Sam Johnson

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I hate to be against some of my colleagues from Texas, whom I really revere. I will say, we have got a problem on the border, and drug traffic is taking over and our Nation's security is at risk. Homes and lands have been taken over by drug lords, Members know that. We have not done anything to help them. We have tried to put more agents down there, and we cannot seem to get it through the House and get more money to do it. Are we to let that border go awry? I think America needs to protect its borders, and this motion will reinforce that. Do you know what? The drugs have moved, the drug ops have moved, from Colombia to Mexico. We all are aware of that. Guess what? They target the United States as a drug target. One of the cities that is really suffering is one that I happen to represent, Plano, TX. We had two guys come in from California the other day and they said they could not believe it. They sensed there was a drug problem, we know we have a drug problem, and guess what? It is all coming across the border. I think the situation is dire enough where we would be irresponsible if we did not address it now. We created the military to protect our Nation and its borders. We have troops all over the world, for crying out loud, theoretically protecting the interests of this Nation. Surely we can take action when the freedom and loss of it occurs right in our own backyard. Mr. Speaker, I encourage the conferees to stand firm on this.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Republicans have done what some called impossible. We have balanced the budget, provided the most significant tax relief in 16 years. Not since Ronald Reagan gave us 7 years of unprecedented economic growth have we given so much relief to the millions of families, small business owners, farmers, and other hard-working Americans who deserve to keep more of the money they earn. This bill is going to free up dollars, free up money, taxpayer dollars, I might add, which previously had been used for wasteful government spending. It returns this money to the rightful owners, to the people of the United States of America, to those who create jobs, economic growth, and wealth. It is going to provide more people with the opportunity to achieve the American dream of owning their own home, seeing their children go to college, and having enough money to retire and just enjoy their grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to thank the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer], my good friend, a super Texan and a great American for his hard work and determination in making sure that Americans get what they so richly deserve, a big tax cut. It is long overdue. It is finally time that this Congress has done something good for America. God really has blessed America.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, as my colleagues know, this tax relief bill gives part of America back to Americans who pay too much in taxes. There is not a Member here who can deny that this bill provides relief to families through the $500 per child tax credit. Gives entrepreneurs and companies the opportunity to create more job opportunities in America by lowering the capital gains tax rate than the alternative minimum tax, allows families to keep their farms or small businesses by providing death tax relief and gives more Americans a way to send their kids to college and buy a first home by expanding IRAs. During this debate there are going to be two different arguments about what tax cuts mean. By the time we finish, I think our differences will be clear. To Democrats tax cuts mean less money here in Washington for this Government to spend. To us Americans tax cuts means people will keep more of the money that they work so hard to earn. In America we ought not to discriminate on the basis of race or gender, and we also should not discriminate on the basis of income. We in Congress have a responsibility to bring Americans together for everyone's benefit, not divide them with class warfare rhetoric. Seventy-six percent of the tax cuts in this bill go to people making under $75,000, and a hundred percent of these tax cuts go to all Americans, who are overtaxed. Neither the President nor Democrats in Congress should stand in the way of hard-working Americans getting a break from high taxes. As my colleagues know, Americans want, need, and deserve their tax relief now.