Darlene Hooley

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to enter into the Congressional Record a few words expressing the profound gratitude and esteem I have for a very special public servant in my congressional district. Richard J. Lien has served the public as a Social Security Field Representative for the last 25 years. He has also been one of Social Security's special congressional liaisons for more than a decade. We will lose Dick to retirement on September 24. My staff and I have worked with literally dozens of congressional liaisons, and it is no exaggeration to say that Dick is the best of the best. Dick has worked with nearly every member of my staff and helped thousands of my constituents with problems ranging from the easily fixable to the nearly impossible. Dick tackled problems big and small with his characteristic persistence and compassion for those he was trying to help. There was the time he got a woman her lost Social Security check just in time to prevent her home from being foreclosed. The time he got a young American girl living in Jerusalem a replacement Social Security Card in a week, so she could complete important State Department paperwork. The time he forwarded a young man--on Christmas Eve--more than $20,000 owed him in back disability pay. I could go on and on until I had filled several volumes. My constituents have called him a savior, a godsend, and even Santa Claus. And I haven't even touched on the work he has done for the other members of Oregon's Congressional Delegation and our predecessors. Through his years of service to the public and the Congress, Dick has been unfailingly professional, courteous, and persistent. He never gave up on a tough problem or complained, though he often bore more than his share of work. Dick will be sorely missed--by Oregon's members of Congress, by the Social Security Administration, and by the countless Oregonians he helped, many of whom probably never knew he was the one making sure they got their Social Security checks every month. Dick, today I salute you, my staff salutes you, and Oregon salutes you. May you have a peaceful and well-deserved retirement.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my concerns about the impact of H.R. 2031 on small family-owned vintners and wine producers in my district. This issue before us is much more complex than it seems on the surface. Of course, teens should not be able to order a case of beer from their home computers. Nor should they be able to mail order shipments of alcohol to their front door. Because of this, I will support this bill. But we are voting on much more than this. This bill basically states that federal courts might get involved when an adult visits a small family owned winery in person and purchases wine for their own consumption, then has that wine shipped home. I see no reason why this transaction--which could still be prosecuted in a state court if it violated a state law--should be pushed into the federal courts. We do not have the resources to use the federal courts to chase such violations of state law. I hope to introduce stand alone legislation that would address my concerns and I ask my colleagues for their support. Such an effort would be pro-small business, pro-tourism, and pro- family farmer.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I thank the Chair, and I thank my ranking member for allowing me this time. I rise today in opposition to this bill. I do not think this bill reflects our national priorities. I am concerned about this bill's commitment to reducing crime. This bill virtually eliminates the COPS program, which is the community policing program, despite the fact that law enforcement groups all over the country strongly support it. It is no accident that the national crime rate is at its lowest that it has been for 25 years. We can credit the drop in crime to strong local efforts, in partnership with the Federal Government. The COPS program has been a critical part of that partnership. Yet, this bill decimates COPS. The COPS program has funded positions for 100,000 officers across the Nation, 50,000 of which are out on the beat right now, and the rest are being trained and certified. But what I do not understand is when we are enjoying unmitigated success in reducing the crime rate, why would we now choose this time to change our tactics? My local police officers support the COPS program, my county officials support this program, my neighbors support this program, and so do I.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Madam Speaker, imagine a land where cows outnumber the people two to one, where the high school football team is aptly named the Cheesemakers, and where world famous cheddar cheese is produced by a cooperative of dairy farmers, many who have passed that skill on from generation to generation. Such a place exists in a small Oregon coastal county named Tillamook. This 35,000 acre region is peppered with approximately 150 family farms that supply fresh milk to the Tillamook County Creamery Association, which in turn produces award-winning Tillamook cheese. It also markets butter, sour cream, yogurt, and ice cream. It was founded in 1909. The Tillamook County Creamery accounts for one-third of Oregon's dairy industry. Swiss settlers looking for an ideal location to raise dairy cattle discovered Tillamook in 1851. The name Tillamook is a native American name meaning land of many rivers, which is especially appropriate since five rivers feed into the Tillamook Bay. The region's climate is cool and wet, averaging 80 inches of rain annually, but it is this unique environment that allows cows to graze at least 8 months each year on natural grass in open pastures, resulting in exceptionally sweet and rich milk, the cornerstone of Tillamook cheese. Superior milk, combined with Tillamook's unique cheese culture recipe, traditional cheddaring method, and natural aging process, enables the Tillamook County Creamery to guaranty its benchmark standards for its award-winning premium cheese. The Tillamook County Creamery association