Dave Hobson

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the House Republican Health Care Proposal, the Patient Protection Act. I believe this bill strikes a good balance between protecting patient rights without the heavy hand of big government. I am excited about many of the large protections in this bill, like giving patients a better and quicker appeal process when the HMO denies their claim, lifting any gag orders on physicians to ensure that patients are better informed, and providing greater access to specialists for women and children. I believe this bill addresses the frustrating problems that upset so many people about their HMOs. As many of you know, Representative Tom Sawyer and I wrote the Administrative Simplification language in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act--Kassebaum-Kennedy. Administrative Simplification will reduce paper work, speed the processing and payment of medical transactions, and let physicians spend less time on paper work so they can do what they do best: treat patients. In putting together this legislation some estimated that Medicare could save $60- 90 billion per year if individual patients' financial records were kept from getting confused. Because of the confusion over individual Medicare financial records, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which runs the Medicare program, often pays claims for beneficiaries that have outside supplemental insurance. After paying the claim, Medicare's only recourse to get its money back is to sue the insurance company, which it seldom does. The most obvious solution to this problem is a unique identifier for health care beneficiaries. In these days of increased government scrutiny and tight federal budgets there are tremendous pressures on HHS to recover these funds. Quite frankly, with these pressures on HHS I was afraid that they would rush to get in place a one-size fits all solution that might compromise patient privacy. To ensure that the system was not run by the bureaucrats at HHS and to guarantee public input, Congress instructed the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics, an independent research organization, to hold hearings to gather information from private and public sector organizations to develop recommendations on establishing a way to keep individual patients' financial records from getting confused with one another. After the hearings, the Committee will write a report that will be published in the Federal Register. Moreover, an amendment I introduced to the Patient Protection Act will guarantee that Congress reviews and approves any suggestions made by the Secretary of HHS on individual health care identifiers before they are implemented. This provides a built-in guarantee that Congress and the public will have a chance to comment on, participate in the development of, and ultimately approve any unique health care identifier before it goes into effect. Once again, this process insures public input and oversight to prevent another ``Big-Brother'' bureaucratic solution. However, Administrative Simplification is not complete without the Confidentiality Standards proposed in the Patient Protection Act. Section 264 of Kassebaum-Kennedy states that if Congress does not pass legislation concerning the confidentiality of patient records within 3 years after the act goes into effect, then the Secretary of HHS will adopt her own final regulations. As a result, Congress is on a very tight time frame to propose and pass confidentiality legislation. The Medical Record Confidentiality provisions in the Patient Protection Act provide the necessary safeguards required in Kassebaum- Kennedy. It allows patients access to their medical records in order to view, copy, and amend by addition; requires providers, plans and employers to develop safeguards to protect confidentiality of medical information; requires providers, plans and employers to disclose their confidentiality policies to patients, enrollees and employers; encourages health researchers to use non-identifiable information by preempting state laws in this defined area; allows providers and plans to use information within their network for certain defined purposes, including outcomes evaluation, health promotion, and utilization review. The Medical Record Confidentiality provisions in the Patient Protection Act guarantee accurate records and prevent unlawful use of one's medical records.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, when will the agency actually implement the protocol?

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the chairman of the subcommittee, my good friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis) to enter into a colloquy to clarify report language in this bill pertaining to a rulemaking being considered by the EPA. As my colleague knows, report language in this bill addresses the security risks associated with making risk management plan data available on the Internet under an EPA rulemaking according to section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act. Members of our committee have heard from many members of their community who expressed concern that making this information available to the public via the Internet could have grave consequences. This type of data, which is already available to relevant businesses and public safety and law enforcement officers, could result in mass destruction in the hands of those intent on doing harm. These security concerns have been echoed by law enforcement and national intelligence representatives in discussions with the EPA. However, the EPA has been unable to adequately address the national security concerns that have been raised. Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that discussions between representative law enforcement, the intelligence community and the EPA are ongoing and that a resolution of this issue will occur by the end of this year. Would the gentleman agree that this is an accurate statement?