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, as my colleagues know, we forgot what we are here for, and that is to protect the United States of America. The B-2 is expensive, but we know it is the only available system that can directly attack heavily defended areas anywhere in the world from the United States within hours. We do not have to deploy, we do not have to escort, we do not have to create a big force. It means that B-2 is likely to carry most of the burden in any war. To say that we have 21 and that should be enough is naive and dangerous. That number was kind of pulled out of the air anyway, I think. The gentleman from California, Mr. Duncan Hunter, mentioned earlier that 10 percent of our B-52's missions were destroyed in Vietnam. I was in Vietnam. I was a POW there for nearly 7 years, and let me tell my colleagues something. I watched the missiles fired around us until we thought the sky was going to be like daylight. It was night. I watched three B-52's get hit in the air. Do my colleagues know what? That airplane is old. It cannot get in anywhere without getting hit. They exploded right there in the air, right in front of my eyes, and I saw some of our countrymen die on the spot, burn to death, and those that got out, bailed out, got to Earth, and do my colleagues know what? They got imprisoned just like I was, and one of the tail gunners had his leg cut off by a Vietnamese because they were mad at him. Do we want that? I do not think so. I think we want to protect our men. We need to provide the equipment, the military equipment, the most modern equipment that we can provide for them so that if we ever get into any situation like that again, and it does not have to be like Vietnam, it can be as was stated before, a mission to destroy the tanks in a place like Iraq before they get moving. We must protect our troops. Give them the airplane. Vote against this amendment.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the average worker is working longer and harder to achieve the American dream, in part because it has been 16 years since this Congress has passed any significant tax relief. This is about to change. The House and Senate have drafted bills which would provide five important areas of relief for our workers, our families and our children. They include a $500 per child tax credit, death tax relief, capital gains reduction, expanded IRAs and education initiatives to help children afford college. These were agreed to by the President and the Congress and this Congress has held up its end of the bargain, but the President is backtracking. Tell me, is the President for tax relief or not? It is time for the President to quit waffling. Americans want, need and deserve tax relief now.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to warn the working men and women of this country that the President has broken his word. He says he is going to veto a tax bill that contains exactly what he agreed to, badly needed tax relief for families and children. Through his spokesman, the President says he will not sign a tax bill that contains a $500-per-child tax credit, estate tax relief, and a capital gains reduction. I am outraged, first, that he would once again break his word, and second, that no one is holding him accountable. Every American who is faced with high taxes deserves an explanation. It is time for the President to quit playing games. Mr. President, honor your commitment. America needs tax relief now.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this is not going to tear up the budget. The CAT substitute has a simple message: Americans' taxes are too high because the government spends too much. Americans want, need and deserve to keep more of their own money, so support this amendment and give all Americans a better life. If my colleagues think the government has grown too big, then vote for this substitute because it cuts spending. Now is the time for Washington to get off the backs of the hard- working taxpayers of this country. We have got to stop spending Americans' money on big government programs and let them have the money to raise a family, buy a house, send their children to school, maybe even get a much needed vacation. The CAT substitute does the right thing. It balances the budget, reduces the size and scope of government and, most importantly, gives families more relief from high taxes. Vote for this substitute, cut spending, cut taxes. Do it for America.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this issue is of great importance to the entire country. When we have the chance to help those less fortunate, especially their children, nothing, including political interests, should stand in our way. Let me tell the gentleman that tomorrow Mr. Erskine Bowles has agreed to meet with some of us and try to resolve this question.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this amendment simply tries to rectify an injustice against the State of Texas, who has been trying to resolve a welfare problem for some time and getting no response out of the administration. Texas, Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin have all worked to meet the challenge that Congress and the President issued in last year's welfare bill to design innovative welfare systems. Specifically, Texas has designed a system that accomplishes two important things: First, it consolidates 21 existing programs into one, making it much simpler for welfare recipients to receive and collect benefits. Second, it saves the taxpayers $10 million a month or about $120 million a year. Those savings, put back into the welfare system, could provide health coverage for an additional 150,000 children a year. But it has been 10 months since Texas submitted its proposal, and to this day they still have not received a satisfactory answer from the Federal Government. The administration will not approve the proposal because of pressure from the unions, and they will not deny the proposal because it would contradict everything that this administration, the President, has said about ending welfare as we know it. So the result is that the citizens of Texas and every other State needlessly suffer. This amendment is necessary because we do not want any other State to have to battle and fight like Texas has for the ability to do what is best for its citizens. Mr. Chairman, Texas and the rest of the Nation's Governors deserve an answer from the administration.