Dave Hobson

Mr. HOBSON

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

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we have no objection to the amendment of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver) and would urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 4425) making appropriations for military construction, family housing, and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to the conference asked by the Senate.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder of the bill through page 20, line 5, be considered as read, printed in the Record and open to amendment at any point.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOBSON. I will be happy to work with the gentlewoman on this request. As she knows, we are working with tight funding restraints but we will do all we can to accommodate the request.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to present to the House the recommendation for the military construction appropriations bill for fiscal year 2001. This is a bipartisan bill, and I want to thank my ranking member, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver), for his assistance in putting this bill together this year once again. We have tried to work together to solve many of the problems that our military faces today. We have gone out and looked at various locations. We have gone around the world together a number of times looking at the various projects, trying in a learning mode to get a bill that we can all agree upon. This bill presented to the House today totals $8.6 billion. This represents a $293 million, or 3 percent increase from last year's appropriation. However, the bill reflects a reduction of $1.3 billion or 13 percent from the enacted level just 4 years ago. The bill is within the 302(b) allocation for both budget authority and outlays. The recommendations before the House are solid, and fully fund priority projects for the services and our troops. The legislation helps meet the needs of our military families and improving our national security infrastructure. It is fiscally responsible, while supporting the housing, child care, and medical needs of our military. Within the $8.6 billion provided, we have been able to address quality-of-life issues, including $759 million for troop housing, $43 million for child development centers, $141 million for hospital and medical facilities, $26 million for environmental compliance, $859 million for new family housing units and for improvements to existing units, and $2.7 billion for operation and maintenance of existing family housing units. This year we have worked closely with the authorization committee, and I would like to recognize the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), whose chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Military Installations and Facilities will end at the conclusion of this Congress. This subcommittee has appreciated his cooperation and commitment to funding the infrastructure needs of our servicemen and their families the past 6 years. In conclusion, this $8.6 billion is less than 3 percent of the total defense budget and only 3 percent above last year's funding level, but this $8.6 billion directly supports the men and women of our Armed Services. It increases productivity, readiness and recruitment, all very vital to a strong national defense. Mr. Chairman, I include the following for the Record. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH16MY00.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH16MY00.002 Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, we have no objection to the amendment.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and that I be permitted to include tabular and extraneous material on H.R. 4425.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the achievements of the Berger Health System in Circleville, Ohio, which is being honored this week by the American Hospital Association. As Representative to Ohio's Seventh Congressional District, I am pleased to honor the volunteers of the Circle of Caring community service program for their devotion and generosity to the elderly and disabled community in Circleville. The Circle of Caring program at Berger Health System is dedicated to providing basic daily care including housekeeping and transportation for the elderly and the disabled. Volunteers assist the elderly with domestic chores and contribute their time and services to improving the quality of life for those in need of medical attention or individual care. The volunteers of the Circle of Caring program are committed to providing the elderly with the sense of independence and dignity they have earned. The Circle of Caring program was awarded the Hospital Award for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE) by the American Hospital Association which commends the volunteers' contributions to the local elderly community. A local volunteer effort such as Circle of Caring demonstrates to the rest of the nation the kind of care and empathy deserving of all elderly, and serves as a model for other community endeavors. Mr. Speaker, I join the American Hospital Association in recognizing the efforts of the Circle of Caring at Berger Health Systems.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend an historic partnership between the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The agreement provides incentives for contractors to voluntarily improve their safety performance under the high-standard guidelines set by the partnership while OSHA will recognize those contractors with exemplary safety programs. This cooperation signifies that the participants are committed to ensuring the highest standards of workplace safety. I want to recognize the local Ohio leadership of ABC in forging this partnership which is beneficial to workers, contractors, and OSHA. Additionally, I would like to recognize the OSHA Area Director, William Murphy from Cincinnati, Ohio, for his hard work in making this alliance possible. The Associated Builders and Contractors and OSHA have always shared a common goal: saving lives and protecting the well-being of local workers. Now they have a partnership which provides a model for cooperation between the public and private sectors. This new level of cooperation will allow both groups to more effectively meet their goals and maintain the levels of safety which make American workers the best in the world. I am pleased to recognize and commend this partnership and I am hopeful that it will set the stage for future cooperation in other industries.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 3896.