Ralph Hall

Mr. HALL of Texas

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

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird).

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3514, the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection Act. I am one of over 140 of the gentleman's cosponsors. The author has done a great job of gaining and garnering support and ushering it through. Mr. Speaker, this directs HHS to establish and maintain a sanctuary system for the lifetime care of chimpanzees that have been used, bred for, or purchased for research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration or other agencies in the Federal Government. Although many of these surplus chimpanzees have hepatitis and HIV infections and are a danger to uninfected animals as well as their caretakers, H.R. 3514 provides, I think, the highest level of veterinary expertise for these retired animals. It establishes sanctuaries and does a lot of other things. But basically, it provides chimpanzees with housing and a protected environment that is sensitive to their social needs along with the long-term health care and all needed medications. It is the right thing to do. It is also an excellent animal model for future health care legislation for all American citizens. While I rise in support of this bill today, I also look forward to working on more equitable public health policies for our Nation's citizens in the 107th Congress. I salute and support the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood). He has done a good job with this. It is a humane bill. It is one of the few things that this body does that really ought to be done for a group who have no lobby. He has done a great job. I am honored to be a part of it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have waited almost a year to place this story in the Congressional Record. Let's call it an early Christmas story--about the simple but powerful gift of kindness, in this case bestowed by two pilots on a young boy on Christmas Eve. Art Hendon of Terrell, TX, shared this with me in December of last year, and I am honored to share it with my colleagues today. Sometimes the most important gifts are given unwittingly. I set about checking the instruments in preparation for my last flight of the day, a short hop from Atlanta to Macon, GA. It was 7:30 P.M. Christmas Eve, but instead of forking into Mom's turkey dinner, I was busy getting other people home to their families. Above the low buzz of talking passengers, I heard a rustle behind me. I looked over my shoulder. Just outside the cockpit doorway was a fresh-faced boy of about nine gazing intently at the flight deck. At my glance he started to turn away. ``Hold up,'' I called. ``Come on in here.'' I had been about his age when I first saw a flight panel lit up like a Christmas tree and I could hardly wait to get my pilot's wings. But now that I was 24 and first officer at a commuter airline, I wondered if I'd made the right choice. Here I was spending my first Christmas Eve away from home, and what was I accomplishing? How was I making my mark in the world, let alone doing God's work, just hauling people from city to city? The boy stepped cautiously into the cockpit. ``My name's Chad,'' I said, sticking out my hand. With a shy smile he put his hand in mine. ``I'm Sam.'' He turned to the empty seat beside me. ``Is that for the captain?'' ``It sure is and that's where Captain Jim sits.'' I patted the worn fabric. ``Would you like to try it out?'' Sam blinked at me from under this ball cap. ``I don't know . . . I mean . . . well, sure if it's okay.'' I lowered the seat so he could slide into it. The captain loved to give demonstrations of the plane's gadgets to kids, but what would he think about one sitting in his seat? Well, it's Christmas, I thought. I glanced out at the luggage carts being wheeled toward the plane, thinking of the gifts I wouldn't be able to give in person to my parents and friends the next day. Sam told me he and his family had flown in from Memphis. I checked my watch. The captain would be in any minute, but Sam looked so thrilled, I didn't want to cut short his fun. I gave the instrument panel another once-over, telling Sam what each button and lever did. Finally Captain Jim clambered aboard, ``Howdy, partner.'' He gave Sam a broad grin. ``You know, son,'' he drawled, ``I don't mind you staying with us for a while if you'll switch with me.'' Sam let the captain take his place and I made introductions. We began previewing the startup checklist. I kept thinking the captain would send Sam away, but the boy was still peering over my shoulder when the ramp agent radioed to ask if we were ready to turn on the first engine in start sequence, number four. I relayed the question to the captain, who was studying the weather reports. ``I'm still going over these,'' he said. ``You guys go ahead and start it.'' ``Okay, starting . . .'' I said, positioning the switches. Then I did a double take. `Did you say you guys'?'' ``Yeah, go ahead.'' I looked over at the captain, and back at the fight panel. ``Right.'' I flicked on the plane's flashing red beacon to signal the start. Then I turned to my new assistant. ``You ever start an airplane before, Sam?'' Eyes wide, he shook his head. Following my instructions, Sam carefully turned a knob on the overhead console that switched on the igniters. then he pressed a button as big as his hand to start the engine. Finally, with both hands he slid forward a lever to introduce the fuel. The engine hummed to life. Sam slowly let go of the lever and stepped back, awestruck. He'd gotten to start an airplane, an honest-to-goodness airliner. I'm not sure if I'd have believed it myself at his age. I thanked Sam for helping us out. ``No, thank you, sir,'' Sam said. ``This was really great!'' As he backed out of the doorway into the cabin, the plane resonated with the sound of the engine he'd started. ``You have a merry Christmas, son, you hear?'' the captain said. Sam looked like he was about to cry with happiness. ``I will, sir, I will. Thank you!'' With one