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as our relationship with Mexico becomes more and more important to the economic well-being of our Nation, I would like to bring to this body's attention the sacrificial effort of 48 young men, who at their own expense and under the invitation and direction of Gov. Julio Cesar Ruiz Ferro and Senator Pablo Salazar, have served the community of Nuevo San Miguel Micotic in the Chiapas region of Mexico. During the summer of 1996 as part of Operation Eagle 96-2, 96-3, and 96-4, they provided medical aid and construction assistance, met basic needs, and taught skills to better the community's living conditions and ability to benefit neighboring communities. Their work continues to be heralded throughout the state of Chiapas among the citizens and leaders of Mexico. Furthermore, their experience of cross-cultural service not only strengthens global relationships, but better equips them for work in their home communities. Listing of Students and (States) Daniel Alexander (AK), Ryan Batterton (WA), Joel Beaird (TX), David Beskow (OR), Brian Biddle (OH), Daniel Boyd (TX), Philip Codington (SC), Steve Dankers (WI), Thomas Exstrum (AB), Andrew Farley (CA), Steve Farrand (CO), Scott Forrester (TN). Joel George (CO), Joshua Gilbert (WA), Timothy Hammeke (KS), Avione Heaps (MT), William Hicks (CA), Cody Hornor (MD), Zachary Jaeger (IA), Hans Jensen (CA), Joshua Knaak (AB), David Kress (AL), Daniel Lamb (CA), Kristofer Lee (OR). Paul Lee (TX), Andrew Leonhard (VA), Andrew Lundberg (WA), Stephen Lundberg (WA), Jason Mallow (GA), Andrew Monsbor (MI), Larry Mooney (OH), James Penner (OH), Daniel Powell (AL), Daniel Reynolds (MN), Gregg Rozeboom (MI), Chad Sikora (MI). Kevin Staples (AB), Daniel Straban (IN), Nathonael Swanson (NB), Leon King Tan (Malaysia), David Thomas (MI), Roy Van Cleve (WA), Ariel Vanderhost (KS), Christopher Veenstra (MI), Jason Wenk (NY), Reese Wihite (TX), Nathan Williams (KS), Joshua Wright (AR).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I commend the hard work of our budget negotiators for coming to an agreement that balances the budget by the year 2002. It is a positive step. But let me make it perfectly clear, as a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, I take seriously my responsibilities and constitutional authority to debate, craft, and pass tax bills out of this committee. In no way should the President dictate or bind our committee as to what should and should not be in any tax bill. That is what the committee process and this Congress was designed to do. We will give full backing to the gentleman from Texas, Chairman Archer, when he says we will accept the number given to us by the budget negotiators and the President, but we reserve the right to craft the provisions that are in any tax bill that comes before the committee and we may make them higher in the interest of the American people. It is that simple.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the tornado disaster in Bullitt County, KY, I would like to recognize the following 19 men who gave of their personal money, time, and energy to assist with tornado relief. At the invitation of state senator Lindy Casebier, and under the direction of the Army Reserve command post, they served in and around the cities of Brooks and Zoneton for a period of 2 weeks from May 31, 1996, to June 12, 1996. During this time they coordinated relief efforts in removal of trees from homes and cleanup of house debris, while spreading goodwill, faith, hope, and charity wherever they went. Their sacrifice, diligence, and thoroughness conveyed a true sense of brotherly love to the citizens of these communities. The experiences these men received while serving will enrich their lives permanently, causing them to become better citizens, and thus have a greater impact on the world around them. Jason Allen, Ohio; Kory Boudreau, Illinois; T.W. Chapman, Michigan; Michael Forrester, Tennessee; Stanley Forrester, Tennessee; Timothy Hammeke, Kansas; Marvin Heikkila, Michigan; Jason Litt, Ohio; Jason Mallow, Georgia; Daniel Reynolds, Minnesota; Jeremy Sikes, Iowa; Ben Stixrud, Washington, John Tanner, Michigan; Joshua Tanner, Michigan; Justin Tanner, Michigan; Zachary Taylor, Wisconsin; Michael Shoemaker, Indiana; and Matthew Yordy, Indiana.