Robin Hayes

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 293, I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment that is before us. Mr. Chairman, this is an issue that has been spoken to by this Congress. This amendment is clearly an effort to circumvent the will of the Congress. It is also an improper way to insert itself between States and the courts in efforts to settle this issue in a proper way. In my opinion, this is an improper use of the Department of Justice, to try and do things that are driven by personal political agendas. That is not to say there is anything wrong with the personal political agenda that continues to attack tobacco farmers and people who make a living in the tobacco industry, but there is another side to this story. I appreciate the putting together of a very good bill by the gentleman from New York (Chairman Walsh), and I think the issue here of keeping this $20 million of hard-earned taxpayers' money from doing things that we do not intend as a Congress to do is a wise and proper thing. Last fall North Carolina and other States were besieged by a horrendous hurricane. President Clinton went to Tarboro, North Carolina, and spoke very eloquently about the need to help our tobacco farmers, and then turned around and provided another Federal lawsuit to continue to break the backs of their efforts to support their families. I wrote to the President on September 24 and asked him to reconsider, because after 6\1/2\ years of being besieged by one assault after another from the Federal government, this was not the right thing to do. Again, Mr. Chairman, I would respectfully request a strong no vote on this amendment because it is the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I cannot support any amendment to FY 2001 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education bill that will cut funding to Impact Aid. Impact Aid is a crucial element of the basic financial support for schools that support our military and Native American children. In some cases, Impact Aid supplies a critical portion of school districts' operating budgets. In Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina, Impact Aid represents more than $2 million of their school budget. Mr. Chairman, we have a responsibility to assist those school districts impacted by a Federal presence. I encourage my colleagues to join me in voting against any amendments that would threaten the Impact Aid Program.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. I thank the chairman for all his efforts and for a great bill. Mr. Chairman, we are going to spend over $342 billion on this bill. That is a lot of money in anybody's circles. I particularly appreciate the increase in impact aid for our school system, in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, North Carolina. It is very simple, the issue is trust. Mr. Chairman, I would say to my friends on the other side and my chairman, do we trust our parents and our citizens to spend their money more wisely, or do we trust government to take the money from our hard-working citizens and then let government make the decisions on how that money is going to be spent? I think our parents, our teachers, and our local citizens can do a better job using their money to make the choices on how to raise, educate, and empower their children. Again, I support the bill.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, for almost a decade now, this nation's defense budgets have continued to fall victim to the Clinton administration's cutting ax. We have gone from a budget in 1992 that exceeded $300 billion to a budget that in the mid-90's fell perilously low. This year, thanks to the vigilance of the Defense Appropriations chairman and his subcommittee, Congress will reverse the downward and misguided trend in our nation's defense spending. I applaud the chairman for his leadership and support his call to renew our commitment to the men and women who selflessly serve in the defense of our country. One of the things I didn't fully realize before coming to Congress is the true crisis in readiness that has taken shape in our military. When you look at the big picture, the problem is easy to understand: Over the last 10 years, our service branches have been forced into far more missions while receiving less and less dollars. Consider this: In the last 10 years, we have more than doubled our number of deployments. From 1950-1990 the United States deployed its troops 10 times. However, since 1990, we have deployed our troops over 30 times. We have been doing this with shrinking forces. In 1990 the U.S. military had 18 Army divisions, 546 Navy battle force ships and 36 fighter wings. Today, we have only 10 Army divisions, 346 Navy battle force ships and 20 fighter wings. That isn't surprising given the fact that our national investment in our Armed Forces went down sharply. From 1986-1997, defense spending declined by $150 billion. This isn't right. Without true national security, we can't move forward and work for a stronger economy, better education or higher quality health care. If we continue to deprive the men and women who defend our country of the assets and resources they need to do their job, we will all ultimately pay the price. This year's defense appropriations bill continues the good work we began last year in what was called ``the year of the troops.'' I look forward to returning to my district and telling the young soldiers and airmen at Ft. Bragg and Pope Air Force Base that our work last year was no fluke. That we are resolved to strengthen once again our Armed Forces and this year's appropriations represents another important step to ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources they need. I urge my colleagues not to forget a profound statement of President Calvin Coolidge, ``The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.''