Mr. HOBSON. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. HOBSON. Thank the gentleman from California for his clarification. I think we both agree that this issue is one of vital importance to our communities and law enforcement officials, and I appreciate the gentleman's assistance in this matter. Mr. Chairman, before I conclude, I would just like to take this moment to thank a member of my staff who has worked on this. She has been with me for 7 years. Jennifer Cutcher is leaving to get married and move to Florida, and we are sorry to lose her in our office.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the House Republican Health Care Proposal, the Patient Protection Act. I believe this bill strikes a good balance between protecting patient rights without the heavy hand of big government. I am excited about many of the large protections in this bill, like giving patients a better and quicker appeal process when the HMO denies their claim, lifting any gag orders on physicians to ensure that patients are better informed, and providing greater access to specialists for women and children. I am equally excited about how this bill addresses the frustrating problems that upset so many people about their HMOs. I am sure that many of you are like me in that every week I get a letter or call from someone upset because the HMO decides that the plan will no longer cover a specific prescription drug. Our bill will require HMOs to give at least 30 days notice before the HMO can remove a drug from the coverage list. These 30 days are essential in the care of the patient, and for the physician-patient relationship. With the 30 day notice a physician can work with the patient and the local pharmacist to determine which drugs are suitable alternatives. It will also give the physician the opportunity to educate the HMO plan when he has a patient that has shown little or no progress with any of the alternatives on the plan's approved drug list. I want you all to understand that this can be a life saving decision. Just last week I learned of a cancer patient that was experiencing great success with a drug that shrinks tumors. After paying for three treatments, the HMO arbitrarily removed the drug from their coverage list without any warning to the patient or physician. Because traditional treatments had not worked, by the time the appeal process was completed the patient was dead. Let's not allow this tragedy to repeat itself--support the Patient Protection Act.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to recognize and pay tribute to Major General Robert A. McIntosh for his dedicated and exemplary service to this Nation as Chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air Force Reserve Command. I am very proud to honor this leader from my congressional district in Ohio. General McIntosh served as the principal advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and to the Secretary of the Air Force on all Air Force Reserve matters. As commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, he had overall responsibility for the command, control, and supervision of all U.S. Air Force Reserve units around the world. Over the past three and a half years, General McIntosh performed outstanding service and exhibited exceptional commitment to the Air Force Reserve. His in-depth knowledge of Air Force and Reserve Component issues has been a tremendous asset to (1) the Congress when deliberating major national defense matters, (2) the National Security Appropriations Subcommittee and the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee--on both of which I serve--when debating complex funding issues, and (3) individual Members of Congress when dealing with reserve units and facilities such as my own 445th Air Force Reserve Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. In today's environment of shrinking defense budgets where the Reserve Component plays an increasingly important role, the Air Force Reserve's Ambassador to Congress has consistently championed the contributions and versatility of our citizen-airmen. General McIntosh, a native of Bellefontaine, Ohio, entered the Air Force in 1966 as a graduate of the Ohio University Reserve Officer Training Corps program, and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He completed the Industrial College of the Armed Force in 1977. A Vietnam veteran decorated for extraordinary aerial achievement and devotion to duty while assigned as an A-37 pilot with the 604th Special Operations Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base in South Vietnam, General McIntosh separated from active duty in August 1971 to join the air reserve technician program as a full-time civil service employee with active participation as an Air Force reservist. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the A-10, A-37, C-130, and F-4. His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 18 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars. During his distinguished career, he has commanded an Air Force Reserve wing, commanded two Reserve numbered Air Forces, served as the vice commander of the Air Force Reserve, and served most recently in the dual hatted position of chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air Force Reserve Command. General McIntosh's outstanding leadership was crucial to the continuing integration of the Air Force Reserve into the total Air Force, culminating in the congressionally directed activation of the Air Force Reserve Command as the service's ninth major command. Through initiatives he sponsored, the Air Force Reserve successfully entered new mission areas including the Reserve instructor pilot program, Space Command Group, Fighter Reserve Associate Test, AWACS, and Combat Camera. Mr. Speaker, we have been extremely fortunate to work with General McIntosh as Chief of the Air Force Reserve but look forward with much pleasure to continuing to work with him in his new position as the Assistant on Reserve Matters to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I was one of the House sponsors of the initiative to create a two-star advisor to the JCS and can think of no one who is better qualified or who would set a higher standard for this assignment. It is a well deserved compliment to be selected as the first occupant of this new, challenging position. Bob, and his wife, Suzie, deserve our thanks for their selfless service to the men and women of the Air Force Reserve.