last look at the flight deck he turned and walked down the aisle. We started up the other engines, took off, and arrived in Macon about 40 minutes later. Early Christmas morning, as we settled into the cockpit for the trip back to Atlanta, one of the gate agents ducked in. ``Hey, guys, some kid's mother came by this morning. She wanted to make sure I thanked you for showing her son around last night. Said he couldn't stop talking about the cockpit. She left this for you.'' The gate agent set a red tin on the center console. ``Well, I'll be,'' the captain said. He bit into one of the chocolate chip cookies from the tin. Then he unfolded the note taped to its cover and read it silently. He sighed deeply and turned to me, ``Boy's got cancer,'' he said, and read the note aloud: Dear Sirs, Thank you for allowing Sam to watch you work on Christmas Eve night. Sam has cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy in Memphis. This is the first time he has been home since the treatment began. We drove Sam up to the hospital, but since he loves airplanes, we decided to fly him back home. I am not sure if he will ever get to fly again. His doctor has said that Sam may have only a few months left. Sam has always dreamed of becoming an airline pilot. The flight we took from Memphis to Atlanta was exhilarating for him. He wasn't sure flying on one of your ``little'' airplanes would be as much fun, but you two gentlemen gave him the greatest Christmas gift imaginable. For a few short minutes his dream came true, thanks to you. I looked out at the runway gleaming before us in the sun. When I turned back to Jim, he was still staring at the note. A flight attendant came in and said the passengers were ready for departure. She stowed the cookies away and we went through the checklist. Then Captain Jim cleared his throat and called out, ``Starting number four.'' I'd wanted to be home with my loved ones, exchanging gifts for the holidays. But that little boy showed me that sometimes the most important gifts we give are given unwittingly and the most precious ones we get come from strangers. I can serve God's purpose no matter where I am, as long as I let the spirit that moved me that night guide me always.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the Ranking Member on the Science Committee, I rise in strong support of the VA-HUD Conference Report, which is a much more satisfying bill than the one which passed the House in June. I am especially pleased to see that the Conferees were able to find funds for important programs at NASA and NSF that this body didn't seem to have access to four months ago. In June, the President's request for NASA was slashed by $377 million. One of the most troubling cuts in that bill was the elimination of funding for the Space Launch Initiative, a program that directed at developing advanced, reusable launch vehicles that will dramatically reduce the cost of launching government and commercial payloads. The high cost of access to space is the single largest impediment to our ability to reach our full potential in space. Fortunately, the bill we are considering today fully funds the Space Launch Initiative. In funding NASA at $14.285 billion, this Conference Report provides the resources needed to ensure the successful development and assembly of the International Space Station and the continued safe operation of the Space Shuttle. H.R. 4635 also provides a healthy level of funding for NASA's important Science, Aeronautics, and Technology activities. Finally, I am pleased that H.R. 4635 requires NASA to provide for annual life and micro-gravity sciences research missions on the Space Shuttle. I have long supported a vigorous program of life and micro-gravity sciences flight research, and believe that such flights ultimately will deliver significant scientific returns. At the same time, we will need to ensure that such flights do not adversely disrupt the assembly of the Space Station, which will be the ultimate venue for path-breaking biomedical research in orbit. As for the National Science Foundation appropriations, again, this conference report is a great improvement over the House-passed bill, which cut the Administration's request by $500 million. I know that in June the Committee did the best that it could with the hand it was dealt. But, had the cuts prevailed, NSF--an agency with a critically important role in sustaining the nation's research and education capabilities in all fields of science and engineering--would have been severely damaged. These cuts would have been short-sighted because basic research discoveries launch new industries that bring returns to the economy far exceeding the public investment. The Internet, which emerged from research projects funded by the DOD and NSF, strikingly illustrates the true investment nature of such research expenditures. In fact, over the past 50 years, half of U.S. economic productivity can be attributed to technological innovation and the science that has supported it. I am pleased that the conference report recognizes NSF's important role by providing an historic increase of $539 million, or nearly 14 percent, above the previous year's budget level. This increase will enable the Foundation to expand its investments in exciting, cutting- edge research initiatives, including information technology, nanoscale science and engineering, and environmental research. Moreover, this new funding will enable NSF to increase average grant size and duration, as well as increase the number of new awards. Last year alone, NSF could not fund 3800 proposals that received very good or excellent ratings by peer reviewers. Finally, the increases provided by the conference report will begin to address a growing imbalance in federal support for fundamental research in the physical sciences and engineering relative to the biomedical fields. This is a serious matter because for any field of science progress is dependent on advances made in other fields. This point was recently made by the past director of the National Institutes of Health, Nobel Laureate Harold Varmus: ``Most of the revolutionary changes that have occurred in biology and medicine are rooted in new methods. Those, in turn, are usually rooted in fundamental discoveries in many different fields.'' For the past half-decade, we have been very free in our support of biomedical research. I consider that to be a very good thing for all of our people. However, investing too narrowly in medical fields without investing in all the other sciences--sciences that contribute to the base of knowledge necessary for medical breakthroughs--will lead to a slowdown in medical progress in the long-run. I want to congratulate the Conferees on their work in this bill and to particularly thank them for finding the resources necessary to keep our Nation at the forefront of progress in space and science.