Bill Jenkins

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 2001, an act of terrorism took the lives of thousands of innocent Americans. No American is exempt from the pain and anger that resulted. I know I speak for everybody in the First Congressional District of Tennessee when I send their thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those who are casualties of this act of terror. Our thoughts and prayers also go the thousands of individuals who have responded to the scene and are working non-stop in the rescue and recovery efforts. It is important that we take the appropriate steps to deal with this matter. The government is functioning and providing the necessary services to deal with the aftermath of the events in New York and Washington. Every necessary resource will be made available to assist in the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. In addition, our law enforcement authorities, intelligence services, and military personnel are moving swiftly in their investigations. A number of positive leads are being pursued, and I am confident that we all know the names of all that are responsible. We have a suspect whose numerous threats are tantamount to an admission. We have the ability to continue to accumulate evidence to prove his guilt. I applaud the President in his immediate forceful response to this tragedy. He has mobilized our armed forces and directed all appropriate federal agencies to respond to rescue efforts. I also applaud the leadership of a united Congress. The leadership of both parties have communicated the support of the Congress to the President, and he will have the full support of the legislative branch of our government to provide the necessary resources for recovery and rebuilding, as well as the resources that will be needed to provide the appropriate responses to the perpetrators of this crime. We will use these resources to find those responsible and to see that justice is served. As difficult as it is at this time, we must move forward. We cannot give in to the demands of terrorism. The American resolve is stronger than ever. It is a mistake of terrorists to believe that they will divide us. They have brought us together in ways that many people did not believe could happen. It is a mistake of terrorists to believe that we will cower in fear as a result of their actions. They have only strengthened the willpower, purpose, and determination of all Americans. One of the most cherished freedoms in this country is the right to disagree. Honorable citizens have the right to voice their disagreements with each other without fear of reprisal. Quite often, Members of Congress find themselves engaging in quarrelsome debate over a variety of issues, which now pale in comparison to the matter that we must deal with in the upcoming days and weeks. Despite these disagreements, the U.S. has always stood for what is right in the world--freedom and democracy. The terrorists believe our ability to disagree is a weakness, and that they can exploit this. They are wrong. The final casualty numbers will be high--too high to reasonably comprehend. Despite this tragic loss and the crumbling of America's buildings. America's foundation is strong. The history of this great nation proves that when the U.S. is roused--the U.S. fights--and the U.S. wins. We will stand together, outraged and resolute, and we will go to any length to bring these criminals, and those who aid and abet them, to justice. We will have not properly paid our respects to those who have died until their killers are brought to justice. From this point forward, the rest of the world, and particularly those who harbor hatred and resentment against the United States, will learn that our strength and courage will not tolerate the acts of terrorists. We may never know the specific message these terrorist groups were trying to send to America. I do know that they will ultimately receive a response from America that will be loud and clear. God bless the United States of America.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to vacate the ordering of the yeas and nays on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1668, as amended, to the end that the Chair put the question on the motion de novo.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome our chaplain for the day and thank him for coming. Mr. Speaker, the Reverend Charles Hobbs, who is our chaplain for the day, over a long period of time as a teacher at Carson-Newman College, a Baptist college in Jefferson City, Tennessee, and as a minister in numerous Baptist churches throughout east Tennessee, has influenced literally tens of thousands of lives in a very positive way. I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Hobbs for coming here today, for imparting to us his wisdom through this opening prayer, this prayer for this House of Representatives and for this Nation. I certainly want to thank Chaplain Coughlin and the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) for extending this invitation to him.