Sam Graves

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to rise today on Flag Day to extend my appreciation to our veterans and the men and women in our Armed Forces for their service and protection in both peace and war. I am honored to attend the 13th Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony on Saturday, June 16, 2001, hosted by the American Legion Stanley Pack Post #499, in Blue Springs, Missouri. American Legion Post #499 has a long history of providing a ceremony to lie to rest our colors. The members of the American Legion Post #499 have tirelessly dedicated their time to honor our nation's flag and share with our citizens, both young and old, their respect and admiration for the flag and all that it represents. As American Legion Post #499 lays these tired flags to rest, we are mindful of the glory of our nation and the rights and freedoms that we share. The 13 red and white stripes not only represent our humble beginnings as 13 British colonies who fought bravely to gain us freedom but also the purity of our national purpose and the blood of our brave men and women in uniform who selflessly stand ready to defend our nation. There is no better symbol of our country's values and traditions than the flag of the United States of America. It continues to exemplify the profound commitment that our founders made to freedom, equality, and opportunity more than two centuries ago. The flag flies with magnificent glory from public buildings, covers hero's tombs as a remembrance of their bravery, and serves as a daily reminder to all of us that the blessing of democracy and peace should not be taken for granted. It is important that we teach our children the significance of our flag. Today, our nation renews its allegiance to our flag. Together, we stand collectively to honor its glory as its vibrant colors continue to wave through the skies that blanket the dreams and hopes of our beloved America. This truly is the land of the free and the home of the brave, and I am honored that we can share and enjoy the peace and the prosperity of this great nation.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of the Missouri Veterans' Home located in Cameron, Missouri. A landmark in the community, the Cameron Veterans' Home provides a healing hand to those honored Americans that have fought to preserve the privileges of freedom we all enjoy today. In April of 2000, Missouri's sixth veterans home admitted its first resident. The Cameron Veterans' Home today is a 200-bed facility committed to providing a service to Missouri's Veterans. Cameron Veterans' Home is dedicated to providing quality healthcare to veterans and assists them in achieving their maximum level of independence. The Cameron Veterans' Home works to ensure a safe, comfortable environment to its residents conducive to personal dignity and happiness in a community living setting. In recognition to the staff of the Cameron Veterans' Home and the City of Cameron which supports our Veterans so well, I commend the Cameron Veterans' Home for the unconditioned level of support and compassion they extend to those brave Americans that have sacrificed their lives for this great nation.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of the American Legion Pony Express Post #359 in St. Joseph, Missouri. The American Legion Pony Express Post #359, chartered on January 24, 1946, has a long history of providing aid to children's assistance organizations and charities as well as assisting needy veterans in the St. Joseph area. The American Legion has been a patriotic organization dedicated to providing community service. They open their doors to assist those brave Americans that have served our country and instill a warm sense of pride in our nation that these men and women fought so hard to defend. In honor of Flag Day, I rise to extend my appreciation to thank all the brave veterans, and the men and women in our Armed Forces for serving and protecting our nation from assaults on our freedoms and liberties. Because of your tireless efforts, this truly is the land of the free and the home of the brave, and I am honored that we can share and enjoy the peace and prosperity of this great nation.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Chairman, too many teachers have told me that they are afraid to discipline unruly students for fear that they may face an expensive, career-ending lawsuit. It is time to take the lawyers out of the classroom. Mr. Chairman, it is time to shield those responsible educators from frivolous lawsuits so our children may learn in a safe school. Responsible teachers should not be afraid of violent bullies with intimidating attorneys. Teachers should not fear a lawsuit because they attempt to break up a fight in gym class or on the playground. Teachers must be able to control the classroom to keep their students safe. I have introduced legislation that, like this amendment, would provide legal protections to teachers who make reasonable actions to maintain order and discipline in the classroom. I rise today in strong support of this amendment that will protect our teachers and empower them to do what they were hired to do; that is, teach our students. I would like to commend the gentleman from Texas on his great work on this amendment.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for his work on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, creating a safe learning environment must be a top priority for our schools. Unfortunately, the discipline provisions in IDEA make it impossible for educators to address the needs of all students in the classroom. The safety and the learning opportunities of all students are jeopardized by the rules that require that a dangerous and disruptive student remain in the classroom. I believe when it comes to the issue of weapons, illegal drugs and assaults, we cannot afford to gamble with the safety of our students, with our teachers and staff. Ensuring the safety of all students must be our first goal. The Federal bureaucracy cannot second-guess our local educators, who must make difficult decisions about the safety in their classrooms. Doing such will unnecessarily put the safety of our students at risk. This amendment will allow schools to discipline all students that bring weapons, sell illegal drugs or commit aggravated assault or battery at school in the same manner. Schools will not be able to discriminate against students with disabilities, but they will have the flexibility under this amendment to make sure that all violent students are removed from the classroom. Simply put, this amendment will remove the roadblocks that Congress has put in the path of good school administrators, parents, teachers, and local school boards who merely want to keep their classrooms safe.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote, and pending that, I make a point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this is a simple amendment, and it does empower local schools. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), who has been a tireless advocate on behalf of sending Federal education dollars back to the classroom.