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, and I have the privilege today to pay tribute to Paul Foerster of Rockwall, Texas, who won the silver medal in the Men's 470 sailing event at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Paul was the skipper of the United States' entry in the Men's 470 sailing event. His teammate on the two-man vessel was Bob Merrick of Rhode Island. Paul and Bob finished first in four of the eleven races, more than any competitor. Australia won the gold with a better aggregate score. Paul previously competed in the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games in the Flying Dutchman sailing class, winning the silver medal in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. He has sailed in more than 500 yachting competitions in the last decade. He learned to sail as a young man growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas and was a three-time All American sailer at the University of Texas, where he earned a degree in aerospace engineering. Paul works at the Raytheon Company's Garland facility in the Third Congressional District, where his co-workers hosted a recognition ceremony for him this week. He is a new resident of Rockwall in the Fourth Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, we join his co-workers, family and friends in commending him for his dedication, determination, and commitment to excellence. Paul brings honor both to himself--and to the United States of America. As we adjourn today, let us do so in recognition of the superior achievement of Paul Foerster in the 2000 Olympics.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Eugene Eaves Martin was born and raised in Rockwall, TX, my hometown in the Fourth District, and died on August 17 at the age of 78. He was a journeyman printer and production manager and a lifelong member of the International Typographical Union. Gene was also my best friend in high school. Gene was everybody's favorite. He was on our track team and a great football player. His family was affluent--and Gene had access to cars and other advantages that many of us didn't have in those years of the great Depression. He shared everything he had with other students-- including me and my family. He was by far the most popular and best- liked guy in school. Gene maintained many of his boyhood friendships throughout his life. He never forget Rockwall High School--and returned to lead each high school reunion. Following high school graduation, Gene attended Texas Christian University in Forth Worth, then served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He served in the Philippines and in the horse patrol along Florida's eastern coast. Gene worked as journeyman printer, foreman and production manger for several major newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle and Dallas Morning News until his retirement in 1986. He and his wife, Lucille, moved to Llano Grande Lake Park in 1994, where he made many new friends. He is survived by his wife, Lucille; sons, Eugene, Jr., Mark, Larry and Todd; daughter, Len Lea Noack; step-daughter, Denise Kaplan; nine grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Gene was devoted to his profession, to his family, and to his friends--and I join all those who knew and loved him in remembering this wonderful man and outstanding citizen--Gene Martin.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of an exceptional man, an outstanding community leader and beloved citizen of Longview, Texas, the late J.R. Curtis, whose life was cut short at the age of 55 following a motorcycle accident on September 2 in Durango, Colorado. J.R. lived life with enthusiasm--and with a tremendous devotion to his family, his community, his friends and his faith. He leaves a remarkable legacy of professional and civic accomplishments-- as well as a legacy of loving relationships with his family and many friends. J.R. was born on August 18, 1945, to James R. Curtis, Sr., and Sarah DeRue Armstrong Curtis of Longview. He graduated from Longview High School in 1963 and graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth in 1967. He also attended the American Institute of Foreign Trade in Glendale, Ariz., from 1967-68. J.R. was a successful and popular radio broadcaster in Longview. He purchased KFRO AM/FM radio station from his father in 1986 and was the owner and manager until 1998. He also became owner of KLSQ-FM and operated KNYN in Santa Fe, N.M. He began his broadcasting career in high school, working for his father's station as sportscaster for KFRO's Wednesday night Teen Time Program. He learned all aspects of the radio business, from engineering to news and sales, at an early age. J.R. was active in the Texas Association of Broadcasters, serving as a medium market director for TAB and as president of TAB. He was named Texas Broadcaster of the Year in 1990. He also was active at the national level, serving as a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Blitz Committee and as a director of NAB in Washington, DC, from 1996-99. In addition to broadcasting, J.R. served as president of the Curtis Foundation, president of Workmans Oil Co., and a director of First Federal Savings Bank of Longview from 1982-1997. At the time of his death, he was employed as a consultant with Longview Economic