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the efforts of a local community organization, Of One Accord Ministry, making the lives of many people in the First Congressional District better. This weekend, Of One Accord Ministry will hold a celebration dinner in honor of the many volunteers who offered their time and assistance to help those who were less fortunate. Last year, these efforts helped over 28,000 individuals in Hawkins and Hancock Counties. The true heroes of this organization were over 200 volunteers from all walks of life such as young scouts, employees from local businesses and industries, members of civic clubs, local schools, and members of various churches. These individuals offered their services in collecting needed items, taking donations, delivering food and other items to needy families, serving a free medical clinic for those in need of basic medical attention, and many other tasks. In the Congress, I have often advocated that the government cannot be the answer to all of the problems that exist in our society. We can do many things to help out those who need assistance, but real changes come about with the help of the local community, neighbors helping neighbors, one individual at a time. Local organizations like Of One Accord Ministry are our first line of defense against these social problems. Their efforts should be highlighted and commended for the results they have achieved. Too often, we only hear and read about the negative news in our localities. Positive efforts such as those provided by local citizens often go unnoticed. I want to take this opportunity to recognize, congratulate, and bring to the attention of the Congress the great work that is being accomplished by the volunteers of Of One Accord Ministry. Tennesseans are long known for their selfless devotion, earning us the nickname the ``Volunteer State.'' These volunteers carry on that tradition and are truly deserving of our thanks today.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in honoring the distinguished gentleman from Nebraska, the Honorable Bill Barrett. In addition to being a successful businessman, Bill has been a dedicated public servant, serving his country in the U.S. Navy, serving in many local and State capacities, representing Nebraska in the State legislature as speaker, and serving as a hard-working, conscientious Member of this institution since 1991. He has worked tirelessly for his constituents in one of the largest and most rural congressional districts in the country. During this time he has been an effective advocate for issues of importance to the Nation with his work on the House Committee on Agriculture and Education and the Workforce. As a colleague who also represents a district with significant farming interests, he has been of significant help to me through his work as chairman of the House Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Resource Conservation, and Credit. Most importantly, Bill is a man of honor and integrity who is respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He has been a tremendous asset to the House of Representatives, working with Members in a bipartisan fashion. As long as I have known Bill, he has been a humble, tenacious, and effective voice for his constituents. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with Bill Barrett over the past 4 years. He is a good friend and a great Congressman. Mr. Speaker, over the past 10 years Bill Barrett has served the people of the Third District of Nebraska and the people of this country with honor and distinction. The House of Representatives will miss his service.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I come to the floor to pay tribute to our colleague, Congressman Herb Bateman of Virginia. Herb was a great gentleman and an excellent Congressman. Herb spent much of his life dedicated to the career of public service, serving his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, representing the people of Virginia in the Virginia State Senate for 15 years, and representing the First Congressional District of Virginia in the United States Congress for 18 years. Herb was a man of honor and integrity who was respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He fought for the principles of the people he represented, and he never wavered in those efforts. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with Herb Bateman over the past four years. He was a good friend and a great Congressman. The United States House of Representatives was a better place with the service of Herb Bateman. I know that I share the entire sentiment of the Congress in offering the condolences of the Congress to Herb's family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all of us. General Leave

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I was not present to cast my votes on rollcall votes 443-450. Had I been present, I would have voted aye on rollcall No. 443, aye on rollcall No. 444, aye on rollcall No. 445, aye on rollcall No. 446, aye on rollcall No. 447, aye on rollcall No. 448, nay on rollcall No. 449, and aye on rollcall No. 450.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, on roll call no. 429, on motion to grant the consent of the Congress to the Kansas and Missouri Metropolitan Culture District Compact, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea``; on roll call no. 430, motion to Community Renewal and New Markets Act, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on roll call no. 431, motion on Innocent Child Protect Act, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on roll call no. 432, motion on Veterans Claims Assistance Act, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on roll call no. 433, to suspend the rules and agree to Fisherman's Protective Act Amendments, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'';

