services would be difficult or impossible to include in a PPS and therefore authorized HCFA to use its discretion to exclude certain services from the payment system. Unfortunately, under their proposed rule, HCFA would bundle the costs of all cancer drugs into a small number of Ambulatory Payment Categories (APCs) and pay hospitals only for the average cost of these services. The main problem with this proposal is that it fails to recognize the complexities of cancer treatments and the wide range and individual needs of each patient with cancer. As a result, the new payment system could threaten the quality and availability of cancer treatment for Medicare beneficiaries. In fact, under HCFA's plan, the lowest reimbursement rate for some cancer treatments would be only $52.70 (which is expected to include supportive care such as anti-nausea drugs)! Moreover, under the proposal, new drugs, which are defined as anything after 1996, would be reimbursed at this lowest rate. Such a policy would have a crippling effect on research and development for new drug therapies. This policy will create an overall reduction in the quality of patient care since hospitals will be pressured to provide the least expensive, rather than the most effective treatment. Moreover, research and development for new drug therapies may be diminished or delayed, ultimately denying the patients of today and those of future generations access to more effective treatments. To correct this problem, the Medicare Full Access to Cancer Treatment Act would carve-out cancer treatment from the outpatient PPS. This simple yet sensible action would fully protect Medicare beneficiaries' continued access to the best and most effective cancer care. I am pleased to introduce this legislation with over twenty bipartisan original cosponsors as well as the support of several patient and provider organizations, including Center for Patient Advocacy, National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, Cancer Care, Inc., Cancer Research Foundation of America, Oncology Nursing Society, Association of Community Cancer Centers, Lymphoma Research Foundation of America, Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support and Education, Lupus Foundation of America, US-TOO International and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 800, the Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Program, which is a pretty good mouthful. This program is a great example of how States and localities, when given freedom to manage their own affairs, can achieve better results. So far, only 12 States have participated in the Ed-Flex program, and Texas is one of them. In exchange for increased accountability, these States have been granted flexibility in using the Federal education dollars to support locally-designed school improvement programs. It has worked in Texas. We have seen a notable difference in the program. In fact, paperwork has been reduced and, most of all, the results have been positive. Test scores and graduation rates are on the way up, and class sizes are on the way down. Even though I support and plan to vote for the bill, the Ed-Flex bill is not enough. We have other things we should do. One, we need to make sure we have smaller class sizes. We need to make sure our schools are wired for the new millennium. There is a story that my wife tells, who is a high school algebra teacher, which says, ``Do you know how long it took to get overhead projectors into the classrooms and out of the bowling alleys?'' We do not need to wait again for the next generation of students until we have our schools wired. We need to have access to the internet for these students. We need to focus on school modernization. All over our country we have problems with the infrastructure of our schools and we need to provide assistance for that. Mr. Chairman, no amount of flexibility will improve our educational system without these provisions. Furthermore, we may need to make sure that the flexibility and accountability go hand in hand so no student is left behind. We need to make sure that this funding is not taken away from those most needy children that were the original reason we provided Federal funding for education in 1965.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the greatest gift a parent or elected official even can provide our children is a quality education. Education is one thing that nobody can ever take away from someone. For years we have debated on this floor the most effective way to provide our children with this gift. Later today we will likely pass the ed flex bill that allows States the opportunity and the flexibility in spending their Federal education dollars. Since my home State of Texas already participates in this program and has a great deal of success with it, I support the bill. However, the benefits of all of the flexibility in the world will be limited if we do not modernize our schools so our children can have a safe learning and clean environment, reduce the class size for each child so they can get the attention and the guidance they need, provide state of the art technology so that all students can benefit from today's best tools in education, and finally we have a responsibility to know that each State is meeting the needs of their students. This can be done by supporting the Miller-Kildee amendment later today and not forgeting that the original reason for Federal assistance for education was to help those children most in need.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Medicare and social security are two of the greatest programs for our citizens. They provide the two fundamental keys to retirement security, medical and financial security. Before this Congress spends the budget surplus either on tax cuts or anything else, we have a responsibility to every American, past, present, and the future, to save these two American treasures, and also to pay off at least some of our national debt. The bad news will only come if people try to make these programs more political or, worse yet, to dismantle social security and Medicare. Retirement security and senior health care are popular with the American people for a simple reason, because they work, and they have worked for many years, and paying down the national debt just make common sense.