Rush Holt

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, we have a responsibility to them to ensure that every public school and every teacher is able to help all of our school children reach their full potential. Over 35 years ago, Congress passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to help improve our public schools. With its main focus on improving the educational opportunities for disadvantaged children, ESEA established bold new goals for schools to prepare children, no matter what their background, to succeed in this world by mastering the basics and reaching high standards of achievement. Our schools are facing new and different challenges. We have an increasingly diverse and growing student population. We are facing a massive teacher shortage. In fact, over the next ten years, we will need to recruit and hire 2.2 million teachers just to keep up with the attrition of our teaching force. We made great stride toward meeting these challenges with the passage of H.R. 1. Today we have opportunity to go further buy encouraging student to go into the important field of teaching through loan forgiveness. The loan forgiveness program--which began in 1998 and provides up to $5,000 in student loan relief--helps ensure that disadvantaged students are taught by high quality professionals. This program must be extended to reflect the true cost of college. This bill will increase loan forgiveness to $17,500 for Special Education, Math and Science teachers. I am pleased the majority accepted my amendment to add Math and Science teachers as a priority to the bill. Forty-three percent of math teachers in high poverty schools have neither majored nor minored in math related fields, compared to 27 in low poverty school. Over the next 10 years, large numbers of teachers will retire, leaving American classrooms with a serious teacher shortage, especially rural and inner city schools that already face one. By encouraging students to become math, science and special education teachers we can address this inequity. As recent reports by the National Assessment Education Progress (NAEP) on November 21, 2001 and the Organization for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) on December 4, 2001 have indicated, American students are severely under-performing in math and science. According to the NAEP study, 82 per cent of high school seniors were less than proficient in science last year, while OECD reports that only four out of the 28 countries OECD tested performed worse than American students in science and five in math. Given new challenges to our homeland defense, I think it should be obvious that having weak math and science education is not in our national interest. If we given short shrift to math and science education, how will future generations of Americans develop the vaccines to fight biological terror or the defense technology to track down and eliminate terrorists and other threats? While this bill does not provide mandatory funding for teacher loan forgiveness, as I would have preferred it is a step in the right direction and I ask my colleagues to support it.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, citizens across central New Jersey and the Nation will pause on National POW/MIA Recognition Day to reflect on the heroism of the thousands of Americans who endured the hardship of enemy confinement, and those who are missing and whose fate remains unknown. I'm proud to join them in observing this important and solemn occasion and to say thanks to those who have made this sacrifice. Especially now, at this difficult time in our nation's history, we must remember, that for some brave families, especially the families of our missing, the war is never over. Many of us have read recently about the questions of the fate of one of our service people from the Gulf War, Navy Pilot Scott Speicher. For his family and others this day is especially important. While our government is still making every effort to account for our soldiers, there are still 88,000 of our fellow citizens are missing in action from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War and the Vietnam War. As a nation, we must do all that we can to continue to honor them and to account for them. In central New Jersey, and the country, offices, schools and businesses will fly the POW/MIA flag. It will fly at national and military cemeteries and here, in the Capitol Rotunda, the most honored place in this historic seat of our government. This nation has not forgotten its obligation to former POWs and those who are still missing in action. As people gather today for patriotic ceremonies and speeches to commemorate our POW/MIA's, America's commitment to them remains strong. I hope my colleagues will join me in marking National POW/MIA recognition day.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in supporting H. Res. 523, recognizing the contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for bringing this forward because it is a good recognition of the thousands of young Americans who have received quality education at the more than 100 HBCUs around the country, a long and distinguished history that we recognize here today. The HBCUs have created higher educational opportunities where none existed and launched the careers of millions of scientists, doctors, teachers, educators, and lawyers. HBCUs are responsible for a full 40 percent of African American college graduates. So these are schools that are important for not just a subgroup, and they are of far more than historical importance. They are critical for our society's and our economy's functioning today. Historically Black Colleges and Universities have produced the majority of black professionals in the Nation, and the adoption of this resolution will affirm the United States' support of these institutions and critical contributions that their alumni make to our society. But it is worth pointing out that we must go beyond empty words of praise. We must, this year, work to restore the purchasing power of Pell grants. We must increase the supplemental equal opportunity grants by really several hundred million dollars if we are truly going to pay respect to and help the HBCUs. We should be increasing Federal work study by several hundred million dollars. We should keep and, in fact, enhance the program leveraging educational assistance partnerships to help with State scholarships. I cannot fail to point out that although we do not know what will be in the appropriations bill coming up, we do know what the President has requested and what the Committee on Appropriations is working with and that is what would for HBCUs be, in effect, a cut in Federal funding. Yes, it is a small increase, but it is not an increase that keeps up with inflation. So I ask my colleagues to support H. Res. 523, recognizing the contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I praise the dedicated work of the teachers and administrators of these schools. But I ask my colleagues to go beyond words of praise and provide real resources to allow HBCUs to achieve their promise and to allow the students of these colleges and universities to achieve their promise.