Rush Holt

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, we have to do more, I would say.

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, so this conditional basis means it would allow the BLM to protect this as well as they have protected it for the past 10 years?

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

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I would say the reason why this is so important that we defeat the Boehlert amendment is that there is 4 years during which great destruction could take place.

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, the BLM has tried to solve this for years; and it is partly out of frustration of their inability to do so that I am offering this amendment today. I would say that the point is not to codify past abuses but to put in place the protections that Americans want for this valuable resource.

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I do not believe that there is anything in the March directive that cannot be overridden by our legislation here today.

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I believe it is within the jurisdiction of this body to close. And I understand that they preceded this. But that is the point. We are trying to protect this region. And it does not mean that past abuses will be codified and accepted. It means that we want to preserve this area for the appreciation of today's and future generations of Americans.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Helen and Albert Levinson of Monroe Township, who will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this Friday. Together they have served on a wide variety of committees, held countless leadership positions in the community, and tirelessly advocated the importance of public service and ``giving back'' to the community. Both Helen and Albert Levinson were born in the United States. Both of their fathers emigrated from Eastern Europe, while their mothers were born in the United States. They met in Newark, NJ, and were married in 1940. Albert served his country during World War II by working in the Newark Shipyards. After the war, he opened Levinson's Furniture in Newark, and in 1968 entered a real estate business specializing in commercial real estate. Albert concluded his real estate career by joining forces with his two sons, Robert and Marc, in the form of Levinson Associates. Helen received a degree in teaching from Newark State Teachers College, and began teaching primary school while raising her two young boys. She eventually embarked on a new career in social services, specializing in pediatric casework. Albert and Helen moved to the Clearbrook Adult Community in Monroe Township in 1973, and Albert served as president of that community for 3 consecutive years. He was then asked to join the Township Council and was elected for a 4-year term. Today, both Albert and Helen remain active in their communities. At 83 years of age, Albert still comes to work daily, and is a commissioner of the Monroe Township Municipal Utility Authority. Albert and Helen have willingly given themselves to the community. As they plan to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary tomorrow, I urge my fellow representatives to join me in recognizing this exceptional couple.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Jamesburg Volunteer Fire Department's 100th anniversary. Over the last century, the members of this organization have made a tremendous contribution to their community by protecting their residents and assisting other local departments. On March 19, 1900, a special meeting was held at the Jamesburg Borough Hall to discuss fire protection in Jamesburg. At this time, the Borough had allocated $666 for fire protection. At this meeting, it was determined that there was a need to create a permanent organization to provide fire protection and prevention in the Borough of Jamesburg; The organization was named ``The Jamesburg Fire Protective Association.'' The next month, arrangements were made for the purchase of a Holloway Double Fifty Gallon Tank Chemical Engine for $1,440. Later that month, an organizational meeting was held, and 55 volunteers attended to offer their services. The name of the organization was changed to ``Jamesburg Fire Co. No. 1.'' The first fundraising event was held on May 15, 1900, and was a huge success, raising over $100. The same night as the organizational meeting, the company responded to its first call--a fire that destroyed a local barn. To summon the volunteers for a fire call, an alarm system was needed. The first was a flange of the rim from a locomotive wheel that was sounded by being stricken with a sledge hammer. This system proved inadequate and the company purchased a 1,100-pound bell in November of 1901. The alarm system was electrified in 1914 by placing an automatic striker in the bell. Starting in 1901, local youth were allowed to assist the department by carrying water in pails to the scene of the fire. These youths affectionately referred to as the bucket brigade. The tradition still exists today in the form of a Junior Membership Program that allows individuals between 16 and 18 years of age to join the department and learn the skills of firefighting in preparation for becoming certified firefighters. In 1982, the Borough of Jamesburg formed a fire district, allowing the department to receive some funding through a fire tax. Today, the Jamesburg Volunteer Fire Department is a completely volunteer staffed department that upholds the pride and tradition of their founders. In addition to providing fire protection in the borough, the department is contracted to respond to calls in Monroe Township and a stretch of the New Jersey Turnpike. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a group of very special young men and women from Central New Jersey. One of the most important duties of a Member of Congress, as well as one of the most enjoyable, is nominating students to the U.S. service academies. In an age when media portrayals of young people are increasingly negative, getting to know students through the nomination process is an important reminder of the patriotism, dedication, and excellence of America's youth. From a pool of over 60 students from my district who went through the rigorous and time-consuming process of applying for a congressional nomination, I am very proud to say that 14 young women and men from central New Jersey will be enrolling in America's service academies this year. They are the very best of an exceptional group, and I was proud to nominate them. Six young people from the area will be attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, and will be commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army. I would like to recognize Margaret Nenchek of Califon, Alan Van Saun of Titusville, Frank Aburto of Freehold, Michael Rapiejko of Princeton Junction, Thomas DiRienzo of Oakhurst, and Michael Lynch of Flemington. Five young people from central New Jersey will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, and will be commissioned as officers in the U.S. Navy. I would like to recognize Jason Mortimer of Lebanan, Adam Farber of Cranbury, Lily-Ann Thomas of Branchburg, Matthew Latyszonek of Kendall Park, and Frank McBride of Tinton Falls. Two young men from my district will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO, and will be commissioned as officers in the U.S. Air Force. I would like to recognize Keith Fitzpatrick of Princeton Junction and Kevin O'Reilly of East Brunswick. One young man from central New Jersey will be attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. I would like to recognize Frank Megna of Titusville. Mr. Speaker, I hope the House joins me in noting the accomplishments of these young men and women, and in wishing them the best of luck at the service academies and in their careers.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that so many observers have gotten it wrong. The China trade vote is not about protectionism versus free trade; it's not about business versus labor; it's not even about China haters versus China apologists. No, it is about a vision of world trade worthy of America in the 21st Century. It is about whether 21st century globalism will have any guiding principle or whether it will be an aimless trading frenzy. Proponents of Permanent Normal Trade Relations say that the deal reached with China will give China unprecedented access to American business, that American traders have given up nothing in the deal to gain concessions for China, that China will enter the World Trade Organization regardless of Congress' decision on PNTR, and that American industry must not let other countries gain advantages in a market of 1.3 billion potential customers. Proponents concede that China does have a poor record of abiding by trade agreements as well as a poor record with respect to worker's rights, human rights, and environmental protection, and then they say the situation can be rectified through the rule-based trade agreement and constructive engagement derived from that trade. They argue that trade has a liberalizing influence on society. The most frequent argument is that the internet will irrevocably open China. Engagement, they say, is preferable to isolationism. There are a few grains of truth in their arguments, but this agreement falls far short of what we need and so, this is not the right thing to do. I too am for engagement, real engagement. Proponents of PNTR say that the presence of thousands of American traders carrying checkbooks and adhering to American factory standards will unleash the altruistic intentions of a billion Chinese. Of course, that has not happened anywhere else in the world. Business in America did not by itself produce the social progress we extol. It did not happen in American factories; it did not happen in civil rights; it did not happen in environmental protection. In every case we had to re-enforce economic activity with rules of social behavior--in insuring collective bargaining, in opening public accommodations through civil rights legislation, and in outlawing pollution. Unfettered business did not do these things. We needed a system of rules. Even trade requires a system of rules. This whole debate is about whether to bring China into a rule-based trade regime. The great irony of all this is that proponents of PNTR insist on the need for rule-based trade agreements, backed up with sanctions, trade actions intended to induce good behavior on all sides. So, why do we need rule-based agreements in trade, but not in any other area we think is important? Real engagement extends beyond just trade, and it extends beyond China. Of course, trade is good, We in the United States are a more prosperous country because goods, services, and people can move freely among Oregon, Texas, New Jersey and the other