Development Corp. J.R. served nine years on the Longview City Council, from 1975-1984. In 1977 he became the youngest mayor in Texas when he was appointed by the council at age 33 to the city's top job. His recent community involvement included serving as president and vice president of Longview 20/20 Forum; finance chairman of Longview Museum of Fine Arts, 1997; director of Longview Partnership, 1995-98; and a member of the administrative board of First United Methodist Church, 1996-98. He had a 19-year perfect attendance record in the Longview Rotary Club, where for many years he kept the membership informed of local and national news. Other involvements included serving as president of Gregg County Housing Finance Corp., executive committee member for the East Texas Council of Governments, director of Little Cypress Utility District, director of the Longview Chamber of Commerce, foundation board member of Good Shepherd Medical Center, foundation board member of LeTourneau University, board member of Crisman Preparatory School and a volunteer for many other organizations. He was a member of the Collier Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church and an usher at the church. J.R. is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Sue Skaggs Curtis; his son and daughter-in-law, Jason Skaggs Curtis and Janey of Fort Worth; his daughter, Elizabeth Ann Curtis of Longview; granddaughter, Margaret Lynn of Forth Worth; his aunt, Ruth Elizabeth Curtis Gray of Longview; mother-in-law, Fredna Skaggs of Longview; brother-in-law Bill Hodges of Longview and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Lucas of Longview; two nephews and a niece, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Elizabeth DeRue Curtis Hodges. J.R. had biked to Durango with five friends for an annual getaway vacation. He died as he had lived--with enthusiasm for life and for friendship. He will long be remembered for the significant contributions he made to his beloved city of Longview. As his wife and high school sweetheart, Sue Curtis, noted, ``He loved Longview. He believed in Longview. He was born here and went to school here and wanted to make it a better place.'' And he did. J.R.'s influence can be found everywhere in Longview--and will be felt for years to come. Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, let us do so in celebration of the life of this wonderful man and citizen of Longview, Texas--J.R. Curtis, whose memory will be cherished in the hearts and minds of those who knew him and loved him.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of a beloved citizen of the Fourth Congressional District and a dear friend, the late Betty Jean Henderson Banks of Ivanhoe, Texas, who passed away earlier this year. Betty was a wonderful woman whose kindness and dedication to her family, friends, and community will be long remembered. Born in Louisiana to the late Lafayette Victor Henderson and Ida Butler Starke Henderson, Betty married James Walter Banks in 1938 in Bonham, Texas. Throughout her years in Bonham, Betty raised a family and worked tirelessly on behalf of her community. Betty was known by many for her work at the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham, where she worked in food service. She also was known throughout Bonham for her volunteer efforts on numerous causes, from making uniforms for the Missionettes (Girls Club) to helping find and fight for a liver transplant for a baby in need. Betty was an integral part of a women's prayer group that met monthly for a prayer breakfast at the First National Bank in Bonham, and she was a member of the First Pentecostal Church of God in Bonham. In the local paper, this was written about Betty by Mrs. Paul Keahey: ``Over the years she stood up for truth and honesty at all levels of society and government and what she believed to be right.'' These sentiments were echoed by her many friends and fellow citizens who knew her and loved her. Betty is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, James V. ``Butch'' Banks and Carol of Baytown; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Mike Stockton of Ravenna and Becky and Victor Santiago of West Haven, Conn.; and a brother, Robert H. Henderson of Colville, Wash. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, James Walter Banks, who passed away in 1996; a granddaughter, Amanda Stockton; brother, L. Victor Henderson, and a sister, Yvonne Henderson. Betty was an honest and loyal friend to many and a role model in her community. We will miss her--but her legacy will live on in the lives of all those whom she touched with her generosity and kindness. Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, may we do so in memory of this beloved citizen of Fannin County, Betty Banks.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, next month we will again pay tribute to our nation's veterans, and today I have the privilege of honoring one in particular--James Blackstone of Terrell, TX, a retired Warrant Officer of the United States Navy. James enlisted in the Navy in June, 1934, and retired in 1954. His experiences span the globe--and form part of the fabric of our nation's history. James volunteered for service in China in 1934 and was granted assignment to the USS Sacramento, a seagoing gunboat. His boat rotated coastal patrol duty along the China coast from the Gulf of Chihli to the South China Sea. In 1938 he was assigned duty on the USS Jacob Jones, stationed in Villa Franc, France, and in 1939 he was assigned to a new class Destroyer, which was ordered to search and destroy German submarines and their bases on our side of the Atlantic. The next two years his ship was assigned convoy duty, where James served until shortly before the declaration of war in 1941. In 1942 James was chosen to spend four months in diesel engine school--to train for a new class of diesel-powered ships that represented a great departure from traditional steam propulsion. James graduated at the top of his class and emerged as a leader. He was assigned to the Navy Yard in Vallejo, CA, where a new ship, the