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with you an article written by Sarah Van Auken, 13 year-old daughter of World Trade Center victim Kenneth Van Auken. It was published last week in her local newspaper, and it presents a straightforward account of how the nightmare of September 11 unfolded before the eyes of a young person who found herself thrust suddenly onto the front lines of a war she didn't even know was taking place. It shows us not just how deeply painful and terrifying it is for a child to lose a parent, but also how this young women's own feelings of fear, confusion and uncertainty as the day unfolded were magnified by that fact that she saw just the same feelings among the adults around her. Sarah Van Auken's life since that day became a swirling tapestry of endless tears, helpless longing for her father, and newfound celebrity born of the worst set of circumstances she could possibly have imagined. Out of her pain, she wrote a song in honor and memory of her father. The song paints a picture that perhaps we all might see ourselves within. A picture of a person, standing, quietly, waiting, listening for the faintest sound on the wind of the guiding hand that will come back and show us show how to get through this, the guiding hand that we can grasp so that we'll find ourselves together again, safely, home. This has been a year of deep searching and painful discovery for us all, and I would like to share Sarah Van Auken's account of it with you. This past year has been very hard for me. You see, my father, Kenneth Van Auken, was in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. No, he did not escape--but he did leave a message saying, ``I love you. I'm in the World Trade Center. The building was hit by something. I don't know if I'm going to get out but I love you very much. I--I hope I'll see you later. Bye.'' That was the single most horrible thing I had ever heard in my life. He was trying to stay calm for us-- trying to let his last words be ``I love you.'' Somehow, I wish I could go back in time and erase all that happened. Maybe even stop him from going to work. I wish I could have one last goodbye. But I guess it's too much to ask. You're most likely wondering how I found out. Well, I was having a regular day at school. You know, boring--yet I was with my friends. Anyway, I was in study hall minding my own business when someone yelled out, ``Is it true that a plane crashed into the World Trade Center?'' Knowing my dad worked there, I wrote a note to my friend next to me saying, ``If that's true, my dad would be dead!'' I didn't believe what he said because the teacher acted like nothing happened. Also, I wouldn't trust that kid. So as the day went on, I felt weird. You know like when you know that something is wrong, but you really don't think about it? At eighth period, around 1:30 p.m., an announcement came on saying there is a ``little accident'' in New York--and if we get home and one of our parents are not there, we should not worry. If you get scared, we should call 911 or talk to the police. That's when I got scared. When I was walking down the hallway, I almost started crying, but held back my tears. When I got in the car to go home, my neighbor who drives me tried to get one of my classmates to stop talking about the announcement. She was obviously trying to stay away from the subject. Then, when we got to that boy's house, his dad started talking about it. He didn't say what happened, but gave me a weird look. I got home and saw my grandparents' car. I knew they weren't supposed to be there. I saw my mom with a tear stained face, and I ran up to her and she didn't have to tell me. I just cried. From that day on, nothing has been the same. Nobody has treated me the same. Nobody wanted to talk about it--yet they couldn't help asking me questions about what had happened, and how I was doing. When I knew for sure, after three days, that my father was dead, I cried harder than I have ever cried in my life. My father, my superman, was dead. We had a memorial, and went on ``Oprah.'' I wouldn't eat. I couldn't sleep in my own bed. I would cry about the smallest things. I was wearing one of his shirts, to feel close to him. I was looking at family pictures, Of course, I was still crying. I couldn't figure out what would make me stop being so depressed and irritable. I had to get it out. I wanted to scream, run, jump--but I couldn't. I just didn't have the strength. I cried too much. So, I did what I usually did to get out my feelings: I wrote a song. I sang it to my mom and she called my godmother, who called her brother in-law, who told me to record myself singing and send it to him. Exactly a month after Sept. 11, I recorded it in a studio. The song titled ``Daddy's Little Girl'' was on a local radio station twice, once in California and on ``Larry King Weekend.'' I always wanted publicity because I wanted to be famous--but not this way. Today I am still crying, when nobody's around. I think about what happened constantly, but can't really talk about it. And though I may sound selfish, somehow I think nobody knows how I really feel. My life is turned upside down. The things I used to do I either can't do anymore, or I've lost interest, or they seem so much harder. I'm trying to ``move on,'' but I don't want to. My mind has accepted that he's dead, but my heart hasn't. And somehow, I don't think my heart will. Because I'll never stop crying, not in a million years. Sometimes, it will hit me that he's gone forever--that he's never coming home. I recently had a Bat Mitzvah. It was very hard, just like the 11th of every month is hard, and Father's day, my mom's birthday, my brother's birthday, my birthday, my dad's birthday, and most of all next week's Sept. 11 anniversary. I know most of the teens that are reading this might often think about what it would be like if you lost a parent. I used to wonder, too. Except now I don't wonder, I know. Daddy's Little Girl (By Sarah Van Auken) Standing-daddy's little girl (just); Standing (yeah)-daddy's little girl . . . I wonder, wonder through the trees, blow the wind, blow the wind to me. Control, controlling my fears, somewhere, behind these tears. And may, maybe you'll appear, somehow whisper in my ear (my ear, my ear!)