states. Each state does not try to be self-sufficient. But such free trade works because it is fair trade. Although there is some competition between states, everyone can be confident that each state plays by nearly equal rules with regard to environment, workers' conditions, and product safety. Open trade requires expectations of fair standards of behavior. Trade in the 21st century will be, and must be, about more than how many widgets enter and leave a port. We do not want to insult an independent and proud sovereign nation. In order to accomplish the goals of our negotiations we should not alienate the other parties. But we must not give up on values. Some say workers rights are irrelevant, or human rights, or religious rights, or environmental protection. They are not irrelevant. The citizens in my district tell me these concerns are not irrelevant. To them the proponents say, these may be important, but trade will take care of them. This trickle-down is specious. It has not worked that way in the past. It has not worked that way elsewhere in the world. I cannot support this legislation to grant permanent normal trade relations because it fails to consider anything but trade. This is not ready for a vote. The administration should first put in place mechanisms to deal with these other things--in the trade agreement, in the WTO, in the ILO, in the World Bank. Worker's rights, environmental protection, and human rights are not irrelevant concerns. I do not expect full, immediate accomplishment of our goals in these difficult areas, but silence on these issues will not lead to progress. I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill before us today. I also emphasize to them and to the administration that after today's vote, whatever the outcome, we have much work to do to make sure we address these concerns.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise to join in the commendation of the people of Israel and the government of Israel for taking this important step. It is a courageous step to try to bring some order to the chaos that has been Lebanon. The prime minister of Israel and the government of Israel have taken a very methodical look at what it is going to take to bring peace to that part of the world, and it is clear that the chaos that has been Lebanon has to be brought to order. So the government of Israel, the prime minister of Israel, have unilaterally and courageously taken this step. We, as friends, deep friends of Israel, must lend our help; and we must call on Syria to follow with full withdrawal from Lebanon so that order can be restored to Lebanon. So I join my friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), and my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), and the others here today in commending Israel and urging our support, the support of the American people, as they try to bring peace to this part of the world, to the Middle East, which has been wracked with war for far too long. Through this courageous action, Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that they will have peace now on the northern border and that this will remove some of the difficulties that Syria has been putting in the way. So we here should lend our support and our commendation to Israel.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kleczka) for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, it is unfortunate that so many observers have gotten it wrong. The China trade vote is not about protectionism versus free trade. It is not about business versus labor. It is not even about China haters versus China apologists. No, it is a vision of the world trade worthy of America in the 21st century. It is about whether 21st century globalism will have any guiding principle or whether it will be an aimless trading frenzy with no consideration of workers' rights, of human rights, of religious rights, of environmental protection. Yes, it is about engagement. This whole debate is about whether to bring China into a rule-based trade regime. The great irony of all of this is that the proponents of PNTR insist on the need for rule-based trade agreements, backed up with sanctions. So, I ask, why do we need rule-based trade agreements in trade but we do not need rule-based agreements in any other area that we think is important? Real engagement extends beyond trade. Trade in the 21st century will be and must be about more than how many widgets enter and leave a port. A no vote is not a retreat. A no vote is a vote for engagement, if we have the wisdom to have real engagement. I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Amy Mansue, who is being honored by Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey on Tuesday, May 23, 2000. Ms. Mansue will receive Planned Parenthood's Fred Forrest Community Service Award. This award recognizes people who view their passion for Planned Parenthood in the context of a fundamental commitment to improving their community in many ways. Amy Mansue has served as a Policy Advisor in the Governor's Office of Management and Policy on health, human services and women's issues. Also, she served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, where she oversaw the Divisions of Youth and Family Services, Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health and Hospitals, Medical Assistance and Health Services, and the Office of Education. Currently, Ms. Mansue is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Business