USS Clamp ARS-33 was under construction. It was a diesel-electric powered Auxiliary Rescue and Salvage Vessel. As Chief Motor Machinist Mate, Warrant Officer, James sketched in detail every part of the ship's engineering plant and oversaw its construction. The Clamp at long last went to sea, its destination the Ellice Islands. The ship was the flagship of the salvage fleet. James participated in the invasion of Tarawa. He remembers being at Midway, Kwajalein, Eniwetock, Majuro, Ulithi and the Philippines. His ship arrived at Saipan on July 4, 1943, where James and the crew inspected and cleared a number of Japanese ships that were sunk during the invasion. On February 19, 1945, the Clamp was part of the fleet that invaded Iwo Jima. ``Even for the battle hardened veterans that thought they had seen it all, the battle for the island of Iwo Jima was the most gut wrenching of all that had gone before,'' James recalls. ``The sight of our flag being raised on that mountain top was the most overwhelming, emotional feeling that I have ever experienced in my lifetime.'' The Clamp departed Iwo Jima some days after the flag raising and arrived at Kerama Retto, about 15 miles from Okinawa in preparation for the invasion. The following days and nights were the longest in his memory, he recalls. Attacks from suicide bombers and suicide boats were a constant threat. The memories of specific episodes James would rather not dwell on. Okinawa and the Atolls of Kerama Retto were virtually secure when the Clamp received orders to return to Pearl Harbor in preparation for the invasion of Japan. On arrival, they were directed to proceed to a shipyard in Portland, Oregon--where James would meet up again with the ``love of his life,'' Virginia, who was working in a defense plant in Seattle. James and Virginia quickly married and enjoyed a ``fifty-year love life, short of 3 months,'' James says. Virginia died in 1995, and it is evident that James misses her greatly. James resigned his commission for two months following the War--but was not happy. He reenlisted as a chief petty officer and handled responsibilities of an officer until his retirement in 1954. In 1956 he applied for work with the General Services Administration, Design and Construction Division, Public Buildings Service. He started work as a mechanical-electrical engineer and retired in 1973. James is now in his 80's and has taken the time to record his enlisted experiences and to share those with me. He has lived a life of integrity and has fought the good fight. He is a man of honor who was devoted to his country, to his fellow citizens, and to his wife. In short, Mr. Speaker, James Blackstone is a great American and a real American hero--and I am proud to call him my friend and to honor him today.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor today to recognize a life member of the Fourth Marine Division and the Marine Corps League, Milton Saxon, a resident of Longview, Texas, in the Fourth Congressional District. Milton was a member of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment, Fourth Marine Division from March 1944-May 1946 and fought on Iwo Jima. Milton has put into writing many of his thoughts and memories about his service in World War II, and I am pleased to share some of those with my colleagues today. Milton recalls joining the Marines in March of 1944, at the age of 18, and being trained in San Diego before being shipped out to the Marine Transit Center at Oahu. Here he was attached to the Fourth Marine Division on Maui, where he boarded the L.S.T. #684 to begin their trip toward Japan. Private Saxon and the Fourth Division landed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. Milton was part of the fifth wave of Marines that hit the beach, where ``hell was breaking loose.'' ``Without exception, every friend that was within touching distance of me was either killed or wounded,'' he writes. Milton's vivid descriptions of what happened that day and during the ensuing days reveal the confusion, the terror, the courage and the heroism among those young soldiers and officers. On Iwo Jima they encountered situations that they could never have been adequately trained for--yet situations where time and again they rose to the challenge and prevailed in the line of fire. By nightfall of that first day, K Company was down to 150 men. ``It is impossible to describe the exact emotions, smells and sounds of this battle,'' Milton said. ``I don't have nightmares any more, but my memory will never die. I will always honor those less fortunate than I was.'' Milton describes the ensuing battle over the next 27 days that led to victory at Iwo Jima. Private First Class Milton Saxon was a survivor. The friends he made in the Marines who also survived have remained life-long friends. ``There are not many advantages of war, but one advantage is finding someone that is closer than most brothers can ever be,'' he writes. Milton now belongs to a Marine Corps Detachment composed of Marines from Desert Storm, Korea, Vietnam and World War II--and even some who are presently serving in the Marines. ``Nothing has been lost between the generations of service . . . All of the history, the lore and the tradition of the Marine Corps lives on through each member.'' Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, I want to thank Milton Saxon for taking the time to record his memories of his war experiences and to tell his story with honesty, conviction--and even some humor where appropriate. His first-person account will be handed down through his family for many generations and will provide a powerful legacy of that most important time in world history--and one of the defining times in American history. He is retired now, having served his country for 37 years in Texas public education as a school administrator, teacher and coach. Milton Saxon is one of those from ``the Greatest Generation''--a selfless young man who heeded the call of duty, risked his life for his country, and forever will be an American hero. As we adjourn today, let us do so in honor of my friend and an outstanding American--Milton Saxon.