Eddie Johnson

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chairman, I rise today to show my support for the Mink/Woolsey/Sanchez/Morella amendment to H.R. 2, the Student Results Act. This amendment would place much needed gender equity language into this bipartisan legislation. Madam Chairman, I know firsthand how difficult it is for women to compete in today's world. As a woman of many firsts, I know that it is not always assumed that anything boys can do, girls can do, especially in the sciences. Let me give you some statistics to illustrate my point. Only 25 percent of female students have taken computer science courses in high school. Only 20 percent of female students take the three core science courses in high school. Also, only 19 percent of girls earn a math SAT score of 600 or above vs. 30% of males. These statistics are alarming. We need to create a strong workforce for technology jobs in our country so that we can continue to compete with other countries. Therefore, it is important for us to not only include, but to also encourage every student to excel in the maths and sciences. That means encouraging girls as well as boys to take courses in math and science. We cannot afford to limit our technology workforce and training based on gender. Studies have proven that teachers and other influences in children's lives still do not equally encourage girls as well as boys to study math and science. Until we see more improvements in these statistics, gender equity language will be necessary. This amendment will train teachers in gender equitable methods and techniques and require the identification and elimination of gender and racial bias in instructional materials. It will continue the progress that was started with the passage of Title IX in 1974 to close the gender gap which still exists in today's schools. I wish that I did not have to speak about this gender gap and hope that a day will come when we will no longer need this type of legislation. Until that day, let us do the right thing and prove to everyone that this Congress cares about girls as much as we do boys by adopting this amendment.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, just this past week I received lots of mail, especially from women in Texas, telling me how important Social Security really is to them. Social Security lifts 366,000 Texas women out of poverty, and it lowers the poverty rate among elderly women in this State from 55 to 19 percent. It is distressing to me that while the elderly in my State are worried about the future of Social Security, the Republican-led Congressional Budget Office has revealed that the majority party's leadership has already used more than $1 billion from the Social Security surplus. Mr. Speaker, we have to stop it. Let us use honest budgeting and not gimmicks, and talking about a lockbox, when we know it is being ignored. We understand clearly that we cannot use $13 billion from Social Security and save it at the same time. Mr. Speaker, the people of my State and the people of this Nation want us to save Social Security.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note with great sadness the passing of Dr. Brady Joseph Jones Senior, one of the great community leaders of Dallas, Texas. Dr. B.J. Jones was born in Longview, Texas on August 30, 1915. He graduated from Prairie View College in 1939, and he later earned his doctorate from Meharry Medical College in the area of Dentistry in 1953. Out of dedication to delivering services to the low-income families, he chose to keep his practice in the heart of South Dallas. He cared for patients in this area with compassion and success. He was a pioneer dentist and a giant in our community. During his career, he was a charter member of a group of Black Professional who introduced the idea of investment and saving throughout the Black Professional community. He advocated education, self-sufficiency, and responsibility. Dr. Jones was a loving parent. He was the proud father of a dentist, a psychiatrist, and an educator, who is an art enthusiast with most of her studies being done at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Speaker, Dr. B.J. Jones inspired his children, his peers, the Black community and all who knew him. With his passing, I have lost a dear friend, many members of our community have lost a mentor, and the citizens of Dallas have lost a great leader. He was truly an inspiration, and he will be missed. God bless him and his family. We commend him to you, dear Lord, in your eternal care.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this really is a historic day for this House. For the first time, Members will have an opportunity to fundamentally change how managed care operates in this Nation. For far too long, insurance companies have based their treatment decisions not on what is best for their patients but what is best for the companies' stockholders. It is time to put health care providers and patients back into the business of patient care. We need the Norwood-Dingell bill to ensure that patients have access to emergency care and to specialists. HMOs need to be prohibited from gagging doctors and other providers so that they are prevented from telling their patients of all the treatment options available. What are the insurance companies afraid of? Are they afraid of their own policies? Patients also need the right to appeal when they disagree with HMO suggested treatment. The Norwood-Dingell bill grants patients internal and external appeals, a process to ensure that the best possible treatments are made. The bill permits patients or their families who have been injured or die as a result of the HMO's denial of care to sue in State courts. What is wrong with that? If the insurance companies are confident of their policies, what is wrong with that? This is America. The Norwood-Dingell bill, however, does not invite frivolous lawsuits. It imposes the number of limitations on lawsuits. These restrictions include those damages only allowable by State law, no punitive damages provided the HMO complied with an external reviewer's decision and no plan would be required to cover services not provided in the contract. My State of Texas has a patients' bill of rights. This legislation took effect 2 years ago. And while HMOs serve more than 4 million patients in Texas, there have