Development of HIP Plans. Prior to this she served as President and CEO of HIP Plan of New Jersey, a not-for-profit health plan. Amy Mansue's commitment to her community is evident by the multitude of boards she has served on, including St. David's Vestry, the University of Alabama School of Social Work Advisory Committee, PAM's List, New Jersey Center for Public Analysis, and the New Jersey Community Development Corporation. Ms. Mansue's peers have recognized her efforts through the years. She has been honored for her achievements by the New Jersey National Association of Social Workers as Social Worker of the Year, Modern Health Care's 1998 Up and Coming Healthcare Executive, the United Cerebral Palsy Association's Boggs Award and the New Jersey State Nurses Association's President's Award. Mr. Speaker, the dedication of Amy Mansue serves as an excellent example to the citizens of New Jersey. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Amy Mansue.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Susan Wilson of Princeton, who is being honored by Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey on Tuesday, May 23, 2000. Ms. Wilson will receive Planned Parenthood's Vivian Aaron Leadership Award. This award, created by the children of Vivian Aaron, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership within their community in the areas of education and family communication. Susan Wilson served on the New Jersey State Board of Education from 1977 to 1982. It was there that she championed the effort to establish a statewide mandate for family education in all New Jersey schools. Since 1983, Ms. Wilson has served as the executive coordinator for the Network for Family Life Education at Rutgers University's School of Social Work. In her present capacity she has become a leader in the fight for effective family life/sexuality education and prevention of adolescent pregnancy. In 1998, Susan Wilson received the Richard J. Cross Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Field of Human Sexuality from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. In past years, she has also been the recipient of a Children's Defense Fund Leadership Award and a New Jersey Woman of Achievement Award from Douglas College. Susan Wilson is a great asset to Central New Jersey. I urge all my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Susan Wilson's dedication to her community.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the accomplishments of Raymond P. Farley and his contributions to central New Jersey. Over the course of the last thirty-six years, Mr. Farley has worked as a teacher, district supervisor, principal, adjunct college professor, and superintendent. Mr. Farley has been the Superintendent of the Hunterdon Central Regional High School District since 1990. During his tenure, Hunterdon Central Regional has won a state record three ``New Jersey Star School Awards`` and nine ``New Jersey Best Practices Awards.'' It was the first ever Malcolm Baldrige Finalist in Education, and it received the Governor's Award for Performance Excellence. Mr. Farley himself was honored as an Earl Murphy Outstanding Educator/Administrator for 1994. A constant theme in the accomplishments of Mr. Farley is technology. Hunterdon Central Regional High School has been deemed ``One of America's Top 100 Wired High Schools'' by Family PC magazine. Hunterdon Central Regional has also won the National School Boards Association's ``Technology Leadership Award.'' The Courier News, in its ``1997 People to Watch,'' remarked, ``Hunterdon Central Regional High School Superintendent Raymond Farley revamped the school to make it the most technologically advanced public school in the state.'' Industry is also aware of the accomplishments of Mr. Farley. The President and CEO of Bellcore has said, ``Ray is one of our state's leaders in educational telecommunications.'' Mr. Farley has not limited his hard work to the halls of the Hunterdon Central Regional High School District. He has traveled as far away as Singapore, and here to the Capitol to lecture about school reform. Throughout his career, Mr. Farley has worked to spread his talents across many geographic and political boundaries. Mr. Farley has also found time to share his talents with the community. To name a few, Mr. Farley has served on the Board of Directors of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, and is on the Board of Regents of St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey. Mr. Raymond P. Farley has demonstrated dedication to his goals and to the community. Friends, colleagues, and family of Mr. Farley are honoring his exemplary career this week. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Farley's accomplishments.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend John T. Kielb, pastor of the Church of the Precious Blood in Monmouth Beach, on the 25th Anniversary of his ordination. Father Kielb is a native of Bayonne, New Jersey, where the seeds of his vocation were sown as an Altar server at Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church. Father Kielb began his journey at Seton Hall University's Divinity Program, where he remained for two years until he was assigned by the Diocese of Trenton to serve his remaining two years at St. Vincent's Seminary. He graduated in 1974 with a Masters of Divinity Degree and was ordained a Deacon later that year. He spent the following year working in a Pennsylvania parish. On May 17, 1975, Father Kielb was ordained a Priest at St. Mary's Cathedral in Trenton. Father Kielb's first assignment was to the Sacred Heart Church of South Amboy. Subsequently, he was assigned to St. Robert Ballarmine, in Freehold; St. Gabriels, in Marlboro; and Our Lady of Sorrows, in Mercerville. On September 1, 1989, he was named the pastor at the Church of the Precious Blood in Monmouth Beach, where he has served ever since. Father Kielb is a great asset to Central New Jersey. I urge all my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Father Kielb and his accomplishments.