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues in Congress to join me in paying tribute to an outstanding individual and my high school football coach, Henry Gomez. Coach Gomez passed away on January 13th after leading a long and distinguished life of service to his community and commitment to the enrichment of young minds. Henry Gomez devoted his professional and private life to serving his home state of Texas. After graduating from Jeff Davis High School in Houston, he entered the Navy to bravely fight for his country during World War II, where he served in the Seabees as a special undersea diver in the Philippine Islands. After the War, he returned to his hometown of Houston to continue his education at the University of Houston. Henry was an outstanding athlete on the first University of Houston football team. His love of the game was so great that, upon graduation in 1948, he began coaching the Aldine School District football team. His true enjoyment of working with young players and enthusiasm for football soon made him a respected figure at the school. After a 7-year tenure at Aldine, Henry moved to Jackson Jr. High and later to our alma mater, Jeff Davis High School. It was during his 14-year career at Jeff Davis High School that I came to know Coach Gomez. While a young player on his teams, I learned the true importance of teamwork and cooperation that remains with me today. At Jeff Davis, his influence reached beyond the football field as he worked as counselor and ultimately Vice Principal of the school. He was a leader who drew much admiration from his students, players and colleagues. Hoping to expand his involvement with the young people of his community, Mr. Gomez transferred to James Deady Middle School where he began another 14-year career as Assistant Principal. He was lovingly known during his tenure as the ``Sheriff of Deady,'' whose firm yet kind demeanor and dedication to the enrichment of young minds drew respect and love from all who knew him. Upon retirement from his long career in education, Henry Gomez maintained close ties with the Texas school system, where he was involved in both the Houston and Pasadena Area Retired Teacher's Association. The death of Henry Gomez is a blow to all who loved and respected him. His years of working with students and his devotion to his community touched a countless number of lives, including my own. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have known him will never forget his kind spirit, his leadership in the community, and his dedication to coaching and teaching. He has left a legacy that will never be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the life of Henry Gomez. Those of us fortunate enough to have known him are truly blessed.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from North Carolina for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to share in the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge's) special order because not only am I privileged to have a wife who teaches high school algebra, without her I could not have made it through college algebra, Mr. Speaker. So she tutored me to make sure I can have my gentleman's C, but every weekend when I go home, I try to spend time in our public schools. Just recently, I was at Stevens Elementary in the Aldine School District. Last Monday, I was actually at Aldine 9th Grade Center, Aldine High School 9th Grade Center, because this week is Texas Public School Week in Texas, and so to recognize the value of public education. Last Saturday, I was at Burnet Elementary in Houston Independent School District, not necessarily for an education program, although there was students there and their parents, but it was for a Fannie Mae home buyer seminar. So, using the public school facilities also for home buying in an inner-city school in Houston. Recently, I was at R.P. Harris Elementary and H.I.C. to read to the students and talk about what I do. But this Friday that school will be having their Career Day that I will be there, and also we are hosting a job fair for people in the community. Public education is working, and all we need to do is go to our districts, to go to those schools and see it happening. You see the success. I like to spend time in my schools because it recharges my batteries for the debates we are having like today on Federal funding for education and things like that, but it also provides a great role model for Members to go in and sit down and read to their students and also to talk about the job we do. Mr. Speaker, we have quality education in every one of my public schools in my district. And, again, I have lots of different school districts in Houston Harris County, a very urban district, predominantly minority children, both African American and Hispanic, but there is quality education going on, and that is why I want to talk about the Democratic Families First agenda that was just announced today by the President and the Democratic Leader, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), and Senator Daschle where we talk about school modernization and providing Federal tax credit to States and school districts to modernize and renovate 6,000 local public schools. The Houston Independent School District, who recently passed a bond election, a scaled-back bond election, by the way, is providing the local funds. Now, on the Federal level, we need to try and help because of the deteriorating situation of not just urban schools like I represent, but rural schools, smaller class sizes. Texas now has a law since 1984 that is 20-to-1 for elementary schoolchildren from kindergarten through 4th grade, and that is great. The President announced we would like to see 18-to-1. Of course, that will not help my wife who teaches 30 and 32 children in high school algebra class, but we know that we need to put our resources into elementary schools. So the Families First agenda, the Democratic agenda, also builds on additional teacher training and recruitment. My wife told me a story a few weeks ago, and I know the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) can relate