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the tornado disaster in Oakfield WI, I would like to recognize the following 25 men who gave of their personal money, time, and energy to assist with tornado relief. At the invitation of State Senator Carol Buettner, and under the direction of George Workman, Marquette County emergency management director, they served in and around the city of Oakfield, WI, for a period of 2 weeks from July 19 to July 29, 1996. During this time they coordinated relief efforts in removal of trees from homes and cleanup of house debris, while spreading goodwill, faith, hope, and charity wherever they went. Their sacrifice, diligence, and thoroughness conveyed a true sense of brotherly love to the citizens of Oakfield. The experiences these men received while serving will enrich their lives permanently, causing them to become better citizens, and thus have a greater impact on the world around them. Listing of Students and (States) Matthew Bertholic (WA), Benjamin Blair (CA), Jonathan Bowers (TN), Jason Butler (AL), David Carne (OR), David Curlett (TX), Timothy Davis (CA), Paul Ellis (MS), Gerald Garcia (MI), Andrew Griffin (WA), Craig Guy (MO). Trevor Hayes (NY), Joshua Kempson (NJ), Matthew Linquist (CA), Clayton Lord (KS), Russell Moulton (OK), Keon Pendergast (CA), Carl Popowich (CO), Jeremy Sikes (IA), Robert Smith (CA), John Tanner (MI), Matthew Watkins (CA), Matthew Wood (WA), John Worden (CA).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the flooding along the Ohio River in Ohio, I would like to recognize the following 27 men who gave of their personal money, time, and energy to assist with flood relief. At the invitation of Senator Doug White and under the direction of disaster relief coordinator Rodney Yates, they served in and around the town of Manchester, OH, from March 7-14, 1997. During this time they assisted the local emergency relief agencies in the salvage and cleanup in the aftermath of the flooding, while spreading goodwill, faith, hope, and charity wherever they went. Their sacrifice, diligence, and thoroughness conveyed a true sense of brotherly love to the citizens of Adams County. The experiences these men received while serving will enrich their lives permanently, causing them to become better citizens, and thus have a greater impact on the world around them. Listing of Students and (States) Jonathan Barber (GA), Joel Beaird (TX), Jonathan Bendickson (BC), Evan Bjorn (WA), Jonathan Bowers (TN), Nathan Bultman (MI), Thomas Chapman (MI), Reuben Dozeman (MI), Jonathan Elam (IN), Paul Ellis (MS), Ron Fuhrman (MI), Matthew Harry (MI), Timothy Hayes (NY), Joshua Johnson (WA), Caleb Kaspar (OR), Jason Luksa (TX), David Mason (GA), John Nix (TX), Steve Nix (TX), Timothy Petersen (GA), Matthew Pierce (MS), Joshua Schoenborn (WA), Michael Shoemaker (IN), Daniel Strahn (IN), Nathanael Swanson (NB), Seth Tiffner (WV), and Jared Wickham (IL).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the tornado disaster in Arkansas, I would like to recognize the following 56 young men who gave of their personal money, time, and energy to assist with tornado relief. At the invitation of Gov. Mike Huckabee and Mayor Jim Dailey of Little Rock, AR, and their direction, they served in and around the city for a period of 4 weeks from March 3-28. 1997. During this time they assisted the mayor's office and city Department of Code Enforcement in removal of trees from homes and cleanup of house debris, while spreading goodwill, faith, hope, and charity wherever they went. Their sacrifice, diligence, and thoroughness conveyed a true sense of brotherly love to the citizens of Little Rock. The experiences these men received while serving will enrich their lives permanently, causing them to become better citizens, and thus have a greater impact in the world around them. Listing of Students Joseph Armis (IN), Robert Armstrong (WA), Jonathan Barber (GA), Adam Becker (OH), Jonathan Bendickson (BC), Evan Bjorn (WA), Daniel Boyd (TX), Nathan Bultman (MI), Alex Burrell (MI), Seth Campbell (ID), Shane Campbell (ID), Philip Codington (SC), Reuben Dozeman (MI), Brian Dye (CO), Jonathan Elam (IN), Jonathan Farney (KS), Steven Farrand (CO), Ron Fuhrman (MI), Gerald Garcia (MI), and Ryan Gearhart (TX). Joel George (CO), Avione Heaps (MT), Burton Herring (MI), Marvin Heikkila (MN), William Hicks (CA), John Iliff (KS), Zachary Jaeger (IA), Caleb Kaspar (OR), Joshua Knaak (AB), David Kress (AL), Stephen Leckenby (IN), Andrew Leonhard (VA), Matthew Lindquist (CA), Brandon Lo Verde (NY), Andrew Lundberg (WA), Stephen Lundberg (WA), David Mason (GA), John Munsell (OH), Ryan Petersen (MN), and Timothy Petersen (GA). Matthew Pierce (MS), Carl Popowich (CO), Daniel Powell (AL), Paul Southall (CA), Kevin Staples (AB), Joshua Syenhard (CA), Nathanael Swanson (NB), John Tanner (MI), Beau Taylor (WI), Joshua Thomas (OR), Daniel Thompson (CA), Seth Tiffner (WV), Roy Van Cleve (WA), Nathan Williams (KS), Joshua Wright (AR), and Jesse Young (AR).