been only five lawsuits resulting from the legislation. That is hardly a flood of lawsuits. To quote Senator David Sibley, one of my colleagues when I was in the Texas Senate, the bill's Republican sponsor, ``The sky didn't fall'' with its passage. The number of lawsuits is low because our patients are fully using the external review process, and that is a component of the Norwood- Dingell bill. More than 700 patients have used that external review process in the past 2 years to appeal decisions made by health plans. Critics of the Norwood-Dingell bill have said it will increase health care costs. Since Texas's bill of rights has been in effect, premiums in our State have been less than the national average, while health care costs rose 3.7 percent nationally in 1998. The Texas health care cost increased only by 1.1 percent. And these are figures done by the Texas Medical Association. As a former registered, degreed nurse, I strongly understand the relationship between a patient's involvement in his or her treatment and quality health care. We cannot have one without the other. The Norwood-Dingell bill will create a treatment environment where patients and doctors can work together with insurance companies to produce the best patient care and the best patient outcomes. I urge all Members to please support this bill. Let us put health care where the patients are.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Will enactment of the Norwood-Dingell Bill lead to skyrocketing health care costs? Since Texas began to implement a series of managed care reforms in 1995, our HMO premium increases have mirrored or trailed those premium hikes in other states that don't have managed care reform bills in place. Nationally, health care costs have increased by 3.7 percent in 1998 while in Texas, the costs increased by only 1.10 percent for the same period. Will enactment of the Norwood-Dingell Bill lead to frivolous law suits? Since Texas enacted its Patient's Bill of Rights in 1997, there have been only five lawsuits in a managed care system that serves four million patients. This number of lawsuits is low because our patients are fully using the external review process that is a component of the Norwood-Dingell bill. More than 700 patients have used the external review process in the past two years to appeal the decisions made by health plans. Of those, about half of the decisions have gone in favor of the HMOs. Will the Norwood-Dingell Bill result in employers dropping their employees from health care coverage and thus drive up the number of uninsured families? It may be too early to tell using our state's example. But the fact remains that as HMOs have increased penetration in recent years, so has the nubmer of uninsured. That is the case in Texas and around the nation. Since the Texas Legislature made managed-care plans liable for malpractice, there have been five known lawsuits from among the 4 million Texans who belong to HMOs. ``The sky didn't fall,'' said Sen. David Sibley, the Republican who championed the Texas version of the Patient's Bill of Rights. ``Those horror stories,'' envisioned by the health insurance industry ``just did not transpire.'' While it is too early to see the full effect on my state it is evident that the implementation of this legislation has had a dramatic effect on resolving complaints between patients and their health plans--before they get to the courthouse. Clearly this legislation has acted as a prime motivator for HMOs to settle their disputes with their patients. Regrettably, the vast majority of Americans do not have this option. That's why it is vital that we have national Patient's Bill of Rights that has some teeth in it--that permits patients to suit their HMOs when treatment decisions result in injury or death as well as granting patients access to emergency care and specialty care that is not currently allowed. I strongly believe that the Texas experience strongly speaks to the benefits of empowering patients and doctors so that they can work with the insurance companies in ensuring that our health care system provides the best care for all Americans. Republican Health Care Bill: The Republicans introduced the Quality Care for the Uninsured Act. This legislation does move the health care debate forward. But not very far. It is not a bipartisan bill and it does not address that entire scope of health care delivery or what's wrong with managed care. At best the Republican bill nibbles around the corners of health care debate. It provides for Medical Savings Plans and 100 percent deductibility of individual insurance premiums for the self-insured and uninsured. This legislation does nothing to increase access to emergency services or ob-gyn. It does nothing to address the lopsided nature of the managed care equation in which insurance companies make most of the patient decisions, while doctors and the patients themselves are left in the waiting room. bi-partisan consensus managed care improvement act (h.r. 2723) H.R. 2723 that has already been introduced by Representatives Charles Norwood and John Dingell truly addresses the consumer and provider issues that have undermined the health care in America. I am a cosponsor of this legislation. Its independent external appeals process will help patients get care quickly and resolve disputes without resorting to a court fight. Once the appeals process has been exhausted patients will be able to hold health care plans accountable when they make negligent decisions that result in patient injury or death. At the same time, this legislation includes safeguards to protect employers from lawsuits and punitive damages against health plans that comply with the external review determination. This legislation also provides patients with other essential protections including access to specialty care, emergency care, clinical trials and direct access to women's health services. Patients who need to go out-of-network for care will have access to a point-of- service option. I look forward to a fair debate between our bi-partisan Patient's Bill of Rights versus the Republican Leadership's alternative. Once the American people fully understand what's in each bill--I am confident that the bi-partisan bill will prevail. The majority of Americans would rather have a strong say in how they receive medical treatment than nibbling at the edges of this important problem. Support and protect the Norwood-Dingell Bill; it's the only way to put doctors, nurses, and patients back into the business of patient care.