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 439, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 440, on motion to suspend the rules and pass Illegal Pornography and Prosecution Act, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 441, on passage disapproving the extension of the waiver authority contained in section 402(c) of the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to Vietnam, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall No. 442, on agreement to providing for consideration of H.R. 4942, making appropriations for the District of Columbia for fiscal year 2001, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, as a result of inclement weather delaying my arrival to Washington, I was not present for rollcall votes 373, 374, and 375. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on No. 373, ``no'' on No. 374, and ``aye'' on No. 375.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and as the gentleman has pointed out, this bill names our new Federal courthouse in Greeneville, Tennessee, for Jim Quillen. Jim Quillen served in this House of Representatives for 34 years, longer than any other Tennesseean has ever served. He was, for many years, the ranking member of the Committee on Rules, and at the time of his retirement was chairman emeritus of the Committee on Rules. Before he came to this Congress, he spent 6 years in the general assembly in the State of Tennessee and before that 4 years in the United States Navy in World War II. Jim Quillen had a total of 44 years of dedicated service to his State and to his Nation, and along the way he was able to found several successful businesses, the first of which was a newspaper when he was 19 years of age. He went on to establish real estate, construction and insurance businesses that were very successful down through the years. Jim Quillen fought hard for many things for the first district of Tennessee and for this country. I think his most notable achievement was the good work that he did in helping to create a medical school under the Teague-Cranston Act at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is now in operation. It bears his name. It is the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, and it has been a very successful operation for not only the State of Tennessee but for this Nation in preparing physicians. One of the last projects that Jim Quillen worked on in this House of Representatives was this new courthouse in Greeneville, Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, we outgrew a very beautiful historic old courthouse in downtown Greeneville, very near the home of Andrew Johnson, who was our 17th President. Jim Quillen got appropriations to purchase the land for a new courthouse and to design the new courthouse. And since his retirement, we have been able to get appropriations to complete that courthouse, and it is very near completion. Jim Quillen's life and work are a great American success story, Mr. Speaker; and I believe that this would be a very fitting tribute to his lifetime of hard work for his constituents and the people of this country. I am proud of the fact that all nine of the House Members in the State of Tennessee, all of the Republicans and all the Democrats, are cosponsors of this legislation. I would ask that every Member of this House vote favorably for H.R. 4608.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 10, 2000 if I had been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on the Spratt Motion to Instruct Conferees on H. Con. Res. 290 instead of ``yea'' as indicated in my explanation.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 764) to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect, and for other purposes.

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 764.

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 764, the child abuse prevention and enforcement act, as amended and passed by the other body on November 19, 1999. This legislation was introduced by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce) last year; and on October 5, 1999, it passed the House by a vote of 425-2. The purpose of this bill is to increase the funds available at the State and local level to combat and prevent child abuse and neglect. It will do this by amending existing grant programs that provide funds to States for crime-related purposes. First, H.R. 764 will amend the Crime Identification Technology Act, a bill enacted in 1998 to improve the operation of the criminal justice system by upgrading criminal history and criminal justice record systems. H.R. 764 will amend that Act to authorize grants that will help provide timely, accurate, and complete criminal history record information to child welfare agencies, organizations, and programs that conduct risk assessment and other activities related to the protection of children, including protection against child sexual abuse and the placement of children in foster care. These agencies and organizations often do not have access to criminal history information and may be unaware that when they place a child in foster care or return a child to a parent that they are placing the child in the custody of a person with a criminal history. Allowing Federal funds to be used to provide these agencies access to State records will help alleviate this problem. Second, H.R. 764 will modify the Federal Crime Control Assistance Program, known as the Byrne Grant Program. This program authorizes the Federal Government to award both block grant and discretionary grants for specified activities. Block grants are allocated to the States on the basis of population and are to be used for personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems to improve criminal justice systems. The discretionary program funds are distributed to non-Federal public and private organizations undertaking projects that educate criminal justice personnel or that provide technical assistance to State and local governments. The Byrne Grant Program statute specifies 26 permissible uses for these funds. H.R. 764 will amend the Grant Program to add two additional permissible uses for these Federal funds. The first of these was contained in H.R. 764 when it passed the House last fall and it would authorize grant money to combat and prevent child abuse and neglect. The second permissible use was added by the other body by way of an amendment, and I support its inclusion in this bill. It will authorize funds to assist in establishing