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule. I speak on one aspect of the bill and the rule, and, although it is only one aspect, I think it is a serious enough problem that it warrants the rejection of the rule. The Comprehensive Budget Process Reform Act, H.R. 853, contains serious problems that I think could actually weaken Congress' ability to budget. Unfortunately, the rule before us today does nothing to improve this flawed bill. Last week I proposed an amendment before the Committee on Rules to address one section of the legislation that is particularly troubling, the section that calls for Federal mandatory spending programs to be sunsetted. Others have addressed this problem today. If this language becomes law, important benefits that our constituents rely on, Medicare, veterans' benefits, student loans, will lose their permanence and their existence will be made subject to the whims of future Congresses. My amendment would have exempted the Federal student loan programs from these provisions. Unfortunately, the amendment was not made in order. Now, many of us would like to see improvements in the budget process. I sit on the Committee on the Budget and I can imagine some improvements we should make. But I do not believe a majority of Members, Republican, Democratic or independent, really believe that the problems in the budget process are due to the permanent authorization of essential programs such as student loans. The Committee on Rules should have, I think, shown more willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion and allowed my amendment to be considered. The people we represent, America's students and their parents, need to know that the Federal student loan program will be there when they need it. These programs and the legislation that created them were designed to give stability and certainty to the financial future planning process. Their existence should not be subject to the whims of a future Congress and President, regardless of which party is in power. We want our families to plan ahead for college education for their children, and they should know that the student loan program will be around for the long term. They should know that the student loan program will be around for the long term, that they can count on it for their future planning. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to defeat the rule, so that my amendment and other amendments to improve this bill may be offered.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company's 40th anniversary. Over the last forty years, the members of this organization have made a tremendous contribution to their community by protecting their residents and assisting other local departments. In the days when there were more cows than people in the Township of Plainsboro, a handful of farm workers and American Cyanimid employees decided to erect a fire station. In the first full year of operation, the Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company responded to 30 calls for service. In the early days of the fire company, the alarm was sounded by the stationary fireman on duty at a local farm who would blow the farm's steam whistle when a fire was reported. Firefighters living in the village section of the township could hear the alarm easily. Their family members then relayed the alarm by telephone to members living in outlying areas of the community. The first truck used was a 1940 American LaFrance with a 640 gallon per minute pump--which stands in contrast to the current 1750 gallon per minute pump that the department uses today. The department has continued to update its fleet of vehicles, purchasing the newest and most efficient fire-fighting equipment. Over the years, the Plainsboro Fire Company has drawn financial and moral support from Princeton University, one Fire District, and many appreciative citizens. These groups have aided the Plainsboro Fire Company by raising the funds to keep the department running smoothly. What has not changed about the Plainsboro Fire Company is its dedication and commitment to serving the needs of its community. The 40th anniversary of the department is being celebrated tomorrow at an Anniversary Dinner. The dedication and hard work that is continually demonstrated by the members of the Company is to be admired. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of the Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. If the gentlewoman will yield, the point I wanted to make, it is not a particularly large number in New Jersey relative to the other States. New Jersey also has a crime rate that is falling. It is just that in the United States, there are 30,000 gun deaths a year in the 50 States. Among the 9 million people in New Jersey, yes, we have some, too. And it is, by any international standard, astoundingly large.