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am so delighted to hear that the gentlewoman is paying tribute to our colleague, and I hope that the gentlewoman will allow me to mention that she has taken a leadership role in heading the task force on census for the Congressional Black Caucus and that she has been very diligent in her legislative duties here. I really compliment the gentlewoman for making a record of this because the gentleman from Florida (Mrs. Meek) is a very worthy person.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I join the Members here representing the Black Caucus, and I plead for more attention and funding to be given for prevention and treatment of the HIV virus and the AIDS disease. Mr. Speaker, somehow I think that back in 1980, 1981, and 1982, when many of the leaders from the gay community were speaking out against this virus, that much of the other parts of the community simply ignored it because they thought it was just a disease of the gay and lesbian population. Even at that time, I knew a virus did not know the sexual practices of people, and I felt it was a communicable disease that had the capacity of infecting almost anyone. That has proven to be true. Back in 1980 and 1981, when we were having meetings at home, I was getting warnings that it was dangerous to be talking about this kind of virus that is affecting just the gay community. We now find that is not the case. It is a communicable disease that will affect all persons that are subjected or exposed to this virus in the workplace, in the health facilities, anywhere that persons can be exposed to this virus. Mr. Speaker, we now plead for this money to follow where it is. We know that we have had reductions, and we are always pleased about having reductions in any kind of communicable disease. We have seen almost a wipe-out of diphtheria and all the various viruses and bacterial communicable diseases we have had in the past. Hopefully we will speak of this disease as one of the past, but we cannot ignore the education that must taken to prevent this devastating virus. With our young people and our youth groups, they must understand what causes the exposure and how to prevent that exposure. Far too many people are dying of AIDS. Even though it is much less than what it was some years ago, any death from this virus is too many, because it means that someone has ignored or not known what exposes them to this deadly virus. People are living longer, which is costing more for care, and we are always pleased to have good results, but nothing surpasses preventing diseases of this sort. For that reason, I hope we would give real attention to educating especially our younger people. We are finding that our older women in heterosexual relationships have an increase in the incidence of the HIV-AIDs virus because of loneliness, all kinds of other activities that would lead them to be exposed to this virus. That must be given attention. No matter what the profile of the individual might be or might seem to be, caution is advised. We have gone a long way in attempting to keep people alive with the various drugs that are very, very costly, and causing them to live longer lives. But nothing yet has come along for us to see the real end to this deadly virus. The best thing we can do is prevent it. We find that the persons who are the most sometimes uneducated are the ones who least believe that they can be exposed to this virus, and they are the ones who are becoming more exposed all the time. No one, absolutely no one, is safe when they take part in any activity that exposes them to this virus, no matter what. I am eternally grateful for the leaders in the gay community for continuing to talk about this virus, and not allowing the rest of us to forget it just because they had a larger incidence. That incidence has gone down tremendously in that community, but the leadership continues almost to come from the concentration of their community. I am grateful for them continuing to bring forth the leadership in educating the people, but there is an element missing. When people think it is only in the gay community, they simply think they are over and above this exposure. This is the myth we must break down. This is a virus that absolutely anyone can be exposed to. It only takes one exposure, so the education must go forth in all communities, young and old, heterosexual or not. We must not stop educating, because that is the only thing that is going to prevent this virus. It is costly, the treatment is very costly, the suffering is costly. We must really focus on prevention and not just paying for the illness. I want to thank the leadership of the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen). As an M.D., she is fully aware of all of the factors involved, and I appreciate the leadership that she has brought forth.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I have not yet understood why there is such concern from the HMOs that people not have the right to complain when they feel that they have been harmed by the rules of an HMO. They must not have any confidence in the quality of care which they are making sure that are offered to patients. In today's Washington Post there is a story on the Texas bill, and we are still waiting for the sky to fall, and it has not fallen, but the insurance people continue to say: But it will fall. Out of 4 million members of an HMO in Texas, I think they have had 4, maybe 5 lawsuits, and one was very recent, and it all has to do with the care. Now when HMOs offer quality care, there should not be any fear. This bill in Texas was not carried by a partisan Democrat. It was a conservative Republican member that I served with in the Texas Senate who carried this bill, and, as far as I can tell, they are very pleased with having access because it does challenge HMOs to give more attention to the quality of care. I still have a hard time understanding what the fear is. All the horror stories that were envisioned by the health insurance industry just has not happened, and while it is too early to see the full effect on my State, it is evident that the implementation of this