J.D. Hayworth

Mr. HAYWORTH

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

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the gentleman from West Virginia and the gentleman from Michigan for their constructive remarks and thank them very much for their diligence in days past and their promise of diligence in the days ahead as we deal with the challenges we confront. Mr. Speaker, as I heard the gentleman from Michigan think about the unique contributions of Native Americans not only in his home State but in mine as well, I am struck by the comment of one of my constituents in my first term who came here to Washington to visit not only his congressman but to see the monuments memorializing the contributions of so many. This particular gentleman was a veteran of the Vietnam conflict. He was mindful of the fact that Ira Hayes appeared in the Marine Memorial, but at the end of his time in the immediate vicinity of the mall, he said, ``I just have one question, Congressman: Where is the Indian?'' That question challenges us today on a myriad of legislation with which we deal, as we recognize sovereign rights, as we deal with, as the gentleman from West Virginia pointed out, with a century-old dilemma of trust funds that administrations of both parties have tried to deal with, and Congress even employing a task force, which I mentioned earlier. Today we stand and say let us take an important step to recognize our first Americans and their contributions, and that is the intent that we join today and that is the spirit on which we endeavor to move this sense of Congress resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from American Samoa, who is no stranger to the good people of Arizona and has accompanied me there to work on various Native American housing issues. I thank him for that even as I yield 3 minutes to another good friend who joins me on the Committee on Ways and Means, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins). (Mr. WATKINS of Oklahoma asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, on this important piece of legislation that so vitally affects people in his home State, it is my privilege to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Skeen), the chair of the Subcommittee on the Interior of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that this is a trying time in our history. Questions of great moment confront this House, and yet precisely because this is a time of national need, it is entirely appropriate that we focus likewise on our national pastime because the recently completed World Series offers to millions of Americans more than just diversion and amusement. It offers again reinforcement of the positive characteristics of teamwork and rising to the task when the chips are down. As one who is honored to represent the great State of Arizona, I come to this well today to salute the new world champion Arizona Diamondbacks. Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, absolutely thrilling on the mound. Quite rationally and reasonably co-Most Valuable Players in the series. I salute likewise the American League Champions New York Yankees because it is a simple notion in sports, to be the best, you have to beat the best, and that is what the Diamondbacks accomplished as a team. So we salute the D-backs as World Champs. We salute the Yankees, and let us get back to work on behalf of the American people.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I welcome the gentlewoman from Indiana with her comments to this extent: honorable people can disagree. Where I take exception is when patriotism is impugned and motives are attributed when there is honest disagreement. That is the key difference. Now, to a sense of unity and a sense of action, let me call the attention of the House to a matter of concern that is neither Republican nor Democrat but totally American. That is the fate of the survivors and the dependents of the horrible attacks on September 11. Mr. Speaker, various charitable agencies have come together saying they will help fund relief for the victims of the disaster. And yet there has been a disconnect between that promise and reality. As a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I have called upon the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) to take oversight interest in the status of these charities to make sure that we helped people who have suffered and in that way restore our sense of unity and legitimate oversight. These people need our help.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding to me. Let us acknowledge what he has said. Yes, it is important to understand what is transpiring in terms of aviation safety. Yes, it is important to have scrutiny to the point that we can ensure airliner safety in many different areas, not only those who would come to get on the plane and have themselves and their hand-carried luggage checked, but also, transcending that, the caterers, the cleaners; a myriad of other people who have access to aircraft. That is very important. But it seems, to borrow the line from I guess Rogers and Hammerstein, ``Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.'' It is the unmistakable, undebatable function of the Federal Government to secure our borders and to be in control of those who would come to this Nation. My friend, the gentleman from Colorado, points out the story of the 19 villainous vermin who came here to do us harm; in fact, who launched this war with acts of terror that were indeed acts of war that cost so many Americans their lives. When we read the stories that our intelligence gatherers have been able to come across, we understand that, either through miscommunication or an unwillingness and inability to follow up on the status of visas, or special visas that require really no scrutiny, we allowed many of these horrific people to come and stay and perpetrate their acts of terror and war. We must secure our borders. The challenge in the early 21st century is that there are those who would take an issue of national survival, try to dismiss it as jingoism or xenophobia, or a myriad of attacks of the politically incorrect, when, instead, they are elemental tools that the American people cry out to see activated. It is not only the border to our south. Mr. Speaker, I am sure there are those who join us, and they see the gentleman from Colorado and the gentleman from Arizona, and they say that it is the United States' border with Mexico that causes the problems. Mr. Speaker, I would point out that some who have perpetrated acts of terror and war against this country came in through our border to the north in Canada. I would point out the unbelievable situation, according to some press accounts, that at least one of the perpetrators voted in our Presidential election in 2000. Now, there reaches a point in time when enough is enough. With the war we confront and the nature of our enemy, we must take the steps necessary to defend this Nation. Governor Ridge has taken over as our director of homeland defense. Our first line of defense is securing our borders and taking account of those who have come here. It is very simple. The old saying is, when you have dug a hole for yourself, stop digging. Until we get an accounting of exactly who is here, and quite frankly, who should be escorted beyond these borders, only then can we take control. One other note. And lest this is confused, Arab Americans have a chance to lead the way in our fight in terms of an understanding of culture and language and their own sense of patriotism. They have a chance to lead the way in this fight. This is not for a second to impugn the motives or the patriotism of any Arab American. Indeed, I know many personally who are guts-up Americans who have served in the military of this country, who stand ready to defend this land in any way, shape, or form. But to those who have come illegally and to those who would do us harm, it is time for a change; to harken back to what is absolutely required of us in this constitutional Republic, and that is control of our borders and an accounting of those who are here, and actions to send home those who are here unlawfully.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Just to echo that point and to thank my friend from North Carolina for mentioning my alma mater, although my football experience there may not be quite NFL caliber, but we will not go to that. But the town halls of the areas, whether it is talk radio WPTF in Raleigh; KFYI in Phoenix, Arizona; a town hall meeting we held on city cable in Scottsdale Friday evening, the people who came there demanded that in this time of war we absolutely control our borders. That is the first step in homeland defense. It is not for a second to suggest it is the only step, but it is the first step.