Steny Hoyer

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Delegate Joanne C. Benson--a woman of integrity, principle, love and passion for helping others. As a Member of the Maryland State House of Delegates since 1991 and an educator in the Prince George's County School System for forty years, Joanne Benson has touched the lives of thousands in her service to people. On this very special occasion of celebrating her retirement we must all give great thanks for the difference she has made in carrying out her life's work. Having known this extraordinary woman for all my years of public service, I have seen first hand her compassion and unfailing love for children, family and community. Her motto, ``If not now, when? If not us, who?'' exemplifies her tireless efforts in being a voice for the voiceless, a power for the powerless and a fighter for those who have given up the fight. Born in Roanoke, Virginia, the daughter of Reverend and Mrs. William Claybon, she is one of six children. After graduating from South Hagerstown High School, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Bowie State University and later achieved a Master of Arts Degree from Catholic University. Her career in education began as a teacher in Calvert County and soon thereafter she began to work for the Prince George's County School System, where over the years she has served in a number of capacities including teacher/facilitator, master teacher, instructional support specialist, human relations specialist, Principal and parent involvement specialist. And throughout this long tenure there is one thing she has always been--one of the strongest and most ardent activists for improving the quality of life and the quality of education for our children. Joanne is a caring individual. Story after story can be told of her purchasing shoes and coats for children in need; bringing food to a hungry family; accessing free health and dental care for children; and finding shelter for the homeless. It was her work while she was Principal of John H. Bayne Elementary School that started the first after-school program in which teachers, parents and community leaders volunteered to work. She began a clothes closet and food pantry and started adult education classes for parents. And she was an early advocate of school uniforms, recognizing that if a child looks good, they feel good. From an early age, Joanne learned that the rewards we receive are from the work we do. She has carried her concern and compassion for children to her work at the Maryland General Assembly where she is one of the most vocal and respected legislators and where she has been able to implement policies to better life for youngsters. She was an original sponsor of the Primary Seat Belt Law which serves as a national model for children's car seats and seat belt laws. She has gained the reputation as always being there for her constituents, whether it is help to get more funding for public education or safer streets in their community, and always takes positive action. One of her proudest achievements has been the establishment of the not-for-profit organization known as SAFE STREETS 2000. This program, designed to educate and strengthen our communities and organizations, has helped many become more knowledgeable of available resources in the prevention, intervention and rehabilitation of senseless violence. For this work, Delegate Benson was profiled on the front page of the Washington Post and the Prince George's Journal and was featured on Nightline with Ted Koppel and Night Watch with Charles Rose. Her endless commitment to children has earned her many other awards: For the Love of Children Award from the Kiwanis Club of the Capitol Area; Outstanding Educator from Prince George's County Schools, Who's Who Among Notable Educators in Maryland, Woman of the Year from Metropolitan Business and Professional Women, Humanitarian Award from Zeta Phi Beta and Outstanding Community Service Award from Las Amigas. There are so many accomplishments and so many awards, but anyone who knows Joanne knows the things which make her the happiest and the proudest are the small unnoticed acts of kindness. Joanne, you are blessed with an irresistible spirit which is transmitted to all you touch. And we are all so grateful for all you have done. We thank you for your friendship, your leadership and your commitment to improving the lives of children and all the citizens of Prince George's County and the State of Maryland. We salute your 40 years of outstanding and dedicated service to the Prince George's County School System.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend for yielding me this time. I join the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) in congratulating the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), ranking member, as well as the extraordinary work that has been done by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) as a Member of Congress and before she got to Congress. Mr. Chairman, the great Dr. Martin Luther King, one of the world's great humanitarians, once said, ``We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.'' Today, through this truly historic, bipartisan legislation authorizing $15 billion over the next 5 years for overseas care, treatment and prevention of AIDS, we recognize that our Nation has a moral obligation and a national security interest in combating the HIV/ AIDS pandemic, as well as malaria and tuberculosis. We ignore the world's increasing interdependence at our own peril, Mr. Chairman. And, frankly, while many of my colleagues have fought for many years to bring needed resources to bear on this problem, their call to arms has not, until now, been fully embraced. The source scourge of AIDS knows no borders. It does not discriminate. It targets every one of us, infecting some 42 million people around the world, two-thirds of them from Africa. As my good friend the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), who has worked with the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) to bring this legislation to the floor today, stated in the markup of this bill, this health care crisis ruins families, communities and whole nations, fueling violence and bloodshed across borders. It cannot be contained in one region or in one population. And, thus, it is