Sam Johnson

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Texas is home to great schools, great teachers, and great students, and today I want to highlight four outstanding seniors from the Plano Independent School District who made perfect scores on their college entrance exams; four of them. Greg Bussell of Plano East, Jennifer Wu of Plano West, and Brian Young of Plano Senior High all scored 1600 on their SATs, while Jeffrey Lin of Plano West received a 36, the highest possible on the ACT. In addition to smarts and savvy, they all shine outside the classroom. Both Jennifer and Jeffrey play the violin in the orchestra, Greg stars in a school play, and Brian is on the school's academic decathlon team. These students are shining examples of the best and brightest in Texas and in America, and they deserve a Lone Star-size applause. I want to congratulate them and tell them that we are proud of them.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, you know, Texas is home to great schools, great teachers, and great students. Today I would like to spotlight four outstanding seniors from Plano Independent School District who made perfect scores on their college entrance exams. It is estimated that they are in the top one-tenth of the highest one percent of all of the students taking these exams. Brent Flynn of the Plano Star Courier detailed these amazing students in the September 29, 2003 edition. Greg Bussell of Plano East Senior High School, Jennifer Wu of Plano West Senior High School, and Brian Young of Plano Senior High School all scored 1600 on their S.A.T.'s, while Jeffrey Lin of Plano West Senior High School received a 36, the highest possible on the A.C.T. In addition to smarts and savvy, they all shine outside the classroom. Both Jennifer and Jeffrey play the violin in the orchestra. Greg stars in a school play and Brian's on the school's academic decathlon team. Each principal had wonderful words for these students. Plano Senior High principal Dr. Doyle Dean said, ``Brian Young is an outstanding student. We at Plano Senior High are very proud of his many academic and personal accomplishments, including his perfect score on the S.A.T.'' ``These are among some of the most extraordinary students in our State,'' said Dr. Michael McClellan, principal at Plano East Senior High. Phil Saviano, principal for Plano West Senior High School stated, ``It's an exceptional achievement. It's rewarding to see their hard work pay off after their amazing public school careers.'' These students are shining examples of the best and brightest in Texas and America. They deserve a Lone Star size applause. Congratulations. We are proud of you.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the remarks of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), as well as those on the other side. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Pension Funding Equity Act. It is long past time that we act on this important issue. I have even had people today come and tell me they want to work longer, so the Pension Benefit Guaranteed Corporation, which is a taxpayer funded entity, can fund them with more money. That is wrong. Traditional pension plans provide financial security for millions of retirees and for today's workers. However, in order for employers to provide this type of financial security, the companies that sponsor these plans need some certainty with respect to the laws that govern them. Two years ago the Treasury Department stopped issuing the 30-year Treasury bonds. That provided the interest rate benchmark for pension plans to measure their earnings. Since then, we have provided a stop- gap interest rate, and that stop-gap law is set to expire, and we are now coming forward with another temporary solution. The issues we are dealing with are complex and with roughly $350 billion of unfunded pension promises looming over the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, taxpayer funded, this is a high wire act without a safety net for American taxpayers. I support moving forward with using the index of high-quality corporate bonds as the new benchmark to measure pension funding levels. This interest rate will better approximate what a conservatively invested pension plan is likely to earn in its portfolio. I am disappointed, however, along with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), that the bill we are debating only replaces the 30-year bond rate for purposes of determining how well-funded a pension plan is. We are continuing the fantasy of using a 30-year Treasury bond rate for purposes of determining lump-sum calculations. The problem with ignoring the lump-sum calculations and using the defunct interest rate is that it provides a huge windfall to near-term retirees in transitional pension plans, while unjustifiably robbing everyone else in the pension plan. It also leaves gaping holes in pension funding that either must come from corporate earnings or these deficits must be turned over to the PBGC, at taxpayer expense, for payment. For Congress to ignore the lump sum side of this occasion means that we are collaborating and strategically undermining pension plan funding. Again, at a time when the pension insurance program is facing $350 billion in plan underfunding, I cannot be silent. We must protect the taxpayer. I will support this bill today in order to get it to conference with the Senate, but we must replace the 30-year Treasury bond rate, and we must do it now.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, October 8, to recognize Lights On Afterschool! events happening all around the country tomorrow. Lights On Afterschool! is a national celebration of after-school programs and the important role they play in the lives of children, families and communities. After-school programs keep kids safe, help working families and improve academic achievement. On any given afternoon at least 7 million, and as many as 15 million, ``latchkey children'' leave school only to return to an empty house. There is no question that the hours children spend unsupervised after school is when they are more likely to be involved in crime, substance abuse and other dangerous activities. In recognition of this, Lights On Afterschool! programs provide young people opportunities to be involved in productive activity after school. We need to ensure that every child has an open door to experiences that help positively shape his or her future. I am extremely proud of a company in my District that has taken a leadership role is this critical movement, J.C. Penney Company, Inc. They have formed an extension of their company, the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, which partners with organizations like Junior Achievement to help young people reach their full potential. JCPenney Afterschool and Junior Achievement are working to provide economic education programs to more than 100,000 young people during the current academic year. Congratulations to JCPenney Afterschool, Junior Achievement, and to other organizations like the Afterschool Alliance, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA of the USA and 4-H for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of children across America through after-school programs.