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, it is with mixed emotions that I come to the well. I talked to many of my constituents in the wake of the shock of September 11, and how gratified they were to see us unite at a moment of national need. This afternoon, Mr. Speaker, what I would remind the American people is that good people can disagree. The distinction I would make is when there are those who come to this well and who compare us with the enemies of this country, and imply that anyone aids and abets our enemies because of honest differences of opinion. They should be ashamed. They have incurred the shame of this House. How dare those, in a sense of honest disagreement, compare us to those who would loot and malign and weaken this American Nation. There is no place for that dialogue on this floor. Shame on you for those comments. Shame on you for those actions. Join us, together, to at least disagree in civil fashion, not with the catcalls and the horrendous talk we have heard in this Chamber today. Now, I stand here in opposition not because I doubt the patriotism of my friends on the left, but because I believe they are bringing forth the wrong ideas: a $90 billion tax hike. Tax hike. Let us go ahead and increase taxes, that is what the substitute does. Let us go, in terms of unemployment benefits, and create a new layer of government rather than letting the States that handle unemployment benefits use that money and get it into the hands of the people who are unemployed. And, oh, when we talk about layoffs, let us impugn the corporations, the job generators, because somehow it is less than noble, unless it is the direct hand of government. I categorically reject that. I am sorry that there are those who would stand and impugn the patriotism of honest disagreement, but I will stand here clearly and unmistakably to oppose this wrongheaded alternative and the wrongheaded rhetoric that has accompanied it. Shame on you.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time; and, Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member on Ways and Means for rising in support of the rule, although we have some profound disagreements here. Despite the tone of the rhetoric this morning, it is worth reminding ourselves that good people can from time to time disagree. And I suppose when we take a look at our Nation's economy, there is a question, a fundamental question about who we should trust to reinvigorate the economy. Should we trust small business and job generators that have proven time and again that our way to long-term prosperity is through job creation; or should we view the economy in a static stagnant mode where government is the answer of first and last resort? To hear my good friend from Texas on the Committee on Rules, it seems he envelops that vision. Somehow, to reinvigorate the private sector with economic stimulus, to make sure that funds are there to provide for new plant and new equipment and thereby reinvigorate the job market, that just does not compute in the vision we hear from the left. Folks are entitled to their opinions. We believe, however, that the best way to reinvigorate our economy is to reduce taxes for everyone and at this time of national need to make sure that business has the funds to regenerate jobs. Rather than an inherent distrust or an effort to engage in class warfare, it seems to me that as our Nation is at war, we could do without a conflict on the home front. Good people can disagree. This rule is sound. It provides the minority with their opportunity to offer a static stagnant finger-pointing approach that would somehow stand to accuse all American business of being less than civic minded. And that is certainly their philosophy, and they are entitled to it. But we, instead, opt for the notion that the American people, through saving, spending, and investing their own funds, whether on Wall Street or on Main Street or on your street, Mr. Speaker, can make the difference. That is the underlying theme of our legislation. That is why I rise in support of this rule and the underlying legislation, because the American people, when left to their own devices rather than with the heavy hand of government, the helping hands of neighbor helping neighbor, business reaching out with job creation, that will make the difference both here at home and in our battles abroad. For that reason, I ask the House to join us in supporting the rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman should take responsibility for his own actions. That is something we are taught.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, how fitting it is to get a time cue from the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) knowing how important time is to the medium of radio and of broadcasting. But there are timeless truths to which we all subscribe and that is what we celebrate here tonight. Not the fact that our friend faces adversity. Not completely the fact that many of us have met with political triumph based on his encouragement. Not the fact that now in an hour of national need we must rise again with the eternal optimism that has been part of the American experience, but just to understand and give thanks for the three words that epitomize not only EIB and the whole dynamic of talk radio, but the essence of our constitutional republic. Our founders had the great and good sense in that poetic and yet very practical preamble to our Constitution to start with three special words, ``We, the people.'' Not it, the government or us, the politicians, but we, the people. And so tonight we take time to celebrate a special person who encourages others to understand their special role in this special place that we call home and the rest of the world calls America.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Oh, would that it were the case, but apparently it has to do with vocal patterns or some such.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry: Does the gentleman from Georgia hope to open one night for Jerry Vale? I did not know he was going to insult comedy. But I would seize the opportunity from the gentleman from Georgia to introduce a fellow Westerner who joined us following the 1996 elections. I would introduce him with this note. I know that every Monday in his district he goes to great pains to bring together people for a breakfast town hall. As I was hearing the gentleman from California and the gentleman from Minnesota and the gentleman from Georgia relate, what happens on talk radio, what we celebrate with Rush Limbaugh and hosts of all different ideological backgrounds, is the notion that we in essence have a town hall of the air. In our congressional districts we have town halls. The gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Kingston) has one. He makes this a staple every Monday morning on his schedule.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Georgia for organizing this time and the fact that the distinguished majority whip joins us, as does the gentleman from Minnesota. In hearing the whip discuss not only our friend Rush Limbaugh, but also the power of ideas, I think it is very important to come tonight in that great tribute, because America is an idea and ideal brought into practice. As the gentleman from Georgia outlined, as the gentleman from Minnesota and I came to this Congress at a historic time with a transition in the majority, I had the privilege during my campaign to first meet Rush Limbaugh. He came to Phoenix as I was preparing to run for Congress, and our Suns were playing the Bulls in the NBA championship. The folks from Chicago prevailed in that particular matchup, quite unlike what transpired today in baseball, as the Diamondbacks defeated the Braves two to nothing. Sorry about that to the gentleman from Georgia. But we had a great visit with Rush.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Oh, I thought it was skill. But just one point about it, because the whip talked about this, the fact that our friend Rush Limbaugh celebrates the dreams and the pursuit of excellence by individuals, that he recognizes that America is made up of seemingly ordinary individuals who have been called upon to do extraordinary things, and whether it is succeeding in business, or getting an education, or running for public office, fulfilling dreams is important. That is what makes his excellent broadcast so excellent in terms of the excellence in broadcast for which he strives; the fact that America can rise to its dreams, can discuss the difference in ideas, can succeed on the playing field, or return to the playing field to seek success, as my friend from Georgia identifies with a certain National League franchise from his home State. But we salute our friend Rush Limbaugh. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, the highest form of praise for me personally is really two-fold: number one, to know that in the Almanac of American Politics, there are those who would compare this gentleman with my friend Rush; and the fact that yesterday on his broadcast I was mentioned, and the constituents started to call saying ``Rush was talking about you today,'' and that is a high honor indeed.