takes pride in producing blue ribbon cheese, and firmly believes that quality cheese begins in a quality location, a place where cows still roam the open fields. Oregon is proud of the excellence and tradition the Tillamook County Creamery Association has exemplified over the past 90 years. Tillamook has been a leader locally and nationally in enhancing the visibility of Oregon's dairy industry. The Tillamook County Creamery is one of Oregon's most popular tourist destinations, drawing visitors from around the globe; so exemplary that Oregon's governor, Governor Kitzhaber, has proclaimed today, July 30, 1999, to be Tillamook Day. I urge all of my colleagues and the Nation to join me in observing Tillamook Day. If you are ever in Oregon, be sure to come and visit the factory and see how Tillamook's famous cheese is made. I am proud to represent Tillamook County and the Tillamook County Creamery, and I want to congratulate them for 90 years of operation in making America's best cheese.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, as an active and ardent proponent of meaningful and fair tax relief, I rise in support of the framework provided by the substitute amendment. This substitute bill best reflects the amount of tax relief that Congress can responsibly provide at this time without negatively impacting the economy. It is the only proposal allowing consideration that provides the majority of people the most tax relief. I am personally disappointed that my calls for greater death tax relief for family farmers and small business owners have not been adequately addressed, and I will continue to advocate for those. But I want a measure that gives real relief to all people; that will not bankrupt Social Security and Medicare; that pays down the debt and still fits within the confines of a solid budget projection. Fiscal discipline and common sense both tell us that we must provide targeted tax relief that helps families and fuels the economy engine, our economic engine of our Nation. I call again on the leadership to work with all Members to move forward to a tax cut bill that the majority of Congress can support. Please support the Rangel amendment.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight, or is it morning yet, in opposition to this rule. This tax cut is huge and depends on surpluses that do not exist yet. I always called this funny money. When Americans read in their local newspapers that two-thirds of the majority of this trillion-dollar tax cut is targeted to the wealthiest 10 percent of American public, I do not think my friends on the other side of the aisle will be touted as heroes. If interest rates and inflation and our national debt rise, eating up the benefits of this tax cut by creating higher mortgage payments, higher credit card payments, voters will not be pleased with those who sent this bill to the floor. If Medicare is not strengthened and the fiscal stability of Social Security is not extended, I think Americans will ask why did Congress not do something about this. Finally, if these projected surpluses do not materialize, this tax cut begins to do harm, and taxpayers will have a lot more questions. Let us provide a balanced approach that protects Social Security and Medicare first, pays down the debt and makes tax cuts for those that need it the most. Send back this bill to the committee. Defeat the rule.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for helping to bring this amendment to the floor. I also thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the chairman of the subcommittee, as well as the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) for all of the hard work they have done in trying to balance all of these competing needs. We have heard a lot of talk about how much timber we are not going to harvest if we pass this amendment. None of us are talking about reducing the amount of timber cut. Somebody else mentioned, well, we should give them what they requested. The administration requested $23 million less than what the appropriators gave this program. What I am looking for is some balance in this program. Is the management underfunded? Probably. But is the wildlife and fishery programs even more underfunded? They are tremendously underfunded. My colleagues have to remember, again, the timber sales program will be funded at the administration's request for this under this amendment. One of the problems that happens in our forest is there is little funding to work proactively on improving and protecting habitat. I think this is interesting. We talk about the timber, but remember, the Forest Service manages more acres of fresh water fish habitat than any other agency. In addition, almost 65 percent of all listed aquatic species of the United States occupy habitat on public lands. We not only need to manage our trees, but we need to manage these resources as well. I know Oregon and other States with large tracts of Federal lands rely on funding for activities which will restore and enhance existing fish and wildlife habitat. This is particularly important since the northwest has had nine species of salmon and Steelhead listed on the endangered species list. Programs to restore forest and wildlife are chronically underfunded. We look at the maintenance backlog on the current national forest system, which is over $8 billion, causing a number of water pollution problems from unmaintained roads. This amendment provides the funds necessary to partially address these efforts. It does not fund the whole thing. It just partially addresses these efforts. First of all, the Forest Service has $1 billion budget. One-third of it is spent to log national forests, while only 11 percent of the agency's total spending goes for fish and wildlife and watershed improvement. Today, we have an opportunity to address this shortfall. I ask for my colleagues' support for the Wu-Hooley amendment and take a small proactive step toward enhancing fish and wildlife habitat, to better our water quality, and protect our watersheds. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC, July 14, 1999. Hon. Darlene Hooley, House of Representatives, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC Dear Darlene: Yesterday I wrote a letter to Chairman Bill Young expressing my concern about the low funding levels for wildlife and fisheries in the Interior and Related Agencies FY00 bill while funding for the timber program remains at $23 million above the President's request. I understand you may offer an amendment to equalize these programs, in accordance with the President's budget to assure greater balance among all of the multiple uses and values of our nation's forests. Increasing funding for salmon and other wildlife habitat restoration is one of the administration's top priorities. As I understand your amendment, it is consistent with these priorities, as reflected in the administration budget's request and, therefore, I strongly support it. Sincerely, Dan Clickman, Secretary.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, seems like everyone is talking about tax cuts. As a Member with a tax cut proposal before Congress, H.R. 2085, I am glad that the majority party is suddenly and somewhat frantically interested in moving forward with a tax cut proposal. But I ask my friends in Congress to take this step forward carefully. Americans deserve a tax cut, but first they want to make sure that Social Security is solvent; and, second, they want to make sure that Medicare is there for them in the future. They do not want a tax cut that raises the national debt. And the last thing hard-working Americans do not want is a feel-good-vote-for-me-in-2000 tax cut that cannot survive a downturn in the economy. Fiscal responsibility always seems to suffer in election years, and the 2000 election has Washington pandering. Let us stop and think about the long term before we move forward. H.R. 2085 walls off Social Security and Medicare funds, helps pay down the national debt and still gives Americans a meaningful tax cut. There is room to do the prudent thing here. Let us work together and get it done in a fiscally responsible manner.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Madam Chairman, I would like to thank my distinguished ranking member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce), and the committee chair, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), for all of their hard work that they have done on this bill. I rise today in support of H.R. 10, which, in fact, is good for the ordinary citizen and, in fact, does provide more privacy protection than they have ever had before. This bill uses the House banking bill as its text base, which passed the Committee on Banking and Financial Services 50 to 8. It had support of Democrats, Republicans and the administration, who took painstaking work on this particular piece of legislation to strike a compromise that is also supported by a diverse sector of the financial services industry. After 15 years of moving the ball down the field, it is time we put it over the goal line. This bill preserves the Community Reinvestment Act, which has brought billions of dollars of investment into our underserved urban and rural communities and encompasses important consumer protections. While we may hear otherwise today, this bill has good privacy measures in it. Today we have the opportunity to support an amendment that would make those privacy sections even better. With the passage of a strong privacy measure, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 10. Madam Chairman, this bill strengthens the safety and soundness of our financial institutions. This bill gives consumers one-stop shopping. This bill gives consumers better privacy protection. This bill saves consumers money. This bill is good for the economy. Let us pass stronger privacy amendments. Let us put the ball over the goal and pass H.R. 10 today.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Madam Chairman, I am pleased to support this amendment. It has a strong bipartisan protection for consumers. I know there is some honest disagreement between my colleagues on this very important issue of privacy. But what I would like to do is urge my colleagues to look at what is in this amendment, not what is missing. My constituents of my district have told me time and time again that they do not want their names and permanent information sold to companies they have never heard of. If we pass this Oxley amendment, consumers will be able to tell their banks; no, I do not want my name sold; no, I do not want you to share information with third parties. Madam Chairman, this amendment takes us much further than I ever dreamt that we would go in strengthening current laws creating new and effective protections for consumers on privacy. Most of all, it has meaningful enforcement language. I urge its passage.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues for passing this bill out of their subcommittee and full committee and for their leadership to bring this on the floor today. I would particularly like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) and the office of the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) for their assistance as well. It is a huge honor for me to stand here today to ask that this post office be named after Senator Neuberger. She has been an inspiration not only to me but to most of us in this State. The other thing I want to recognize today is my colleagues from Oregon who have joined me in honoring this great Oregonian, Senator Maurine B. Neuberger. H.R. 1327 renames the Cloverdale Post Office in Oregon after one of our State's former United States Senators, Maurine B. Neuberger. This is to recognize her lifetime of public service. She absolutely exemplifies what public service is all about. She has meant so much to the State and this country; and, as they said, she is a true Oregonian in every sense of the word. She was born in Cloverdale, Oregon, in 1907 and still lives in Oregon today. She has worked hard throughout her life and held careers in Oregon ranging from a schoolteacher to a State representative and then