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 254, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I was surprised when several of my constituents contacted me about a little-known law passed eight years ago which has not yet been implemented. The original intent of this law, the Fastener Quality Act of 1990, was to regulate and test certain critical nuts, bolts, and similar fasteners. Yet, eight years later, the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), which is the agency responsible for implementing this law, has not done so. In the years that this law languished, the fastener industry and other regulatory federal agencies have taken steps to meet and surpass the original safety goals of the 1990 law. Unfortunately, this late attempt to impose these new requirements unnecessarily duplicates superior quality efforts already underway in the industry and the regulatory community. Originally, the law was supposed to cover a specific number of critical fasteners used in such things as public buildings, bridges, and airliners. NIST since has expanded the scope of the original law to cover nearly half of all nuts, bolts, and other fasteners made or used in this country. For example, an employer in my district supplies fasteners to the automotive industry. They are a certified QS 9000 facility, which means they meet strict quality standards and continually test their product at all stages of the manufacturing process. They meet the standards set by their customers and those set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which already regulates safety standards for these products. Under this 1990 law, they are additionally required to employ another separate, specially accredited lab to test their products, over and above the steps the company is already taking to ensure the safety and quality of their product. This employer meets the standards provided for by their customer, the industry, and the industry safety regulator, in addition to maintaining a certified QS 9000 facility and providing for continual in-process testing of their products. Application of this 1990 law does not meet the demands of today's manufacturing processes, and would impose additional and costly requirements that duplicate these efforts and do not increase the public safety. Additionally, there are not enough accredited labs to do this testing. In my district, this means this same employer would have to shut down for six months until an accredited laboratory is available to duplicate the strong quality control efforts already being made by this manufacturer. The legislation we are considering today requires the Secretary of Commerce to first study this issue and report to Congress on the best way to address the public safety intent of the original legislation in light of changes in manufacturing processes since passage of the original act. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3824 will provide Congress the opportunity to rationally address the public safety aspect to fasteners in the context of today's modern manufacturing processes without imposing duplicative, unnecessary, or confusing new programs on responsible American manufacturers. I urge my colleagues to support this common-sense legislation.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I was detained on June 10 for rollcall vote 225. As a supporter and cosponsor of earlier bankruptcy reform legislation, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to commemorate the last Sunday in February as a National Day of Caring. This day is set aside for communities to show concern for those among them who are homeless and to call attention to the additive effect of individuals in alleviating the suffering of people in need. Since 1991, residents of Ohio's Miami Valley have come together and offered a variety of ways to serve those less fortunate on the Day of Caring. My colleague, Representative Tony Hall, and I personally have been long-time participants and co-chairmen of this important day. I am proud to have had the opportunity on five occasions to join in by cooking pancakes at the annual Day of Caring Kickoff Breakfast alongside other concerned Miami Valley residents. Over the past seven years, the Day of Caring has been a tremendous success. Thousands of area residents have participated. In all, over $110,000 has been raised for donations to area organizations that serve the needy. Additionally, The Day of Caring provides an opportunity to acknowledge those who combat the problems that plague the hungry and the homeless. It promotes many of the area organizations whose primary mission is to address the needs of those less fortunate. Local affiliations of organizations such as the United Way, Hospice, Aim for the Handicapped, the Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity individually sponsor events. Volunteers from the Franciscan Medical Center, The Good Neighbor House, The Girl Scout Council, and the Mad River Lion's Club also participate. The Day of Caring truly celebrates the spirit of volunteerism that is alive and well in the Miami Valley. This past Sunday, February 22, 1998, was this year's Day of Caring. Nearly 1,000 volunteers kicked off the day with the Day of Caring Pancake Brunch at seventeen different locations in the Miami Valley. Two locations offered over 500 free brunches for the hungry and homeless. Fifteen sites served over 7,000 pancake and sausage breakfasts in an annual fundraising effort. Congregations of all denominations and organizations participated in raising funds this year for the Emergency Housing Coalition and the Hunger Coalition. The factors that contribute to homelessness, such as joblessness, financial distress, chemical dependency, mental illness, and domestic violence are immensely complicated. Concerns about providing adequate health care and education for those in need weigh heavily on the minds of many. While these problems will not be solved quickly or easily, The Day of Caring highlights that a ground-swell of concern by our communities really can make a difference. The dream of the first Day of Caring Committee was to bring communities together under the common thread of caring and giving of time, talent, and support. It is certainly realized every year on the last Sunday in February in the Miami Valley. I would be wonderful if other communities might also follow the Miami Valley's lead and participate in their own local activities next year on the Day of Caring.