Mr. HAYWORTH. It has been interesting during this allotted time on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, Mr. Speaker, to reflect on an American original, and to realize that the success which our friend, Rush Limbaugh, has met with is because, like many other great Americans, he has been able to tap into the interaction and the free flow of ideas and expressions that Americans have long championed. As we find ourselves in the midst of difficult days, indeed, what could fairly be described as a battle for our very survival as a nation, literally, we take stock of the fact that 1 month ago visited upon us was an attack so dastardly, so horrible that it eclipses the losses in our own Revolutionary War. I ask Members to think about it. In the multiyear conflict that was the American war of independence, fatalities for the new United States of America were a little over 4,000. In 1 day, we lost an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 of our fellow citizens, not to mention workers from around the world who came to this free society. To absorb that type of attack as a people but to stand up, roll up our sleeves, and with American resolve, whether we are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, vegetarians, to move forward with a commonality of purpose, I think is something that has been mirrored in a personal way for our friend, Rush. He put it in perspective because he suborned his personal challenge to the need confronting America, and revealed to us, almost in passing, the nature of his hearing affliction; the fact that efforts are being made to restore that. But whatever the future may hold, it paled in comparison both to the accomplishments of the past and the requirements, the necessity, to unite as a people for what we must do in the immediate future. There is no way to calculate or to quantify the value of rallying together as Americans, even as we agree to disagree, perhaps on how best to achieve victory, on how best to meet the future, on how best to set our priorities. Rush Limbaugh, in his town hall on the air, on a daily basis, with the biggest radio audience on a sustained basis we have seen in our history, gives voice to the notion that we can achieve our dreams; that we can endure our setbacks; that we can meet tomorrow confident that we can be stronger and this Nation can be better than it was in the past. Cheerful persistence and eternal optimism, not the optimism of the cockeyed, but the optimism of the realist, that is what has always propelled America to greater times and better days. Eisenhower said the hallmark of a leader is to be optimistic. Reagan said America's greatest day is still way ahead of it. Rush Limbaugh, like him or loathe him, agree or disagree, gives voice to the same type of vision, and at this hour, in this place, at this time of national need, we pause from our traditional debate to celebrate the achievements of one who encourages so many achievements among all of us. Not a celebration per se of political party or conservative doctrine, but an outlook on life that inspires involvement, that gives voice to the very essence of what it means to be an American. That is the idea, that is the ideal behind EIB, Excellence in Broadcasting; and it is not a far stone's throw from the ideals that created this constitutional republic, what Catherine Drinker Bowen called the Miracle at Philadelphia, that gave us as mere mortals and humans, despite our many imperfections, a remarkable form of government where we celebrate individual achievement and out of many form one united in purpose for national success and for the survival of free men.