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and pleasure to rise today to pay special tribute to an outstanding group of student- athletes from North Carolina's Eighth District. Last weekend, the Central Cabarrus High School Softball Team completed a truly amazing season by winning the North Carolina AAA Softball State Championship. ``Central Cabarrus set a record for dominance in a softball championship game'' wrote a local newspaper. The Viking won by a score of 14-0 over C.B. Aycock High School. This was the largest margin of victory in the history of NCHSAA Softball Championships. This capped off a perfect 28-0 season for the Vikings. The Tournament's most valuable player was sophomore pitcher Crystal Cox who threw a one- hitter and struck out 12 batters. The game was essentially decided in the first inning, finishing the inning with a score of 7-0. The game concluded after only 5 innings, by the 10-run mercy rule. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the 2000 North Carolina State 3-A Softball Champions, the Central Cabarrus High School Vikings. I would urge all of my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to this outstanding team.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the problem of cervical cancer for women in America and around the world. Cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Over a half million women in the world are affected annually by cervical cancer and, after breast cancer, it is the second most common malignancy found in women. Right here in the United States, more than 15,000 women are diagnosed each year with cervical cancer and more than a third of them die of this horrible disease. Cancers that affect women continue to spread while researchers struggle to find cures that many of these women may never see. Research has confirmed that the primary cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus, or HPV. In order to develop a vaccine, large quantities of HPV protein fragments are required. Until now, researchers have struggled with ways to mass produce this protein so a vaccine can then be mass-produced and distributed in order to prevent cervical cancer. Recently, it has become possible to biologically engineer tobacco plants to produce this protein. Through a joint project between North Carolina State University and Georgetown University, researchers will further study how to best produce this protein in order to develop this vitally important vaccine. In light of this, I am pleased that I could secure $3 million in order to fund this important project. It is my sincere hope that this research will result in millions of saved lives for generations to come.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the heroism of Mr. Frank McDuffie of Richmond County, North Carolina. Mr. McDuffie joined the Navy in 1935 at a time when America was trying to recover from the Great Depression and Europe was in turmoil. Even in 1940, the war raging in Europe seemed distant and surreal. Yet on that infamous day in early December, 1941, Mr. McDuffie experienced the dark reality of war. Serving as a machine gun operator and a cook aboard the USS Nevada, Mr. McDuffie was stationed below the water line of the ship as Japanese bombers shelled Pearl Harbor. As the United States was violently thrust into World War II, Mr. McDuffie peered through the ship's window to see the Rising Sun flying overhead and felt the bombs' vibrations rumbling through the Nevada. Tied to the USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma, the Nevada managed to cut loose while withstanding the onslaught of rapid machine gun fire and torpedo explosions. However, the damage to the ship was extensive enough that the ship had to run aground to avoid sinking at sea. Although the Nevada faired better than the Oklahoma and the Arizona, both of which sank due to extensive damage, she survived with a gaping hole. Nearly 60 years after that foreboding day in December, 1941, I stand today before you to honor Mr. Frank McDuffie. Mr. McDuffie is illustrative of the Greatest American Generation--a generation of ordinary men and women asked to do the extraordinary. He joined the Navy to defend the United States and its citizens, to protect the freedoms and liberties we deem natural and God-given. Men like Mr. McDuffie, ordinary citizens willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country, provided the foundation on which America grew to become a great nation of unsurpassed international leadership and influence. Veterans like Mr. McDuffie are genuine American heroes. Mr. McDuffie's experience is a reminder that this country was built on the sacrifices of the brave men and women who served in the military to protect our country and preserve our freedom.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for millions of Americans who were relieved to learn that no fatalities were suffered in the tragic accident that occurred in my hometown of Concord, NC this past weekend. As many of you know, a pedestrian bridge at the Lowe's Motor Speedway collapsed injuring 107 people last Saturday night after the NASCAR Winston stock car race. In time, I hope that investigators will determine the cause of the accident. Today, however, I want to recognize the men and women who provided emergency response to the accident and prevented what could have been a substantial loss of life. Unfortunately, two individuals remain in critical condition, and I know you will join me in praying for their swift recovery. But amazingly, the other 105 individuals treated for injury are in stable condition or have already been released from the hospital. Mr. Speaker, this kind of emergency medical response speaks volumes about the quality of our professionals who represent the EMS and law enforcement. Doctors, nurses and medics from the greater Charlotte area have not treated this many people from one serious accident in recent memory. And yet their rapid, on-site medical attention to the victims of this catastrophe demonstrated a superior degree of preparation and training. Most of our local medical facilities were represented in this miraculous effort. We in North Carolina owe a debt of gratitude to the fine staffs of Rowan Regional Medical Center, Carolinas Medical Center, the University Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital. In particular, Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize NorthEast Medical Center in Concord. It is my understanding that under the leadership of my friend Larry Hinsdale NorthEast's handling of this major emergency was flawless.