a global challenge that demands a global, humanitarian response with the United States in the lead. The ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), and certainly the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde), deserve our congratulations, our thanks and admiration for their leadership in crafting this bill's balanced approach to treatment and prevention. It is a real commitment to addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis. I would hope that amendments to be offered later today that would upset this carefully crafted, balanced piece of legislation, that those amendments would be rejected. In particular, the Pitts amendment would upset the balanced HIV/AIDS prevention approach called for in the bill by requiring that one-third of the prevention funds be used solely for abstinence-only programs. Certainly we are supportive of abstinence, but not to wall it off for sole use resources. This historic legislation reflects our values, protects our interests, and extends, Mr. Chairman, a handle of hope to millions of vulnerable people across the world. We need not ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for us. This legislation is a response by us to reach out to save lives, to heal, and to make our Nation and our global community more secure.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me this time, and I rise on behalf of those on my side of the aisle, and I join the majority leader in urging all our Members to vote for this piece of legislation. I stand with him also in congratulating our chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations. There are no two more faithful Members to this institution than the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey). They have worked together, they have overcome disagreements to bring to this floor a piece of legislation that deserves bipartisan support. There are differences, deep differences, in this body, deep convictions held by Members on both sides of the aisle with respect to the war and the rectitude of our action, but that is not what this bill is about. This bill is about ensuring the support for the troops that we have sent abroad to carry out objectives of the United States of America and, indeed, of a large number of the international community. We will be united in that support of our troops and united in support of the success of that effort. We see countless Iraqis waving and welcoming American troops to their land, and we have seen the fact that there is also distress in that land and we want to assist, assist quickly, the humanitarian relief and assist quickly in the rebuilding. So on behalf of my side of the aisle, Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate you, as well, for your leadership. Today is a day of bipartisanship. Today is a day when we will reflect to America that we are united in our commitment to support our troops. There will be, Mr. Speaker, I am sure, after we pass this legislation, a number of Members who will want to make some comments, and we expect them to do so. It is right and proper that they do so in this Democratic institution. But I urge all our Members, as the majority leader has urged his Members, to support this legislation which supports our troops, supports our effort and does so in a way, as the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) has pointed out so eloquently, that is consistent with the Constitution of the United States. Our Founding Fathers did not draft that document by mistake. It was their considered judgment that the collective wisdom in a democracy is what preserved freedom, is what preserved a Nation, a free people, as opposed to a people who would be overseen by one individual or one small group of individuals in the executive department. In closing, let me say that there is a picture in the Rotunda of the Capitol of the United States. It is of particular significance to me, as the former President of the Maryland Senate. It depicts the old Senate Chamber in Annapolis. In that picture, George Washington on December 23, 1783, is resigning his commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army. My colleagues will note, when they look at that picture, that the members of the legislature of the Continental Congress are seated. They are seated at the request of General Washington, so that they would indicate their superior stature to General Washington. Of course, at that point in time, there was no superior person to General Washington, perhaps in the history of our country, but certainly at that time. But it was his conviction that it was the Representatives of the people who ought to rule. And it has been stated over and over in this House, the people rule. This bill preserves that principle, an important principle for democracy. I thank the chairman and the ranking member, I thank the Speaker on behalf of all the Members for bringing us to this point where we can together, as Americans, not as Democrats, not as Republicans, support our troops, support our country.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my special order.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, our brave men and women in uniform continue to risk their lives at this hour in Iraq, and let there be no mistake: there cause is noble. They are disarming and deposing a ruthless tyrant who has brutalized the Iraqi people for more than 20 years, and who has threatened the security of the Middle East region and the world. As the result of the courage, sacrifice, patriotism and professionalism of our American Armed Forces--as well as our Coalition allies--the Iraqi people have broken free of Hussein's stranglehold. Who could not be moved by the scenes broadcast from Baghdad, where thousands of newly liberated Iraqi citizens celebrated Hussein's defeat? However, danger still lurks around every corner. Thus, we pray for a successful conclusion to this war and our troops' safe return. We also pray for the loved ones and families of the American servicemen and servicewomen who will not be returning safely to our shores; those who have given their lives for their Nation and the cause of freedom. And we say a special prayer for the seven Americans who are listed as prisoners of war and eight who are listed as missing. As we come to this House floor to commemorate national