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia. I think back to those days in 1994 when the gentleman from California was kind enough to pay a visit to his neighboring State, and to hear the whip and to hear our friend from Minnesota talk about those days has been very interesting indeed. As I was listening to the remarks, I am reminded that another great wartime leader who went on to become President of the United States, Dwight David Eisenhower said, always take your job, but never yourself seriously. How appropriate, how descriptive that is of our friend Rush Limbaugh. But how important that philosophy is now in another hour of national need. We rejoice in the fact that we can bring different approaches and seek practical solutions from different philosophies and, Mr. Speaker, we would be remiss if those who follow this hour, this Special Order, would think that everything we do is rubber-stamped or met with complete approval by our friend in radio. The fact is that is not the case, nor, to borrow Mr. Jefferson's phrase, in the course of human events will it ever be the case. So we celebrate the fact that we can have differences of opinion, not only within the conservative movement, but in this Chamber, yet in this hour of national need we unite for a common goal, celebrating legitimate differences, understanding that the exchange of ideas, whether in this Chamber or over the airwaves, is the key to our dynamism as a constitutional republic. Indeed, the fact that our friend Rush brought and continues to bring a different way, a somewhat irreverent way, of reviewing the day's news has led to great citizen participation, both part of the conservative movement and those who might seek another way. Indeed to the point, Mr. Speaker, I remember upon our election to this Chamber, one of the leading news magazines actually ran a cover story citing the dangers of hyperdemocracy, as if Americans being involved, giving voice to their concerns, taking time to be involved in any political movement, regardless of their personal philosophy, taking the time to care, as if somehow that were wrong. What we have seen with the rise of the new media of which our friend Mr. Limbaugh is part of the vanguard, talk radio, the Internet; the fact, Mr. Speaker, that Americans and indeed citizens of the world can see these words transmitted instantaneously, that friend and foe alike internationally understand that we believe in the power of ideas, that is the best testimony to those who willingly engage in those ideas, to those who champion the delivery of those ideas over the airwaves, on the Internet, and typify what de Tocqueville first found about America, that America is great because we are good, and that we can be of goodwill and disagree, and that yes, it is perfectly within the realm of public experience to be frustrated, to step back and take not so serious a look, but when there is a time of national need, we can rally because the people, we have this affinity for the freedom we celebrate in free and open debate.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I crossed the aisle tonight to offer these remarks, not for priority of party but for the needs of our Nation. The men and women in uniform we are about to send into battle will not wear insignia of party identification, they will be there as Americans. So Mr. Speaker, tonight in this place, at this hour, I stand in strong support of this resolution as the people of Arizona and the people of America go forth united in what will prove to be a difficult and perhaps even a protracted struggle, but a fight we cannot afford to postpone. Support the resolution. Support our Nation and our way of life. We are Americans first. Vote for the resolution.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, we as Americans this morning must confront the harsh reality. Yesterday, acts of war were committed against our Nation. Accordingly, a state of war exists between the United States and all entities of terrorism in the world. I welcome the fact that we stand united, because even in this, our darkest hour, we see thousands of real-life examples of what has always been true in our history. America's citizens are seemingly ordinary people who at times of national need and distress rise to the occasion and do extraordinary things. In that spirit, today, though, Mr. Speaker, I call on our Commander in Chief and the American people to take any and all steps necessary to eradicate this evil from the face of our planet.

