Sam Johnson

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last week in my home State of Texas the President admitted what Republicans and the American people already knew--he raised taxes too much. Two short years ago Mr. Clinton and the Democrats raised America's taxes by $258 billion, the largest tax increase in American history. Republicans now want to return that money back to hardworking Americans by providing tax cuts for families, for seniors, and for America's jobcreating businesses. It is time to put the people back in charge of their wallets. Let's get government out of our pockets. It's nice to see the President admit his own mistake. Fortunately it's not too late for him to right his wrong, he can let all Americans keep more of what they earn. Support tax cuts and sign the budget. It's good for America.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, unlike my friend, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Doggett], we are not interested in the next election; we are interested in the future of America. Mr. Chairman, Republicans have faced the challenge head on. We have addressed a broken system. Instead of scaring seniors and ignoring the problem, we have worked with seniors and produced a solution. Most importantly, we have not allowed Democrat scare tactics and politics as usual to keep us from doing what is right for America. Mr. Chairman, I plan to choose a medical savings account. I just turned 65, and now I do have a Medicare card. I am thankful that this bill will allow me to get out of the inefficient system of 1965 and into a program and choose an option that is better suited for me 30 years later in 1995. Mr. Chairman, with a medical savings option, I will get a high- deductible insurance policy and a cash deposit in a medical savings account to cover a significant portion of the deductible. There are no copayments. I am empowered to make my own decisions concerning my health care without the interference of a middle man. I can be a cost- conscious consumer and, with others, fundamentally empower and change the health care delivery systems in America. The accounts are available for all qualified medical expenses; a great advantage over the current system. There are many other options, but no one is going to be forced into any particular plan. In the true American spirit, we know that people want different choices and this bill makes those choices available. Mr. Chairman, this is a vote to save Medicare and give seniors a choice.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me correct the statement that was just made. It is not $90 billion; $90 billion in the Democrat plan takes us out to the year 2006. Guess what? There are 4 more years before the baby boomers arrive, and that is where the real problem exists. Our reform takes us out to that point, and there is a $300 billion difference in their plan and ours. They do not fund Medicare. As my colleagues know, today is an important day for me because I am 65 and I have got a Medicare card. Guess what? I worried about it because of the bankruptcy, so I have spent months working with doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies, and seniors in my district, as have a lot of us around the country, to save Medicare and find a solution. As my colleagues know, we have come up with a smorgasbord of choices, and I am proud to have been a part of the reform effort, not only for myself, but for every American who depends on Medicare. I am proud knowing that Congress has not just looked toward the next election, but we have looked to the next generation to make a better America for our kids.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation, along with my colleague Mr. Cardin, that would once again allow businesses to deduct the expenses they incur while responding to legislative proposals that can affect their businesses, their communities, and their livelihood. The bill would simply allow businesses to deduct legitimate business expenses incurred in contacting or working with their State representatives. In 1993, Congress approved the Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 which contained a provision that disallowed the deduction of certain business expenses against Federal corporate income taxes. The denial of deductibility of lobbying expenses was proposed as a means of curtailing the activities of special interests here in Washington. Those who advocated this provision made no claim that it was necessary to address any problem at the State level. Instead of solving a problem, the enactment of this provision has created a major problem at the State level. Most businesses, and especially small business owners, can't afford the time to visit personally with their State legislators to discuss the impact of legislation on their businesses. To make sure their voice is heard in the legislative process, they count on trade associations, to which they pay dues. Of course, the dues are generally deductible as an ordinary and customary expense of doing business. The problem under the 1993 change is that the portion of trade association dues attributable to lobbying activities by the trade association is no longer deductible. This creates a major record- keeping headache for the association and the small business owner. The original proposal before the Congress 2 years ago would