to this. She said: You know how long it took us to get overhead projectors out of the bowling alleys and into the public schools? It took us years. The technology was in the bowling alleys before we could use them in our public schools. I hope we are not waiting for that long before the computers are really utilized in our public schools. Teacher training and educational technology, there is so many things that is part of this agenda, and I know we share the same goals. The Federal Government cannot dictate what goes on in our local schools, but we can help. We can provide a little extra help for our school board members, our administrators, our teachers, our parents and the State legislators who provide most of the funding, and we can help to make sure that we pave the way for the 20th century, 21st century, so our children will be prepared to stand here on the floor of the House and want to get their children and their grandchildren prepared for the next century. I thank the gentleman for asking for this special order and allowing me to participate today.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this is a good day. I am glad the debate is on tax cuts versus Social Security and Medicare and paying down our national debt. Medicare and Social Security are two of the greatest, most effective programs our country has ever created. They provide the two fundamental keys to retirement security: medical and financial security. Mr. Speaker, this Congress has the responsibility to every American, past, present and future, to save these national treasures. The good news is that we have the opportunity to ensure the long-term stability of these programs. The bad news will only come if people try to politicize the programs or, worse yet, dismantle them. We can strengthen Social Security, Medicare and pay down the debt. They are popular with the American people for the simple reason that they work. Mr. Speaker, let us work together to strengthen Medicare and Social Security. Social Security and Medicare are needed for the current seniors, the baby boomers, and our children and our grandchildren.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today is a special day, particularly in Texas, because in Texas March 2 is Texas Independence Day. In 1836, 163 years ago today, the Republic of Texas was born. As I left Houston this morning, spring is coming to Texas. The bluebonnets are blooming, and we are actually seeing a lot of changes, and that is what has happened in Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me set the stage for what happened 163 years ago. On March 1, 1836, 54 delegates representing settlements across Texas gathered for the Texas Convention of 1836 in a small farm village at Washington-on-the-Brazos. From the beginning, it was an event marked by haste and urgency because Santa Anna's forces were closing in on the defenders of the Alamo. Within days it would fall, setting off a chain reaction of defeats for the small Texas Army, which would nevertheless emerge victorious at the battle of San Jacinto 6 weeks later on April 21. March 2 is when the delegates in Washington-on-the-Brazos actually drew up the Constitution and declared independence. Mr. Speaker, what were these brave Texans fighting for? Up to this point, it was simply to restore the Mexican Constitution of 1824, which had been suspended by Santa Anna. On the night of March 1, a group of five men stayed up late into the night drafting the document that would be approved the next day by the full convention, a document that echoes the lines of its American counterpart, the Texas Declaration of Independence. It started off in much the same way, with the words, ``When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people.'' It spoke of the numerous injustices inflicted upon the settlers of the state of Coahuila y Tejas: the elimination of the state's legislative body, the denial of religious freedom, the elimination of the civil justice system, and the confiscation of firearms being the most intolerable, particularly in Texas. Finally, it ended with the declaration that, because of the injustice of Santa Anna's tyrannical government, Texans were severing their connection with the Mexican nation and declaring themselves ``a free, sovereign, and independent republic. . . fully invested with all the rights and attributes'' that belong to independent nations; and a declaration that they ``fearlessly and confidently'' committed their decision to ``the Supreme arbiter of the destinies of nations.'' Over the next 2 weeks, a constitution was drafted and an interim government was formed, despite daily reports from the front detailing the collapse of the Alamo and subsequent advance of the Mexican Army through Texas. On March 17, 1836, the government was forced to flee Washington-on-the-Brazos on the news of the advance of General Santa Anna. Just over a month later, however, independence would be secured in the form of a victory over that same army by Sam Houston, a delegate at the very convention, and his courageous fighters at the battle of San Jacinto. Mr. Speaker, let me remind folks from Tennessee that Sam Houston served in this Congress from the State of Tennessee. I have at times kidded my friends from Tennessee saying, ``The best of Tennessee immigrated to Texas in the 1830s.'' From that point on, Texas was firmly established in the community of nations; and for 10 years she stood and remained an independent nation, until President James K. Polk signed the treaty admitting Texas to the United States in 1845. Mr. Speaker, I hope the Congress and the whole country will join us today on March 2 in a day that in Texas we celebrate, our schoolchildren celebrate, Texas Independence Day.