U.S. Senator. Maurine embodies all the traits that we Oregonians hold near and dear. She has worked hard; patriotism; she loves this country and loves our State and has a deep-seated love for those around her and for public service. After her husband, United States Senator Richard Neuberger's sudden death in 1959, Maurine Neuberger ran for and won her late husband's seat to the U.S. Senate. As we have heard before, Maurine was only the second woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, and she is still the only woman from Oregon who has served in the other Chamber. During her tenure in the United States Senate, Maurine became famous for her fighting spirit and tireless crusades on behalf of consumers, public health, campaign finance reform, which we are still dealing with today, civil rights, and environmental conservation. She also played a crucial role in President Johnson's War on Poverty. She became known as a principled consensus builder with the political will to tackle the country's most pressing problems. After cancer took her husband's life, Senator Neuberger led the fight in the Senate to put warning labels on all cigarette packages; and again, as we have heard, it was Maurine who wrote the actual words, ``The Surgeon General has determined that smoking may be hazardous to your health,'' a warning label on cigarettes which we are all familiar with. We have to remember when she stepped forward on that fight, this was in the 1960s. We are still in that fight on cigarettes. Her efforts were considered very bold and courageous steps at that time in educating the public of the dangers of smoking. I think that is why Oregon maybe has the laws that it has today on smoking and why it is a very low smoking State. I think it was led because of Maurine Neuberger. She was also known for her work to establish a Department of Consumer Affairs and pressured the Food and Drug Administration to improve their packaging and labeling regulations. She was also one of the very earliest advocates for the Medicare program. After serving her full 6 years in the Senate, she chose not to run for reelection in 1966 because, frankly, she said she did not want to raise money from all those people she was going to have to raise money from, and she said it would just cost too much for reelection. Instead, she went on to serve on the President's Consumer Advisory Committee, the U.S. Advisory Committee for Arms Control and Disarmament, and the President's Commission on the Status of Women. Now, if that was not enough, we have to remember this person has been in public service her entire life, she also found time to work as a consultant on consumer relations for the FDA, serve on the national board of directors for the American Cancer Society and the American Association of the United Nations, two different boards, and then to teach government at several universities, including Reed College in Portland. Maurine Neuberger is a treasure to the State of Oregon and to this country. I cannot tell my colleagues how happy I am today that we will be able to show just a small token of our appreciation by renaming the Cloverdale Post Office in her honor. She is an inspiration to me and should be an inspiration to all of us. Thank you, Maurine, for your long years of public service.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I love our flag. It stirs my heart every time I recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but the Constitution says Congress shall make no law abridging our freedom of speech. We also know that the Supreme Court twice has ruled that flag burning, as upsetting and despicable as it is to many of us, comes under the protection of the first amendment. I believe that the patriotic thing to do is to condemn flag burning whenever and wherever it happens, but not to ban it. The right thing to do is to leave well enough alone with the Constitution. That means leaving the Constitution the way it is by keeping the first amendment intact. Cutting into the first amendment, the cornerstone of our great democracy, would curtail what our beautiful flag stands for: freedom, the very freedom that each of us holds so near and dear, the very freedom that so many brave Americans have courageously fought to protect throughout history. I am so very proud of our veterans, but I believe the best way to honor our veterans is to defend the Constitution. Let us show respect for our precious flag by pledging allegiance to the flag for which it stands and upholding the integrity of the Constitution.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of our Nation's children. Our children are being denied basic educational opportunities. As a former teacher, I know one of the most important challenges facing this country is improving our educational system. We need to expand opportunities, set rigorous standards so our children learn the basics before being promoted to the next grade. This is crucial to our country's social and economic well-being. A talented and dedicated teacher must be in every classroom. Creativity and innovation in public education must be encouraged, while still holding them accountable for results. Every classroom and library should be connected to the Internet so all students can be computer literate and be prepared for the 21st century. Finally, we need to make sure our schools are healthy places to learn. Next week I intend to introduce legislation to improve air quality in our Nation's school buildings based on an existing Environmental Protection Agency program. Our children must have a healthy learning environment. Let us make the commitment not only to our children but also to the future of this great Nation, and make education our number one priority.