legislation has had a dramatic effect on resolving complaints between the patients and their health plans before they go to the courthouse, which is where it should be. But I have a real problem with us saying in a democracy that people, patients, do not have a right to challenge any institution that is in charge of their health care. It is ironic that the HMOs will tell physicians exactly what they can do and what they cannot do, and physicians are held accountable, but they refuse to hold themselves accountable when many of them really are not physicians but simply some bureaucrats that are interested in their bottom line. The legislation enacted in Texas acted as a prime motivator for HMOs to settle their disputes with their patients, and regrettably, the vast majority of Americans do not have this option which I think is unconscionable in a country that practices the greatest democracy in the world. I have a feeling that what we are facing even next week might not be the kind of approach to the whole problem that we have worked so hard for. We do have bipartisan support for a very good Patients' Bill of Rights. I would like very much to see that bill to come to the floor and let us debate it and let us vote and let the votes fall where they may, as we do in many other situations. I am a little suspect though. I do not believe that it will happen quite as easily. But I do strongly believe that the Texas experience has offered a real example of what will happen or what can happen. I believe that if the sky was going to fall, it has had time to fall. I believe that if patients were just looking for someplace to file a suit, they can certainly find it without subjecting themselves to poor health care. I just do not believe that we are going to find the kind of uprising that we hear in a scare tactic. Anything that we do short of making sure patients have an adequate and fair chance of good health care is not fair to the American people. At best, this bill that they are talking about bringing to the floor simply nibbles around the corners of the health care debate. It provides for health care savings plans and a 100 percent deductibility for individual insurance premiums for the self-insured and uninsured. But as my colleagues know, we have so many people that do not have access to insurance, and that will not mean anything to them. And as my colleagues know, the insurance that we are talking about here will not touch most of the low-income people because they simply cannot afford to have that type of money set aside for a savings account for their health care insurance. I think that option is one that perhaps ought to be there for those who can afford it, but what we are looking for is insurance that all Americans would have access to and can expect in return a decent practice of medicine by their own standards of medical practice that physicians are educated and trained to render and do not really need an insurance plan to tie their hands when they are the ones who have gotten this education. One size really does not fit all. People really are different. When you are 7 years old and you have the same diagnosis, it can act up on the body quite differently than if you are 70 with the same kind of diagnosis. Just to be discussing this in America at this time is something that puzzles me. I just simply cannot understand why we are going through this kind of debate of denial of people of their right to decent healthcare. It is clear that managed care has brought about some lowering of costs, so I do not think we should throw the whole plan out, but I do feel strongly that patients have a set of basic rights they should be able to depend upon. They should have access to some specialist to see what that condition really is, second opinions, emergency room care, and, certainly, of all things, a physician who is taking orders from this plan should not be subjected any more to the risk of a lawsuit than the plan that is dictating what he does, because very frequently if a physician is placed in that position, he often has to do things that are against really his better judgment. That is really not fair to the physicians. If these plans feel so comfortable and so confident with what they are offering, there should not be any fear of lawsuits. People are not seeking lawsuits when they go to the doctor or go to a hospital. They are seeking care. I will tell you from personal experience, if everyone who went to a hospital would file a suit, it would be a very different pattern than what we are seeing in this country and a very different picture. Even hospital administrators and persons who work at hospitals will tell you that people do not really come looking for a way to file a lawsuit. They can find that more often than what they give attention to. But the culture of denial that is going around in some of these plans is so very disappointing, to the point where it brings about a great deal more suspicion and a great deal more anger among people that know the difference in having access to some reasonable, decent healthcare, versus having a touch and a wipe across the top, so-to-speak, of a wound. It makes all the difference in the world of how a patient will get along, how long their convalescence will be, how long their illness might be. All of us know that most of the time if a patient can get access to care quickly, with adequate and proper medication, that the illness can be shorter, and especially if they have confidence in the plan. But if they have got to go through a great deal of hassle, a great of emotional upheaval, and still not know for sure whether they are getting the best care, that within itself interferes with the healing process. It seems to me that we have allowed ourselves to get so divided on this issue that the insurance companies have lost sight of what we are trying to do. They have lost sight of the fact that we are talking about human beings. They are only really seemingly interested in protecting their pockets and trying to be sure that people do not have the right to complain and get redress when they feel they have been harmed. That is so very unfortunate. But, under the circumstances, we all must stand up as tall as we can and stand with the American people to be sure that, to the best of our ability, they have access to the care that they paid for, and that they get the quality care that we certainly can offer in this country. I thank the gentleman for continuing to bring this issue to the forefront. It is one that will not go away. Every person in this country is interested in having access to quality care, and it is possible, without the world falling. I think my state of Texas has proven that.