or supporting cooperative programs between enforcement and media organizations to collect, record, retain, and disseminate information useful in the identification and apprehension of suspected criminal offenders. Third, H.R. 764 will amend the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, which created the Crime Victims Fund. The fund is financed through the collection of criminal fines, penalty assessments, and forfeited appearance bonds of persons convicted of crimes against the United States and provides money to States to compensate crime victims directly and to support public and nonprofit agencies that provide direct services to crime victims. Under current law, the first $10 million deposited in the fund each year is earmarked for grants relating to child abuse prevention and treatment. As the fund grows in size, more money should be made available for child abuse prevention and treatment. H.R. 764 will permit more money to be earmarked for this purpose for any fiscal year in which the amount of money deposited in the fund exceeds what was deposited in fiscal year 1998. When more than that amount of money is deposited, 50 percent of the excess would be allocated for child abuse prevention and treatment, but the total amount available in any fiscal year would not exceed $20 million. Finally, H.R. 764 was amended by the other body to include Jennifer's Law, a bill introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lazio) which passed the House last June by a vote of 370-4. Jennifer's Law will authorize the Attorney General to award grants to enable States to improve the reporting of unidentified and missing persons to Federal and State law enforcement agencies to increase the likelihood that they will be identified or found. The bill authorizes the appropriation of $2 million for each of three fiscal years beginning with this fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, it has been brought to my attention that there is a one- word drafting error contained in the bill that is technical in nature. The error appears twice in the bill. Following consideration of this bill, I will ask unanimous consent that the House move to immediate consideration of a concurrent resolution I have introduced that directs the enrolling clerks to correct this minor error. In conclusion, I believe the amendments made to H.R. 764, including Jennifer's Law, strengthen the bill; and I urge all of my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, in the closing hours of this session, which is, like all sessions, somewhat hectic, it is a pleasure to have an opportunity to ask my colleagues to vote for Senate Bill 440. In part, it has been pointed out, it establishes the Howard H. Baker School of Government at the University of Tennessee. Unlike the last speaker who spoke on this subject, I think nothing could be more fitting and nothing could be more appropriate. Those of us who have served the State of Tennessee and who have served our Nation as Tennesseans have long sought Senator Howard Baker's counsel. That advice that we sought has always been forthcoming, it has always been wholesome, and it has always been filled with wisdom. The gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Bryant) pointed out the capacities in which Senator Baker has served. I would point out that he has brought great credit to the State of Tennessee and to this entire Nation in every capacity in which he has served. Mr. Speaker, I would urge every Member to vote for Senate 440.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 526, I was away from the House Chamber attending an education press conference with other members of the House of Representatives and an eighth grade class and faculty from Rogersville, TN. city schools. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr.. Speaker, on rollcall No. 514, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 764.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Robert W. Graham of Johnson City, Tennessee for his ongoing commitment to service toward his community. Throughout his life, Mr. Graham has displayed the hard work and honorable virtue that has won him the respect and admiration of his peers. Ten years ago, Mr. Graham moved to Johnson City following distinguished service as a government engineer. As one might expect from Mr. Graham, the purpose of his move was to continue his dedication to public service. He organized a local chapter of the Service Corps of Retired Veterans (SCORE), an organization designed to assist under- funded individuals enter into business for themselves. Mr. Graham has been actively involved in SCORE for all of his ten years in Johnson City, and currently serves there as Chairperson of Chapter 584. Under Mr. Graham's watch the program has expanded to include five counties in upper east Tennessee as well as three regional offices. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to present to this Congress Mr. Robert W. Graham, who this September 18 will be celebrating his 75th birthday, and ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his life of outstanding service and uncommon dedication.