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I am supporting the McCarthy amendment because I believe this amendment will close a loophole left open in the Brady Law passed in 1994. Closing this loophole does not create new laws, and I believe, creates very little additional burdens for law abiding citizens. However, it will present criminals from getting guns and it will save lives. I also support this amendment at the request of the law enforcement community in my district who have signaled to me that closing the gun show loophole is one of their top priorities. They have told me that the McCarthy amendment will best help them keep guns out of the hands of criminals and prevent violent crime throughout the fifth district and the State of Oregon. This amendment is a common sense approach to keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and is supported by law enforcement and members of both parties. I look forward to seeing this amendment passed this evening.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Madam Speaker, later today we will have the opportunity to vote on a bipartisan piece of legislation that stresses both accountability and prevention for juveniles. In my mind, a good juvenile justice bill must have provisions that hold juveniles immediately accountable for their actions. H.R. 1501 requires States to implement graduated sanctions, ensuring that there is a consequence to each crime committed and that penalties increase with each additional offense. By making activities such as restorative justice programs and drug courts eligible for funding, H.R. 1501 allows communities to be innovative in how they hold youngsters accountable. These provisions are in line with legislation that I have drafted that would fund activities allowing localities to provide individual attention to nonviolent juvenile offenders, while holding them accountable for their actions. This legislation is based on successful efforts of the juvenile justice system in one of my counties, Clackamas County. When a juvenile offender is arrested, that juvenile is assessed, evaluated. They work with parents. They work with local police and school officials to come up with proper sanctions. I look forward to supporting both of these bills.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I rise in favor of the McCarthy- Roukema amendment to save our children.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the gentleman's amendment. This amendment stresses that juveniles must be held accountable for their actions and allows communities to engage in innovative and nontraditional ways of holding juveniles accountable. Too often our juvenile system provides delayed accountability to our people by not acting for 2 or 3 months, or by not acting until after a person has committed a second or third or even fourth violation. Accountability programs have been enormously successful in my district in Oregon. In Clackamas County, the local juvenile authorities have been working with nonviolent first- and second-time juvenile offenders to come up with punishments that do not justify, fit the crime, but fit the offender. County officials assess and evaluate the offender and work with parents, local police, and school officials to come up with proper sanctions, treatment, and an immediate consequence to that offense, so that the offender understands that there is a connection. As a result, juveniles are often required to provide restitution, to meet with their victims and provide service to the community. Providing these types of immediate sanctions have been so successful in my district. This is the kind of program this would fund, and I would support this amendment.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address last night's vote on the so-called ``emergency'' supplemental appropriations bill, H.R. 1141. As a member of the budget committee, and concerned member of this body, I am appalled not only at the amount of pork crammed into the bill, but especially by the anti-environmental riders placed on the bill. One of these riders is specifically targeted at helping the mining industry and will delay strengthening of regulations that would safeguard against mining companies walking away from the cleanup costs associated with mining. Yet another special interest rider prevents the Minerals Management Service from issuing rules on the value of crude oil. This will allow major oil companies to underpay royalties from drilling on public lands--estimated to cost taxpayers between $66 to $100 million per year. Yet another rider would weaken the already egregious 1872 mining law, allowing a previously denied waiver for the development of the ``Crown Jewel'' mine in my neighboring state of Washington. For these reasons, I encourage the President to veto this environmentally destructive bill, sending a message to this body and the American people that our precious natural resources will not take a back seat to pork and special interests groups.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address one of our Nation's fastest-growing industries, the high-tech industry. In 1998 alone, the information technology industry accounted for 15 percent of our Nation's economic growth, and there is no indication that this trend will slow in the future. Our high-technology economy creates better-paying jobs, increases productivity in all sectors of the economy and relies on a knowledgeable workforce. Further, high-tech companies currently employ 4.8 million people. But, Mr. Speaker, we have a problem. Recent studies have shown a significant shortage of qualified workers in high-tech industries nationwide. Today, there are about 190,000 unfilled information technology jobs in the United States, and nearly half of the CEOs of these companies report having inadequate numbers of workers to staff their companies. This personnel shortage is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade. If we fail to give this issue the appropriate attention today, we may send many of these well-paying, high-paying jobs overseas. In order to address this shortage, I have introduced H.R. 709, the Technology Education Capital Investment Act. This legislation would help to stimulate technology education and increase the number of graduates of engineering and technology workers from our universities and community colleges. The act addresses the issue of worker shortage in high-technology industry by making