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an outstanding citizen of the Fourth District of Texas, the late Mayor Marion Allen Groff III of Pilot Point, who died on August 22. Dr. Groff was an active and beloved member of his community--and he will be dearly missed. At the time of his death, Dr. Groff was serving as mayor of Pilot Point, president of the Chamber of Commerce and member of the Kiwanis. He was a board member and president of DENCO 911 for 8 years. In all these civic endeavors, he gave his time and energy to helping make Pilot Point a better place in which to live. Allen was devoted to his family, his profession, and to his community, and he leaves a legacy of service that will be remembered by his many friends in Pilot Point. His legacy not only covers his medical service--though it was above and beyond--it goes to the throngs of friends and to many people that he never met. Allen reached out to anyone in need, gave advice, service, and warm friendship. He was a lobby for those who had no lobby. And he was capable of friendship to those in all walks of life--with equal love and dignity for all. He was born in Shattuck, OK, on August 27, 1949. He served in the U.S. Army from June 1971 to June 1974. He was a graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma University, the University of North Texas and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. He leaves behind his wife, Karen; has parents, Dr. M.A. and Betty Groff; a daughter, Kristen Groff; four sons, Marion Allen Groff IV, Bryant Adam Groff, John Robert Groff and Cole Kelly Schmitz; and a sister, Janet Sims. Allen was devoted to his family. Kristen will miss him every day of her life--as will his four sons. Karen was the love of his life, and I had the pleasure of visiting with Karen and Allen during the last days at the hospital. She waited, she served, she encouraged, and she loved and lived within his reach day and night for many desperate days at Zale Lipsey Hospital. She held her head up--and was reassuring to family and a throng of friends who came to Midway Baptist Church to say goodbye to Allen. Mr. Speaker, Allen was one of a kind--and we will miss him. As we adjourn today, let us do so in memory of Mayor Marian Allen Groff.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to pay tribute today to the late District Court Judge, W. E. ``Bill'' Coats, of Tyler, TX, who died in April of this year at the age of 76. Judge Coats served Smith County for 30 years as judge and district attorney. He had practiced law in Smith County since 1954. He was elected the first Republican district attorney in Texas, serving from 1963 until 1967. He also served as judge of County Court at Law No. 2, from 1975-79, and served as 7th District Court Judge to complete his 30 years of service in Smith County. He also was appointed by the Tyler City Commission in 1968 to serve as Municipal Court Judge. Judge Coats was a Mason and Shriner and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Survivors include a son, William Fred Coats of Tyler; daughters, Fonda Reeves of Tyler, Ardis Maxwell of Luling, and LeAnn Craven of Wills Point; a brother, James Coats of Whitehouse; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Judge Coats brought dignity and honor to the courtroom--and in all that he accomplished. His distinguished career and contributions to the practice of law and the judiciary in Smith County will be long remembered, and I would like to take this opportunity to join his family, his friends, and his peers in paying our last respects to this respected District Court Judge, Bill Coats. As we adjourn today let us do so in his memory.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Iwo Jima brings to mind for most Americans the famous picture of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi and the impressive bronze statue that memorializes this historic event. The Marines fought one of the most brutal battles of American history on that porkchop-shaped eight-square-mile island--and brought honor to themselves and victory for our country. One of the heroes of that conflict was a young, skinny, red-headed teenager from Texas--Gerald Edwin Young, otherwise known as ``Red'' to his Marine buddies. He served with the 5th Marine Division, 5th Engineer Battalion, ``A'' Company, 1st platoon. Gerald landed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, day one of the battle. He had just turned 19 a few days before. Gerald had several duties--one of which was being a runner. Under constant fire, he would bring replacements to the battle front as needed, carrying out his mission time and again. He considers himself very fortunate to have survived the full 36 days of the battle--and did sustain a temporary loss of hearing after a grenade exploded near him. However, he refused the opportunity to be shipped off the island. At the time of the historic flag raising, he tells the story that the first flag flown was too small and could not be seen so well from a distance. As a part of the Company ``A'' team of runners, Gerald participated in relaying that message and the need for the larger flag, which is the flag we see in the photographs of that historic day. Today, Gerald loves to talk and tell stories, but he has little to say about his war experiences, which are still painful to talk about. He does make it clear, however, that he is proud to have served his country as an enlisted Marine--and even at 75 years of age says he would do it again if needed. His grandson, David Riddle, is a Congressional Intern in my office and a student at Texas A&M University. He shares this story about his grandfather with much pride and admiration, and it is a privilege for me to have the opportunity to share this with my colleagues. So as we adjourn today, let us do so by paying tribute to this outstanding American and World War II Veteran-- Gerald Edwin Young.