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. And the cost is not soaring.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have listened to the debate, and I am impressed with all of the words that I hear. But I am concerned about the Hutchinson substitute because it does gut some of the reforms of Shays-Meehan. First, it indexes individual contribution limits, allowing them to automatically increase over time. Increasing individual contribution limits tells the American public that we think federal offices are for sale. Raising contribution limits marginalizes the participation of the poorest Americans and even minorities. If we raise the limits, we are telling the American people and the American public that the richer we are, the better we are and we have to be rich to be heard. This substitute really is a vote in favor of continuing to let money run our political system. A vote for the Hutchinson substitute tells the world that federal offices really are for sale. And most glaringly, the Hutchinson substitute tells America that to be protected they must be rich, it will cost them. So I would ask that everyone support the Shays-Meehan and vote against the Hutchinson.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join the constituents of the 30th Congressional District of Texas, the residents of Dallas and my colleagues in the House of Representatives in taking great pleasure to proclaim July 31st, 1999 as ``Toni Parks Day.'' Mr. Speaker, Ms. Toni Parks is an internationally acclaimed photographer whose works have appeared in prominent magazines and newspapers throughout the U.S. and Europe. Her pictures have appeared in Stagebill, American Visions, USIA, Life and Arts, to name a few. Toni Parks has been featured in numerous exhibitions including the Look Gallery, Tony Green Gallery in England, Columbia University, and the Martin Luther King Gallery. Her photos consist of fashion and beauty as only Toni Parks can vision. In her years as a photographer, she has received critical acclaim for her works of art. Toni Parks will take the podium to share her experiences with the students and enthusiasts of the RC Hickman Young Photographers Workshop at the South Dallas Cultural Center, located on the corner of Robert B. Cullum and Fitzhugh. The program is presented each year by the Artist and Elaine Thornton Foundation For the Arts, Inc., a non-profit organization established to educate, promote and embrace the arts of all disciplines including drama, dance, visual, and music. Its mission is to bring about positive social awareness to the inner city community, using art as a tool for positive social change. We salute you Toni Parks. Therefore, I ask that all citizens of Dallas join in celebrating July 31st, 1999 as ``Toni Parks Day.''

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to honor one of the most productive civic leaders in the history of Dallas, Mr. Thomas Charles Unis, who passed away on July 17th. Mr. Unis was a gentleman, and an outstanding public servant. He was one of the best legal minds ever produced by the state of Texas. The City of Dallas is forever indebted to Mr. Unis for his leadership, and commitment to public service. The loss of Thomas Unis is an incredible blow to Dallas. We are comforted by the fact that Mr. Unis led an exemplary life. As a man of faith, Mr. Unis was held in the highest regard, being designated a papal knight of St. Gregory by Pope Pius XII in 1953, as well as Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, and a Knight of Malta. Honors were no stranger to Mr. Unis, as he received praise for his dedication to community service, as founder or charter member of a number of organizations including the Catholic Foundation, University of Dallas, and the Greater Dallas Community Relations Commission. Tom Unis not only had a record of community involvement, but was also able to use an impressive educational background to gain success in his career. Mr. Unis received his law degree from the University of Texas and served in the Navy in World War II before he began practicing law in 1946. As a result of the war period, cases mounted in the District Attorney's office in Dallas. Mr. Unis, a young prosecutor after World War II, gained experience in the office of the District Attorney, working on cases accumulated from the War period. Tom recalled in an interview that, ``we were trying cases morning, noon, and night.'' Mr. Unis' legal career extended well into the 1980's, when he made his services available to Pennzoil, in the Pennzoil v. Texaco corporate lawsuit. According to Tom, he was compelled to take the case because ``it was the biggest piece of litigation that had come along in years.'' Though Mr. Unis was an incredibly successful attorney, having a four decade career with the firm, Strasburger and Price, he devoted a substantial portion of his time to public service. Thomas Unis began his participation in the political realm in 1939, at the University of Texas, when he serenaded female students as part of a campaign for student office. In 1957, nearly two decades later, Mr. Unis remained involved in local politics, serving on the Dallas City Council. In the early 1960's J. Erik Jonsson ran for mayor with the backing of the Dallas Citizens' Charter Association. Jonsson eventually persuaded Mr. Unis to become his campaign manager for the mayoral race. Mr. Jonsson, with Tom Unis as his campaign manager, won the mayoral race, and ironically, Mr. Unis later became the president of the Dallas Citizens' Charter Association. During the 1980s, Thomas Unis served on the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) board as an appointee of the Dallas County Commissioners Court. His presence on the DART board as well as the other associations had a significant impact on Dallas, which is why his participation was requested for a large number of public service endeavors. Mr. Unis died at the age of 81, and is survived by his wife, Dorothy and four children, Tom, Joseph, Cheryl, and Mary. Though the City of Dallas will mourn the death of Mr. Unis, we should remember his own words: ``I've had a lot of fun all my life,'' we should also celebrate his accomplishments, and the fact that he lived a long and memorable life. We all have lost an incredible person, but celebrate Mr. Unis's full and successful life.