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill. The Joint Tax Committee estimates that the enactment of these two provisions will reduce Federal receipts by $72 million between 1998 through 2002. The two tax procedures are paid for by two other offsets as required by pay-go procedures. The first offset requires the U.S. Embassies to recover costs they incur by providing medical care to Federal employees overseas from the employee's health insurance provider when the employee is a participant in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan. This offset is going to provide $40 million, according to CBO. The second offset would sell 33 million dollars' worth of commodities, specifically platinum and palladium, that have been identified by the Department of Defense as being in excess to the national security. This would be the second amount and would complete the amount of money necessary to do this which is required under the current legislation relating to the line-item veto.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, on August 21, 1996, the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act became law. The health care administrative simplification provision of this new law is based largely on prior work done by my colleague Mr. Sawyer and myself. As is to be expected, a few people don't want to play by the rules. It has come to my attention that a bill that I introduced in 1995 is being used by some of these groups to leverage an interpretation of the current law to say that standards for specific administrative simplification transactions to be adopted under the law are voluntary standards. I want to make it clear that, although voluntary standardization was considered in the past, it was judged to be unworkable in the real world and is not a part of the law today for that reason. The industry has voluntary standards today. Because the standards are merely voluntary, a number of payers have continued to require others to use their individual formats, which has effectively prevented the industry as a whole from moving to a single, efficient electronic transaction environment. The splintered state of the current electronic interchange world is one key reason for the enactment of the administrative simplification provisions. The intent of the law is that all electronic transactions for which standards are specific must be conducted according to the standards. These standards were not imposed by the law, but instead were developed by a process which included significant private sector input. Providers are given the option of whether to conduct the transactions electronically or ``on paper'' but if they elect to conduct them electronically, they must use the standards agreed upon through the law. Payers are required to accept these transmissions in the standard format in which they are sent and must not delay a transaction or adversely affect a provider who wants to conduct the transactions electronically. I hope my statements today help clarify the intent of this legislation and work to prevent any non-compliance. There are specific deadlines for compliance and penalties in the law for anyone who fails to comply with the intent of this law. Mandatory compliance is required in order to meet the goals of simplifying the administration of our Nation's health care system and improving its efficiency and effectiveness.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, today the House takes another step toward making budget history. As we consider the conference report on the Balanced Budget Act, we are closing in on the most significant legislative accomplishment this body has enacted in a generation and its benefits are going to be felt for many generations to come. The Balanced Budget Act is an expression of the responsibility of this Congress feels to the American people, not only to those who are living today but to those Americans who will inherit our country tomorrow such as my grandchildren. This budget slows all the growth of Federal Government spending to just 3 percent for the next 5 years. That is a savings of $289 billion. In doing this, we are controlling the runaway growth that threatens to put our country further in debt. The Balanced Budget Act also saves Medicare from bankruptcy and expands health care options for seniors. Millions of seniors have been spared crushing poverty with Medicare and I want this program to be there for my children and grandchildren as well. Out-of-control entitlement programs are being reined in and States are being given more freedom from Federal bureaucrats so they can generate their own innovative solutions to solving their citizens' problems. In a separate bill that is part of the overall budget agreement, we are providing the first tax relief American families have seen since the mid 1980's. Families will get tax relief to help with the cost of raising kids and sending them to college; and small business owners, especially farmers like those in Ohio's 7th District, will get estate tax and capital gains relief. This budget has been assembled by working together across the aisles. This spirit of cooperation demonstrates that Congress and the administration can work together, as they should, to solve the problems. That same spirit of agreement, of putting the American people first, will be seen again in this conference committee and I am proud to be a part of it. I urge all Members to join me in balancing the budget, saving Medicare and continuing the extraordinary spirit of cooperation. Support the conference report, and congratulations to the gentleman from Connecticut [Mr. Shays] and all the members of the committee, and especially our chairman, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Kasich].