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Combest) for his tireless and enthusiastic effort for our farmers from Lubbock, Texas and the gentleman from Ericksdahl, Texas (Mr. Stenholm), the ranking member. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in enthusiastic support of the first comprehensive crop insurance reform since 1994 as well as much needed economic assistance to our farmers, and it could not have come at a better time. Our Nation's farmers and ranchers are suffering from over 3 years of record-low commodity prices, drought, and many other natural disasters leading to financial stress. In North Carolina, USDA estimates an 18 percent drop in farm income this year for 1999 levels. In addition, our producers will continue to be greatly affected by increasing interest rates that make farm loans more and more expensive. I am happy to see that we have addressed these problems with disaster assistance also included in this bill. The $7.1 billion slated to be paid to producers will help to offset the financial difficulties they are going through. The reforms made to crop insurance will also aid our farmers. More than 2 years ago, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Ewing) joined me in Laurinburg in the North Carolina eighth district to work on this issue of crop insurance, and here we are today. It is a great day for farm community. The chairman and ranking member and all the staff worked so hard for years to produce this very, very effective bill. The bill increases premium subsidies in such a way to provide producers the incentive to buy higher levels of coverage and improve participation in the program. In addition, the bill provides incentives through the development of new and innovative insurance products so that we continue to provide our producers with the best tools possible. Fraud, waste, and abuse also addressed in the bill go a long way towards restoring integrity to the program. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Combest), chairman, and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), ranking member, and all involved for a wonderful bill. I encourage my colleagues' support.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to oppose this measure of permanent normal trade relations for the People's Republic of China. It does not represent a fair trade agreement for our Nation's textile workers. For the tens of thousands of textile employees in North Carolina's 8th Congressional District, this agreement continues down the road of trading away their jobs to cheap products. The end result of NAFTA, Africa/CBI, and now PNTR has been the continued erosion of one of our Nation's oldest industries. I believe in opening new markets for our products and I am supportive of encouraging a fair trade agreement with China. However, we cannot continue to benefit foreign industries at the expense of our textile workers. I am fully aware of the potential benefits of trade with China. However, it is wrong to ask the workers of the 8th District of North Carolina and across the country to make sacrifices for those abroad when so many are struggling to make ends meet right here at home. I invite my colleagues who believe PNTR is great for America to come to my district and see the real effects of so-called free trade. Mr. Speaker, oppose this measure.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to respond to a challenge issued in the other body, the Senate. Mr. Speaker, during the course of debate, the Democrat Senator from Iowa issued a challenge to Republican lawmakers. The Senator challenged any takers to a contest in trap shooting. He said, and I quote, I take a back seat to no one in being a legitimate hunter. I hunt every year. I've hunted since I've been a kid. I'll take on anyone over there in trap shooting. Mr. Speaker, the Congress and the Senate gathered on Monday to have a shoot-off. We had great competition. Conservation was the beneficiary. I gladly accept the senior Senator from Iowa's challenge and will be glad to meet him for a charity shoot-off event. I look forward to coordinating this with him.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very simple. I offer it to ensure that Section 3157 of the National Defense Authorization Act of FY'98 is consistent with Section 1211 of that same Act. In 1998, the Congress adopted to its defense authorization legislation provisions to establish export control thresholds for computer technology to tier III countries. We established those provisions in two places of the '98 legislation, Section 1211 and Section 3157. Since then, Congress has revisited Sec. 1211 and updated the threshold level to better reflect technological advancements. In modernizing the law, however, a slight oversight has been made. While Congress made adjustments to Section 1211 to raise export control thresholds, it did not make the same necessary adjustments to Section 3157. My amendment ensures the MTOP level (millions of theoretical operations per second) included in Section 1211 is consistent with the levels included in Section 3157. By no means do I intend to reopen the debate on MTOP levels and verification requirements. In fact, the gentlemen from California, the Chairman of the Rules Committee has ably engaged that very policy debate in this chamber today. Instead, I only wish to correct an inconsistency in our legislation that calls for two different standards.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I rise in opposition to this amendment. My friends on the left are headed in the wrong direction once again. Without national security, there can be no Social Security. We cannot afford to continue the slide in priorities of national defense. I will use the balance of my time to call attention to our chairman who has fought tirelessly throughout his career for the men and women who wear our uniform and protect our country. He has fought against the Clinton budget-cutting ax that has tried to decimate our military. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to vote against this amendment. Support our national security. Support our chairman for whom the title of this bill is properly dedicated. I rise to thank him for his tireless efforts on behalf of our men and women in uniform. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4205, the National Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2001. But first and foremost, I would like to recognize our Chairman, the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Spence, for whom this bill's title is dedicated. No one in this Congress cares more about our men and women in uniform than Mr. Spence. He has distinguished himself among his colleagues as a member who leaves politics at the water's edge when faced with issues important to our Armed Services. Chairman Spence, we and the millions of Americans who proudly serve our nation in the military are grateful to you. Mr. Chairman, I would also like to recognize our retiring colleagues on the Committee: Mr. Kasich, Mr. Pickett, Mr. Bateman, Mr. Fowler and Mr. Talent. I've enjoyed working with them and certainly wish them well. For almost a decade now, this nation's defense budgets have continued to fall victim to the Clinton Administration's cutting ax. We have gone from a budget in 1992 that exceeded $300 bullion to a budget that in the mid-90s fell perilously low. This year, the Armed Services Committee has put before this body a bill which reverses the downward and misguided trend in defense spending. We renew our commitment in the form of $310 billion to the men and women who selflessly serve in the defenses of our nation. We have continued this year the good work we began last year in what was called the year of the troop.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express the appreciation of the men and women who serve at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. The chairman and the ranking member have outlined the details of the bill which are very important, but I rise to say that these men, particularly my chairman, have spent the time in the field listening to the concerns and seeing firsthand what the needs are and they have responded enthusiastically and in a very effective way with this bill. I strongly support it and urge everyone to do the same.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, we have a responsibility to assist those school districts impacted by a Federal presence. The Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 2000 will help ensure school districts receive the support they need to provide children with the best possible education. These are thoughtful improvements to a very important law. I again thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his many years of service, his effort on this bill, and I strongly urge my colleagues to wholeheartedly support this legislation.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take up where the gentlewoman from New York left off. The gentleman from Pennsylvania has worked with enthusiasm, with determination and with tireless effort to move this bill forward. I would like to also thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), the ranking member of the subcommittee, again for his tireless effort and identify myself with the remarks of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards) and call to the attention of the body that this has been a bill supported strongly by Members on both sides of the aisle. This has been an example of Congress working together for our young people to give them opportunities and working at its best. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues, as have others, to support strongly this important piece of education legislation. In my Congressional district, impact aid is a crucial element of the basic financial support for schools in Cumberland, Robeson, Hoke, Richmond and Scotland Counties. Just as local taxes support other school districts, impact aid bridges the gap in counties where the Federal Government is a major landowner. In some cases, impact aid supplies a significant portion of school districts' operating budgets. For example, in Cumberland County, home of Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, over one-third of the school district's budget comes from impact aid and other Federal education programs. In fact, the Cumberland County School System receives the most impact aid of any system in North Carolina. Dr. Bill Harrison, superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, recently testified before Congress on the importance of impact aid. He did a great job of describing the real world ways by which our children are helped through impact aid. The Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 2000 builds on key improvements to the Impact Aid Program. The program was written so it would focus impact aid dollars on those school districts most heavily impacted by a Federal presence. These changes have proven extremely successful in getting funds to schools in greatest need of assistance, thus enabling them to improve the quality of education provided to students. This legislation will further improve the program and should lead to even stronger support among my colleagues for funding key needs in federally impacted school districts. As in my Congressional district, many of the children affected by this law are the children of members of the Armed Services. We need to make sure that the men and women who serve and put themselves in harm's way have peace of mind knowing that their children will receive a quality education. As one of the over 150 members of the Impact Aid Coalition, one of the largest bipartisan coalitions in Congress, we have worked together to support our local school systems that provide support for military men and women and those citizens who are affected by Federal properties. This bill has the support of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, the association that represents over 1,600 school districts nationwide that will benefit from this legislation, and also the National Military Impacted Schools Association. I would