have applied to local governments as well as State and Federal government. Fortunately, before it was adopted, it was amended to exclude local government from its coverage. That was a significant improvement. The bill Congressman Cardin and I introduced today will further mitigate the adverse impact of the proposal by exempting State legislatures as well. As a former State legislator, I know well the value of the input of businesses in the deliberations of State legislatures. With small staffs and limited resources, State legislatures make important use of information provided by local economic interests in considering policy proposals. Additionally, State Governors frequently appoint ``Blue Ribbon Commissions'' and other advisory groups to recommend legislative solutions to problems. These advisory bodies depend on input from members of the business, professional, and agricultural communities who are knowledgeable about circumstances within the State. The record- keeping requirements and tax penalties associated with the lobbying tax discourages this important participation. Mr. Speaker, we ought not to be making it harder for Americans to participate in the decision-making process in their State capitols. The denial of a deduction of a legitimate business expense incurred to lobby at the State level is an unwarranted intrusion of the Federal Government on the activity of State governments. At a time when we are attempting to return many responsibilities to the State level, it makes no sense for us to impose obstacles on the ability of State legislatures to gather the information they will need to do their jobs. I would ask our colleagues to join us in restoring this deduction at the State level.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we are not here to try to undercut unions. On the other hand, I do not want somebody that is elected by a union to come and talk common sense, and you know this TEAM Act is probably one of the most commonsense pieces of labor legislation that this House has ever seen. The TEAM Act will allow employers and employees to come together and discuss how they as a team, as the bill says, can make their workplace safer, more efficient, and produce a higher quality product, all without the threat of union legal battles. The aim of the legislation is to allow companies to bring their employees into the planning process by giving them a hand in formulating their work policy. Mr. Speaker, we all know big labor will paint this as detrimental to the American worker. It is simply false. The bill makes it clear that employer-employee organizations may not enter into or negotiate collective bargaining agreements or amend existing collective bargaining agreements. The real reason that unions are screaming is they are afraid of losing power by allowing employees to work with their employers to solve basic problems without the heavy hand of union interference. As we prepare our work force for the 21st century, we cannot continue to hold on to obsolete rules that stifle creative solutions to challenges in the workplace, and unions need to change, too. Both employees and employers want the ability to improve their performance and working conditions. The TEAM Act does that while still protecting the rights of the employees. Do what is right for American workers, support teamwork. Let us vote for this rule and the TEAM Act.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be withdrawn as a cosponsor of H.R. 1617.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, it is not a question of really dollars; it is do we want to defend this country or do we not? The question is, do we want an aircraft that is capable, or do we not? The B-52, which they say can be extended way out there, cannot be. That airplane helped get me out of Vietnam when I came within 2,500 feet of us, scared the Vietnamese to death, and ended the war. However, they are old. I got a chance to fly one at Seymour Johnson in Goldsboro, NC, when I came back from the very outfit that had bombed Hanoi, and I will tell the Members, when I flew that airplane it scared me to death, because I looked at it and the skin is all wrinkled, the airplane is old. They are hard to maintain. You did not know if they are hard to maintain. You did not know if they were going to fly. Just recently, this picture illustrates what happened to one of our B-52's. Members may have read about it in the paper. Two of the engines fell off of the thing. That is how old they are. Not only that, but they damaged the wing, which we can see there on the left, and damaged one of the other engines. They could not even jettison their fuel, which newer aircraft can. They could not land immediately. They had to fly around until they got some of their fuel out in a bad airplane. You are asking us to extend the life of this aircraft 30 more years. That is absolutely ludicrous, asking our military to fly in a piece of junk, and that is about what the B-52's are today. For 30 more years, risking the lives of our [[Page H 8612]] men, our servicemen, is against the will of the Nation, I believe. It is time to buy new aircraft and it is time to keep the B-2 line open. It is a superb airplane. It can do the job. It has been proven that it gives our military and added capability that is immeasurable, and it is a program we cannot do without.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

