Steny Hoyer

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for that response. The smallpox vaccination compensation bill, I know there are ongoing discussions. It is my understanding, from what I have heard the gentleman say, that the expectation is that is not going to be on the calendar next week.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I would ask the leader, and we have had this discussion before, we are all hopeful, I think, that the discussions between the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), who is on the floor, who has been such a leader in this legislation, and others on the gentleman's side of the aisle could come and reach agreement. However, if an agreement could not be reached, the problem is with the Suspension Calendar that it allows no amendments and therefore allows of no alternative possibilities to be considered by the whole House. We would hope that if this matter cannot be resolved, and we are hopeful that it can, and I know I speak for the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), she is hopeful that it can, and I think I speak for the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) as well, that they would like to reach agreement; but if agreement cannot be reached, I would urge the majority leader to bring this bill to the floor with the procedure that allows for alternative proposals to be considered by the whole House.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. We all agree that this bill is needed. We also all know that the President's expectation of the number of people who would have gotten the smallpox vaccination at this point in time, particularly as it relates to first responders, nurses, police, emergency medical technicians, would have been far higher than it has been to date, so we are trying to facilitate that. Clearly, the passage of this bill would be facilitated by having a bipartisan agreement that will not be contentious. But of course, as the gentleman knows, at the nub of this issue is how substantively we can accomplish the objective of getting as many of our nurses and police and emergency response personnel to voluntarily participate in this vaccination process. So, again, I would urge the gentleman, if we cannot reach agreement, let the floor consider alternatives and let them decide, the floor, the Members of this House, as to what procedures and process and compensation will best facilitate that end. I thank the gentleman for his comments. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would ask the leader, regarding the tax bill, I know the gentleman mentioned it, but when does he anticipate that coming to the floor?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I take this time for the purpose of inquiring of the schedule of the distinguished majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), and I yield to the majority leader.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his information. Following up on what he said at the end of his statement, am I to understand that if the supplemental is passed on Thursday, it is the gentleman's expectation we will not be in next Friday?

Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for his comments, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. HOYER. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's view. I share that view. We want to try to get this done. I am going to ask him about the week following. I understand floor time is at a premium, but we are not going to meet, apparently, on Friday if we get the supplemental done in a timely fashion, so we are not going to be using that time. My only point is that if we do not know until Monday at noontime or Monday at 10 o'clock, it makes it more difficult for us. Frankly, I think it would be appropriate if the gentleman could perhaps agree that this will be on Tuesday, because he is not sure it is going to get over on Monday. I think that puts us in a little better shape.

Mr. HOYER. Would we do that subsequent to the vote on the suspensions, or in the afternoon? Obviously, the problem with the afternoon is most Members, as the gentleman knows, come back in time for the vote, Members flying from the West Coast. So there are those complications. Would the gentleman inform me as to what the intent would be, either before the 6:30 suspension votes or after?

Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman, Mr. Speaker. Reclaiming my time again, Mr. Speaker, and I do not want to beat this dead horse too badly, but on Monday my presumption is that the only votes at 6:30 are suspension votes; is that correct?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. I would say to the distinguished majority leader, having talked to the ranking member and former chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), I think if we can reach a bipartisan agreement, we too want to make sure that we provide the appropriate resources for our men and women in harm's way to assure them that there is going to be no reluctance on our part to accomplish that effort. But I emphasize that my belief is that if we can reach a bipartisan agreement, and I am hopeful, I know the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) can accomplish that; and if the leadership would help in accomplishing that objective, I think that would be a worthy objective for our country and for this House. The budget conference and conferees, does the gentleman know when they will be appointed? I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Leader, the reason I was looking to staff, obviously, as the gentleman well knows, if we are not going to go in until 6:30 and we will probably do suspension bills that night, clearly, if we go to conference, a motion to instruct would be in order; and I think it would be our intention to offer such a motion. Therefore, having notice at this juncture, or I understand the gentleman's not having specific knowledge of when the papers are going to come over, but I might say to the gentleman that if we can have some specificity, and apparently Tuesday we will have the papers, the gentleman is reasonably confident, perhaps we could agree that it would be then Tuesday so that on our side we could plan to have the motion to which we would be entitled ready and available at that time.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, on March 26, 2003, Ms. Deborah A. Yow, who is currently serving in her ninth year as director of athletics at the University of Maryland, will be inducted into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. The Maryland Women's Hall of Fame was established to honor Maryland women who have made unique and lasting contributions to the economic, political, cultural and social life of the State and to provide visible models of achievement for tomorrow's female leaders. Ms. Yow's contribution to Maryland and her role as a prominent female leader in an area traditionally dominated by males more than qualifies her for this honor. Throughout her distinguished career in collegiate athletics, Ms. Yow has been known for her unrivalled energy and dedication. She has demonstrated a long-standing commitment not only to athletic success but also to the academic excellence of the students. A focused manager, fund-raiser, and promoter, she is known as a ``coach's AD'' with an impressive sense of management and knowledge of fiscal operations. Over the course of her career she has emerged as a leader in all facets of collegiate athletics. After playing basketball herself at Elon College in North Carolina, Ms. Yow excelled for nearly a decade in coaching women's basketball. She began coaching at the University of Kentucky in 1976, and in 1980, Ms. Yow moved to Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma, posting an impressive 26-1 record in 1983. She then served as the women's basketball coach at the University of Florida from 1983 to 1987. Ms. Yow retired from coaching after her tenure at the University of Florida with a winning percentage of .700 and a career average of 20 victories per season. Ms. Yow moved her career into the administrative field by serving as an associate athletic director at the University of North Carolina- Greensboro from 1987 to 1990, where she increased alumni support by more than 128 percent. In 1990, Ms. Yow assumed the position of athletic director at St. Louis University, becoming the fourth female athletic director of an NCAA Division I program and the only one active at the time. She was credited with revitalizing the men's basketball program and achieved an impressive 92 percent graduate rate for its athletes, ranking I0th among the 300 Division I schools. In 1994, Ms. Yow began her new role as athletic director at the University of Maryland, the first woman to hold such a position in Atlantic Coast Conference history. She was faced with the challenge of a program ranked last competitively and last in fund-raising in the ACC, and a staggering operating deficit of $6.7 million. She took this position with a pledge to pay off the debt and improve both the athletic and academic standards in the Maryland athletic program. Under her leadership, every budget in the department has been balanced, and the debts she inherited from past administrations have been paid off. The Maryland Terrapins have streaked up the all-sports ranking to be in the top 15 percent of all NCAA Division I institutions. The graduation rate of athletes has risen to an impressive 85 percent, and improvements have been made in a variety of areas such as management, facilities and customer care. Last year, 2002, demonstrated unprecedented successes for Ms. Yow's efforts in Maryland athletics. U.S. News and World Report selected the University of Maryland as one of the top 20 athletic programs in the Nation for overall quality and competitive excellence. The football team won the ACC championship and played in the Orange Bowl. The men's basketball team won the ACC regular season and topped that off with the NCAA national championship. These successes made Maryland one of a handful of schools to have achieved such high-level successes in both football and men's basketball in the same year. And success was not limited to just these two sports; the women's lacrosse team won their 7th consecutive national championship, the field hockey team played for the national championship, and a total of 10 teams competed in post- season play. Ms. Yow's success has been honored by a variety of awards and leadership positions in college athletics. In 1998, she was elected the second vice president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the second woman to serve as an officer of the NACDA. By 2000, she was the president of that organization. Also in 2000, Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal, a leading industry publication, named her female sport executive of the year. More recently, she has been an important voice on the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics, a group assembled by U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige to review Title IX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend congratulations to Ms. Yow for her well-deserved inauguration into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. Mr. Speaker, I know the Members of the House join me in thanking Ms. Yow for her contribution to the University of Maryland, its fans and the citizens of the great State of Maryland, as well as for her wider contribution to collegiate athletics.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chairman, we have had two responsible alternatives offered. Mr. Chairman, this substitute should pass, and it should pass with an overwhelming number of votes from both sides of the aisle. Why? Because it is the fiscally responsible alternative that remains on this floor. The Republican budget is an appalling betrayal of America's values and fails to meet our Nation's priorities. We really have to wonder, how does this Republican Party define compassion? By taking hot lunches out of the mouths of poor schoolchildren? By forcing the elderly out of nursing homes as the result of Medicaid cuts? By skimping on a prescription drug benefit for seniors? By slashing veterans health care on the very day, on the very day that our brave Armed Forces have begun the battle to disarm Saddam Hussein? It is clear that the President's irresponsible $1.4 trillion tax plan and the GOP's blind allegiance to it would be an albatross around the necks of the American people, as well as future generations. To pay for it, the House GOP proposes to cut funding for Medicaid, student loans, scientific research, food stamps, education, and veterans benefits. Too often, those of us privileged to serve here speak in terms of billions or trillions. Well, tonight, Mr. Chairman, let us put a human face on these proposed budget cuts. More than 90 students at the Eva Turner Elementary School in Waldorf, Maryland, who receive hot meals under the lunch program could have those meals eliminated. Ervin Coleman of Prince George's County, who recently was forced to rely on Medicaid to cover the cost of his medical care, may not have that option under the Republican budget. Rubin Hairston of Calvert County receives $654 a month in Social Security benefits, but his prescription drug cost is $519. He simply cannot afford all his medication. The meager funding set aside for a drug benefit in this budget offers him little hope of relief. I ask Members, is that a budget that reflects America's values? Is that a budget that meets America's priorities? Mr. Chairman, the American people want and deserve better. That is precisely what this Democratic budget alternative gives them. First and foremost, our budget includes our entire stimulus plan, which would jumpstart the economy, provide tax relief, and create 1 million new jobs. Our budget provides more funding for homeland security, $34 billion for safety here at home; more funding for education; and more funding for the environment, veterans, and other priorities. We also provide at least 35 percent more for prescription drugs. Finally, our budget matches the President's defense request, protects Social Security, and achieves balance by 2010. Democrats urge all Americans to examine our budget and ask themselves which budget reflects America's values and meets our needs. The answer is clear. The Republican budget is nothing more than a cynical, calculated political document designed solely to provide huge tax cuts to the most affluent. It will continue the deficit spiral and pass the debt along to the brave young men and women who are now in harm's way. That is not moral, it is not fiscally responsible, and it is pitiful policy. I urge all of my colleagues to support the Democratic budget for America and for generations to come.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. I would be glad to yield to the distinguished majority leader who worked just a little too hard tonight.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished leader for that information. First, Mr. Leader, I presume we have concluded all of our work this week; is that correct?