Mr. HOBSON

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

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the H.R. 2158, the fiscal year 1998 VA, HUD and independent agencies appropriations bill. As a member of the VA-HUD Subcommittee I have enjoyed working with Chairman Lewis, my fellow subcommittee members, and the fine subcommittee staff and I commend their work on this often difficult bill. This year, as always, the subcommittee was faced with many challenges as it worked to approve funding for the wide array of programs under its jurisdiction. Nonetheless, I am pleased that we were able to appropriate $70 billion to meet the important needs of our veterans, protect the environment, address the Nation's housing and emergency assistance needs, and retain our commitment to space and science programs. The 1998 funding level in this bill is $600 million more than the President's request and approximately $6 billion higher than last year, guaranteeing that our most vulnerable citizens receive the assistance they need to lead productive lives. As someone who has served on active duty, I firmly believe that we can never thank our veterans enough for putting their lives on the line in defense of our Nation. I am proud that the VA-HUD bill continues the House's strong support for veterans by protecting the veterans medical care account from reductions by funding it at $17 billion, with an extra $468 million to follow when the Balanced Budget Act is passed. The bill also provides funding to ensure that those Americans who need housing assistance can receive it. H.R. 2158 funds the section 202 housing program for the elderly at $645 million and the 811 housing program for persons with disabilities at $195 million, both of which have been a concern of residents of Ohio's seventh district. Spending in both of these programs represents an increase over the President's request. Also, section 8 contract renewals are fully funded at $9.1 billion ensuring that all expiring contracts will be renewed for 1 year. The extremely popular Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME home investment partnerships are funded at $4.6 billion and $1.5 billion respectively, which protects CDBG funding and expands the HOME effort by $100 million. The Environmental Protection Agency also received an increase of $433 million which will allow for the protection of our Nation's resources, for increased environmental research and for the clean-up of hazardous sites. More specifically, H.R. 2158 appropriates $656 million for EPA research including $40 million to study aspects of the controversial proposed EPA air regulations. The Superfund receives $1.5 billion, an increase of $100 million, and $85 million is allocated to help clean-up brownfield sites and restore them to useable condition, which is $48 million over the 1997 level. Finally, the clean water state revolving loan fund is funded at $1.25 billion and the safe drinking water revolving fund at $750 million, a total increase of $200 million. These funding levels will help preserve our valuable resources for future generations and help ensure that small communities receive the technical assistance to continue providing pure, clean water for rural families. H.R. 2185 fully funds the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief account. This agency is of vital importance to coordinating the Federal Government's emergency preparation, response and recovery efforts. FEMA works closely with State and local governments in managing emergency programs and offering technical assistance and I am pleased to see these efforts being maintained. Finally, the VA-HUD bill increases funding for NASA by $148 million over the President's request. Over the past few weeks we have marveled at the Mars Pathfinder mission and other projects such as the microgravity experiments developed by Ohio's NASA Lewis Research that are being conducted on the Space Shuttle Columbia. In Ohio and other locations across the country NASA taps the excitement of space exploration to help underserved children learn about science and math, and I'm glad to see these efforts adequately funded in this bill. It is important that our Nation continue our investment in science and space exploration, and that we use these efforts to improve life on Earth-- H.R. 2185 provides the funding necessary to do all of these. Tough decisions are made in this bill, such as the action to close the Office of Consumer Affairs--whose functions can be transferred to existing agencies--and freeze funding for the expensive Americorps program. These were carefully considered actions, and make it possible for the 1998 VA-HUD bill to provide for our veterans, meet the country's housing and environmental needs, invest in emergency planning, and support science and space exploration. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw].