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in a day and age where responsibility is shirked and leisure is honored over discipline, I would like to commend to you 14 young men who have shouldered responsibility beyond their years. These men served as Ambassadors of good will and friendship to the city of Moscow, Russia, under the direct invitation and authority of the Moscow Department of Education, between July 19 and September 3, 1996, as a part of Operation Flexibility 96-2. During this time they were involved in community assistance, demolition, construction, renovation projects, and meeting the basic needs of those around them. Their work and influence has not gone unnoticed by the Russian authorities, and indeed, the rest of the world, as they have been acclaimed and invited to several States and nations to continue the same tradition of service. The lessons and character that they are developing though their constant ministry, has and will continue to affect the lives of those they serve and meet in a positive manner. Seth Campbell (ID), Andrew Cope (SC), Paul Elliott (WY), Ryan Gearhart (OK), Robert Myer (FL), Timothy Rogers (NY), David Servideo (VA), Adam Shelley (MO), Michael Shoemaker (IN), Scott Westendorf (OR), Brian Wicker (AZ), Matthew Yordy (IN), Joshua Meals (TN), Joshua Tanner (MI).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the flooding along the Licking River in Kentucky, I would like to recognize the following 56 men who gave of their personal money, time, and energy to assist with flood relief. At the invitation of Senator Gex Williams, they served in and around the towns of Butler and Falmouth, KY, for a period of 3 weeks from March 7-28, 1997. During this time they assisted the local emergency relief agencies in the salvage, cleanup, and demolition of homes and businesses that had been damaged, while spreading goodwill, faith, hope, and charity wherever they went. Their sacrifice, diligence, and thoroughness conveyed a true sense of brotherly love to the citizens of Butler and Falmouth. The experiences these men received while serving will enrich their lives permanently, causing them to become better citizens, and thus have a greater impact on the world around them. Listing of Students and (States) Ryan Batterton (WA), Joel Beaird (TX), Johnathan Bowers (TN), Michael Braband (MO), Jason Butler (AL), David Carne (OR), Thomas Chapman (MI), Charles Churchill II (NC), James Clifford (ON), Andrew Cope (SC), Geoff Davis (KY), Timothy Davis (CA), Benjamin Easling (WA), Paul Ellis (MS). Steve Dankers (WI), Paul Elliott (WY), Ron Fuhrman (MI), Matthew Harry (MI), Timothy Hayes (NY), James Huckabee, Jr. (MO), Hans Jensen (CA), Joshua Johnson (WA), Daniel Lamb (CA), Aaron Lantzer (MI), Eric Lantzer (MI), Clayton Lord (KS), Jason Luksa (TX), Joshua Menge (GA). Larry Mooney (OH), John Nix (TX), Steve Nix (TX), Daniel Norwood (GA), Keon Pendergast (CA), Matthew Pennell (DE), James Penner (OH), Daniel Reynolds (MN), Tim Rogers (NY), Gregg Rozeboom (MI), Joshua Schoenborn (WA), David Servideo (VA), Adam Shelley (MO), Michael Shoemaker (IN). Chad Sikora (MI), Jeremy Smith (KY), Chuck Stewart (WV), Daniel Strahan (IN), Joshua Tanner (MI), David Thomas (MI), Timothy Tuttle (OR), Arial Vanderhorst (KS), Daniel Weed (NY), Scott Westendorf (OR), Shane White (KY), Jared Wickam (IL), Brian Wicker (AZ), Matthew Wood (WA).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as this Congress deliberates the issues facing our Nation and the world today, I would like to bring to your attention a group of young people and families who are taking significant steps to strengthen society in our country and around the globe. In particular, I would like to commend 384 such individuals who have recently returned from Moscow, Russia, where they have been involved over the 1995-96 school year in providing character education for orphans, public school children, college young people, juvenile delinquents, and families. They have been serving at their own expense under the authority and official invitation of the Moscow department of education. Their success continues to be heralded throughout Moscow by television, newspaper, and word of mouth among the citizens and leaders of Russia. Furthermore, the credentials and strengthening that this experience provides for those who have taken part will heighten the success of their work in their own home communities as they continue to serve families and young people through positive character training and practical assistance. John Arnett (NC), Breton Alberty (LA), Evangeline Alexander (AL), Adam Allen (CA), Hugh Allen (CA), Karen Allen (CA), Matthew Allen (CA), Rachelle Allen (CA), Charles Astone (AZ), Jeri Lynn Backus (AR), Jerome Backus (AR), Martha Backus (AR), Sunny Barja (NC), Donny Barr (GA), Lindsay Bain (NZ), Simon Bain (NZ), Aileen Bair (OH), David Bair (OH), John Bair (OH), Peter Bair (OH), Robert Bair (OH), Stephen Bair (OH), Kelly Battson (CA), James Beaird (TX), Amy Beckenhauer (CA), Gail Beckenhauer (CA), Kurt Beckenhauer (CA), Adam Bell (TX), Anthony Bender (CA), Patricia Bender (CA), Steven Bender (CA), Karine Bergeron (Canada), Matthew Berholic (WA), Jason Beverly, Richard Blair (CA), Nicole Blockeel (Canada), Dean Boehler (CO), Justin Boehler (CO), Rebekah Boehler (CO), Stacy Boehler (CO), James Brock (GA), Joshua Brock (GA), Sandra Brock (GA), Vann Brock (GA). Paul Brooker (GA), Calyton Browning (NY), Rachel Browning (NY), Ralph Browning (NY), Robert Browning (Canada), Sandra Browning (NY), Wanda Browning (NY), Christopher Brudi (MI), Nathan Bultman (MI), Reuben Burwell (TX), Laura Grace Butler (AL), James Cade (MS), Laura Cade (MS), Melonie Cade (MS), Andrew Campbell (NZ), Daniel Campbell (NZ), Holly Cannon (OK), David Carne (OR), Adriane Cecil (GA), Andy Cecil (GA), Angela Chetta (GA), Marc Chetta (GA), Marc A. Chetta (GA), Matthew Cheeta (GA), Christel Clark (MI), Daniel Clark (MI), James Clark (MI), Lisa Clark (MI), Susan Clark (MI), Nathan Clausen (MN), Michael Clement (NE), David Coggin (VA), David Cohen (ND), Matthew Coker (OK), Jonathan Cole (ID), Alan Buck Collie (CA), David Collie (CA), Sarah Collie (CA), Susan Collie (CA), Timothy Collie (CA), Ryan Costello (FL), Richard Coulson (KS), Aarie Courneya (MN), Annalisa Craig (NE). Daniel Craig (NE), David Craig (NE), Mary Craig (NE), Neil Craig (NE), Stephen Craig (NE), Timothy Craig (NE), James Crenshaw (FL), Kerri Lynn Crist (CA), Jonathan Davis (CA), Denise Diouhy (MN), Steven Diouhy (MN), Reuben Dozeman (MI), Annie DuBreuil (IL), Joshua Dunlap (FL), Bruce Eagleson (PA), Naomi Ellis (OR), Joseph Farley (CA), Jana Farris (CA), Alyson Fitch (NC), Tory Francis (KS), John French (CA), Jesse Fuqua (CA), Doran Gaines (TN), Terrianne Gaines (TN), Thomas Gaines (TN), Gerald Garcia (WI), Kriselda Garza (TX), Deborah Geiger (NC), Rhiannon Geraci (OH), Vicki Geraci (OH), William Geraci (OH), Charles Gergeni (IN), Jeremy Goertz (Canada), Jenna Golman (VA), William Gothard (IL), Alison Gracom (CA), Robert Greenlaw (TX), Christine Griesemer (SC), Andrew Griffin (TN), Craig Guy (MO), Peter Guy (CA), Marie Hackleman (MI), Ronald Hair (GA), Tamala Hair (GA). Susan Hall (MI), James Harper (CA), Shirley Harper (CA), Natalie Harper (CA), Sally Hawkins (OR), Susan Hawkins (OR), Tim Hayes (NY), Louise Henne (MI), Clinton Hilman (OR), Judy Himan (OR), Kaarina Hilman (OR), Alan Holmes (NC), Julie Howard (FL), Kristen Howard (FL), Spencer Howard (FL), Walter Howard (FL), Walter S. Howard (FL), Aimee Howd (IA), Christonpher Hulson (OK), Terrill Hulson (OK), Wil Hunsucker (NC), Julianne Hunsucker (NC), Wilburn Hunsucker (NC), James Hynes (IN), Blayne Hutchins (ON), Judith Hynds (TX), Michael Jacquot (SD), Brian Jacynyk, Christina Jare (LA), Matthew Jett (AL), Anna Jones (GA), David Jones (CA), Donald Jones (MT), John Jones (GA), John D. Jones (GA), Joseph Jones (GA), Pamela Jones (GA), Elizabeth Joyner (NC), Christopher Keller (TX), Jessica Keller (TX), Judith Keller (TX), Robert Keller (TX), Stephanie Keller (TX), Joshua Kempson (NJ), Cara Kerr (FL). Corrine Kerr (FL), Mary Ann Kerr (FL), W. Randall Kerr (FL), Dean Kershner (MD), Jason Kingston (TX), Daniel Koller (MO), Hermann Koller (MO), C. John Krabill (OR), Michael Krabill (OR), Candace Lacey (FL), Cherie Lacey (FL), Aaron Laird (MT), Dacon Laird (MT), Katherine Laird (MT), Nena Laird (MT), Zachary Laird (MT), James Lane (FL), Sondra Lantzer (MI), Amy Lee (CA), David Lee (CA), Katie Lee (CA), Cecelia Leininger (TX), James Leininger (TX), Kelly Leininger (TX), Tracey Leininger (TX), David Lent (GA), Deena Lent (GA), George Lent (GA), Marywinn Lent (GA), Michael Lent (GA), Rachel Lent (GA), Elizabeth Long (GA), James Long (GA), John Long (GA), Jadon Lord (KS), Mark Maier (WA), John Mardirosian (OK), Todd Marshall (MI), Joshua Martin (PA), Joshua Mather (NY), George Mattix (WA), Patricia Mattix (WA), Aaron Mattox (MO), Jennifer Mattox (MO), Kathleen McConnell (MO). Benjamin McKain (IN), Patricia McKain (IN), Sarah McKain (IN), Shannon McKain (IN), Thomas McKain (IN), Sonshine Meadows (GA), Charles Mehalie (NY), Debra Mehalie (NY), Rachel Mehalie (NY), Rebekah Mehalie (NY), Sandra Mehalie (NY), Sarah Mehalie (NY), T.C. Mehalie (NY), Stephen Midkiff (WA), Sarah Millard (OR), Amy Miller (MN), Rachel Miller (MT), Alan Mills (IN), Nancy Ruth Mirecki (Canada), Ira Moore (AL), Julia Moore (AL), Owen Moore (AL), Sarah Moore (AL), Robert Moore (AL), Joy Morgan (TN), Ann Phyllis Murphy (AR), Garland Doty Murphy (AR), Phyllis Murphy (AR), Zachary Murphy (AR), Kathleen Nicolosi (TX), Jerome Nicolosi (TX), Regina Nicolosi (TX), Vanessa Nicolosi (TX), Veronique Nicolosi (TX), Rachel Noel (OH), Hannah Oehlschlaeger (OR), Anne Oldham (TN), Alicia Olson (WY), Vladimir Osherov (Aust.), Jonna Patterson (GA), Glory Perkins (GA), Heather Perkins (GA), James Perkins (GA), Lea Perkins (GA), Timothy Peters (TX). Janice Petersen (GA), John Petersen (GA), Timothy Petersen (GA), Gregory Phillips (WA), Beverly Pike (FL), Joshua Ramey (CA), Randall Rankin (AL), A. Marie Ratcliff (NC), Carolyn Ratcliff (NC), Paul Ratcliff (NC), William Ratcliff (NC), Christianna Reed (TX), Mary Regenold (TN), Jessica Reiter (CA), Beryl Richards (MI), Jerome Richards (MI), Jerome Richards, Jr. (MI), Veronica Richards (MI), Benjamin Riddering (CO), Jessica Riness (MI), Lindsay Rink (KS), Russell Risona (CA), Forest Robertson III (IN), Leigh Anne Robinson (TN), Debbie Rogers (LA), Deborah Rogers (LA), Jonathan Rogers (LA), Steven Rogers (LA), Charles Rogers III (LA), Charles Rogers, Jr. (LA), Joann Roof (NY), Charles Ross (IN), Charity Ross (IN), Jedidiah Ross (IN), Mary Ross (IN), Stephen Ross (IN), Rebekah Ross (IN), Rebecca Rowe (PA), Keith Rumley (MI), Laura Rumley (MI), Peter Rumley (MI), Holly Rupp (IL), Stacey Rupp (IL), Stephen Sallows (IL), Shanon Schneider (KS). James Schroeder (TX), Molly Schultz (OR), Ashley Sell (WY), Harry Shedd (ME), Robert Sherwood (CA), Cherylynn Sherwood (CA), Valerie Sherwood (CA), William Sivells (TX), Cynthia Smith (PA), Daniel Smith (PA), Elizabeth Smith (PA), Timothy Smith (PA), James Sneed (MO), Laura Spencer (NC), Jesse Spivey (LA), Robert Spivey (LA), Wendi Sundsted (TX), Beau Taylor (WI), Jonathan Trotter (MO), Mark Trotter (MO), Daniel Truitt (TX), Jeffrey Truitt (TX), Harold Veltkamp (MT), Jennifer Waite (IL), Kenneth Waite (IL), Matthew Waite (IL), Nancy Waite (IL), Sarah Waite (IL), Dane Walker (VA), Jamie Walker (VA), Sarah Walker (VA), Thomas Walker (VA), Nicholas Wall (CO), Laura Warren (FL), William Warren (FL), Matthew Watkins (CA), William Watkins (LA), Aaron Watson (WA), David Watson (WA), Jonathan Watson (WA), Virginia Watson (WA), Matthew Webster (CO), Emily Weidler (NY), Shannon Welborn (FL), Heather Wenstrom (FL). James Whitfield (KY), Daniel Whitten (CO), Jamie Whitten (CO), Jesse Whitten (CO), Jon Whitten (CO), Josiah Whitten (CO), Kim Whitten (CO), Linda Whitten (CO), Manoah Whitten (CO), Ryan Whitten (CO), Seth Whitten (CO), Stephen Whitten (CO), Susannah Whitten (CO), Daniel Wideman (Canada), Ted Williams (CT), Adam Wolsfeld (IL), Barbara Wood (VA), Harold Wood (VA), Timothy Wood (VA), John Worden (CA), Angela Zimmerman (NC), Christine Zimmerman (NC), John Zimmerman (NC).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, Dr. Mike McKinney, head of the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, traveled to Washington. He had been invited by the Clinton administration to discuss a compromise to allow Texas to move forward with its welfare reform plan. It has been 10 months since the administration promised Texas an answer. So everyone thought. They were ready to bring to the table a proposal that would give Texas the ability to move forward and start implementing its welfare reforms. We were dead wrong. After a 2\1/2\ hour meeting with Clinton officials, Dr. McKinney left the meeting empty handed. The meeting was a charade, a scam, a total waste of time. This just proves that the administration has no intention of ever granting Texas the authority to make reasonable changes to its welfare system. The administration could care less about the parents and children who would benefit from these bold and innovative proposals. They only care about elections, money, labor, and power. The President has lost sight of what the welfare bill he signed is all about. It is about flexibility, State control, and helping lift welfare recipients out of poverty into work and prosperity. It is for our children. Now the President's Deputy Secretary of HHS, Kevin Thrum, said that the Texas plan violates certain Federal Law, lacks credibility. I guess the Secretary herself is unwilling to face the issue. The statement clearly contradicts an April 4th memo to the President from his boss, the Secretary of HHS, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the chief domestic policy adviser which allowed Texas far more leeway and discretion than he described. It is simply amazing the political games that the administration is playing with the lives of welfare recipients and their children. The State of Texas simply wants to enter into a public-private partnership to streamline, integrate, and consolidate its welfare system into a one-stop center to help recipients and children receive benefits. It has been estimated that this plan would save the Texas taxpayers over $10 million a month or $120 million a year. That is enough money to provide health care to an additional 150,000 children in Texas each year. The administration's latest actions also continue to support the reported news accounts that the White House is beholden to the big labor union bosses. It seems that they own the White House. Their continued control of the President denies Texas the ability to help the poor and needy escape poverty. The control is spelled out in plain English in the April 4th memo where a chart was drawn that lists three options. The first is the Texas proposal. The second is the union proposal. The third is a proposed administration compromise. I wasn't aware--and I'm sure most Americans are not aware--that the welfare reform package signed by President Clinton called for union approval of welfare reform proposals. Let me state once again, if the administration continues to put the unions' political agenda above the real concerns of the citizens of Texas, we will not hesitate, in both the House and Senate, to go forward with legislation to give Texas the approval it deserves. Mr. Speaker, it is time for the President to do what's right. Our States are our most valued resource. Texas and any other State should have immediate approval so they can make welfare reform real and help the children and the needy families of America.