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues in Congress to join me in paying tribute to an outstanding individual, Fire Marshal J.J. Pruitt. J.J. will retire after nearly a half-century of fighting and investigating fires. J.J. began his career in 1950 when he entered the Houston Fire Department. He soon distinguished himself among his colleagues and all who encountered him through his selflessness, courage, and quick thinking in the most serious of circumstances. J.J.'s years of distinguished service lead him to a position of responsibility and leadership at the head of Harris County's Fire Marshal's Office. As Marshal, J.J. oversaw a $1.3 million annual budget, seventeen employees, and 29 full-time volunteer departments. He led his office in planning and coordination of fire prevention and control services in the unincorporated areas of Harris County and investigated arson. J.J.'s decision to retire is definitely a blow to the Harris County community. His almost fifty years of dedicated service will leave a legacy for future fire marshals. Those people who have had the opportunity to work with J.J. are very fortunate to have benefitted from his leadership and courageous devotion to saving lives. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Fire Marshal J.J. Pruitt for his service to Harris County. Those of us who know J.J. are truly grateful for his leadership and wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my colleague (Mr. Lampson) and I ask all of our colleagues in Congress to join us in paying tribute to an outstanding individual, Judge Ed J. Harris. Ed passed away on February 10th after leading a long and distinguished life of public service and civic duty. Ed Harris devoted his professional and private life to serving his home state of Texas. After graduating from Southwestern University in 1941, Ed entered the United States Navy to bravely fight for his country for six years during World War II. After devoting his energy towards completion of both his law degree and master's degree, Ed joined the law firm of Martin, Carmona, Cruse, Micks & Dunten in 1956. Ed was admired by his colleagues for his devotion to the law and constant strive for excellence, and within two years he became senior partner. He distinguished himself as a respected leader and accomplished attorney for the next 21 years. Ed spent thirty-tree years of his extraordinary professional career as an elected public official, which in of itself is a testament of his outstanding leadership capacity and desire to serve the community he loved. He won the first of his 17 successful elections in 1961 when he was elected as Galveston City Councilman, where he served for three years. In 1962, Ed's devotion to service led to his election to the Texas Legislature as a State Representative, where he honorably served for fourteen years. After Ed completed his tenure as State Representative, he became State District Judge, where he presided over the administrative, civil, and criminal dockets until his 1993 retirement. Ed is remembered by all he encountered for his kindness and his dedication to the law. Ed lead a rich and active civic life that enhanced the lives of the people in his community. He was a devoted parishioner of Moody Memorial First United Methodist Church in Galveston and was a board member of McMahan's Chapel, the oldest protestant church in Texas. He continued his long dedication to the law through his activity in many county and state bar associations and in the American Judges Association. Ed also maintained his Navy ties through his participation in the Retired Officers association and VFW. Ed's desire to help those less fortunate than he was a constant force in the community. In fact, in 1986 and 1987, Ed rode in the 175 mile, two-day Houston Muscular Dystrophy Bike Tour, where he earned $14,000 in pledges for this cause. In 1991, Ed received the 1st Annual Independence Award from North Galveston County Democrats for his lifetime of devotion to this community. The death of Ed Harris is a blow to all that loved and respected him. His years of public service and devotion to his community touched thousands of lives. Those who were fortunate enough to have known Ed will never forget his kind spirit, his leadership in the community, and his dedication and understanding of the law. He has left a legacy that will never be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, please join us in paying tribute to the life of Ed Harris. Those of us fortunate enough to have known him are truly blessed.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Massachusetts, for allowing me to address the House and support the bill. The number of wireless subscribers in our country totals about 68 million, and that number continues to grow. Although being in my fourth term in Congress, the first time I became aware of 911 was as a State Representative in Houston in the early 1980s, and we created a 911 system in Harris County, Texas, due to the cooperation from Harris County and the City of Houston. Then Texas went on to create the 911 system around the State. So it is great to see what we have learned in our individual States, whether it be in Missouri with the gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. Danner) or any other State and now this idea has come to Washington, which is the way it should be. We have experimented with it on the local level and learned what works and what does not. Now we can create an emergency wireless network for our whole country. H.R. 438 is the first step in increasing safety in our Nation. First by designating 911 as the emergency number for not only wireless calls but also wireline calls. It has been said before during this debate that many States have different emergency wireless numbers. In fact, I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to drive from Houston to Washington, and going through Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, to see the different numbers that each State has made this bill even more important. H.R. 438 builds on the existing number of wireless networks and subscribers to form an expansive emergency end-to-end wireless safety network in the United States. Again, I think it is so important that we are doing this today, and I am a little disappointed that we did not have the funding mechanisms to upgrade the State PSAPs and for the research and development for the automatic crash notification system. However, I also understand that the concerns about local control for the siting of the towers, and for local zoning concerns. But, again, coming from Houston where we are the largest city in the world, I guess, without zoning, so it is not a big