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Juvenile Justice bill passed long ago, and the House still has not appointed conferees. This legislation and its accompanying gun safety provisions are vitally important to all American families. Each day in America, 14 kids age 19 and under are killed by guns. In 1996, almost 5,000 juveniles were killed with a firearm. In 1997, 84 percent of murder victims age 13 to 19 were killed with a firearm. Fifty-nine percent of students in grades 6 through 12 know where to get a gun if they want one, and two-thirds of these students say they can acquire a firearm within 24 hours. Kids and guns do not mix. Yet the Republican leadership refused to consider common-sense gun safety measures that would only serve to protect our kids. It is far too easy for kids to get and use guns. Trigger locks, or locked safety boxes, would keep this from happening. We have continually passed up the opportunity to act on this vitally important issue. I urge the Republican leadership to move to appoint conferees before we lose another child.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall numbers 335 and 336, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on each rollcall vote.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, my home State of Texas leads 15 other U.S. States in exporting goods to Africa, with an economic benefit totaling over $1 billion. So I rise in support of H.R. 434, hoping that many of my colleagues will answer the call from African leaders, and specifically women. Women are very eager to possess the means to fully engage the global economy and become economically self-reliant. This bill helps the economic standing of women in Africa, as well as the U.S. Businesswomen in the Nigerian American community in my district are encouraging me to remind this body that H.R. 434 will help women in Africa to receive more entrepreneurial opportunities that are central to the eradication of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. This is why the African Association of Women Entrepreneurs supports this bill. Currently, women in Africa head about 40 percent of African households, and supply a significant percentage of the African work force. This is a great first step. They do not want a handout, they want trade. Vote for 434. Mr. Chairman, some opponents to H.R. 434 would have you believe that Democrats cannot think in terms of self-reliance or free-market opportunities in the context of helping individuals create a better way of life for themselves, domestically or abroad. However, I rise in support of H.R. 434, hoping that many of my colleagues will answer the call from African leaders, and specifically women who are eager to possess the means to fully engage the global economy, becoming economically self-reliant. This bill helps the economic standing of women in Africa and well as in the U.S. My home State of Texas leads 15 other U.S. states in exporting goods to Africa, with economic benefits totaling over $1 billion. Many of the women benefiting from this relationship between Texas and Africa are members of the large Nigerian-American community that I represent. They are committed to strengthening trading ties with their fellow sisters in Africa. Both sides want the passage of AGOA. Businesswoman in the Nigerian-American community in my district are encouraging me to remind this body that H.R. 434 will help women in Africa to receive more entrepreneurial opportunities that are central to the eradication of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. This is why the African Association of Women Entrepreneurs supports this bill. Currently, women in Africa head about 40% of African households and supply a significant percentage of the African workforce in the following industries: food processing, agricultural workforce, marketing and domestic food shortage. This shows that they are already proving their ability to work to take advantage of the benefits that would be provided by the passage of H.R. 434. Economic growth provided under AGOA also benefits women by generating increased resources for critical health care and educational needs. Therefore, as a nurse and businesswoman, I am acutely aware of the economic and health-related benefits that AGOA will create for women in Africa. I ask that my colleagues in this body not to deny women in Africa true empowerment, health access and economic rights. A vote against AGOA would do just that. During the debate on the 1964 civil rights bill in the Senate, a member of the body said of that legislation, ``There is nothing so profound as an idea whose time has come.'' Mr. Chairman, H.R. 434 is laden with great possibilities and is profound because it is an idea whose time has finally come. Women in Africa are waiting for us to turn this profound idea into law and give them the means to take control over their lives and livelihood.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is troubling, and there is a difference between the two parties. The Democrats want to try to solve Social Security, improve Medicare, and try to secure our youth from guns. Each day in America 14 kids age 19 and under are killed by guns. In 1996, almost 5,000 juveniles were killed with a firearm. In 1997, 84 percent of the murder victims age 13 to 19 were killed with guns. Mr. Speaker, 59 percent of the students in grades six through twelve know where to get guns if they want one. And it seems that no one cares about how many they get. Two-thirds of these students say they can acquire a firearm within 24 hours. It is time, Mr. Speaker, that we address this issue and get on with the concerns of the American people. Kids and guns do not mix, yet Republicans refuse to consider common sense gun safety measures that would only serve to protect kids. It is time for us to do it, Mr. Speaker. America screams out for us to protect our youth.