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

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

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, as you may or may not know, this is not the original amendment that I offered. My original amendment completely eliminated funding for the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research and used the savings for deficit reduction. However, it became necessary to make changes and offer the compromise that is before us today. I have chosen to support this compromise amendment because it accomplishes two goals. First, I believe that a cut of $60 million is an important first step toward the total elimination of this Agency. Next year, we can fight for total elimination of this Agency. We owe that to the taxpayers of this country. The second, and most important part of this compromise, is the stipulation that AHCPR will not be able to continue to take $5.8 million each year from the Medicare trust fund as they have been doing since their creation in 1989. Whether the Agency is eliminated or not, this house can not, in good conscience, take money from our Medicare system which will be broke by the year 2002. So, by supporting this amendment, you will be increasing the Medicare trust fund by $5.8 million. I would like to share with you how AHCPR uses Medicare funds and its appropriated moneys. They are used to produce studies such as, and I quote, ``Cardiologists Know More About New Heart Attack Treatments Than Primary Care Doctors''--and quote--the ``Doctor-Patient Relationship Affects Whether Patients Sue for Malpractice''. Can you believe that a Government that has a $5 trillion debt take money from Medicare and spends millions on an agency that produces these types of reports and a host of others that are duplicative and useless. The Office of Technology Assessment has concluded that AHCPR's guideline program is one of 1,500 such efforts performed by both the Federal Government and the private sector. It is obvious that we do not need to fund this Agency that employs 270 bureaucrats and in 6 years has spent 778 million taxpayer dollars-- $29.4 million of which has been siphoned off from the Medicare trust fund. Let me reiterate this point. If we don't pass this amendment, $5.8 million will be taken out of Medicare next year and every year after that. In 7 years when Medicare goes broke, this agency will have stolen $80 million from our senior citizens. The American people want a balanced budget. They want the Government to stop spending their money on things that we don't need and can't afford. And we don't need, nor can we afford, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. A better name for this Agency would be the Agency for High Cost Publications and Research. I urge members to help lower the deficit, help save Medicare, and help protect taxpayers from having to fund a needless bureaucracy--help save medicare--vote for this amendment. I would hope that the gentleman would help us accept this. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, the United Nations and NATO do not work. That is what the problem is. Once again we are facing the same arguments we have heard for over 2 years now, that the United Nations and its military command is serving some purpose to the thousands of people who are dying or suffering every day in Bosnia, some purpose. Most importantly, we will find ourselves again face to face with America's worst kept secret: That is, the utter failure of our administration to define why the United States and our troops should be involved in a U.N. peacekeeping operation in a place where we have no national interest and where there is no peace to keep. These same mistakes have been made before, and they cost us American lives. It happened 2 years ago in Somalia under U.N. command, with no defined mission and no defined purpose. The so-called humanitarian mission that first brought us to Somalia ended up costing us lives, like that of Sgt. James Joyce, our Army ranger who died on October 3, 1993. His father, Lt. Col. Larry Joyce, who was my constituent, testified before this House as to how dangerous it was for the United States to think that we could solve the world's problems, and how irresponsible of us it was to use our troops as bargaining chips in the international peacekeeping game. President Clinton is making the same mistake again. He is using United States military troops as a bargaining chip in a game where the United States is not even a player, just like Somalia. How disappointed Larry Joyce must be today. Instead of knowing that his testimony and his son's death is making a difference, he is being forced to sit by and watch this country make the same tragic mistakes again, endangering America's stature, and more importantly, the lives of American soldiers. I urge my colleagues to end the arms embargo and vote in favor of this resolution.