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, we are at a crossroads in Federal education policy. There are those that still believe that all wisdom lies in Washington, and solutions to our education woes will be found in the bowels of Washington bureaucracy. Yet H.R. 1 is a road down a new path. This legislation recognizes the power, the possibility, and the promise of our public schools. Today, I urge my colleagues to support our local teachers, administrators, and school board members who in the majority of our schools are finding common-sense solutions to this generation's problems. By directing 95 cents of every education dollar directly to the classroom, we will empower teachers, not bureaucrats, and we will support education, not regulation. I offer for my colleagues' approval today, a very simple amendment. It directs the Department of Education to join our States and local school districts in an all-out effort to direct 95 percent of all our Federal education dollars to the place in which it belongs the most, the classroom. Mr. Chairman, too many education dollars are spent on bureaucracies at all levels of government. Federal education dollars should not benefit a bloated bureaucracy. Rather, those precious dollars should provide maximum educational opportunities for all of our students. As we reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, we must do our part to ensure that increased spending is coupled with increased flexibility. By sending more education dollars directly to the classroom, we will shift the focus of our education system back to the students, the families, the classrooms, the schools, and the communities of our Nation. Mr. Chairman, while there may be some disagreement on how we do it, we all agree that today's youth deserve an education system that is second to none. As I travel the Sixth Congressional District of Missouri and listen to the hopes and dreams of youth today from Maryville to Blue Springs and Park Hill to Brookfield, I am reminded that what we do here in Congress really does matter. Our decisions will have a significant impact on our children's future and the future of our country. Mr. Chairman, the people of this country and the President of this Nation have made education the top priority. Let us join them today in embracing a new vision for American education that strengthens schools, streamlines bureaucracy, and supports our classrooms. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Verna Irene Swoboda, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph, Missouri, who is celebrating her 90th birthday, today, May 16, 2001. She was born in St. Joseph in 1911, the only daughter of Thomas and Vera Moore, along with her four brothers, Joseph, Wilbur, Norman, and Mason. She was married to her late husband, Ralph J. Swoboda, for 61 years. Verna's four children, Rachel, Tom, Vera, and Gloria are hosting a birthday celebration for her on May 26th at the home of her daughter, Rachel, in St. Joseph. It is expected that her entire family, including nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren will attend, many coming from out of state. Also, her many friends in the senior residence where she lives in her own apartment plan to celebrate with her on May 16th. Verna enjoys good health and is very active with her family, her church, her friends, and her hobbies. She still enjoys painting, writing poetry, reading good books, and working on her scrapbooks and picture albums. She is a very spunky lady with a very sharp wit and is adored by all who know her. She can tell a very good story and has always been proud of her Irish heritage, and she is especially proud of her hometown of St. Joseph. Again, I want to wish Verna Irene Swoboda all the very best on her 90th birthday.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Ruben Siverling, the recipient of the Clay/Platte Development Corporation's Small Business Advocate of the Year. Mr. Siverling is a full-time business consultant serving on the staff at the Rockhurst University Small Business Development Center. During his years as a consultant to the Small Business Community in the Kansas City region, he has helped start or expand over 1,700 small businesses. Mr. Siverling was instrumental in opening a satellite Small Business Development Center in the Missouri 6th District. Being a resident of the district, he saw firsthand the growth in the Northland region of Kansas City and understood the importance of a guiding presence to help the area's burgeoning entrepreneurs. His dedication to this cause is proven in the early mornings, long days and late evenings that he endures to help each and one of his clients achieve success. Success to him does not only involve just having a client receive a loan, but all facets of learning the start-up process. Whether it is revising a loan package that was not approved on the first submittal, or following through with revision and follow-up meetings, he ensures that the small business client is getting a first-class education that will help their business flourish. I commend the Clay/Platte Development Corporation on choosing Mr. Reuben Siverling as their Small Business Advocate of the Year, and once again congratulate and thank Mr. Siverling for his years of hard work and dedication to the Small Business Community.