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Former Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock. The man I speak of today is so deeply entrenched in the political framework of Texas, that he has often been regarded as a legend in my home state. Bob passed away on June 18th 1999, and the entire State of Texas mourns his death. But I stand before you today to salute his life. I am proud to say that Bob Bullock was a friend of mine, in both the personal and political arena. This man was renowned for having an explosive temper and striking fear into his opponents. Yes, he did have an iron fist, but a heart of gold as well. Mr. Bullock will be remembered as a man whose dedication to the state of Texas stood above all political agendas. Bob Bullock began his career as a public servant in 1956, winning a seat in the Texas Legislature. I had the opportunity to serve with Bob when I began my service in the Texas House of Representatives in 1972, and the foresight to endorse him as a candidate for statewide Comptroller in 1974. Mr. Bullock held the office of Comptroller for 16 years, before being elected to the office of Lieutenant Governor in 1990. He served the State of Texas as Lieutenant Governor until he chose not to seek re-election in 1998. As Comptroller and Lieutenant Governor, Bob Bullock influenced so much of the major legislation passed in Texas over the past two decades, that he has been considered a political giant. In fact, Governor George W. Bush paid tribute to Bob Bullock by calling him ``the largest Texan of our time.'' Bob Bullock has reached legendary status because his political savvy allowed him to have a hand in nearly every major piece of legislation in Texas since the 1970's. Among Mr. Bullock's greatest accomplishments as Comptroller and Lieutenant Governor, were public education reform, water conservation, and performance reviews of state programs. Bob Bullock has had to overcome nearly as many struggles in his personal life as in his professional life. Mr. Bullock had been plagued by health problems, fighting as vigorously against illness as he had against political opposition. He won battles against depression, and alcoholism. He survived a heart attack and heart bypass surgery. Bob was an inspiration to all, sustaining his vibrance in the political realm though in less then the best of health. Unfortunately, Bob Bullock's health problems eventually caught up with him. In his final days Bob lost the battle to lung cancer and heart disease. Loved by some, but respected by all. He was one of the greatest legislators in the history of the State of Texas. The Lone Star will be forever indebted to this man or his vision, and his determination as a lawmaker. A long-time top aide of the former Lieutenant Governor affirmed that ``he never forgets anything'' and Texas will never forget Bob Bullock.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the McCarthy provisions and against the Dingell provisions. I agree with Mr. Alvin Bell of Garland, Texas when we said: The congressional measures passed at the stroke of midnight, by a Congress in the grasp of the National Rifle Association and the religious right, are a sad commentary to how insulated the Capitol can become to the real needs of the American people. The very idea that the posting of the Ten Commandments in schools and the loosening of gun control measures can achieve less school violence is lunacy. I would not be surprised if this Congress would soon legislate the passing out of crucifixes in schools, under the guise of warding off vampires. June 18, 1999: Charlton Heston 2-The American people 0.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as we stand here this morning, we know that we are in the greatest country in the world. We have been responsible for finding all kinds of interventions for our health care, and we enjoy the best skill and best knowledge in the world for health care. Yet American people do not have access to that care, the care that they have paid for through their tax dollars for the research. And yet we beg now and plead with the HMOs and the managed care insurance to allow people to have access to just basic health care. They need access to just needed care. They do not want to be treated one-size-fits-all. Whether you are 7 or 70 in this country under HMOs, if you have got a certain diagnosis, you all get treated the same. That does not address individual needs. Doctors need the freedom to practice the art and the science that they have learned and that they are capable of doing. They do not have that right under our present system. They are pushed out on the line and given instructions by the HMOs, and yet the HMOs do not even want to be responsible for what they tell the physicians to do. It is time for change. The American people are calling for it.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join the constituents of the 30th Congressional District of Texas, the resident of Dallas and my colleagues in the House of Representatives in taking great pleasure to proclaim June 24, 1999 as ``Billie Richards Day.'' Mr. Speaker, Ms. Richards has served the Dallas County commissioner's court as manager of the Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center for more than ten years. She has demonstrated continued dedication to help those low to moderate income level households in reaching the American dream of home ownership. Her hard work has allowed many families to take part in a dream that would otherwise have been unattainable. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Richards accomplished a lot during her tenure as executive director of the Neighborhood Housing Services of Dallas, Inc. and the Bethlehem Community Center. Her public relations and managerial skills, as well as her commitment to serve others, are second to none. Ms. Richards' educational credentials are impressive. She has utilized her creativity and social skills in her teaching position at Dunbar High School in Temple, Texas. Indeed, she has made it a priority to pass on her educational skills to others. In addition, she has received many awards in recognition of her commitment to community development. Her volunteer efforts have touched the lives of many. On June 24, 1999, we should take a moment to look back at more than 30 years of great achievements that Billie Richards has given to the Dallas community. Therefore, I ask that all citizens of Dallas join in celebrating June 24, 1999 as ``Billie Richards Day.''