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, Wednesday, September 11, 2002 marks the 1st anniversary of the heinous attack on the United States of America by terrorists. On Saturday, September 14, 2002, the Cranbury Lions Club will remember the heroic actions on September 11th of a Cranbury, New Jersey resident, Mr. Todd Beamer, with the dedication of a memorial in the township's Heritage Park. Mr. Beamer was aboard Flight 93 on September 11, 2001 when it was hijacked by terrorists and crashed in Western Pennsylvania. The memorial honors the uncommon service of Todd Beamer and his fellow Flight 93 passengers whose selfless act of courage saved countless lives and helped reunite our Country. It also provides a permanent symbol to underscore the invaluable role of all citizens in protecting our unalienable rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The Todd Beamer Memorial contains two symbols of strength, a boulder and an oak tree. On the boulder is a plaque that reads: ``Let's Roll'' These are the memorable words spoken by Todd Beamer, a Cranbury resident, who was aboard United Flight 93, when it was hijacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001, as he joined with his fellow passengers in a final act of resistance, sacrificing their lives to save countless others. A man described as ordinary to the world, extraordinary to his family, he shall forever be remembered for his uncommon act of bravery. This memorial celebrates the faith and heroism of Todd Beamer--husband, father, son, brother, friend, civilian--an American. Americans have read or heard about the heroic actions of Todd Beamer, and will always remember his simple, inspiring words: ``Let's Roll''. As we memorialize his actions and words, it is equally important that we reflect on the life of Todd Beamer. A native of Illinois, Mr. Beamer was born in Glen Ellyn, the middle child of David and Peggy Beamer, and spent his young adulthood in this suburb of Chicago. He was raised in a caring environment where value was placed on family, hard work, strength of character, and faith in God. In high school, he starred in soccer, basketball and baseball, serving as a team captain. Mr. Beamer continued to excel in athletics at Wheaton College where he earned a degree in business in 1991. He was later awarded an MBA from DePaul University. In 1993, Mr. Beamer married Lisa Brosious, and they moved to Central New Jersey, soon settling in Cranbury to start their family. His prior success in athletics and academics was mirrored in his professional pursuits on behalf of Oracle Corporation. Mr. Beamer's faith and commitment to his church was always evident. He was a member of the Princeton Alliance Church in Plainsboro. He served as a Sunday school teacher, participated on the Church softball team, and mentored young adults. Admired and loved by family, friends, and colleagues, the legacy of Todd Beamer will be his unwavering commitment to serving God and his fellow man. On behalf of all Americans, we extend our deepest gratitude to Todd Beamer's parents, David and Peggy; his wife, Lisa; his three children, David, Drew, and Morgan; and his two sisters, Melissa and Michelle. Todd Beamer was a special man who made the supreme sacrifice for his country, and left a lasting mark on the people whom he touched. The Todd M. Beamer Foundation will ensure that his selfless act of giving to others in need continues in the future. He will be remembered by all.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with you excerpts from a story that World Trade Center victim David Scott Suarez wrote about two hiking trips he had taken several years apart, and a poem he wrote about climbing as a metaphor for life and for freedom. David writes about freedom, both in terms of the struggle to attain it and the unparalleled joy of having it. In a sense, David's story reminds us that freedom is not free. It requires hard work and undaunting perseverance. Freedom can only be attained when people work, together with others, exerting all of the collective strength of the unified group, to ascend its peak. One could interpret David's story to say that freedom is not even a choice, but rather a requirement for the realization of human potential, and that freedom should be our example to the world that we shout from the mountaintops. David's parents, Ted and Carol Suarez, have so far had his poem translated into over 90 languages, including three of the major languages spoken in Afghanistan. They offer their son's story and poem in hopes that they will show all of the people of the world how much they have in common, so that we will always choose to communicate with each other rather than fight, and so that their son's death and the death of so many others on September 11 will not have been in vain. The following are excerpts from ``Return to Freedom'', by David Suarez. My legs burned. My heart pounded. A bead of sweat ran down my forehead to the tip of my nose. I wiped it off with the back of my dirty arm just before it dripped to the ground. The air was cool and the wind grew fiercer the higher into the atmosphere we climbed. It froze sweat to my skin and blew my hair every which way, occasionally stinging my eyes. I looked up past Bob, who was directly in front of me, but I could not see our destination. The peak was covered in clouds. . . . Hail pelted my raincoat. The trail we'd been hiking quickly turned to a swiftly flowing stream. The sky lit up. Thunder cracked simultaneously. I began to hear the slow cracking of, not thunder but wood. We all turned abruptly. A tree fell across the path 50 yards behind us, its top shattered and smoking. Only nine miles to go, but the weather showed no signs of letting up. At night we were going to make camp on top of Mount Philip at 11,711 feet. . . . It