concern. I also hope that the FCC will continue their public safety efforts, because I think our chairman of our subcommittee noted a lot of this could have been done by the regulatory agency, and hopefully they will do that. I also hope that the Federal Communications Commission will continue with their public safety agenda. I have heard that only 6-7% of the country is in compliance with the Phase 1 wireless location requirement. I hope that the FCC will take the appropriate steps to ensure that Phase I location identification technology is in place in a timely fashion all around the country. H.R. 438 will save lives. In order to save lives we have to make sure that emergency services can quickly get out to the site of an accident. That is the basic premise of this legislation to help save lives. H.R. 438 is a great start in increasing safety in our country. It will start the deployment of an E-911 system for our country. However, in order to ensure the full deployment of an end to end wireless communications emergency network, we all must work together on all levels of government and between all agencies in our government. I stand in support of H.R. 438 and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Social Security represents one of the most successful programs ever enacted by our government because it guarantees a real retirement security for millions of Americans. However, recent studies show that one-third of the young people believe Social Security will not be able to provide this same guarantee when they reach retirement age. It is our responsibility to take the appropriate steps to ensure that Social Security is safe and strong not only for my dad, who is 83 years old, but also for my generation of baby boomers, for the children I have, and also the grandchildren I will have someday. Our strong economy gives us an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen Social Security without radically changing it or raising taxes. This Congress needs to strengthen it, not dismantle it, so that the money is there for the people who have paid into it.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues in Congress to join me in paying tribute to an outstanding individual, Leon ``Pappy'' Selph. Pappy passed away earlier this month after leading a long and distinguished musical career. Pappy, one of Western swing's first generation, carved out a unique, important niche in country music while maintaining close ties with his hometown of Houston, Texas. In 1933 Pappy formed the Blue Ridge Playboys in a cooperative effort with other local musicians. By the band's second recording session in June 1937, Pappy's innovative fiddle playing had emerged as the driving force of the band. Soon they recorded such smash hits as ``It Makes No Difference Now.'' In 1940, Pappy was signed by Columbia's Vocalion-Okeh subsidiary and built a tight, inventive lineup of new musicians. Their acclaimed 1940 session truly showcased Pappy's talent in such swinging instrumentals as ``Texas Take-Off'' and ``Polecat Stomp.'' The band's 1941 recording showcased Pappy's innovative fiddling as he truly came into his own. The band was stalled in 1942 by World War II when Pappy entered the Navy. He bravely served his country during the war and returned home to work for the Houston Fire Department. Despite this break, Pappy never stopped playing, and when he returned to Houston he continued to play and teach music throughout the community. With Pappy's passing, we have truly lost a legend of first generation Western swing. Pappy had a profound musical influence on his peers, and his Blue Ridge Players served as a training ground for such important musicians as Floyd Tillman, Moon Mullican, and Ted Daffan. His music will remain a legacy for years to come. Pappy's kind soul and innovative music will be sorely missed. Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in paying tribute to the life of Leon ``Pappy'' Selph. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have known him are truly blessed.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, we are hearing a lot about bipartisan efforts this year, and I hope that is true. But last year as chairman of the Republican Health Tax Force in the 105th Congress our Speaker produced a bill that was not bipartisan and did not become law because of that purpose. I hope the effort to work on a bipartisan matter on important issues like HMO reform is not a repeat of last year. I do join my colleagues on the Democratic side saying we need to save Social Security first, but I want to talk about the general issue of bipartisanship. This year, with the Republican majority even smaller, in part due to their inaction on HMO reform, the time is now to pass those reforms. This year we need to have a Patients' Bill of Rights that protects patients, eliminating the gag clause, providing timely appeals, guaranteeing access to specialists and emergency rooms, allowing doctors determine what is medically necessary, but also, more importantly, making the decision maker for our health care responsible. Accountability is what we need. If the doctor is not making that decision, then whoever is making that decision needs to be accountable and they need to have the liability. Let us see how this bill passes, and, if it does not have that accountability, then it is a sham.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to talk about a serious problem not only in my own district but around the country. Last week in our district in Houston we released statistics showing the high cost that fee-for-service Medicare recipients pay for prescription drugs. The minority staff of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight conducted an investigation in the 29th District of Texas and found that seniors pay inflated prices for medication that they need to maintain their health. The five best-selling drugs for older Americans are almost twice as expensive as the prices drug companies charge their most favored customers, including the United States Government. The fundamental problems with finding affordable prescriptions for seniors are that seniors should not be forced into a managed care program just because they cannot afford their prescriptions. Many seniors around the country do not even have the opportunity to join an HMO because it is not servicing their area. MediGap insurance premiums that cover prescriptions are exceedingly too high. In the last Congress there was legislation introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner), and I cosponsored it, which would have made critical drugs more affordable to seniors. Whether we consider this proposal or another, this Congress needs to address this issue for Medicare seniors.