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, instead of being relegated to a long and cold life in Buffalo, the Stanley Cup will be deep in the warm heart of Texas, specifically the great city of Dallas. We have the Dallas Stars to thank for bringing the cup to us after coming close to winning the cup in the semifinals last year. However, we cannot say we thank our lucky stars, for they defeated Buffalo with skill, determination and hard work. That was not luck. This determination was exemplified by the play of Dallas Stars goaltender Eddie Belfour, who made 53 saves in the winning game of the Stanley Cup series. The result of their defeating the Buffalo Sabers means more than a Stanley Cup coming to the best city in the world. The victory by the Dallas Stars has made a proud city even more proud. Mr. Speaker, this was evident yesterday morning in Dallas as thousands of her citizens and Stars fans joined the team in downtown Dallas to honor our Stanley Cup champions. Mr. Speaker, the Stars truly shine bright ``deep in the heart of Texas.'' Green and black are the colors of the National Hockey League and, I will wager that next year, they will shine even brighter. Mr. Speaker, what makes this victory even sweeter is the fact that for 3 years, the Stars have won the President's trophy that goes to the team with the best record in the National Hockey League. At the same time, the Stanley Cup was out of the reach of such a deserving team during those years. Mr. Speaker, I join the constituents of the 30th Congressional District and the residents of Dallas who are Stars fans in congratulating the 1999 Stanley Cup Champions, the Dallas Stars. Thank you for bringing the cup home to our proud city.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the McCarthy amendment on behalf of all of the mothers and grandmothers of this Nation.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, there is not time to read a statement or anything else but to simply say, with all of these reasonable people sitting here, we are trying to do one thing with the McCarthy amendment, protect our children and keep the guns out of the criminals' hands. It is so simple. I do not know what the NRA does to make so many people so fearful. But please protect the children tonight. Mr. Chairman, I rise tonight in opposition to the Dingell Amendment. This amendment does not address the problem we are trying to solve. Too many people who should not have access to guns can walk into a gun show and buy a gun, no questions asked. While we are trying to restrict the easy access, criminals and juveniles have had access to guns at gun shows. The Dingell amendment would make it easier on criminals and juveniles. The amendment too narrowly restricts the definition of a gun show. If you sell your guns at a gun show from a rolling cart, the Dingell amendment says you don't need to perform a background check on your customers. Slap some wheels on your booth and you don't have to follow the law. Further, if you decide not to ``sponsor'' the gun show under the reasons in the Dingell amendment, you don't have to do a background check either. Nor do you have to do background checks if there are less than ten vendors at the show, no matter the number of weapons sold. The amendment changes the Brady Law to give law enforcement agencies a mere 24 hours to do a background check. So, if you buy a gun at a gun show at 5:00 p.m. and the background check cannot be completed until Monday, you get the gun. Even with 72 hours to complete background checks, as its stands in the underlying legislation, the Justice Department says that 28% of felons, fugitives and other prohibited people would have gotten guns. The Dingell Amendment only increases that percentage. The Dingell Amendment would allow gun show dealers to complete the sale after the show with no background check required. This would give gun show sellers incentive to give out their home address and say ``Stop by on your way home from the show and I can get you a gun with none of that background check hassle.'' These are only a few of the problems with the amendment, but I think they are enough. We cannot allow the NRA to ghost-write this legislation. This amendment is simply the last gasps of the NRA to hold on to anything they have. The NRA is fighting in the face of common sense. This amendment is worse than the law that currently exists. The American people have asked us to pass common sense gun safety laws. This is not it. Oppose the Dingell Amendment. Parliamentary Inquiry

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the provisions in this bill proposed by several of my Democratic colleagues dealing with gun safety, especially the McCarthy amendment. These provisions are commonsense solutions that will get guns out of the wrong hands. Children are too easily able to get guns, either from gun shows or from their own homes. Convicted felons and people with outstanding warrants can walk into any gun show and walk stall to stall until they find a dealer willing to sell them a gun with no questions asked. These problems are too severe to be ignored. This is not gun control, this is gun safety. We are not trying to control guns, we are trying to control the environment of rising youth violence. I come from Texas, and I can tell you that people in Texas raise a big ruckus whenever they think that we in Washington are trying to take their guns away. I am not worried about responsible adults who have guns legally and use them wisely. I am worried about their children, who do not have the capacity to make responsible choices about firearms, getting their hands on guns. Selling a trigger lock with every new weapon makes weapons safer for children. This does not mean that parents can abdicate their responsibility when they purchase guns. But, trigger locks will cut down on accidental shootings and will make it harder for children to use firearms in a fit of rage. We need to conduct background checks on gun show purchasers and we cannot rest on the watered down language the NRA supports. Gun shows are the easiest way for criminals and children to get guns illegally. Let's stop the practice now. Legitimate buyers need not worry, so why does the NRA oppose this? Who knows? Stop attacking common sense and support the language taken exactly from the Senate passed Juvenile Justice bill. Finally, we need to raise the legal age to purchase a handgun from 18 to 21. These provisions all make sense and are needed now. Stop letting children and criminals get guns. Pass these provisions. I yield back the balance of my time.