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of legislation to repeal the marriage tax penalty. Marriage is one of the most sacred institutions and serves as a strong foundation for stable families. However, our convoluted federal tax code doesn't see marriage as an institution worthy of praise, but rather as a convenient way to provide additional revenue for federal coffers. The Treasury Department estimates that 25 million couples in the United States have to pay an average of $1,400 more on their income taxes every year, than they would if they could file as individuals. In essence, the federal tax code punishes millions of married couples by pushing them into higher tax brackets. The marriage penalty taxes the income of the family's second wage earner at a much higher rate than if the salary were taxed only as an individual. This unfair assessment on marriage is nothing new, but it is becoming a larger problem. The share of dual-earner married couples has risen from 48 to 60 percent since 1969, and this percentage is only expected to rise in the future. Even the President recommended reducing the marriage penalty in his final State of the Union Address, not once, but twice. I earnestly hope that the new millennium will see the beginning of the end for this unfair assault on married taxpayers. We have tried for years to eliminate the marriage penalty. In fact, it was a key provision in last year's Republican tax plan, which was vetoed by the President. It is past time to get the job done, and I ask my colleagues to support the Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Act of 2000. Our plan would increase the standard deduction claimed by couples who do not itemize income tax deductions to double the amount of the standard deduction for single taxpayers beginning in 2001. Unlike the President's proposal, we also would provide relief for the millions of families that do itemize their taxes. By reducing the marriage penalty we can continue to expand the benefits of our current strong economy to an even greater percentage of the American people. I believe the lifting of this unfair marriage tax penalty is a matter of fundamental tax fairness and will improve the lives of many working families by allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the members of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee for a job well done on the fiscal year 2000 Agriculture Appropriations Act which contained $1.2 billion for disaster assistance. As you know, this summer's drought has placed a heavy burden on the agricultural industry in several parts of the country. Not only have crops been devastated, but the drought has also caused corresponding economic loss to livestock and dairy producers. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has recently estimated the natural disaster losses for all affected states to total $3.56 billion. The State of Ohio alone has suffered losses nearing $600 million, almost 15 percent of Ohio's largest industry. In my district, Pickaway County's estimated crop value for this year's harvest is $39 million below average. When this disaster is compounded with the existing low commodity prices, it puts our farmers in the most dire economic situation in recent memory. Last week, I communicated with both the leadership and committee members to ensure that the final aid package would be augmented to provide adequate funding for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs such as the Crop Loss Disaster Assistance Program, the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, the Livestock Assistance Program, and the Emergency Conservation Programs. Thankfully, the Republican Congress was able to pass an Agriculture Appropriations bill that included $1.2 billion in much- needed disaster assistance for our farmers. To close, Mr. Speaker, I would again like to commend this Congress and especially those who have been instrumental in passing meaningful economic assistance to the farming community that serves as the foundation of this great Nation.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 764, the Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Act. Providing for the safety and well-being of our children is one of society's most sacred obligations. Our children represent the future. But child abuse takes away their future. It cruelly takes away their hope and promise of realizing their talents and dreams. Child abuse denies our children a life of happiness and fulfillment by inflicting emotional and psychological scars that persist for the rest of their lives. This important piece of legislation will confront child abuse head on. It will protect our children, and assist those vulnerable children who've been the victims of abuse. One of the aims of this legislation is to prevent child abuse before it happens. Because law enforcement is best conducted at the local level, law enforcement officials in communities across America will be given the flexibility and resources to combat the incidence of child abuse. This legislation also will increase the funding for the Crime Victims Fund. These are not taxpayer dollars, but revenues from forfeited assets and fines paid to the government. This funding can be used by the states for critical services such as training child protection workers and supporting child advocacy centers. I recently had a very tragic case of child abuse in my district. Three-year old Ashley Taggart from Lancaster, Ohio was abducted and abused. After an excruciating ordeal, she was returned to safety. Though we cannot take this experience away, we can try to give Ashley a chance to lead a normal life. Mr. Chairman, this legislation is for Ashley, and for the thousands of children like her across America. It is for the safety and well- being of all our children who deserve the best that life can give them.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by the gentlelady from Connecticut. This issue is particularly important for children in Ohio, where thousands of sick children every year are treated at Ohio's six independent children's hospitals. Over the recent district work period, I visited the Children's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. Not only does the Center provide first rate care for children, it also provides a caring and attentive environment that allows parents and relatives to actively participate in their children's care. We all know how important it is to be near our children when they are sick, and the nation's children's hospitals provide the atmosphere and specialized care that is the best medicine for our children. At some hospital serving adult populations in Ohio, the federal reimbursement for resident training is about $50,000 per resident. This federal commitment to graduate medical education has helped ensure that our doctors and the quality of care they provide are the best in the world. However, due to the way the reimbursement formula has been set up, the federal commitment to graduate medical education at children's hospitals is much smaller. For example, Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio received about $230 per resident last year. This amendment restores some fairness to the reimbursement rates that children's hospitals receive and will help ensure that Ohio and other states with children's hospitals will continue to train qualified pediatricians. This is an issue of fairness, and an investment long- overdue, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share my support of this bill--crafted by my good friend and colleague, Senator Mike DeWine--to make certain technical and other corrections relating to the Centennial of Flight Commemoration Act, which Congress passed last year. After the bill became law, the Department of Justice and the Office of Government Ethics expressed concerns about some of the bill's provisions, which we are here to correct today. I was pleased that members of the Ohio and North Carolina delegations worked together in a timely manner to address those concerns. As 2003 quickly approaches, I look forward to participating in the commemorative events and celebrations coordinated by the Centennial of Flight Commission. The 2003 celebration will highlight one of history's most remarkable achievements and showcase the impressive growth of the Miami Valley's aerospace industry, which the Wright Brothers pioneered nearly a century ago. The Wright Brothers of Ohio began this century in flight. The Miami Valley--and indeed the world--will honor their achievement at the dawn of the next century, and look beyond the horizon of history to ask ``What if?''