was thirteen miles away and a strenuous climb from where we broke camp in the morning. Unfortunately, that day was worse than any other had been. Like myself, the other guys in the expedition were pretty melancholy. . . . All I could think about was the 40 pound pack and the ice covered ground that kept me from moving forward with any sort of speed. . . . It continued to storm. I trudged on. Stepping one foot in front of the other. . . . If I'd had a choice I'd have stopped, but there was no choice. Stopping meant hypothermia, which was worse than walking. Hours later, we reached the top. My hands were red. The tips of my fingers were almost white; they were completely numb. The clouds were so thick I couldn't see more than a few feet ahead. Everyone else was in the same condition, some worse. . . . There were fourteen of us, only six were able to pitch tents. . . . We pitched one after another. I thought each one along the way would be my last. Finally we finished and everyone was safe. Then, miraculously, the moment our tent was ready for sleep the clouds blew away and the warm sun came out. . . . That was it, I was the last man standing. I was so excited I started to run to the peak. . . . I reached it minutes later. . . . I leaned back against the flagpole that stood higher than everything else. A smile of contentment crossed my face. I shut my eyes and fell asleep to the sound of the American Flag snapping in the wind. I was free. Three thousand miles and five years later I was feeling the same thing. Freedom, what a strong word it is. Millions of people had died in its name. Do people fully understand and appreciate this single word? Do I? A month earlier I sat out on the lawn under the shade of a tall oak attending my Asian philosophy class. After class I walked past a preacher yelling that all of my peers (and myself) were doomed to hell. I walked further and saw a stand with pictures of marijuana leaves all around, apparently fighting for its legality. I sat down and watched a couple walk past hand in hand and smiling. It was July 3. The impact of what was occurring before me hit me like a blow. I was living the dream that so many had died for. I belonged to a select group of people that could enjoy life as it should be enjoyed. In day to day life I often didn't realize that. . . . My mind and my talents marked the limits of were I could go. No one else dictated them. Those thoughts reentered my mind as I climbed to the top of Sugarbush Mountain in central Maine. Climbing became a metaphor for life. We were almost at the top and the wind was blowing fiercely. We had entered the clouds and couldn't see a thing. At one point I opened my jacket and leaned into the wind. It supported my weight for awhile. Together we reached the top. We raised our hands and screamed loudly for the world to hear. We'd conquered this mountain. Although the steep slopes tried to keep us down, they couldn't. Although our lives threatened to trap us in dull routine, we escaped. We were in charge of our destinies, only us. For a moment the clouds cleared. It seemed as if we could see the entire world at once. In silence we watched. We were free. You Are Free (By David S. Suarez) The air is cool, the sky is dark, your muscles relax, while nature's breath fills your lungs You have accomplished your tasks, felt the pain, and endured the pressure, a pressure so immense that you lived to escape You have climbed to the very peak of the mountain and now relax on a rock, high above the trees while others sleep You are enveloped by nature's beauty for just a moment you abandon your incarcerated body wholly relinquishing your ties to human nature and for only an instant, you become part of God you are free

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the selflessness, volunteering spirit and patriotism of Americans. One such American is Ground Zero Volunteer Suzan Vitti. On September 11, 2001, Suzan Vitti, a nursing student and trained emergency service volunteer, saw the attacks on the World Trade Center unfold on television, immediately put on her uniform and reported to the Kendall Park First Aid building in Central New Jersey. Although the shock and enormity of that tragedy might have overwhelmed and incapacitated some who beheld it that day, Suzan was determined to act. Almost the minute Suzan Vitti heard reports that food and emergency supplies were needed she began calling businesses to solicit donations. Within 48 hours of the attacks, she was on her way to Ground Zero in her own small car, so loaded down with baked goods from Entenmann's of Edison that she had to drive below the speed limit with her hazard lights flashing. She had a sign in the back window of her car that said ``Going to Ground Zero;'' eventually a police officer spotted her and gave her an escort to the site. From that day until recovery efforts were suspended at Ground Zero at the end of May, Suzan Vitti worked tirelessly and with no thought of her own health or safety to assist the emergency crews at Ground Zero. Food was being delivered to the site for the workers, but it was being dropped off several blocks from the site. The workers refused to leave their posts to feed themselves, so Suzan Vitti brought the food to them. She bandaged their wounds, put drops in their eyes to clear the dust, and distributed aspirin, gloves and goggles. When the winter months arrived, Suzan drove herself around the outskirts of the site in the middle of the night, seeking out the groups of New York City Police Officers hovered over fires they routinely lit in barrels to keep warm a their posts, delivering donuts, bagels, cakes, pies and cookies. Suzan Vitti became such a welcome sight at Ground Zero, that rescue and recovery personnel would announce her presence over the radio--``the Entenmann's Lady just entered the Zone!''