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of Fort Osage as a landmark identified and later developed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark during the voyage of the Corps of Discovery. In June of 1804, the Corps of Discovery passed a high bluff on the Missouri River--which would later become Fort Osage in Jackson County, Missouri. Only four years later, Clark returned to initiate construction on a Fort and trading-house under the direction of the War Department. Clark noted ``The River could be completely defended'' and he deemed the ``situation elegant.'' Fort Osage (or Fort Clark as it was originally named) played an important role in the exploration and development of the West. Goods were traded with the Osage, Ayauway and Kansas tribes at this site for years to come. Fort Osage proved to be the single most profitable trading post of its kind in the United States and the territories. We are indebted to the legacy of the Fort and the people who lived, worked and defended the Fort. Their courage had a profound effect on the evolution of our nation. As part of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, Jackson County Parks and Recreation is proposing an innovative education center. The education center would showcase artifacts and exhibit the significance of the Missouri River. I believe this education center is a wonderful addition to the commemoration and will help visitors understand the significance of Fort Osage. It is the only site along the trail where Clark returned to develop a facility that fulfilled the goals of President Thomas Jefferson's dream of commerce and development with the west. The significance of Fort Osage is not limited to Lewis and Clark. Both the Yellowstone Expedition and the Long Expedition visited the Fort in 1819. The Long Expedition brought the first steamboat, Western Engineer. Only years later, William Becknell arrived at Fort Osage, using the site as mile marker ``0'' for the Santa Fe trail, again distinguishing the importance of the Fort in relation to commerce in the west. Due to the area's historical significance, the Fort Osage Education Center was proposed as part of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration. The Education Center was recently recognized by the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission as the priority project in Missouri and I am honored to have this historical site in my district. I look forward to the events surrounding the bicentennial commemoration at Fort Osage and in other areas of the 6th District of Missouri. I join the Missouri Bicentennial Commission, the Missouri Department of Conservation and the United States Geological Survey in full support of the proposed Fort Osage Education Center.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act. Seventy million Americans do not have a 401(k)-type plan or any kind of pension--roughly half the workforce. In fact, the problem is worse among small businesses--less than 20 percent of small businesses with 25 or fewer employees offer any kind of pension coverage today. Mr. Speaker, it is time we make retirement security a reality for more Americans. The Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act modernizes pension laws, provides regulatory relief to encourage more small businesses to offer retirement plans and allows Americans to set more aside in an IRA or 401(k)-type plan. In addition, this plan expands opportunities for women to place retirement savings in IRAs when they take time away from the work place, opens the door for women to make catch-up contributions to IRAs later in life when they are likely to earn more money, and increases the overall amount they can contribute to their retirement savings. I am pleased to vote today to pass this fair, balanced and bipartisan plan to strengthen the economy, increase savings and investment, and provide a more secure retirement for all Americans.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate ATK and its Lake City Ammunition Plant located near Independence, Missouri, for their efforts in providing the United States Military with high quality ammunition while at the same time reducing their impact on the environment. This week, the U.S. Army will present Lake City Ammunition Plant with its Secretary of the Army Environment Quality Award for an industrial installation. The Secretary of the Army recognizes the efforts of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant to improve the environment. The Plant has reduced its hazardous waste generation rate by sixty percent eliminating twenty tons of air emissions per year. At the same time, it has operated in compliance with twenty-five different environmental permits and recycled over fifty-five hundred tons of material. Through the hard work of nearly eight hundred fifty employees, the Lake City Ammunition Plant has proven that it can continue to be the largest supplier of small caliber ammunition to the United States Department of Defense, while retaining a superb record on the environment. Again, I congratulate and commend ATK and the employees of Lake City Ammunition Plant for their excellent record on the environment and congratulate them for receiving the Secretary of the Army Environmental Quality Award.