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am reintroducing the Youth Tobacco Possession Prevention Act today because I believe we have fallen well short of our responsibility to protect children from tobacco marketing. Last year, we considered a variety of ``comprehensive'' solutions to reverse the trend of youth smoking--all of which failed. Now that the States have settled their cases with the tobacco companies, it is even less likely that the federal government will pass such broad legislation. However, there is one very important issue that still needs to be addressed that could significantly reduce the number of youth smokers is the issue of youth possession of tobacco products. It is estimated that 3,000 young people start smoking every day. Worse yet, one third, or 1,000 of these people will eventually die from tobacco related disease. Consider the emotional and financial strain these horrible situations will place on American families in the future. In response to this national crisis, the public health community, State attorneys general, the U.S. Congress and even the tobacco industry proposed a variety of methods to reduce youth smoking rates during the 105th Congress. Most of the proposals would have spent money on counteradvertising, tobacco cessation programs and tobacco education programs--all worthy and necessary components of comprehensive tobacco legislation. However, the leadership of the American government has been sending a mixed signal to America's youth and nothing in the proposed settlement would change this. Under current law, it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 in all 50 States. However, if a person under the age of 18 is somehow able to obtain tobacco products--which it is painfully clear they are easily able to do--there are only a few States that have enacted laws regarding the possession of tobacco by these young people. I find it incredibly hypocritical that we, as a government (either Federal or State), are so willing to make buying tobacco illegal but are virtually silent on possessing tobacco. Despite the strides that were been made by the recent states settlement, this is still a huge problem. Barely half of the states have enacted tobacco possession laws that actually make it illegal for someone under the age of 18 to possess tobacco products. The Youth Tobacco Possession Prevention Act will help solve this problem. There are two key components to this bill. First, in dealing with the youth, it focuses on education rather than punishment. For first and second time offenders, youth will be required to complete tobacco education and cessation programs, as well as tobacco related community service. If they continue to disregard the law and their health, their driver's license would be suspended from three to six months. This last resort was suggested during one of our Subcommittee hearings by a local teenager, who told the Commerce Health Subcommittee that kids would only respond to this type of approach. Second, the bill would require States to enact stern punishments for people over the age of 18 who provide tobacco products to youth. At that same hearing, many of our teen witnesses admitted one of the primary sources of tobacco are older people who buy for teens. This is simply not acceptable. I believe every adult has the responsibility and moral obligation to do whatever we can to prevent our nation's youth from starting this deadly habit. Unlike many proposals, this bill will not punish States who choose not to enact the outlined legislation. It will, however, reward those States which act responsibly and do. Each State that passes the provisions outlined in this bill will receive 5 additional points on their Health and Human Services competitive public health service grant applications. This incentive will hopefully encourage States to take action and do the right thing.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am reintroducing the Health Insurance Tax Deductibility Act of 1998. This bill is the same simple, common sense solution to a very complex and destructive problem in our society. Since I came to Congress in 1992, we have debated health care reform and considered a wide range of proposals--all designed to insure a greater number of Americans. When President Clinton signed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) into law in 1996, everyone said Congress had taken the first step towards ensuring access to health insurance to more individuals and families. Unfortunately, a study completed last year by the General Accounting Office shows us this goal has not been achieved. Although HIPAA did expand access to health insurance, it did nothing to ensure that Americans can afford health insurance. And as the GAO study recognized, affordability has become the major hurdle for the American family to clear. In the past, Congress has passed initiatives to encourage and assist people to get health insurance. We allow employers who sponsor health insurance for their employees to deduct the employer's share of the premium as a business expense. We allow self employed people to deduct a percentage of the health insurance premium they purchase. Yet we provide no assistance or incentive for individuals whose employers do not provide health insurance. The Health Insurance Tax Deductibility Act of 1999 will do just this. Under this legislation, individuals will be able to deduct a portion-- linked to the deduction for the self insured--of the money they pay for health and long-term care insurance. This proposal will make health insurance more affordable for individuals and their families, which in turn, will give American families greater peace of mind.