Mr. HOYER. I know all the Members thank the gentleman for that information. I will ask the gentleman, next Friday, does the gentleman expect to be in session next Friday, or could the Members expect not to be in session next Friday?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for that information. Does the gentleman anticipate that the tax bill will be marked up by the Committee on Ways and Means next week, and then can we anticipate it on the floor the following week?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman talked about the committees, but the energy bill, when can we expect the full committee to take action on that bill, and when does the gentleman expect it to come to the floor?

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments, and, Mr. Speaker, I have no further questions of the leader, and I appreciate his giving us the schedule.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I wish to inquire of the majority leader the schedule for the balance of the week and next week.

Mr. HOYER

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

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I had this and I was not going to use it. I am on the same side as the gentleman. I am in the minority of my party on this issue. But I want to tell Members that they cannot have it both ways. On December 13, 1995, our troops were deployed. Our troops were deployed in Bosnia. They were deployed for the purposes of keeping the peace. They were successful. Thousands of people were being killed. The gentleman remembers that, and our troops were deployed for the purpose of keeping the peace pursuant to an agreement by President Clinton and others in the NATO alliance. There was a resolution on the floor. That resolution was a very brief resolution and it had one resolved clause, just one and it said this: That the House of Representatives unequivocally supports the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are carrying out their mission in support of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina with professional excellence, dedicated patriotism, and exemplary bravery. The gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) voted ``no'' on that resolution. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) voted ``no'' on that resolution. The gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins), who spoke earlier, voted ``no'' on that resolution. The gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham), who talked about the troops, voted ``no'' on that resolution. I am with my friend on the substance, but when the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren) gets up and makes her statement and she is criticized, remember December 13, 1995.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, Robert Kennedy once remarked, ``All of us, from the wealthiest and most powerful men, to the weakest and hungriest children, share one precious possession, the name American.'' So tonight as our brave men and women in uniform fight for freedom and our security half a world away, we come here not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans, Americans united as one in support of our Armed Forces, and for the success of the cause for which they willingly risk their lives. That cause, liberty and freedom from fear, inspired our Founding Fathers 227 years ago, and guides our action today. It is a measure of our Nation's greatness that when freedom's call came at this hour, the finest, best-trained, most skilled and best-equipped military in the history of the world answered the call as previous generations have done. Our thoughts and prayers are with our troops and with the troops of our allies, four of whom also lost their lives this night, and our thoughts as well are with the families who wait. We are with you. We honor you; we honor your sacrifice. We hail your courage, and we pray for your safe return. We are confident that the Iraqi people who have been terrorized for so long under Saddam Hussein's brutal reign will soon throw off the shackles of tyranny and see that your mission has always been one of liberation and not of aggression. There should be no doubt we shall win this war, and we must win the peace that will follow. We are committed to a liberated and free Iraq where individual Iraqis can decide their own fate, where basic human rights and the rule of law are respected, and where that nation's tremendous resources are the property of a proud Iraqi people, and not plundered by an international criminal who has killed his own people and who continues to threaten the security of the region and the world. Saddam Hussein believed, like other dictators and despots who pockmark history, that our democratic debate was evidence of disunity and weakness. He was wrong. In fact, as all of us who are privileged to serve here know, that ability to debate, that ability to disagree, that ability to want options is what makes America so strong, so envied. Tonight we stand as one behind our brave Armed Forces. No matter the votes, we stand as one and pray for a quick end to this conflict and to the safe return of our brave men and women and the brave men and women of every nation who will fight in those sands. May God protect our men and women. May God give wisdom to our Commander in Chief, and may God continue to bless America.

Mr. HOYER

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time.

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