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 503, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. This bill extends a shield of protection to those children that cannot protect themselves. Under this bill, a criminal who commits a violent crime against a pregnant mother will be charged with a second offense on behalf of the second victim, the unborn child. My home State of Missouri, along with 23 other States across our Nation, already recognize that unborn children who are victims of crimes must be protected from the violent actions of criminals. This legislation will extend the same level of protection to all mothers and their unborn children which is currently afforded to the mothers and children of Missouri and half the States across our country. Our vote today will send a clear message to the criminals around this Nation that the laws of this land will not tolerate the violent actions against the mothers and their unborn children and will hold criminals strictly accountable for their heinous crimes. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 503, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker it is time that we kill the death tax. Many of my colleagues and many in the media have argued that this tax is justified because it only affects the wealthy--well, Mr. Speaker, that is wrong. The victims who are hit the hardest by this tax are the family members of middle-class, hard-working Americans--small business owners and employees, family farmers and ranchers. The Death tax penalizes the sons and daughters of the local hardware store owners, farmers, and grocers the most. The Death Tax punishes those who spend their lifetime building a small business or running a farm in the sincere hope that they will be able to leave the fruits of that labor to their children and grandchildren. When a small business owner of farmer passes, too often the business or farm must be divided, sold, or shut down, because the tax penalty is so great. The loss of that small business is devastating to the employees and to the local community. For the small businesses and family farmers in the 6th District of Missouri, I am proud to support the Death Tax Elimination Act. The Death Tax is not an issue of politics or partisanship, but rather, it is an issue of fairness, family, community and keeping the American Dream alive for the children and grandchildren of this nation.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act. Small business is the backbone of our Nation's economy. In fact small businesses are the largest employer in the State of Missouri. 96 percent of all businesses have fewer than 100 employees in Missouri. For Missourians the success and prosperity of our State quite literally depends on the success and prosperity of our small businesses. Which is why I am an ardent supporter of the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act. This act works to reduce the overwhelming paperwork requirements imposed on small businesses by federal agencies. Mr. Chairman, I would like to give you an idea of the total requirements that the Federal Government forces on small businesses: For firms with fewer than 20 employees, paperwork regulations cost $2,017 per employee per year. This is the single most costly type of regulation. I spoke with Jim Oldebeken, a constituent in my district, and he stated that in order to be in compliance with OSHA's paperwork requirements, small business owners must know and understand the entire OSHA code--which happens to be longer than the Bible--both New and Old Testament. On average, Small business owners spend more time reading, filling out, and filing paperwork than they spend on protecting their employees and making their workplace safe. Another constituent of mine, Bruce Copsey, who owns Hollaway Telephone Co. in Maitland, MO, estimates that he spends three times as much time filing out paperwork today than he did when he opened his business in 1988. Mr. Chairman, I believe these small businessmen share the same concerns as many of my constituents and small business people across the country. It is not that they do not want to comply with government standards; they just do not want the act of compliance and the art of filling out paperwork to become their job. Small businesses are vital to the economic success of our nation, and they provide millions of good jobs across this nation. The Paperwork Relief Act will streamline the regulatory paperwork process for small business owners. As we deliberate in this body how best to stimulate our economy and insure that there is an abundance of good jobs available, there will be few bills that have the potential to have the sort of impact that this legislation will have on the job providers of our nation. Without regulatory reform and a reduction in the unnecessary regulations and paperwork, our small business people and the jobs that they create will be placed in jeopardy unnecessarily. This bill recognizes the importance of our small business community and the detrimental effect that unnecessary redtape and regulations has on our small businesses. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues today to join me in supporting our small businessmen and women across the country by passing the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the owners, Don and Diane Coleman, and the employees of Coleman Industrial Construction of Kansas City, Missouri, for their recognition by the National Railroad Construction Maintenance Association (NRC). Coleman Industrial Construction has been presented with the NRC's Contractor Safety Award. The NRC annually recognizes one firm with less than 25 employees from among more than 200 firms nationwide for their outstanding, accident- free record among small railroad contractors. This distinction does not come about easily. It is the result of many hours of work, seminars, and training provided by Coleman Industrial Construction coupled with the tireless efforts of all its employees to focus on reducing the risks of accidents and injury. Due to the work of the experienced and professional employees and their ``safety-first'' attitude, Coleman Industrial Construction has been able to go 14 years without a ``lost time'' accident. While Coleman Industrial Construction is being recognized among other small railroad contractors, their performance is a standard for all industries. Their continued emphasis on job safety serves as a worthy model nationwide. Again, I congratulate and commend the owners and employees of Coleman Industrial Construction on their outstanding performance in reducing injuries at the workplace.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, working Americans deserve tax relief. The American family's tax burden has now reached its highest level since World War II. In fact, the average American will have to work 129 days to pay off their total tax bill. Mr. Speaker, no one, regardless of income level, should have to pay more than one-third of their hard- earned paycheck in taxes to the Federal Government. Americans will send $5.6 trillion more to Washington over the next 10 years than is needed to run the government. This surplus is the direct result of the diligence and hard work of the American people. The choice for this Congress is simple: keep the money for more Washington bureaucracy or return a portion of the surplus to working men and women. Mr. Speaker, I choose the people. Under the tax cut proposal, every American that pays income taxes will receive significant tax relief. Mr. Speaker, this bill puts money back in the hands of Americans. Make no mistake, this is real tax relief for real people. Mr. Speaker, now more than ever Americans need to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. The American people are overtaxed, and I look forward to voting today to return a portion of their money back to them. Taxpayers have earned it, and our slowing economy deserves it.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the farmers- members of the Golden Triangle Energy Cooperative on the imminent success of the new ethanol plant in Craig, Missouri. The new plant will add value to members' agricultural commodities through efficient processing and bring renewed economic opportunity to Northwest Missouri. I am honored to have the Golden Triangle Energy Cooperative in my district. On Saturday, February 17, 2001, we will celebrate the grand opening of the Golden Triangle Energy Coalition Plant. This plant will process 6 million bushels of corn each year, producing 15 million gallons of ethanol. This plant will not only benefit farmers, but also the environment and our consumers across the nation. I am pleased that farmers in Northwest Missouri are making a positive impact on their rural community by expanding value-added markets, such as ethanol. In the past 10 years, more than 20 farmer-owned cooperatives were constructed nationwide. Today farmer-owned ethanol production facilities are responsible for one third of all U.S. ethanol production. Farmers in Northwest Missouri are positioned to meet the nation's ethanol needs. Ethanol produced in Craig, Missouri will be sold across the country as a high-octane fuel bringing improved automobile performance to drivers while reducing air pollution. It is a clean- burning, renewable, domestically produced product. The new plant in Craig will create jobs and provide value-added markets to bolster agriculture and our rural economy. Again, I congratulate and commend the farmer-owners of the Golden Triangle Coalition on the opening of the nation's newest ethanol plant. I look forward to working with them in the future.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, for over 30 years, the Social Security and Medicare Part A trust funds have been used to distort the budget surplus numbers and mask deficits. This must not continue. Today we have the opportunity to cast a vote that will end this shortsighted and fiscally irresponsible practice. Today we have the opportunity to lock away all surpluses in the Social Security and Medicare trust funds and ensure that these funds can only be spent to provide retirement and health care security for our seniors. Mr. Speaker, the first step to saving Social Security and Medicare is to stop spending it on unrelated government programs. This is an essential first step to preserve and strengthen these programs for current and future retirees. I urge my colleagues to send a clear message to all Americans and end the raid on Social Security and Medicare.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 9, I didn't get a beeper notification and the vote was not recorded. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''