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our Korean war commemoration, which began on June 25, 2000, on the 50th anniversary of the invasion of South Korea, continues through Veteran's Day this year. This past July 27th held special significance because it marked the 50th anniversary of the Korean war armistice. Begun only 5 years after the end of World War II, the Korean war was, in many ways, the first reminder that America must remain the world's leading force for peace, prosperity and freedom--a responsibility we still hold today. Called to fight back the brutal forces of communism, 1.8 million Americans courageously participated in the Korean war. The United States suffered over 36,000 dead and over 100,000 wounded in some of the most horrific conditions in the history of warfare. And even today there are still over 8,000 unaccounted for. The service and sacrifices of our Korean war veterans 50 years ago saved a nation from Communist enslavement and gave South Korea the opportunity to develop and flourish under freedom and democracy. Sadly, the Korean war is sometimes referred to as the ``forgotten war.'' Perhaps it was the mood of a nation wanting to return to peace after the Second World War. But for the U.S. men and women who served, and for the families and friends of those who paid the ultimate price, the Korean war can never be forgotten. By adding the Korean war veterans Armistice Day, July 27, to the list of days on which the United States Flag should be displayed, this Congress is sending a message, loud and clear, that ``we will never forget.'' All Americans must know, as the words etched on the Korean War Memorial reminds us, that ``freedom is not free.'' It cannot be taken for granted. Should this great country wish to preserve its freedom, we must pay tribute to those who paid the price for it. Korean war veterans, I salute you.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is disconcerting when someone from the other side tries to tell us we are not taking care of problems when we are. Members will find that what was just stated was taken care of in a different bill. But I rise to support the basic bill, H.R. 7. It contains a provision to permit restaurant owners to deduct cost of food donated to hunger relief charities. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that 96 billion pounds of edible food are wasted and dumped in landfills each year. If even 1 percent of that food was redirected from landfills to local charities, it will significantly reduce the number of people who have a difficult time getting food on their table. We are talking about wholesome and nutritious food that is left over at grocery stores and restaurants, and even those trays of foods that are left at the end of the night at receptions that we all attend. It is a shame for that food to go to waste. With the tax incentives included in this bill, companies will have an added incentive to make sure that this food goes to a good cause, the hungry. I also want to talk about the provisions in the bill that help foundations. I work with many of the Texas-based foundations to make sure this bill does the good it is supposed to do without harming foundations like the Meadows Foundation in Dallas, which has allocated $25 million for grants for 2003, including a $3 million emergency loan fund available to assist agencies that are facing crises. That is a lot of money from one foundation. I am glad to say the money pretty much stays in the State of Texas. One of my favorite projects of the Meadows Foundation is the Wilson District, which is a nonprofit community established by the foundation in 1981 to restore and preserve some of the last Victorian structures in Dallas. Its mission is to provide rent-free office space. We need to pass this bill and help our foundations and our charities. I also want to talk about the provisions in this bill that help foundations. I worked with many of the Texas-based foundations to make sure that this bill does the good it is supposed to do without harming foundations like the Meadows Foundation based in Dallas. The Meadows Foundation has allocated $25 million toward grants for the year 2003, including a $3 million emergency loan fund available to assist those agencies that are facing crisis situations. This is a lot of money from one foundation and I'm glad to say that the money pretty much stays in Texas. One of my favorite projects of the Meadows Foundation is the Wilson district. It is a nonprofit community established by the foundation in 1981 to restore and preserve some of the last Victorian structures in Dallas but its mission is to provide rent-free office space to nonprofit charitable organizations. Groups like the Greater Dallas Community of Churches, the Suicide and Crisis Center, the United Negro College Fund, the Center for Housing Resources, and Dallas Reads are all able to have office space that lets them focus on the good and charitable works they do without having to worry about the rent, the light bill or other office space concerns. It is this direct charitable work by foundations that I felt needed to be protected in this bill. I thank Chairman Thomas and the majority whip for working to be sure that necessary changes were made to this bill.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is impossible for me to figure out why we need an amendment when this bill passed the Committee on Ways and Means unanimously. Our country's charities are facing a crunch. This bill is targeted for all charities. So it does not need amending. This is a tax cut with a punch and it will spur investment in organizations that make a difference in the places we live and work. The basic bill is what we should vote for, not the amendment. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me just make a couple of observations. The hospitals' payments include some of the payments for beneficiaries. It is not just all hospital costs. I think that we have to consider the fact that the United States Senate, which according to what this proposal embodies, puts the government fully at risk. There is little incentive to control costs, and I think that the provisions have to lead to higher prices for beneficiaries and taxpayers, and it is a complete and utter giveaway. I think that we have to defeat this motion. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Tennessee is kind of an interesting State, because they get a 5.3 percent increase; and it does not include six Tennessee critical access hospitals which are rural which are paid exactly what their costs are. Now, this bill is all-encompassing. It takes care of people. It does not let people die, and it does not spend the Treasury of the United States to zero. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will tell you what: let us correct the record. You did get a market basket adjustment of minus 0.4 percent, but the number I quoted you was the number at the end, which was a 5.5 percent increase. That is 2.1 percent more than current law. That does not count the 5.5 percent increase in additional allotments for Medicaid. Iowa is not being mistreated. When I hear talk about let us treat everybody equal, I think of Canada and their socialist program of medicine, which has not worked; and that is why Canadians come down here for medicine. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am kind of getting worried about us wanting to spend more money. It seems like every time I turn around, we do that. This particular proposal spends more money. In fact, I think my colleagues forget over there that we put in $27 billion extra for rural, just for rural, and if you look at some of the statistics, Iowa, for instance, has a 5.5 percent increase and plus-up on Medicaid. I think Iowa is rural. Oklahoma has a 5.7 percent increase and a 5.9 percent increase on Medicaid. I think that is rural, for the most part. As I go through these notes, it seems to me that the States that you call rural and are not getting anything, they are getting more. Montana gets a 5.7 increase. It is impossible for me to figure out why you think the rural areas are getting stiffed. South Dakota, 5.4 percent increase; Tennessee, 5.3 percent, and so on. I can go on and on. But the thing is that the Senate provision, or the provision, that you are trying to affirm results in higher costs; and it is a complete and utter giveaway. I think that it is time that we got a little bit of fiscal responsibility in this House and stopped spending money. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I cannot believe we are arguing over this because there are some misnomers here, I think. When they come up with this motion to instruct, we are asking to accept the Senate's position on a government-run prescription drug delivery structure, and the CBO has estimated that that government-run provision will lead to higher prices for beneficiaries and taxpayers in over $8 billion in higher costs. That is a giveaway to the pharmaceutical industry. This talk about seniors not having a benefit in rural areas is just not right. Both CBO and CMS agree that numerous drug plans will be available and more than 95 percent of the beneficiaries will voluntarily sign up for the benefit. These nonpartisan actuaries have no axe to grind and are in agreement on that point. Furthermore, any action to approve the other body's position provides unprecedented inflationary increases to hospitals and other health care providers which will force the conference, as my colleague has said, to exceed the $400 billion allocation in the budget resolution, thereby jeopardizing the whole program. It will also undo bicameral, bipartisan decisions that conferees have already resolved. The motion is completely unnecessary because both bills already require prescription drug plans to assume financial risk in delivering prescription benefits to provide a fallback to guarantee all seniors have access to prescription drug plans. It does not matter whether they live in a city or in a country. Both CBO and CMS, as I said, agree that more than 95 percent of beneficiaries will voluntarily sign up. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the final year of the United States' 50th anniversary of the Korean War commemoration. Beginning on June 25, 2000, which marked the 50th anniversary of the invasion of South Korea, the commemoration period will continue through Veterans's Day of this year. This Sunday, July 27th holds special significance because it will mark the 50th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Begun only five years after the end of World War II, the Korean War was, in many ways, the first reminder that America must remain the world's leading force for peace, prosperity and freedom--a responsibility we still hold today. Called to fight back the brutal forces of communism, 1,800,000 Americans courageously participated in the Korean War. The United States suffered over 36,000 dead and over 100,000 wounded in some of the most horrific conditions in the history of warfare. The service and sacrifices of our Korean War veterans 50 years ago saved a nation from communities enslavement and gave South Korea the opportunity to develop and flourish under freedom and democracy. Sadly, the Korean War is sometimes referred to as the ``forgotten war.'' Perhaps it was the mood of a nation wanting to return to peace after the Second World War. But for the U.S. men and women who served, and for the families and friends of those who paid the ultimate price, the Korean War can never be forgotten. May this resolution, along with all the Korean War commemoration events taking place this year across the country, send a message, loud and clear, that ``we will never forget.'' All Americans must know, as the words etched on the Korean War Memorial reminds us, ``Freedom is Not Free.'' It cannot be taken for granted. Should this great country wish to preserve its freedom, we must pay tribute to those who paid the price for freedom. Korean War veterans, I salute you.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo), the chairman of the Committee on Small Business.