former POW Recognition Day, which was observed this past Wednesday, April 9, let us join together and offer this solemn pledge: the United States of America shall never--never--rest until every single American who is believed to be in enemy hands is freed, and every single American who is missing is fully accounted for. Freedom's defenders must never be forgotten, and thus our mission in Iraq is far from accomplished. Our former prisoners of war are national heroes who deserve our gratitude and respect. Their service placed them in dangerous circumstances, causing their capture and imprisonment, often in atrocious conditions. We also owe a debt of gratitude to their families for weathering agonizing uncertainty while demonstrating support for their loved ones' service to our country. Although former POWs returned home, too often they carried the extra burden of physical and emotional scares. They are a testament to history's eternal truth--freedom is not free--as well as its unforgiving lesson: the price of freedom is always great. We remember these courageous heroes in the shadow of the dramatic rescue of Pfc Jessica Lynch on April 2. She owes her life to the American commandos who stormed the hospital where she was being held and rescued her, as well as the brave Iraqi man who risked certain death by providing our troops with accurate information regarding her whereabouts. We recognize the tremendous sacrifice of former prisoners of war like Jessica, and we pledge that our Nation will keep its promises to all former POWs and veterans. Let me close, however, by saying that even as our servicemen and women are overseas defending our values, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, there are schemes afoot in this very Capitol to give them short shrift once they return home. While President Bush has extended his appreciation to members of veterans service organizations for ``the lifetime of service you have given to our Nation,'' some have proposed cutting veterans' benefits and health care by more than $28 billion to help pay for a tax cut. This is not only bad policy, it is, in my view, immoral. This Nation, as far as I am concerned, has an irrevocable contract with America's veterans. And it is one that we must always honor. Our veterans and former POWs deserve more than medals and a thank you for their service and sacrifice. At a time when we are sending thousands of America's sons and daughters into harm's way, we should be investing in the programs and services our veterans and former prisoners of war deserve, not pulling back on our promises. We must stand behind our words of gratitude by honoring the commitment we made to them for answering freedom's call.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, in other words, Members should understand that, although we are saying there may be votes tomorrow or there may not be, but there may be multiple votes tomorrow; so it would be more than one vote required. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. HOYER. So there may be two votes tomorrow if they were required?

Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for that. Let me ask the gentleman another question that I was asked by another Member. Am I correct that the only votes, if we have votes tomorrow, would be on the supplemental?

Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, I want to echo the comments of the majority leader. The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) have worked diligently not only on the substance of what is in the supplemental, but also in upholding the position of the House as it relates to the balance of power between the executive department and the legislative department as set forth in the Constitution of the United States. As a matter of fact, when we started our consideration of the supplemental, the first thing the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) did was to read article I and appropriate provisions of the Constitution. I think all of us in this body can be appreciative of the fact that the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) have taken the position that I think is appropriate for our institution, as well as for our country, and I share the majority leader's view. We appreciate their efforts.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I am not sure what I am being told, but the gentleman indicated that he may give us, and may be contemplating, more notice than 1 hour. I am not sure what that has to do with the committee, but in any event Members will have a minimum of 1 hour's notice before they would be called back to vote on any legislation tomorrow?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Leader, am I correct it would be our hope collectively, both sides of the aisle, to be able to give definitive information to the Members at least by 5 p.m. as to what they might expect for tomorrow?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Leader, in the event there is a vote tomorrow, would I be correct in assuming we would give to Members a minimum of an hour's notice and no vote will be held before noon tomorrow? Is that your thought at this point in time?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I am extraordinarily pleased that I found the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay). Mr. Leader, I would appreciate and I know all Members would: We were here late last night. We have been working hard. I know the conference committee has been working very hard. If the gentleman would bring us up to date for what he sees as the balance of the day and the balance of the week.

Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, I would reiterate and share the view of the majority leader, but at this point in time, we do not know and cannot guarantee Members that there will not be a vote tomorrow.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Leader, it is my understanding there has not been an agreement yet, but if there were an agreement and, from our perspective, if the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and our conferees believe that the conference report was something that they could sign off on, it is my understanding that it is possible, if there were agreement, that we would not have to have a vote tomorrow on that piece of legislation; is that correct?