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2438, the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act, a bill introduced by Senator John McCain which had bipartisan support in the Senate. My home state of Texas has more pipeline mileage than any other state, so maintaining the safe operation of these systems is important. In 1996, two teenagers were killed in my Congressional district while they were trying to warn their neighborhood about a leak from a pipeline carrying flammable butane. More can be done to improve pipeline safety, and this legislation represents the best--and for this Congress, the only-- opportunity to make constructive changes. Several of my colleagues have argued that we should kill this bill now, and work to pass another bill later, more along the lines of the bill introduced by my friends Mr. Dingell and Mr. Oberstar. I respect the concerns of these gentlemen, but I would say to my friends that the bill before us today is a good bill. The question of which bill is tougher is relative--in some areas the McCain bill is tougher, and in other areas the Dingell/Oberstar bill is tougher. For example, the McCain bill has higher penalties for safety violations, protections for pipeline employee whistleblowers, more defined pipeline safety research and development goals, and temporary job assignment requirements for pipeline employees involved in an accident. But more importantly, it is worth noting that the McCain bill, and the bill introduced by Messrs. Oberstar and Dingell, are much more alike than different. I think it's important that we not lose sight of this fact. Mr. Speaker, the McCain bill has one other key advantage over any House legislation--it has already passed the Senate by a unanimous vote. Let's not drop the ball in the last few seconds of the game. Americans want safe pipelines. In this final week of the 106th Congress, we ought to join together to pass this laudable legislation, and work in the next Congress with Mr. Dingell and Mr. Oberstar to ensure that the Act is implemented in a responsible manner. Let's not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S. 2438.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of an exceptional man, an outstanding community leader and beloved citizen of Longview, Texas, the late J.R. Curtis, whose life was cut short at the age of 55 following a motorcycle accident on September 2 in Durango, Colorado. J.R. lived life with enthusiasm--and with a tremendous devotion to his family, his community, his friends and his faith. He leaves a remarkable legacy of professional and civic accomplishments-- as well as a legacy of loving relationships with his family and many friends. J.R. was born on August 18, 1945, to James R. Curtis, Sr., and Sarah DeRue Armstrong Curtis of Longview. He graduated from Longview High School in 1963 and graduated from Texas Christian University in Forth Worth in 1967. He also attended the American Institute of Foreign Trade in Glendale, Ariz., from 1967-68. J.R. was a successful and popular radio broadcaster in Longview. He purchased KFRO AM/FM radio station from his father in 1986 and was the owner and manager until 1998. He also became owner of KLSQ-FM and operated KNYN in Santa Fe, N.M. He began his broadcasting career in high school, working for his father's station as sportscaster for KFRO's Wednesday night Teen Time Program. He learned all aspects of the radio business, from engineering to news and sales, at an early age. J.R. was active in the Texas Association of Broadcasters, serving as a medium market director for TAB and as president of TAB. He was named Texas Broadcaster of the Year in 1990. He also was active at the national level, serving as a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Blitz Committee and as a director of NAB in Washington, DC, from 1996-99. In addition to broadcasting, J.R. served as president of the Curtis Foundation, president of Workmans Oil Co., and a director of First Federal Savings Bank of Longview from 1982-1997. At the time of his death, he was employed as a consultant with Longview Economic Development Corp. J.R. served nine years on the Longview City Council, from 1975-1984. In 1977 he became the youngest mayor in Texas when he was appointed by the council at age 33 to the city's top job. His recent community involvement included serving as president and vice president of Longview 20/20 Forum; finance chairman of Longview Museum Fine Arts, 1997; director of Longview Partnership, 1995-98; and a member of the administrative board of First United Methodist Church, 1996-98. He had a 19-year perfect attendance record in the Longview Rotary Club, where for many years he kept the membership informed of local and national news. Other involvements included serving as president of Gregg County Housing Finance Corp., executive committee member for the East Texas Council of Governments, director of Little Cypress Utility District, director of the Longview Chamber of Commerce, foundation board member of Good Shepherd Medical Center, foundation board member of LeTourneau University, board member of Crisman Preparatory School and a volunteer for many other organizations. He was a member of the Collier Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church and an usher at the church. J.R. is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Sue Skaggs Curtis; his son and daughter-in-law, Jason Skaggs Curtis and Janey of Forth Worth; his daughter, Elizabeth Ann Curtis of Longview; granddaughter, Margaret Lynn of Forth Worth; his aunt, Ruth Elizabeth Curtis Gray of Longview; mother-in-law, Fredna Skaggs of Longview; brother-in-law Bill Hodges of Longview and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Lucas of Longview; two nephews and a niece, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Elizabeth DeRue Curtis Hodges. J.R. had biked to Durango with five friends for an annual getaway vacation. He died as he had lived--with enthusiasm for life and for friendship. He will long be remembered for the significant contributions he made to his beloved city of Longview. As his wife and high school sweetheart, Sue Curtis, noted, ``He loved Longview. He believed in Longview. He was born here and went to school here and wanted to make it a better place.'' And he did. J.R.'s influence can be found everywhere in Longview--and will be felt for years to come. Mr. Speaker, as we adjourn today, let us do so in celebration of the life of this wonderful man and citizen of Longview, Texas--J.R. Curtis, whose memory will be cherished in the hearts and minds of those who knew him and loved him.