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, to my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews), that is total misinformation. And I would agree that the gentleman is politicizing this bill. But he is doing it, not us. This bill makes it illegal to cherrypick. This bill does not eliminate any form of insurance and the gentleman stated it did. It does not stop insurance companies from insuring on whatever they want to insure. And as a matter of fact, they probably will. Furthermore, one million more people became uninsured in the past year and it was primarily because of small businesses getting out of the insurance business because it is too expensive. And I think that there is the one way in which we can ensure that people will be insured, more of them through small businesses. As a matter of fact, a private study has said about 8.5 million more will be insured. Under our bill, sick or high risk groups or individuals cannot be denied coverage. Moreover, AHPs are severely limited in their ability to charge higher rates which my cohort said would happen. They can not charge higher rates for sicker people or groups within the plan. AHPs can only charge different rates to the extent allowed under the law of the State where the employer is based. The bill contains strict requirements under which only bona fide professional and trade associations can sponsor an AHP, and these organizations must be established for purposes other than providing health insurance for at least 3 years. Now, there is considerable comment about AHPs being exempts from State coverage. As we all know, labor unions and large corporations that self-insure are already exempt from State health care mandates, and they provide quality benefits because it is in the best interest of their employees. And I will charge you that small business would apply the same reasoning. It is really a moral fairness issue. If it is good enough for labor unions, good enough for Fortune 500 companies, it ought to be good enough for small business. We must remember that our ultimate goal here is to bring quality coverage to the 41 million Americans who have no insurance. Further, AHPs will significantly expand access to health coverage to uninsured Americans by increasing small businesses bargaining power with health care providers by giving employers freedom from costly State-mandated benefit packages. According to a private study, as I said, AHPs should increase the number of insured Americans by up to 8.5 million people. Sadly, last year one in seven Americans went without health insurance. The increase in the number of uninsured comes solely from the declining market in the small business community. With health insurance costs continuing to rise, businesses face increases more than double the national average. Health insurance costs are still rising and many small employers are forced to drop health coverage. Some cannot even offer it in the first place. The cost saving benefits of AHPs would help small employers of main street access coverage at a more affordable price. According to the Congressional Budget Office, AHPs would save small business owners and their employees as much as 25 percent of their health insurance costs. Just like buying a case of soda at a supermarket costs less per can than buying 24 individual cans at a vending machine, AHPs would allow groups like the National Restaurant Association to buy thousands of health insurance policies at a lower person policy cost and pass the savings along. Let us face facts. Costs are rising. Businesses are dropping coverage, and more people are going uninsured. Congress must address the uninsured problem and move forward with increasing the insured through association health plans. It is the least this Congress can do to make certain that the American people will receive better health care at a more reasonable price. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger), a member of the Committee on Education and Workforce and a long-time Member of Congress and a small businessman.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), a member of the committee.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment. We have been hearing all day that it is going to create all this stuff, and it is not going to create anything. Our bill allows for anything to be covered, and it will all be covered. This amendment creates an incredibly complex $50 billion government- run program. The program sets up brand-new health care subsidies, but only for certain small businesses and some workers. Unlike the Federal employee plan, the new program would be subject to thousands of State mandates. As we have heard time and again, those mandates make up at least 15 percent of the rising cost of health insurance. Now, here is the real kicker. In order to qualify for the subsidy, employers are required to pay at least 50 percent of the cost for the care of their employees. The Democrat substitute will raise health care costs for small employers and then spend $50 billion to subsidize it. AHPs are going to give everybody the ability to obtain insurance. Mr. Speaker, I urge rejection of this substitute.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King), a member of the committee.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn) for yielding me this time. I think sometimes the Members on the other side forget that this is a Nation built on free enterprise. Free enterprise means you start with nothing and you make something out of it. And guess what? It's great that you can turn it over to your kids when you die. A great bill this is for America. I strongly support the bill to permanently repeal the death tax. Members of this House have overwhelmingly voted to repeal these destructive taxes that can wipe out a lifetime of work. For many businesses, small businesses especially, death taxes loom over their very future existence. These taxes have driven far too many business decisions for far too long. Whether it is purchasing extra life insurance that benefits only the tax man or structuring the form of a company ownership so that a small business is not wiped out on the death of a key employee, the death tax has been in the driver's seat of too many small business decisions. Two years ago, we voted to repeal this tax and let the small business owners get on with making their businesses successful instead of planning for their own demise. But like the arcade game ``Whack a Mole,'' this tax keeps popping up and rearing its ugly head. Many of our Democrat colleagues are arguing for something less than full repeal of the death tax. Class warfare does not work on this issue. Americans strive to be successful and then share the fruits of their labor with their children. Americans support full repeal of the death tax. They do not want a toll booth on the road to after life. Mr. Speaker, just as you cannot be a little bit dead, this tax cannot be a little bit repealed. Imposing taxes on the value of a lifetime of work is just wrong and we must end this tax permanently.