science and technology a priority for elementary schools, higher education and businesses alike. My bill would provide money to the National Science Foundation to provide elementary school children with programs that encourage math and science. H.R. 709 also creates scholarships for students entering math, science and engineering degree programs and develops partnerships between high-technology firms and institutions of higher education by providing hands-on internships for college students. Finally, this legislation extends tax exemption for employer-provided education assistance and establishes a Technology Workforce Commission that would report back to Congress on what to do about this issue. I have introduced this bill not only because I am deeply concerned with the shortage of well-trained high-tech workers but also out of concern that our children are falling behind their peers in what is already a worldwide marketplace. We must make education and learning a priority. This bill, in fact, will reduce the current shortage of qualified high-tech workers and provide our Nation's next generation of leaders with the resources they need to succeed.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, watching this debate I couldn't help but ask myself a question. Where are the 302B allocations? For those watching at home, 302B allocations set the spending levels that the 13 Appropriations Committees must work with to move forward the federal--nonemergency--spending. The 302B allocations are nowhere to be found. The federal budget is so tight that the Majority Budget Committee Members can't figure out how they are going to fund the government next year without busting the spending caps. The Majority is having a heck of a time figuring out how to increase military spending without cutting important social initiatives or busting the budget caps. Then, along comes the Kosovo Emergency Spending bill--which Congress can now use to slide billions of dollars under the budget caps into military spending with little complaint from the Administration. Well, I protest, Mr. Chairman. The other body has done the right thing with the Kosovo Emergency Spending bill. I support the Obey substitute because it, as well as the bill moving through the other chamber, gets the job done in Kosovo, but is not a giveaway to the special interests here in Washington. This bill is not an excuse to push through billions of dollars of spending and take the pressure off the federal spending caps. That should be done in front of the American public in the normal Appropriations process. Support the Obey substitute.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, this bill is full of pork. While listening to this debate, I couldn't help but ask myself a question. Where are the 302(b) allocations that the House must use to act on other appropriations bills? For those watching at home, 302(b) allocations set the spending levels that the 13 Appropriations Subcommittees must work with before moving forward the federal--NON emergency--spending. The 302(b) allocations are nowhere to be found in this Congress. While federal statute calls on appropriators to put together 302(b) spending levels soon after the budget passes, they have not yet been able to do so. This is because the federal budget is so tight, the Majority can't figure out how they are going to fund the government next year. Basically, the Majority has been trying to increase military spending under the recently passed federal budget without cutting important social initiatives or busting the budget caps--and under this budget, that was proving impossible. Then, along comes the Kosovo Emergency Spending bill which Congress can now use to slide billions of dollars under the budget caps into military spending with little complaint from the Administration. Well, Mr. Speaker, I protest. The other body has done the right thing with the Kosovo Emergency Spending bill. I support the Obey substitute because it, as well as the bill moving through the other chamber, gets the job done in Kosovo, but is not a giveaway to the special interests here in Washington. The bill we have before us today is not an excuse to push through billions of dollars of spending and take the pressure off the federal spending caps. I urge my colleagues to oppose the underlying bill.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you this morning to salute Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon, which has been named a 1999 ``Grammy Signature School, Gold Award.'' I want all my colleagues in Congress, everyone involved in the Sprague Music Department, and everyone who cares about kids and music to know how proud I am of them and of this accomplishment. The Grammy Signature School Program is a special part of the Grammy Awards that recognize professional artists. We've all seen the Grammy Awards on television, and this Signature School Program is a special part of that prestigious recognition that singles out excellent high school music programs. I am delighted to congratulate Sprague High School as one of sixteen schools across the country to receive the inaugural Grammy Signature School Program award. Salem's Sprague High School is known world-wide as a high school that is committed to fine music. Whether it is the orchestra winning world- wide awards in Europe, the choir taking top national honors, or the band setting toes to tapping across the continent, Sprague teachers and students have worked hard together to make music that inspires. These days, it's not easy teaching things that some people think are ``extras,'' and music programs are often the first to land on the budget chopping blocks. But anyone who has seen children in an orchestra practice, or heard the voices of a high school choir warming up in harmony, or delighted to the improvised rhythms of a high school jazz ensemble, knows that music and the arts aren't ``extras'' at all. Those are essential elements not only of critical thinking and intellectual discipline, but also important places of physical and emotional refuge for students who are inspired by the arts. We are all too keenly aware of the need for students to have a sense of belonging in their schools, and by honoring the arts, we honor those students who thrive in the arts, and by encouraging them our culture is enriched. So I am proud today to stand before you to honor the parents, teachers, music directors, principal Mark Davalos, and especially the students who pour their hearts and souls into creating music that brings joy to all.