--and waive her in with their flashlights. Reliably, two or three days a week from September to May, Suzan Vitti arrived at Ground Zero with donations of food, pastries, and medical supplies and distributed them as needed. For her efforts, she has received countless honors, including commendations and recognition from several units of the Police and Fire Departments of the City of New York, the Port Authority Police Department, emergency services providers, the Salvation Army and other relief organizations, the Department of Design and Construction, the Army National Guard, the Mayor of South Brunswick and the Governor of New Jersey. One of her most prized possessions is a sweatshirt, upon which she has pinned the more than 150 pieces of collar brass donated to her by grateful rescue and recovery personnel to whom she tended at Ground Zero. As to her volunteering spirit, Suzan has said, simply, ``I'm an American. It's my duty.'' It is an honor to represent Suzan Vitti in Congress. Once again, I rise to commend Suzan Vitti for her selfless and tireless efforts on behalf of the rescue and recovery personnel at Ground Zero and for her volunteering and patriotic spirit. I wish her much success in her future endeavors, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing her accomplishments.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I am both pleased and saddened to be in a position to present these remarks about Tony Hall. Pleased because I have had the opportunity to serve with Tony for the past four years, and pleased because I know he will do so much to help the hungry and the less fortunate in his new job; yet saddened because his guiding hand and steadfast effort on behalf of those less fortunate will be missed when he leaves Congress. Because Tony's reputation precedes him, Tony was one Member I was especially looking forward to knowing when I arrived in the House. Three times nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, Congressman Tony P. Hall has been the leading advocate in Congress for hunger relief programs and improving international human rights conditions. Over the last twenty-four years, there is not a single Member of this great body who has contributed more to those who cannot stand up for themselves. Without Tony here, we will all need to pull together to make sure that those less fortunate are not left behind. Tony has worked actively to improve human rights conditions around the world, especially in the Philippines, East Timor, Paraguay, South Korea, Romania, and the former Soviet Union. In 2000, he introduced legislation to stop importing ``conflict diamonds'' that are mined in regions of Sierra Leone under rebel control. In 1999, he was the leader in Congress calling for the United States to pay its back dues to the United Nations. Tony Hall's record on hunger issues is unparalleled in Congress. Tony was a founding member of the Select Committee on Hunger and served as its chairman from 1989 until it was abolished in 1993. He has been an outspoken advocate for fighting domestic and international hunger and he has initiated legislation enacted into law to fight hunger-related diseases in developing nations. He has visited numerous poverty- stricken and war-tom regions of the world. He was the sponsor of a successful 1990 emergency measure to assist state Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs and legislation to establish a clearinghouse to promote gleaning to provide poor people with food. Tony has worked to promote microenterprise to reduce joblessness. When the Hunger Committee was abolished, Tony fasted for three weeks to draw attention to the needs of hungry people in the United States and around the world. Rep. Hall was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998, 1999, and 2001 for his humanitarian and hunger-related work. For his hunger legislation and for his proposal for a Humanitarian Summit in the Horn of Africa, Mr. Hall and the Hunger Committee received the 1992 Silver World Food Day Medal from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Mr. Hall is a recipient of the United States Committee for UNICEF 1995 Children's Legislative Advocate Award, U.S. AID Presidential End Hunger Award, 1992 Oxfam America Partners Award, Bread for the World Distinguished Service Against Hunger Award, and NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. Despite the number of awards he has won, Tony Hall's impact can be felt not by the number of plaques and awards in his office, but by the number of men, women and children around the world who have seen their lives brightened, and their sense of hope renewed because of his actions. Tony was recently nominated by the President to serve as our ambassador to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the world's preeminent hunger fighting organization. While I am disappointed that I will no longer have the pleasure of serving with Tony in the U.S. House of Representatives, I am reassured by the fact that somebody of his talent and heart will be representing our Nation in an effort to fight hunger around the world.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I wish to engage in a colloquy with the gentleman from Texas, who is the majority leader, the gentleman from New York and the gentleman from Delaware. Mr. Chairman, I am troubled by reports indicating that due to financial pressures, Amtrak has been forced to make drastic reductions in the security personnel that patrol the Trenton Train Station, Penn Station in New York City, 30th Street Station in Philadelphia and others. According to recent media accounts in Trenton, New Jersey, the staff reductions are so severe that they are now time when no officers are on patrol. This lack of security personnel not only compromises security but the safety of passengers. A strong railroad security is an essential part of a strong homeland security, and I hope that the gentleman from Texas will make certain that the commitment to rail security, particularly Amtrak police officers, is not reduced. I am currently working with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) on a letter to the Committee on Appropriations to ask that they address this important issue in their transportation appropriations bill, and I hope that we can address it in this legislation as well.