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, no poor Republican member of the Committee on Rules who was given this assignment has risen to defend this rule. Certainly the chairman of the Committee on the Budget has not. This started out as a House joint concurrent resolution. ``Concurrent'' meant that it would be agreed upon by both sides. They have dropped the ``current'' and it is now just a ``con,'' a con on the American people, a con on this institution. Tonight, they sound the death knell for the policy of fiscal discipline, and are poised to drive our Nation into spiralling and historic debt. They put us on the path to increased debt by more than $5.5 trillion, and then to $12 trillion. Here is the real kicker: There will be no debate on this stealth action and there will be no vote; there will only be a swelling sea of debt that promises to drown our future prosperity. Yes, it is a con job. Let us remember the unequivocal words of the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), which still reverberate throughout this Chamber. Ten years and 12 days ago, here is what he said: ``Here we are being asked to raise the debt ceiling so this government can go on borrowing money to take care of its spending habits. I think that is outrageous,'' said the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay). ``I hope the Members of this House will vote against raising the debt ceiling,'' said the gentleman from Texas, ``and I hope the American people will contact the Members of this House, Mr. Speaker, and urge them to vote against raising the debt ceiling.'' Where is the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay)? Where is he when we raise the debt by $860 billion this year and $5 trillion over the next 10? Where is the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay)? They claim this is an economic growth package. They claimed it in 2001. We lost 2.6 million private-sector jobs, 4 million more Americans without health care, real business investment has fallen by 5.7 percent, and 2 million Americans have moved from middle class to poverty. Where is the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay)? Have the integrity to stand up and vote for America's children and America's future. Vote down this rule. Vote down this budget. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend for yielding me the time to close. I talked about, in the first 3 minutes, a comprehensive energy policy. I want to tell my friend, the chairman of the committee, I know he and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) worked closely together on this bill. I think it is very unfortunate on a matter of such great importance to our country, to our national security, and to our people that we do not have a bill on the floor that both the gentleman from Louisiana and the gentleman from Michigan could have supported. Some amendments have been made in order. I would hope that perhaps the gentleman from Louisiana would support some of those amendments. I think they will improve the bill.

Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, in closing, let me say honestly that I think this issue is of such magnitude that we really ought to work together. We have missed an opportunity to do that. I hope in the future we will be able to do so. I think the gentleman's experience, matched with the experience of the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) and the Members on both sides of the aisle can come up with an energy policy of which we can all be proud. I feel we have not done that this day, and I think we have lost an opportunity.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, this legislation is a comprehensive energy bill, but it is an incomplete energy policy. We need an energy policy that is balanced; balanced regionally; balanced in terms of promoting energy development and protecting the environment; balanced in terms of production and delivery, in terms of streamlining regulations, while protecting consumer interests; and certainly, Mr. Chairman, balanced in terms of addressing short-term problems while creating long-term stability, and investing for the energy needs of future generations. Yet, there is no real commitment in this legislation, I think, to promote new alternative resources or conservation. We are missing a major opportunity to invest in the technologies of efficiency, to do more with less. To help us manage our consumption and create thousands of jobs at home. Democrats have amendments to address these deficiencies, but most, unfortunately, if not all, will be rejected, even though they are good policies that many of my friends on the other side of the aisle would want to support, but will not because the majority has made many parts of this rule partisan. I am especially concerned, Mr. Chairman, about the new issues in this debate, first, electricity restructuring. This bill ignores the lessons that should have been learned from Enron and from California. A poorly structured market is more susceptible to manipulation and fraud than a market that is properly designed. This legislation actually weakens the oversight and tools that our regulatory agencies need to provide the necessary checks and balances, therefore making matters worse. I urge my colleagues to support the thoughtful and reasonable provisions in the Dingell substitute to address these deficiencies. Secondly, the fuel provisions include mandates that ignore regional disparities in supply and distribution that will lead to increased prices at the pump for consumers on both the East and West Coasts. Mr. Chairman, we need a comprehensive energy policy that is balanced, competitively neutral, and that maximizes our resources. This bill, unfortunately, misses that opportunity. Thus, I urge my colleagues to oppose it.