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to pay tribute to the late George Becker, Jr. of the Becker Community, located in Kaufman County in the Fourth Congressional District. George suffered a serious injury on his ranch and spent his last months in the hospital fighting for his life until he passed away on May 14 at the age of 84. George was a ``fixture'' in his community and will be missed by his family and many friends. George was born August 15, 1915, in the Becker Community, the son of George and Florence Nash Becker. He was a graduate of Texas A&M University and a lifetime rancher and realtor. George was very active in the Texas and Southwest Cattleman's Association. He was a leader in the Becker United Methodist Church and a trustee at Trinity Valley Community College since the 1970's. During World War II, he served as a captain of a PT Boat. George spent his life in the community in which he was born and raised. He gave his time, talent and energy to community causes and activities--and to the vocation which he loved and which finally claimed his life--ranching. He is survived by his brother, Major General Bill Becker and sister- in-law Frances of Kaufman; his brother, Bryan Becker of Dallas; his sister, Ellen Becker Dodson and brother-in-law, Dr. Ed Dodson of Texarkana; and many nieces and nephews. Mr. Speaker, George Becker was a respected citizen of Kaufman County whose passing has left a void in the Becker Community. As we adjourn today, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying our last respects to this fine American, George Becker, Jr.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. I thank the majority leader and the gentleman from Dallas. Everybody, from a young man like Calvin Clyde from Tyler, Texas, who sits by my side, to people past my age, are a little sick of pitting class against class. I think that is old stock. I do not think it sets well. I think the American people can see through that.

Mr. HALL of Texas. If the gentleman would yield, does the gentleman remember when it was indicated that a George McKinney, who was a friend of the Vice President, had to go to Canada, as a $25,000 a year man, had to go to Canada to get satisfaction in the health field. I just wondered, who sent him up there for the last 8 years? I think a real good answer would have been, you know, 8\1/2\ years is long enough for that to happen. If they put the right folks in position and then charge up here, he will not have to go to Canada; he can go to his corner drugstore.

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin for his explanation of the justification for this resolution and its consideration under the expedited procedure.

Mr. HALL of Texas

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

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak in support of H.R. 2572, the Apollo Exploration Award Act. I think the chairman has done a very good job of ushering this bill to this stage and of explaining the bill here, so I will be rather brief. I think the bill recognizes a very important chapter in our Nation's space program, the Apollo Moon landing project that we were all so very proud of. And it honors the contributions of those very brave space explorers, the Apollo astronauts, who helped humanity to achieve the dream of finally setting foot on the Moon. It is hard to believe that more than 3 decades have passed since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first stepped out onto the lunar surface while Mike Collins orbited overhead. Their accomplishments and those of the Apollo astronauts who followed them made all of us proud to be Americans. And so it is fitting that we honor them with this award. It is also fitting that we honor the brave astronauts who preceded them in the missions that helped prepare for that first Moon landing. In that process we especially need to remember the three heroes, Virgil ``Gus'' Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee, who lost their lives in the tragic Apollo 1 fire back in 1967. They made the ultimate sacrifice to help push back the frontier, and I am glad that this bill recognizes their contributions. Mr. Speaker, some day in the not-too-distant future I expect that we will go back to the Moon; and I believe we will ultimately go further, to Mars and beyond. When we do, we will be building on the accomplishments of not only the brave astronauts that we honor in this piece of legislation but also on the efforts of all of the thousands and thousands of men and women who worked on the Apollo project. Their contributions, large and small, all helped make Apollo a success. While we cannot honor each of them by name, I hope that they take pride in what they accomplished and know that we salute them. Mr. Speaker, back several Congresses ago, as a matter of fact in the 103rd Congress, I introduced and passed through the House a concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 261. It was a resolution to honor the lunar astronauts and to increase their military rank, not to increase their pay nor their retirement but simply to increase their rank. We sent it over to the Senate and the Senate reduced it to saying they would be called Honorable from here on and did nothing for them along the line of their rank. I think we missed a chance to show them greater courtesy and greater honor, and many of them talked to me, that many of them really and truly wanted. H.R. 2572 is a way also for us to say thank you to these astronauts who helped lead us to the Moon. I urge my colleagues to vote to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2572. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HALL of Texas

Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Rivers).