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

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his remarks.

Mr. HOLT. I yield to the gentleman from Delaware.

Mr. HOLT. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his comments.

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his comments and my colleagues. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to strike the last word.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, today we have an opportunity to take an important step for the security of our Nation to establish an independent, and I want to emphasize that, bipartisan, and I want to emphasize that, commission, external commission that will determine where our defense and intelligence systems failed on September 11, so that we can prevent future tragedies and we can say with assurance that there were defense and intelligence system failures on September 11, and in order to identify those, we need help, for people to step back and look at it. There is a place for the kinds of studies that the committee has done. There is a place for internal evaluations in each of the Federal agencies involved, but with the Roemer amendment, we would establish an independent commission consisting of, say, 10 Members, appointed in a bipartisan way, and the commission would report its findings and conclusions in a way that would earn the trust of the American public; and believe me, we need to do that if we are going to come up with conclusions that will be useful to America in preventing future calamities. Some would say that investigations will be used to play politics, but this amendment is not about politics. This independent commission is about fact finding, not fault finding. We need to look at our government's weaknesses and correct them. It is our duty as legislators. A few weeks ago, I joined a group of central New Jerseyians, principally widows and surviving family members of those who were killed in the attack on the World Trade Center. I joined them at a rally here in Washington where they were calling for just this kind of commission, and I would say any of my colleagues who spoke with those family members that day or since would understand why passing this amendment is so important. Our government leaders from the White House keep telling the public that another terrorist attack is inevitable. It is not a question of whether, but when, they say. Well, another attack would be inevitable only if we do not learn from our previous mistakes, if we do not fully examine what went wrong prior to September 11, 2001. I urge my colleagues to pass this amendment.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues in support of this legislation to establish a memorial for the brave men and women of Flight 93, who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11. All Americans should honor these brave Americans. And this legislation is one important way to see that all Americans remember their tremendous courage and sacrifice. Earlier this year, I carried through legislation to honor one Flight 93 hero, Todd Beamer, of Cranbury New Jersey, in my district. The band of passengers on Flight 93 who fought the hijackers, saved hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives that would have been taken if that plane reached the hijackers' intended target. And it is worth nothing that none of those people whose lives were saved know who they are. They will never know. But all Americans can be grateful. The memory of the people on board Flight 93 reminds us that this is not the last time that America will need heroes. The survival of American ideals depends day in and day out on ordinary Americans stepping out of their ordinary lives to do extraordinary things, courageous things. It is appropriate, I think, that people will be able to find inspiration as they look at this memorial and pause for a moment to reflect on the essence of America, what we can extract from these American's heroism. While we are designating a memorial to these passengers, they have left their own lasting memorial for us all, by their example. I take great pride in joining with my colleagues in supporting this important bill.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join with my colleagues in support of this legislation to honor Corrine ``Lindy'' Boggs for her years of service to the House and to the nation. We in central New Jersey have a close relationship with the Boggs family that many of my colleagues may not know about and we have a special affection for Lindy Boggs who has spent so much time in our area. In 1983, Princeton elected as mayor Barbara Boggs Sigmund, Rep. Bogg's daughter. Barbara Boggs Sigmund was a Southern belle whose charm and grace and style and courage made her one of the most beloved politicians of modern New Jersey history. Lindy Boggs often has listed ``mother'' as one of her accomplishments--with offspring like Barbara, Cokie and Tom it's no wonder. Barbara Boggs Sigmund played in the halls of Congress as a child, worked as a letter writer for President John F. Kennedy and danced with President Lyndon Johnson at her wedding. She is remembered for working up to the final day of an 8-year battle with the cancer that took her life at age 51 in 1990. In 1972 