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let us get the facts straight on Texas welfare reform. In the spring of 1995, the Texas legislature passed State welfare reform. In July of 1996, Texas tried to implement its welfare reform and sent a proposal to Health and Human Services. In April this year, 1997, still no answer from HHS. And guess who is holding it up? The President of the United States. The State of Texas simply wants to enter into a public-private partnership to streamline, integrate and consolidate its welfare system into a one-stop center. This will not only help welfare recipients, but save taxpayer dollars. It is a forward-looking proposal that would take 21 different State and Federal programs and combine them into one. No longer would welfare recipients have to go from agency to agency to sign up and receive benefits. It is one-stop shopping to receive all the help they need. It has been estimated that this would save Texas taxpayers over $10 million a month, or $120 million a year. That is enough money to provide additional health care to an additional 150,000 children in Texas each year. Welfare reform in Texas has been stalled out because the President has been taken hostage by the labor unions. Labor bigwigs see any type of reform as antiunion regardless of whether it helps children or not. The President appears to be losing support for his delay from his own Cabinet members. An April 4 memo to the President from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the President's head of domestic policy states, We must give Texas an answer immediately. The State has engaged in good-faith discussions with various agencies for 9 months. It is now 10 months. It has been nearly a month since that memo, and still no answer. The reason the unions are holding the President hostage are illustrated in this memo. There is a chart at the bottom that lists three options. The first is the Texas proposal. The second is ``the union proposal.'' And the third is the proposed administration compromise. I was not aware and I am sure most Americans are not aware that welfare reform signed by President Clinton called for union approval of State welfare proposals. Since when do unions get to submit proposals on State welfare programs? I guess since they spent millions of dollars helping the President get reelected maybe. It has also been reported that the Secretary of HHS was ready to release a letter of approval to Texas but was stopped short by the President. The request is now reportedly sitting on the Vice President's desk. What in the world is it doing there? We are all concerned that the administration is not worried about our children or how the program will help them; they are worried about the political relationship with the unions. I think we all took the President at his word during the signing ceremony for the welfare reform bill last year when he said, ``After I sign my name to this bill, welfare will no longer be a political issue.'' What happened to that promise? If the administration puts the union's political agenda above the real concerns of the citizens of Texas, we will not hesitate to go forward with legislation to give Texas the approval it deserves. Mr. Speaker, it is time for the President to do what is right. Many States are watching so they can make the same kind of commonsense changes to their welfare systems. The President should grant approval immediately so Texas and all of America can make welfare reform real and help the children and needy families in America.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. I do not think that is the case at all that we are trying to enunciate here. The fact of the matter is that the judiciary should, and I agree with the gentleman, rule on the Constitution and constitutionality of anything that happens in the Congress or out in the States. But the question that we are addressing is that some of these judges, for whatever reason, political, social, or otherwise, have ruled based on that, not necessarily a constitutional base for their ruling.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. I appreciate the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Skaggs] talking with us. Let me just read the gentleman from article 3, section 1, Ralph Burger's comment, he is a legal commentator, who says that the framers of our Constitution did not intend to shelter those who indulge in disgraceful conduct short of great offenses, meaning that the high crimes and misdemeanors does not necessarily have to be an offense that is written into the law. It is not to import the standards of good behavior into high crimes and misdemeanors, but to indicate that serious infractions of good behavior, though less than a great offense, may yet amount to high crimes and misdemeanors in common law. What he is saying is that judges ought to act like judges and they ought to rule on the Constitution, as you and I both agree on, and that is all we are trying to say.