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 107, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University located in the First District of Tennessee. This month, the Quillen College of Medicine celebrates its 25th anniversary. The College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University was established in March of 1974 by the Tennessee General Assembly. It was formally dedicated as the James H. Quillen College of Medicine in honor of the tireless efforts of my predecessor and friend, Congressman James H. (Jimmy) Quillen, who served the First District with distinction for 34 years. Congressman Quillen recognized the severe shortage of primary care physicians in the 1970's, especially in many of the rural areas in East Tennessee, and was instrumental in the efforts to establish this school. In August of 1978, the first class of 24 students enrolled at the College of Medicine. Since their graduation in 1982, the college has awarded more than 850 Medical Doctor degrees, including a significant number of resident physicians, fellows, and biomedical students. A substantial number of these students are serving the health care industry today as primary care physicians, filling many of the shortages which led to the creation of the institution in 1974. The Quillen College of Medicine remains focused today on primary care and has earned notes of recognition by several national organizations and publications for the institution's successful rural medicine programs and its efforts to train more primary care physicians. One of the more innovative approaches utilized by the Quillen College of Medicine is its utilization of the region's hospitals. Rather than having one teaching hospital, East Tennessee State University has affiliated itself with nine area hospitals, providing its students with access to more than 3,000 beds in the areas and training in every area of primary and tertiary care medicine. Furthermore, the immediate success of the college in its primary care work led to the receipt of the largest grant in the university's history, $6 million in 1991 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This financial support allowed the college to move into two additional rural communities in the First District, training over 80 students on site using a team approach in which the medical, nursing, and public and allied health students learn together. The ETSU Quillen College of Medicine continues to expand its scope while remaining focused to its original purpose of creating primary care physicians. All of the teaching and research facilities at the university and its affiliated hospitals are fully supported by modern classrooms, laboratories, and clinical facilities. New facilities are being built to serve the expanded demands of this popular school, and I am confident that the Quillen College of Medicine will continue to meet the growing needs of the health care industry in the next millennium. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the great accomplishments of the James H. Quillen College of Medicine in its 25th year of existence. It has served the region and the country well, providing a wealth of trained, experienced doctors to serve our health care needs. Its presence has been a leading force in revolutionizing the health care industry in the Upper East Tennessee/Southwest Virginia region. There will be many great things to come from this fine institution, and it is my hope that my colleagues here in the Congress will join me in honoring the college's alumni, students, residents, fellows, faculty, staff, and others for their past and future contributions to improving health care in America.

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to be present for the following votes. I would like the Record to reflect how I would have voted. Roll call No. 3--On ordering the previous question, I would have voted ``yea.'' Roll call No. 4--On a motion to commit with instructions with instructions, I would have voted ``nay.'' Roll call No. 5--On agreeing to H. Res. 5, I would have voted ``yea.'' Roll call No. 6--On H. Res. 10, Reappointment of the Impeachment Managers, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. JENKINS

Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) and others in this House tonight have made a very good point about the defense that has been made in this case. In the committee and again here today, the defense employed does not consist of a denial of the charges or an explanation of the behavior that is involved but rather it is an admission of the acts by many defenders and it is coupled with almost certainly attacks on the special counsel, attacks on the Committee on the Judiciary, and attacks on the entire Congress. And today that defense has been expanded to plead that our military forces would not want us to consider this matter at this time. A great Air Force officer, our colleague the gentleman from Texas (Sam Johnson), who spent 7 years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, who surely earned the right to speak to and refute that defense, refuted it very capably here today. Now let us hear from another great American soldier who uttered these words. And these words were reprinted in Roll Call magazine today. ``Duty. Honor. Country. These three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. The unbelievers will say they are but words, but a slogan, but a flamboyant phrase. Every demagogue, every cynic, every hypocrite, every troublemaker will try to downgrade them, even to the extent of ridicule and mockery. But they build your basic character. They mold you for your future roles as the custodians of the Nation's defenses. The long, gray line has never failed us. Were you to do so, a million ghosts in olive drab, in brown khaki, in blue and gray would rise from their white crosses thundering `duty, honor, country'.'' These are excerpts from General of the Army Douglas MacArthur's farewell to the Corp of Cadets at West Point on May 12, 1962. Eleven years earlier, he was invited to address a joint session of Congress, ending his 52 years of distinguished military service. He spoke of the courage and the sacrifice of so many Americans who did not fail us, including those who gave their lives defending our values and our way of life. I would ask my colleagues, please remember the words of this great soldier as they consider the merits of the allegation and the defenses to the allegation of this case.