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) today to renew our call for gun safety legislation and to highlight the Million Mom March, which will take place this coming Sunday. As my colleagues have indicated, the Million Mom March promises to be an amazing event. This weekend I, too, will be coming back to Washington from New Jersey. I will join families from across the Nation who will take time out of their lives to come to the Nation's capital to call for passage of commonsense gun safety legislation. It takes a special kind of parent to spend Mother's Day on Interstate 95 on a bus heading for Washington. It will be moms, and in my case and in the case of others, granddads and dads and grandmothers, but these Americans feel so strongly about this issue that they are making this commitment. I believe this will be a Mother's Day that few will forget. Mothers are trying to demonstrate to Congress the overwhelming desire of our Nation's families for commonsense gun safety legislation. Just a few weeks ago our Nation was shaken by events at a Michigan elementary school classroom where a 6-year-old child, a child who had barely learned to read, knew how to kill another child with a handgun. It is the latest in a long line of gun-related tragedies. In Columbine we thought it was the last straw, but in West Paducah, in Jonesboro, and in dozens of other communities across America, in each case we thought, this is the straw. This is the last straw. It will break the camel's back. We will get gun safety legislation moving. Since the murder of little Kayla Rolland, citizens across New Jersey have called even louder for passage of strict gun safety laws. But despite the outcry, a few politicians in Congress have been standing in the doorway and blocking the halls and refusing to act. The National Rifle Association may control a few of the hearing rooms around this Capitol, but we are here today to say that the NRA is going to recoil from the effect of the mom squad. The hundreds of busloads from across the Nation I think will show that they have more clout than Charlton Heston and the gun lobby. Every school I visit, every PTA meeting I attend, every classroom I teach in, moms, kids, dads, nearly everyone I talk to in New Jersey tells me it is high time that Congress take action to keep guns out of the hands of kids and criminals. They are fed up reading the headlines, and so am I. As a new Member of Congress, I find it particularly disturbing that Congress has refused to consider this legislation this year, particularly in light of the fact that nearly one child is killed every 2 hours by gunfire. I am sure my colleague here knows, but it is worth repeating, that more people were killed by guns in New Jersey than in Australia and New Zealand and Korea and Singapore, Japan, Canada, Germany, and Great Britain combined last year. A child in America is more likely to die from gun violence than from all communicable diseases. Congress has passed laws that allow water pistols to be regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, but real pistols, the ones that kill people, are not regulated. That needs to change. All of us were shocked last year when a deranged gunman opened fire at the Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles, wounding several people, children, later killing a randomly selected bystander. It was a hate crime that left us numb. But many people do not realize an additional shocking fact in that story. The gun that was used was originally a police service firearm that had been resold legally by the law enforcement agency and put back on the street. It is an all too common problem that is only recently being recognized. It makes no sense for police to work to get guns off the street, and then to put them right back there where they can be used to harm officers or civilians. I have introduced legislation to encourage States to mandate the destruction of surplus police guns when they are at the end of their lives. Furthermore, something I have called for, some say it is politically risky, but I think we should have registration of all handguns in the United States, and licensing of all handgun owners. I have legislation to do that. As my colleague has said, you need a license to drive a car. You need a license to catch a fish. You need a license to give a haircut or even a pedicure. You ought to need a license to own a deadly firearm. It should not take tragedies like Columbine and the recent shootings in Seattle and Hawaii to get us to admit that. It is time for Republicans and Democrats, Independents, to look the NRA in the eye and say, enough. It is time to pass gun safety legislation now. I think the million moms, the moms squad, will help make that change. I am old enough to remember the effect of the Mothers March for Peace. I am sure my colleague remembers this. She was too young, perhaps. But in 1961, it was the outrage of millions of mothers across America that brought us the Atmospheric Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The power unleashed from these million moms is something to behold, I guess is the way to put it. I think this will be a Mothers Day to remember. Let us just hope that there are enough Members of Congress who hear and heed the message that these mothers bring to Washington this coming Mothers Day. I thank my colleague for arranging this special order and drawing attention to this important subject.