Sigmund launched her political career with a winning campaign for a seat on the Princeton Borough council. In three years she was a Mercer County freeholder as we call county councilors in New Jersey. As a council member she convinced New Jersey government to ``Save the Dinky,'' the single-car train that links the Borough to the Princeton Junction station a mile outside town. She has also established Womanspace, a shelter for battered women. Later as Mayor, she joined with Mercer County Executive Bill Mathesius, a Republican, to promote ``smart growth'' in New Jersey. Barbara was reelected, and entered the Democratic gubernatorial primary in 1989. ``Barbara had a blend of personal charm and chutzpah that nobody could stop,'' a former colleague said after Sigmund's death. She was a omen in the mold of her colleague Lindy. Barbara Boggs Sigmund, like her distinguished parents, made public service their calling. We in central New Jersey are better for the commitment of Lindy Boggs and her entire family. I join with my colleagues in honoring these distinguished Americans.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, since September 11, Congress has been considering many issues related to terrorism and homeland security: detection of biological and chemical agents, development of new vaccines and therapeutic drugs, aviation security, biometric technologies for border security, communications systems for the public health system, the psychological effects of terrorism, and cybersecurity. I ask Members, particularly on the Republican side, do they feel confident in their ability to analyze these technical issues? Can they name anyone on their staff, on their committee staff or personal staff, who is capable of analyzing these issues? I can tell Members, the answer for these technical issues and other technical issues in transportation, health care, agriculture, energy is no. Congress used to have scientific expertise at its disposal. The Office of Technology Assessment was established in 1972 because lawmakers recognized a need for the legislative branch to have its own source of technical analysis. The OTA was defunded in 1995. During its existence, the OTA provided Congress with unbiased technical analysis. In analyzing technical issues, OTA adopted an interdisciplinary approach. It resulted in reports that were excellent and are still regarded as excellent. And to ensure a balanced approach, a bipartisan 12-member technology assessment board comprised of six House and six Senate members, both Republicans and Democrats equally represented, governed the OTA. The OTA should not have been abolished, but we can debate that. But no, we cannot debate that because this rule does not allow it. In 1995, Congress voted to dissolve the OTA in a misguided attempt to institute government reform. I presented to the Committee on Rules yesterday a very clean amendment. Members will not find a cleaner amendment. This amendment would have provided $4 million to refund the OTA, which is still authorized. There would be no legislating done here in the appropriations bill. The $4 million would be taken without an offset against any other program, nobody's ox is gored, except perhaps the memory of a former Speaker of the House. But no. This clean amendment was not ruled in order. The Office of Technology Assessment could be revived, but because Republicans since 1995 have been denying this body unbiased technical analysis, they would rather depend on biased sources for their scientific advice. Mr. Speaker, this should not have happened. The Republican leadership certainly has given up any claim to want to have informed decisions on technical issues here in this Congress. This was an appropriate amendment, a simple amendment. It could have been debated. Perhaps they would like to defend their abolition of the Office of Technology Assessment in 1995. Fine. Let us have that discussion. But do not pretend that you have here on Capitol Hill at your disposal the technical analysis to deal with biological and chemical agents, vaccines, aviation security, biometrics, public health communication and so forth. Mr. Speaker, I will vote against the rule for this reason and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I was absent from the House on July 9 because of a personal emergency, a house fire, and was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall votes 285, 286 and 287. Also, Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote for rollcall vote 311. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall No. 311.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, as a Member of the National Parks Subcommittee in Congress, I have made the protection of our National Parks one of my priorities in Congress. Our National Parks are our national treasures, and belong to each and every American. Each year millions of American families enjoy the fresh air, natural splendor, and diverse wildlife of our National Parks. If we are to preserve our Parks for future generations, however, we must invest the resources necessary for their continued preservation and maintenance. Due to a lack of funds, many of our parks suffer from inadequate sewer systems, poor and deteriorating facilities, and an insufficient number of park rangers. In addition to damaging the parks themselves, these conditions detract from the experience that visitors take away with them. Yellowstone National Park, the world's first National Park and one of my favorites, is representative of this problem. Created to preserve its unique geothermal features, Yellowstone currently lacks a geologist on staff to monitor and protect the park's geysers and ``underground plumbing.'' Yellowstone, and the rest of or nation's treasures, deserve better. Earlier this year I joined 83 of my colleagues urging a significantly higher increase for the operations of the National Parks than provided in the bill we are debating today. But, given the funding constraints placed on the Committee, this bill takes a big step in the right direction to address the significant operating shortfalls facing our nation's parks. Because of this I would like to applaud the efforts of the committee. As the bill moves to Conference, it is critical that at a minimum, we hold the line on funding provided in this bill, and even do better.