Mr. GREEN of Texas

Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues in Congress to join me in paying tribute to an outstanding individual, Judge James ``Jim'' Scanlan. Judge Scanlan recently retired after serving Harris County residents for 21 years on the Probate Court No. 3 bench. Judge Scanlan, a native of Dallas, landed in Houston after he got out of the Coast Guard in Galveston and could not afford to make it all the way back to Dallas. He worked as an elevator repairman while he earned a bachelor's degree and a law degree at the University of Houston. He decided to run for the Probate Court No. 3 while he was working for the Probate Court No. 2. Judge Scanlon won that first election and has not faced any opposition since. While the majority of Jim's time was spent hearing cases on wills, guardianships, and estates, Judge Scanlon also spent two days a week for the last twenty one years hearing cases dealing with people with psychiatric problems. He recalled many humorous situations, such as the time there were two people scheduled on the docket--both claiming to be Jesus Christ. But his guiding principle and reason for his success is that he treats everyone gently and with respect. There have been so many changes in the way society deals with mental illness since Judge Scanlon first started hearing cases. While he marvels at the improvements in medicine, he is most proud of the ``miracle that happened'' when Harris County replaced the old psychiatric hospital with the Harris County Psychiatric Hospital. That change signaled a real sense of responsibility that people with mental illness need and deserve quality medical care. Judge Scanlon's decision to retire is definitely a blow to the Harris County community. His 21 years of dedicated service will leave a legacy for future judges. Those people who have found themselves before Judge Scanlon are very fortunate to have benefited from his dedication and understanding of the law. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Judge Scanlon for his service to Harris County. Those of us who know Judge Scanlon are truly grateful for his leadership and wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Mr. GREEN

Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Michigan for allowing me 2 minutes, but being from Texas, to just exchange greetings in 2 minutes will take plenty of time. Mr. Speaker, overturning an election in a democracy should not be taken lightly. Our country's history in presidential impeachment inquiries is limited, due to the seriousness of overturning an election. This current process smacks of partisanshipness and just unfairness. The presidential personal conduct cannot be defended and I am not going to do so. My concern is I am disappointed in his personal conduct, but this process has been based on partisanshipness, and elected officials should not be removed from office just because they won an election or won reelection. Without an alternative to vote on, a censure resolution, this whole process is unfair. One of our Founding Fathers, George Mason said, the phrase ``high crimes and misdemeanors'' refers to ``Presidential actions that are great and dangerous offenses, or attempts to subvert the Constitution.'' Alexander Hamilton, who you will not hear me quoting very often, said, ``Injuries done immediately to society itself.'' An impeachment should only be undertaken for serious abuse of official power. The impeachment process should never be used as a legislative vote of no confidence on the President's conduct or policies. Not only our Founding Fathers, but, Mr. Speaker, I have a Christmas card that I received in my family from a constituent that says, ``I just want you to know that my prayers have been with you and your colleagues and also the President at this awful time in history. I am praying that God will bring an end to this soon.'' The American people have recognized this, not only our Founding Fathers, but in all of the polls that we have seen. And around the country, Mr. Speaker, the newspaper articles, the Lexington Herald Leader: It would mean, quite simply, the President, duly elected and reelected by a majority of voters, can be drummed out of office by the vehement hatred of his political and personal enemies. The Owensboro, Kentucky Messenger-Inquirer: Voting for impeachment when the wrongdoing is personal rather than a crime against the country would weaken the office much more than anything Bill Clinton has ever done so far. Also the Billings Gazette, and I can go on and on, Mr. Speaker. I ask a no vote on all articles of impeachment.

Mr. GREEN

Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution and our troops. Mr. Speaker, it is important for this Congress and this country to show unity and support for the service men and women who are risking their lives to protect our freedom. I rise in strong support of the resolution. I am deeply disappointed in my colleagues who have chosen to question the President's motives to launch this attack. Keep in mind that Operation Desert Fox has the full support of this nation's entire national security team, which includes a former Republican Senator. It is also being coordinated with our international allies who are equally concerned about Saddam Hussein's willingness to ignore the will of the world. Finally, this military action was launched after the UN inspectors reported Iraq had once again prevented them from doing their jobs to make our country and our citizens safe. This is not an attempt to avoid the impeachment debate. This is not an attempt to delay the impeachment debate. This is the President of the United States acting in the interests of the country he was elected to lead. When the lives of American service men and women are at stake we owe it to them and their families to put our partisan differences aside.