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Linder].

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw].

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw].

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote for the Balanced Budget Act. This bill today is where the rubber meets the road. We promised to balance the budget, we reached an agreement with the White House to do it, and now that agreement is being enacted with this legislation. This budget achieves a Federal spending level below 20 percent of GDP for the first time since 1974. It slows the growth of all Federal spending to just 3 percent for the next 5 years--that's a savings of $289 billion. We also promised to save Medicare from bankruptcy and expand health care options for seniors, and we're doing that with this legislation. Though I'm sure there might be some who disagree with small portions of this legislation, after all it is a very large bill, but we worked together across the aisle to get it done. This demonstrates that Congress and the administration can work together constructively--as they should--to solve problems. There's one group of people that is getting everything it wants from this bill, and that's the generation of Americans who will take the mantle of leadership in the years to come. Without the fundamental changes to Medicare and entitlement programs that we're enacting here, none of these valuable programs will be around for the next generation to enjoy. By acting now with this bill to save Medicare from bankruptcy and rein in the out-of-control costs of Medicaid, the next generation will inherit functioning, solvent programs and a national economy that is thriving and secure. That's the legacy I intend on leaving to my children, and it's the legacy the American people want us to leave to their children also. This bill makes it possible. Join me today in standing up for responsible spending, for seniors, for our children and grandchildren's future, and voting to approve the Balanced Budget Act.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Buyer-Skelton amendment to terminate our mission in Bosnia by June of next year, the President's date. Only through the leadership, good will, and commitment of our Nation has the fighting stopped in Bosnia. The peace accord that ended the Bosnian conflict was written and agreed upon in my district. I have made two trips to the Balkans and seen first hand the mess into which these people have gotten themselves. Considering that the history of hatred in the Balkans dates back at least a millennium, 2 years of American presence there will not turn the situation around. We have been able to see a pause in this fighting that will hopefully endure, but the people of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia ultimately must be the architects of, frankly, their own peace. I want to see our troops out of Bosnia as soon as possible, and I frankly was very disappointed when the President broke his word to all of us to have our troops out last year. This amendment that I am supporting will make sure that our troops come home by next June, and also ensure that sufficient planning takes place between now and then so that when they are withdrawn, it will be done in an organized fashion and a secure fashion. If it were up to me, the troops would be out now, and I might not have sent them to begin with, but my first and foremost concern is their safety. Preserving that safety means that we get them out, and that our pullout is planned, organized, and well executed. When I was last there, I met with the NATO Ambassador and some of their people. They said one of the problems they were having is getting the people to begin moving on with the accords in the civil side of this. We have done the military job. The longer they think we are going to stay there, the less they are going to move on the civil side. That is why we need to set a date certain and get our troops out, get them home, let the people of the area get on with their lives, hopefully in a peaceful fashion. We are not going to solve this peace. We should get out, come home, and let the people do their job. Parliamentary Inquiries