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Slaughter-Dicks amendment to benefit the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The arts and the humanities enrich all of our lives; and as the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) has pointed out, the arts enrich not just our lives figuratively, they enrich us economically. They not only challenge us to think, they deepen our understanding of the world around us and help us to understand ourselves and each other. Not surprisingly, they help us in a number of other ways, in building spatial reasoning skills and improving performance in math and science in our children, language development and reading skills. The arts and humanities affect every American. In fact, they are central to being American. Our rights of speech and assembly have fueled works of art. I ask Members to look around this beautiful Capitol building. This symbol of our democracy is a work of art. The NEA provides tens of millions of dollars, along with State arts agencies for more than 7,000, almost 8,000, arts education programs in thousands of communities all over America, large and small towns. The NEA offers lifetime learning opportunities through a range of public programs. This budget-neutral amendment represents a small, but meaningful, increase for the arts and humanities. The arts give back to all of us many times over. This is not enough funding, but at least let us do this much.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize, honor, and thank our nation's fire, rescue, and police squads. These ``first responders'' represent our first line of defense--made all too clear on September 11, 2001 and since. And they continue to play an invaluable role in our daily lives, serving their local communities, protecting our families, and risking their lives for our safety. Much has been said about these valiant men and women. The President and my colleagues here in Congress understand the indispensable role that our local first responders will play in the defense of our nation. I can certainly speak of their intrepid actions. On the night of July 8, 2002, a fire damaged my home in New Jersey. My wife, daughter, and grandchildren were present at the time, when a smoke alarm roused them from their sleep. Members from the Lawrence, Lawrenceville, Pennington, and Union police, fire, and rescue squads quickly responded, ensuring the safety of my family. And members from Bucks County, Hunterdon County, Montgomery, Princeton and West Trenton backed up these departments by filling their vacancies and providing mutual support. I am fortunate that my family escaped without getting hurt, and I would like to thank the men and women serving on the Bucks County, Hunterdon County, Lawrence, Lawrenceville, Montgomery, Pennington, Princeton, Union, and West Trenton police, fire, and rescue squads for promptly responding to my family's 911 call and for containing the fire before it caused irreparable damage to my home. As legislation establishing a Department of Homeland Security takes shape, it is imperative that we include our first responders. Homeland Security is hometown security. These brave men and women continue to answer our calls everyday, and I share in the admiration and gratitude of all Americans in expressing my thanks for their service. All Americans could help these men and women by surveying their homes and offices for fire and other safety hazards--checking smoke detectors, escape plans, and escape routes. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, again, I rise to celebrate and honor these brave men and women. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing their local police, fire, and rescue squads.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I think Members understand that bills that come to the floor under suspension of the rules are intended to be noncontroversial, worked out, signed, sealed and ready for delivery. The bill that comes to us today is in fact not yet completed. Certainly it is not controversial that increased access to college education is more important than ever. But this bill needs more than just some tinkering or some perfecting attention. There is room for substantial improvement. We should be dealing with teacher loan forgiveness and addressing the shortage of special education teachers and we should be dealing with gender equity and vocational education and student loan relief for families of victims of September 11. We should be dealing with the policy of missing persons at universities and colleges. I was prevented from offering an amendment that would have fulfilled President Bush's goal of increasing the number of math, science and special education teachers in the classroom. We have not been able to complete work on this bill. The Committee on Education and the Workforce is very capable of bipartisan work. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), both sides of the committee, have worked together very well. The Leave No Child Behind bill is a product of that bipartisan work. I believe this bill should be sent back to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, marked up, and returned to the House floor in a bipartisan manner so we can increase access to colleges and universities for all of our students.