Mr. GREEN

Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, credit for the Democratic party's success in the November elections is due to our sustained commitment to the issues affecting American families. In a recent editorial in the Washington Post, Joseph A. Califano, Jr., a former aide to President Lyndon Johnson, describes the birth of many of those policies. Voting rights for minorities, a Medicare system that provides health care for the elderly and disabled, and Social Security that lifted more than 2 million seniors out of poverty are just a few of President Johnson's initiatives that Democrats have been fighting for over the past 30 years. In fact, just about every issue Democrats hold most dearly were conceptualized and implemented during the Johnson Administration. Initiatives like elementary and secondary education, protecting the environment, and clean air and water have been the cornerstones of the Democratic party since President Johnson had the wisdom to push his Great Society agenda. Despite efforts by some Members to cut or eliminate many of these programs, Democrats have held firm in our convictions. The American people sent a clear message to their elected officials in the November elections--a message to fight for the issues that help hardworking Americans, like Medicare, Social Security, education and the environment. I for one am proud of our party's accomplishments and look forward to continuing to work toward President Johnson's goals. Mr. Speaker, I submit the editorial by Mr. Califano for inclusion in the Record. [From the Washington Post, Nov. 18, 1998] The Man Behind the Votes (By Joseph A. Califano Jr.) The president most responsible for the Democratic victories in 1998 is the stealth president whom Democrats are loath to mention: Lyndon Johnson. In March of 1965, when racial tension was high and taking a pro-civil rights stand was sure to put the solid South (and much of the North) in political play, President Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress to propose the Voting Rights Act. Flying in the face of polls that showed his position was hurting his popularity, he said that ensuring everyone the right to vote was an act of obedience to the oath that the president and Congress take before ``God to support and defend the Constitution.'' Looking members on the floor straight in the eye, he closed by intoning the battle hymn of the civil rights movement, ``And we shall overcome.'' One southern congressman seated next to White House counsel Harry McPherson exclaimed in shocked surprise, ``God damn!'' That summer, with Johnson hovering over it, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act. The president was so excited that he rushed over to the Capitol to have a few celebratory drinks with Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and Republican Minority leader Everett Dirksen. The next day LBJ pressed Martin Luther King Jr. and other black leaders to turn their energy to registering black voters. LBJ planned every detail of the signing ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. He wanted ``a section for special people I can invite,'' such as Rosa Parks (the 42-year-old black seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery) and Vivian Malone (the first black woman admitted to the University of Alabama, in 1963). He told me to get ``a table so people can say, `This is the table on which LBJ signed the Voting Rights Bill.' '' He was exuberant as he drove with me and other staffers up to Capitol Hill for the signing. Riding in the presidential limo he spoke of a new day, ``If, if, if, if,'' he said, ``the Negro leaders get their people to register and vote.'' I rarely saw him happier than on that day. For years after that, he fretted that too many black leaders were more interested in a rousing speech or demonstration full of sound bites and action for the TV cameras than in marshaling the voting power of their people. Well, if he was looking down on us on Nov. 3--and I'm sure he was up there counting votes--he saw his dream come true. Without the heavy black turnout, the Democrats would not have held their own in the Senate, picked up seats in the House and moved into more state houses. In Georgia, the black share of the total vote rose 10 points to 29 percent, helping to elect a Democratic governor and the state's first black attorney general. In Maryland, that share rose eight points to 21 percent, saving the unpopular Gov. Parris Glendening from defeat. The black vote in South Carolina kept Fritz Hollings in his Senate seat, defeated Lauch Faircloth in North Carolina and ensured Chuck Schumer's victory over Al D'Amato in New York. Here and there across the country, the black vote provided the margin of victory for democratic governors and congressmen--and where Republicans such as the Bush brothers attracted large percentages of Hispanic and black voters, helped roll up majorities with national implications. The Voting Rights Act is not the only thing Democrats can thank LBJ for. Johnson captured for the Democratic Party issues that were decisively important in this election. He got Congress to pass the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which for the first time told the people they could look to the federal government for help in local school districts. It is his Medicare that Democrats promised to protect from conservative Republican sledgehammers. LBJ was the president who ratcheted up Social Security payments to lift more than 2 million Americans above the poverty line. Together Medicare and Social Security have changed the nature of growing old in America and freed millions of baby boomers to buy homes and send their kids to college rather than spend the money to help their aging parents. The Great Society's Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, Motor Vehicle Pollution, Solid Waste Disposal and Highway Beautification acts have given Democrats a lock on environmental issues. LBJ was also the president who created the unified budget to include Social Security, which helped produce a balanced budget in fiscal year 1969. Without that budget system, President Clinton would not be able to claim credit for producing the first balanced budget in 30 years. As exit polls showed, the Democratic command of the terrain of education, health care, Social Security, the economy and the environment--and the growth of the minority vote--paved the road to electoral success in 1998. With the demise of Newt Gingrich, many Republicans think it's time to mute his libelous assault on the Great Society programs he loved to hate. Isn't it also time for Democrats to come out of the closet and recognize the legacy of the president who opened the polls to minorities and established federal beachheads in education, health care and the environment. After all, it's the Democrats' promise to protect these beachheads and forge forward that accounts for much of their success this November and offers their best chance to retain the White House and recapture the House of Representatives in 2000.