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Clarence J. Brown on the celebration of his 70th birthday. Bud Brown proudly served as a member of this body from the Seventh District of Ohio from 1965 to 1983. He was preceded by his father, Clarence J. Brown, Sr., who served for 27 years. During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Bud Brown served as the ranking Republican member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. He also served on the Government Affairs Committee and was the ranking member of three major subcommittees. Following his departure from Congress, Bud Brown served in the Reagan administration as Deputy Secretary and as Acting Secretary of the Department of Commerce after the death of Malcolm Baldridge. In 1992, he was named president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society where he works to fulfill the Society's mission to preserve and share the Capitol's historical importance. As a Member of Congress, Bud Brown followed his father's footsteps with a strong focus on constituent service, a focus which served as an example for those members who followed. As he stated in his final newsletter to his constituents, his greatest reward from service came not from recognition for his legislative efforts, but in the satisfaction of helping individuals solve problems. Bud Brown summarized this when he said: ``There is clearly a role for Government, but it is to serve, assist and protect--not to coerce, dominate, or abuse.'' Today, as we honor Bud Brown on his birthday, I am pleased to join with his friends and colleagues, his wife, Joyce Eldridge Brown, his children, Clancy, Cate, and Roy, and his granddaughter, Rose Beth, in wishing him all the best in the years to come and to thank him for his years of service to the Seventh District of Ohio, the Buckeye State, and to our Nation. In honor of that service, we are planting a Buckeye tree on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol that Bud so dearly loves and has dedicated so much energy to preserving. It is a fitting tribute to a man whose life and work have been spent advancing the ideals embodied in the great monument to democracy and freedom which is our Capitol.

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 on House Concurrent Resolution 84.

Mr. HOBSON

Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting day for this Chamber and this country. This plan that we are going to approve today is one more example of our Congress keeping its promises to the people of this country. We said we would balance the budget and save Medicare, and we are. We said we would cut taxes, and we are. These are the things that this Congress came to Washington to do, and we are making good on our promises to the American people by passing this conference report today. The House and Senate worked closely on this budget, and the administration is also on board. Frankly, this is the way we should be doing legislation. This is the way people want us to do legislation, by people coming together, putting aside our partisan differences, and passing legislation that is good for the country as a whole, both today and tomorrow. I just had my fourth grandchild, and I know a lot of times other people's grandchildren are not the most exciting things to hear about, but they are to them. But frankly, without this balanced budget plan, my grandchild will face a very tough future. Without this balanced budget, Government is going to go on spending and go on racking up more debt and mortgaging her future. But we are going to put a stop to that right now. Like every American family and business, the Federal Government is now going to have to live within this budget, with less Government spending. We will see more job creation, more money for investment, and more private sector growth. This budget also preserves one of our most important programs, Medicare. Millions of Americans have been spared crushing poverty because Medicare was there to share the cost of health care for seniors. But without some reform, this 30-year-old program was going to go out of date and Medicare would be doomed. This budget prevents medicare bankruptcy and also gives seniors new health care options. As a new senior myself, I do not mind that much. As a grandfather, I am interested in making sure my grandchildren get the benefit from Medicare also when it comes their time. The Earth is not going to shake when we pass this conference report and the heavens will not part, as nice as the weather is outside. But in 20 or 30 years we just might hear people talking in such terms when they recollect the importance, frankly, of what we are going to do here in a few minutes. It is just one more example of this Congress doing what it said it would do to make our country a better place for everyone to live in. I urge the passage of this conference report, and I want to thank both my chairman, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Kasich], my special friend; our staff, who has done a great job; all the members of the Committee on the Budget; and the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spratt] and his staff. This has been one of the few times in recent memory when we have had a true bipartisan agreement, an agreement with ourselves and the President, and frankly, one we can all be very proud of, not only now but in the future. So let us all go out and pass this conference report, and move forward so all of our children and grandchildren are going to have the future we want them to have.