like to submit their letters of support for the Record. Air Force Sergeants Association, Temple Hills, MD, February 28, 2000. Hon. Robin Hayes, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Hayes: On behalf of the 150,000 members of the Air Force Sergeants Association, I applaud you for introducing H.R. 3616, the ``Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 2000.'' Congratulations on the unanimous vote to bring H.R. 3616 out of the House Education & Workforce Committee to the floor of the House of Representatives. This unanimous vote is a great sign of your leadership and the commitment that committee members have to the children of our military men and women. Your leadership in developing this legislation to reauthorize Impact Aid will benefit thousands of children and school districts. Thank you again for sponsoring the ``Impact Aid Reauthorization Act of 2000.'' As always we are ready to support you on this and other matters of mutual concerns. Sincerely, James D. Staton, Executive Director.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize National Nursing Home Week and pay tribute to the health care professionals who work in nursing homes across the country. The average life span of Americans has extended over 10 years in the past century due to advancements in health care and our increased knowledge of our own well being. With more Americans living longer, our society is having to meet the needs of caring for our older citizens. Thousands of hardworking men and women are looking for affordable, quality health care for their older friends and relatives who need additional medical attention. Nursing homes provide stable and caring environments for seniors to receive the medical attention they may need, while maintaining a community feel. The unsung heroes of this profession are the people that work in nursing homes. These tireless dedicated professionals and volunteers form a network of caring support in our Nation's vast health care system and deserve special recognition. There is one specific nursing home in my district in North Carolina, Five Oaks Nursing Home in Concord, whose nursing staff is exceptional in their care for Five Oaks residents. We in Congress need to fundamentally change the way health care for senior citizens is administered. Medicare, as it is structured now, will not support the millions of baby boomers who will be in need of nursing home services in the 21st century. I will continue who work for a Medicare system that will support our health care providers and will not compromise the quality of care for our seniors. I'd like to voice my appreciation for the nursing home care givers in North Carolina and across the nation for their continued efforts to improve the quality of life for all Americans.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Trade and Development Act of 2000. This bill will imperil the livelihood of thousands of U.S. textile workers. I support policies and appreciate what is attempting to be done here today, to expand trade and open new markets for our goods. But this bill will not be considered fair. NAFTA and other free-trade measures were pitched to us as something good for the textile industry. Last year alone, the domestic textile apparel industry lost over 180,000 jobs. This agreement represents the willingness to trade away American textile jobs for cheap goods. It creates the opportunity for massive customs fraud, turning sub-Saharan Africa into a transshipment superhighway. Customs personnel are not equipped to enforce existing rules, and there is no reason to believe that Customs has the resources to endorse the provisions in the agreement. The agreement provides quota- and duty-free access to imports from Africa and the Caribbean. Combine this with the fact that our textile industry faced record imports last year, and we can see that our industry will be further crippled by imports. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues look closely at this bill and vote for our workers and not for others.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).

Mr. HAYES. 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 282, now under consideration.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 282) declaring the ``Person of the Century'' for the 20th century to have been the American G.I., as amended.

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

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a part of the honor of serving North Carolina's 8th district in the U.S. Congress, I represent Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. I am continually impressed and made proud by their dedication, commitment, and patriotism. We are just turning the corner on a period in which we ask the American G.I. to do more and more with less and less. As I have gotten to know these brave men and women, one statement continues to ring in my ears, the statement made during a military personnel hearing at the Norfolk Naval Base was, ``Sir, whatever you give us, we will get the job done.'' The spirit of the American G.I., soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine, that ``can do spirit,'' is why we honor today the American G.I. as the Citizen of the Century. To help make clear why we honor these men and women, let me quote Stephen Ambrose, author of Citizen Soldiers. ``American soldiers fought hard to win the war, but strove every step of the way to create peace.'' My friend and colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), said in a hearing held before the Committee on Armed Services that this should be the Year of the Troop. I could not agree more. And it is in that same spirit that I offer this resolution honoring the American G.I. as the Citizen of the Century. Quoting Stephen Ambrose again, ``At the core, the American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn't want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought and won. And we, all of us living and yet to be born, must be forever profoundly grateful.'' We are grateful but must never forget what has been done for us, the Nation and the world, by the American citizen soldier known affectionately as the American G.I. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.