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the Committee on the Budget and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for yielding me time as we join tonight in true bipartisan fashion to remember and pay tribute to our great and good friend, Floyd Spence. The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) outlined the resume of accomplishments of our friend Floyd, the fact that he was a star athlete at the University of South Carolina. Now that football season has started, I think of his beloved Gamecocks that have had great success last year and promise in this season. He was captain of the track team, one who served this country with distinction as an officer in the Navy. The gentleman from South Carolina is right: he set the pace for a Republican birth really in the 20th century in South Carolina in 1962. He came to this institution 3 decades ago. Mr. Speaker, I think of the lives he has touched, the difference he made for this Nation, not with grand and glorious orations, but with simple acts of kindness and repeated instances of a healthy dose of common sense. He understood that our Constitution clearly calls for this Nation and this Government to provide for the common defense. He made no bones about his feelings and his priority for national security. And through it all in his days here he showed us the gift of being able to disagree without being disagreeable. Mr. Speaker, no Member of this House is as beloved as our friend Floyd. We thank him for his service. We thank his family and the State of South Carolina for giving us in this House a remarkable public servant.

Mr. HAYWORTH

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

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to speak of another concern shared by all Americans, but especially the first Americans. That would be SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS can happen to any family and is one of the major causes of death in babies from 1 month to 1 year of age. SIDS is used to describe the unexplained death of an infant, and the cause of this condition is not known at this time. Researchers continue to investigate this mysterious and tragic syndrome. Congress has a special trust responsibility to assure the highest possible health status for Native Americans. Despite this trust responsibility, Native Americans and Alaska natives continue to bear a disproportionate burden of illness and premature mortality in comparison with other populations in the United States. I am extremely concerned about SIDS because this tragic syndrome is the leading cause of infant mortality among Native Americans and Alaska natives.

Mr. HAYWORTH. I thank my colleague for yielding to me, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate his remarks on legislation on energy. One other part of that legislation had to do with the Buy Indian Act for the first Americans, involving the first Americans in energy transmission and production, and a myriad of other activities that will help bring economic vitality to the reservations and sovereign nations. Concern About SIDS and Native American Tribes

Mr. HAYWORTH

Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, specific risk factors have been identified, and through identification and implementation of learned actions, there is a potential reduction in the incidence rate of SIDS by up to 40 percent. Infant mortality rates among Native Americans in Indian Health Service areas was 9.3 versus 7.6 in the United States for all races. Now, understand that among Native Americans, that means the incidence of infant mortality is 22 percent higher. The areas in Tucson, Aberdeen, and Nashville exceeded the U.S. rate by over 50 percent. Infant mortality for SIDS in Indian Health Service areas average 2.3 times greater than all races in the United States, and three times the Caucasian rate. As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker, the cause of SIDS is not known at this time. Researchers continue their important work to investigate and to understand and to try to prevent this syndrome. It is known that behavior modification and risk factor awareness has proven to reduce the incidence of SIDS by up to 40 percent. Mr. Speaker, we must look to partner with the Indian Health Service, Indian Health Service Area Health Boards, Tribal health departments, and Tribal Councils to develop culturally sensitive national, regional, and local SIDS risk reduction education programs. We must develop tribally sensitive behavior modification models in tribal-specific formats, improving communication and education to high-risk mothers and caregivers. Mr. Speaker, I would commend such organizations as CJ Foundation for SIDS as a model to raise awareness of the steps to reduce the risks of SIDS and to decrease the frequency of SIDS-related deaths. As indicated in recent study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the disparity between the health of Native Americans and the rest of the population is ever widening. Mr. Speaker, we must work for public health for the special Tribal trust relationship between the Government of the United States and the sovereign Indian nations to help solve this problem, which falls disproportionately on the first Americans.