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas) for his work and for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 833, a bill that provides common sense bankruptcy reform. It has been said that over the last 7 years we have had unparalleled economic prosperity and yet the bankruptcy filings have hit an all-time high. The thing that has happened is we have had a lot of studies that have also said some of those people that are filing bankruptcies can afford to pay back some of that debt. I am supporting this bill because it ensures those with the ability to pay that they pay, and those who legitimately need protection from creditors get it. I hope Members will keep in mind, and we have heard this number of $51,000 for a family of four, which is the median income, they are not even affected by this legislation. If they are making $51,000, they are not affected by this legislation. For those above that threshold, there is a sensible means testing that determines whether a debtor should be able to walk away and not pay anything or at least pay part of their debt. Mr. Chairman, this bill encourages personal responsibility, meets its obligation for children and families and saves American consumers money. I urge support for this bill.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stress the importance of assuring that our export control laws do not unnecessarily hinder the development of the U.S. high-technology industry. Mr. Speaker, in districts like mine in Oregon, where constituents have suffered the consequences of economic shifts in the logging, fishing, and agricultural sectors, the high-tech industry presents itself as a growth sector and an anchor for future employment. I see the high tech industry as vital for economic development in my district and in the State of Oregon. The rest of the country should be looking to this sector for employment growth as well. According to the Department of Commerce, between 1995 and 1997 the high tech sector has been responsible for 35% of economic growth in the United States. If things continue at that rate, this industry will almost double its employment numbers over the next six years. If we saddle this industry with unreasonable unilateral export restrictions, that type of job growth, so badly needed in my district, will go to other nations. While there are often legitimate national security reasons to restrict high-tech exports, much of our export laws do not keep pace with actual advances in technology. Mr. Speaker, let me give you an example of how high-tech exports can be unreasonably restricted. The application and approval process to ship a computer--no bigger than the server in many Congressional offices--to Tier III nations can take as along as 30 days. If we were the only country offering high-speed and powerful personal computers, this might not be a problem. But Mr. Speaker we are not the only nation that can build and sell these machines. By placing unilateral export controls we cede the sales of these computers to our foreign competitors. Let me raise another example of how our export control policy just doesn't make sense. Right now the U.S. government places restrictions on the export of encryption technology. While 128 bit encryption technology is widely available on the Internet and can be easily bought in countries like Canada and Germany, the United States prevents our companies from exporting 128 bit encryption. This puts U.S. high tech firms at a severe competitive disadvantage. It is for this reason that I have become a co-sponsor of the SAFE act which will bring our trade policy in line with the current state of encryption technology. Our National Security does not depend on these types of unilateral economic sanctions. Our National Security relies on the development of U.S. based high technology companies--who currently supply the United States military with 75% of its high tech national security apparatus. If our U.S. based technology companies are weakened, Mr. Speaker, our own national security is weakened. I would like to thank all of the members of my party who have been working to bring these issues to the forefront. Through their support of bills like the SAFE act we can assure that U.S. trade policies allow U.S. technology firms to grow, while enhancing our own national security.

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon

Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, today I am glad to support the conference report for the Education Flexibility Act of 1999. As one of the twelve pilot states, Oregon has been able to utilize this program to avoid bureaucratic hurdles and simplify efforts to reform our school system. The Ed-Flex program has provided new opportunities to create partnerships between community colleges and high schools throughout my state. Rather than creating two separate and duplicative programs, community colleges and high schools have worked together to improve their professional technical education programs. This flexibility has resulted in an increased number of students graduating from high school. The Act also allows for flexibility in regulations and requirements so that schools can maximize efforts to produce results. The Oregon Department of Education has been able to utilize the program to simplify its planning and application process. This has allowed local school districts the ability to develop a single plan that meets state and federal planning requirements, consolidate applications for federal funds, and request waivers of both federal and state requirements. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this report.