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to take this opportunity to recognize a very special woman from Ohio's Seventh Congressional District, Ms. Virginia ``Ginny'' Gano. On September 8, we marked the 30th anniversary of Ginny's service to the people of the Seventh District. She first came to work on Capitol Hill in 1969 for former Representative Clarence J. ``Bud'' Brown. She worked for my friend Bud Brown for a number of years until his retirement. Ginny continued to work for the Seventh District for Brown's successor, now Senator Mike DeWine, for 8 years. Ginny has been a loyal member of my staff since I became a member in 1991. Ginny has served the office and my constituents ably and well. She's the first person constituents see when they enter my office and always has a smile on her face. Ginny has warmed the hearts of many on Capitol Hill, from Members of Congress to constituents to delivery persons to lost souls wandering the halls in need of directions. She never forgets birthdays or anniversaries, and can find the phone number of almost anyone in the world when only given a first name. Mr. Speaker, Ginny Gano exemplifies the definition of loyalty and service. Her endurance to service to the Seventh District of Ohio is unparalleled and may never be matched. I am honored to recognize her 30 years and countless efforts on behalf of the Seventh Congressional District and the Members who have represented the area.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the fiscal year 2000 VA, HUD, and independent agencies appropriations bill. This bill before us is a good bill which takes care of our nation's veterans, addresses critical housing needs, protects the environment, and invests in science and technology research. At the same time, this bill demonstrates to the American people that Congress has kept its commitment to balance the federal budget. Many tough decisions were made to ensure that the government lives within its means and Congress keeps its promise to the American people. However, Mr. Chairman, despite these tough decisions, we have provided our veterans with a $1.7 billion increase. This means veterans will receive the medical care they deserve through medical centers and facilities like community based outpatient clinics. Countless veterans in my district have spoken to me about how much they appreciate having a clinic in their community rather than having to drive two or more hours for outpatient care. I'm proud to say that Congress, not the President, is making sure more community clinics are opened for veterans across the country. Mr. Chairman, this bill also meets the crucial housing needs of low income, senior, and disabled populations. Section 8 and section 202 programs have been fully funded. Additionally, this bill protects the environment by increasing money for state and local environmental programs. This money will not stay in Washington but will be distributed to important state revolving funds for the protection of our natural resources. Also, I want to express my support for critical funding of research and technology programs. NASA is paving the way for aeronautics and space technology into the next century. Congress must continue to support this research in a fiscally responsible manner. Finally, I would like to commend Chairman Walsh and Ranking Member Mollohan for their leadership. They have done a fine job producing a responsible and fair bill and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues in the Senate for moving forward with a companion measure to the substantial tax relief and debt reduction contained in the Financial Freedom Act of 1999 that this chamber approved last week. As we move towards a conference with the Senate, I want to urge my colleagues to continue to maintain the high priority we assigned to debt reduction. When I am back in Ohio's 7th district, my constituents ask me to make sure Congress is paying off its debts, the same way they have to make their credit card and mortgage payments. I agree with this approach, which will help ensure that we meet our future obligations while reducing the burden the debt represents for our children and grandchildren. We made the right decision this year, when Congress set aside two- thirds of the surplus for Social Security and Medicare. This will help keep Social Security and Medicare solvent for the long-term. Congress also pledged to pay down the national debt. This is a good step--we can put money back into the hands of taxpayers and maintain our fiscal responsibility. I was very supportive of the ``trigger'' mechanism which was included in the Financial Freedom Act to make sure that our debt reduction plans remain on track. I urge my colleagues to insist this sensible and responsible provision remains a key priority during our negotiations with the Senate to produce a final tax relief and debt reduction measure.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter). (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the conference report. The previous question was ordered.