Mr. HOLT. Just following on what the gentlewoman just said, no one in America is immune. We have a society where guns are prevalent, are available, are unlocked, and dangerous. What I hear from so many people is not that Columbine High School is a school where our children might go. In fact, Columbine High School is a school where our children would like to go. It seems to have all of the advantages: An excellent curriculum, excellent facilities. Yet, that kind of tragedy could happen there. Yes, it could happen anywhere.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Timothy Copeland of Ewing Township, who is being honored by the Ewing Kiwanis Club as the Police Officer of the Year on Tuesday, May 16, 2000. This award is bestowed upon him by his peers in recognition of his constant willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. In March of 1993, Officer Copeland began his employment with the Ewing Police Department and graduated from the Trenton Police Academy Basic Training Course in August of 1993. After being sworn into office, Officer Copeland was assigned to the Patrol Division where he rose to become a Field Training Officer. Officer Copeland is also a mentor for the D.A.R.E. student education program. He has excelled with many letters of commendation for his outstanding work as an officer. Mr. Speaker, Officer Timothy Copeland is a great example for Central New Jersey. I ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing him.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the Township of Plainsboro, New Jersey, as an ``Education Township.'' It is, in fact, the town that schools built. Plainsboro was founded on the principle of local education. For many years there were only four one-room schoolhouses that served the children of this particular area of Central New Jersey. In 1908, a large wood-frame two room schoolhouse was built. These schools and the teachers who taught in them, were paid and maintained under the Boards of Education of Cranbury and South Brunswick townships. As the local population increased, the people of the Plainsboro area wanted a larger four-room school for their children. The school Boards refused. Plainsboro's representative on the Board of Education, John Van Buren Wicoff (an attorney at law and a lifelong resident who had attended the public schools in Plainsboro) tried to persuade the Cranbury Board of Education to build a larger school. When efforts failed to provide money for the school, the people of Plainsboro petitioned the New Jersey State Legislature to create the Township of Plainsboro. The legislation to establish the Township of Plainsboro was approved April 1, 1919. Among the first act taken was the construction of a new four-room school built of stone. For many years the 6th grade graduates of Plainsboro elementary school attended a 7th and 8th grade Junior High School in Princeton and then went on to attend Princeton High School. As time passed, it became apparent that Princeton High School could no longer accommodate the growing school-age population of the area. As a result, Plainsboro and its neighbor, West Windsor, required both junior and senior high schools. In 1969 a proposal was drafted to create a regional based school system that would provide public education from kindergarten through the 12th grade for the children of both Plainsboro and West Windsor. Voters in both townships overwhelmingly approved the proposal. Today, Mr. Speaker, the West Windsor-Plainsboro School System is one of the best in the county.

Mr. HOLT

Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a truly outstanding citizen of Central New Jersey. Each year the New Jersey Environmental Lobby presents the Frank J. Oliver Environmental Award to individuals who have contributed in a special way to the protection and preservation of New Jersey's environment. This year, the NJEL has chosen to honor an individual who has devoted many years, both professionally and personally, to the protection of New Jersey's resources and its citizens. Today, I rise in honor of John Weingart for his tireless efforts to preserve New Jersey for future generations. John Weingart is a man of many talents. He has worked for the Department of Environmental Protection, serving there as Assistant Commissioner before leaving to become the Executive Director of the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Siting Commission. In the later capacity, he instituted several innovative concepts, including the idea of a voluntary self-selection process for municipalities interested in the siting facility. Although his efforts did not succeed in obtaining such a site, his approach is worthy of mention. Even more surprising was John's reaction after all possible avenues had been explored. At this point, this government agency head did the unthinkable: he suggested that they disband his agency and that he and the other professionals seek employment elsewhere. Mr. Speaker, John is a true public servant who had the courage to eliminate his own job. Mr. Speaker, the efforts of John Weingart serve as an excellent example to all citizens of New Jersey. I ask all my colleagues to join with me in congratulating John Weingart for his recognition by the Environmental Lobby.