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am absolutely disgusted with the lies and misinformation coming from the Democrats about Medicare. This past weekend, Democrats held town meetings with seniors to spread fear about the Republican efforts to save Medicare. One was held in my hometown of Dallas. I find it unconscionable that these Democrats can tell seniors that Republicans are cutting Medicare when our budget increases Medicare spending by 5.8 percent every year over the next 7 years. Yes, you heard me right. Medicare spending increases by 5.8 percent every year per patient. Spending will increase from $4,800 in 1995 to $6,700 in the year 2002; and that is more of an increase than your usual annual wage increase. It is not a cut, and anyone who says it is either needs to take math over again or try to lie better. The worst part of this big lie campaign is that the news media has fallen right into their hands. The Dallas paper did not even bother to cover Medicare meetings that were held in Dallas earlier with over 300 seniors at each of three different meetings. I was there. I held them. We discussed the problems with Medicare and talked openly about the possible solutions with seniors. I know seniors have the experience with Medicare necessary to provide us with good ideas for reform. So instead of holding meetings to scare them about Medicare, I am making them part of the solution. And I think the seniors deserve that. This newspaper chose to run an article which, as the reporter freely admitted, was based almost solely on propaganda brochures passed out at the Democrats' big lie meeting. The paper never bothered to check the facts with any member of either one of the congressional committees with jurisdiction over Medicare or anyone else that might be able to clarify facts for this story. This irresponsible journalism does a huge disservice to my constituents and others around the Nation and only makes the business of saving Medicare just that much harder. But American seniors should not be as concerned with what the Democrats are telling them as what the Democrats are not telling them. Although it probably was not mentioned at this weekend's meeting, Medicare is facing an enormous crisis. The Medicare Board of Trustees, which includes four Clinton-appointed Cabinet members, made it clear that Medicare is going broke and will be bankrupt in just 7 years. So unless Congress does something to help the system, there is not going to be any Medicare at all. Democrats are not being honest with the seniors. They will throw out lies and use scare tactics, but when it comes to the facts, they have nothing to say. Now I am going to turn 65 myself this year, and I am really worried that there are people like this in this Congress, people who would rather play partisan games than sit down with us and figure out how to help today's seniors and future seniors in America by saving Medicare. So to the seniors in Dallas I say, I am sorry that you have been dragged into this political maneuvering. This issue is really too important to be left to politics as usual, and I assure you, with or without the Democrats, we are going to pass a bill this year that will protect, preserve, and strengthen Medicare for everyone in America.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, how many times will we have to watch President Clinton flip-flop on his Bosnian policy before we lift the arms embargo? How much more indecision and bad judgment calls, not to mention flubbed airstrikes by the United Nations will we have to endure? How many lives are we going to have to lose before common sense wins out? The President is upholding an embargo on a country that no longer exists that will further involve the United States and possibly our troops in a war that is not ours to fight. We do not need U.N. control, we need U.S. control. We keep hearing that we cannot lift the embargo because President Clinton wants to do whatever he can to keep the peace. Mr. Speaker, when is he going to realize that there is no peace to keep?

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, even though I was a POW in Vietnam for 7 years, I understand the importance of our business access to Vietnam's emerging market. But I refuse to endorse opening relations with a country that simply will not provide us with information which they fully admit to having about our POW's and MIA's. Vietnam's communist leadership just cannot be trusted. They have led us to alleged crash sites that, on inspection, had been recreated for U.S. visits. We have received animal bones that the Vietnamese said were human bones. This does not illustrate cooperation, in my opinion. Vietnam never lived up to the 1974 peace agreements. The time has come for the war to end, but it must be a two-way street, and Until Vietnam demonstrates that they can work with us in good faith, keep the promises that they have made, they should not be rewarded with all the benefits of full diplomatic relations with the wealthiest, freest nation in the world.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, for years now Washington has been piling regulations and mandates on its citizens with little regard for the heavy toll these burdens have on real people. Today we take the first step toward restoring common sense to Washington policy-making. Mr. Speaker, I would disagree with the previous speaker that this is a controversial issue. I think that on wastewater, San Diego is trying to get a waiver and they had to spend $2.2 million of taxpayer money just to complete the forms. To renew it every 5 years, they are going to spend another $2.2 million. Mr. Speaker, that is government bureaucracy at its worst. It needs to be fixed. By making this simple correction, we can meet environmental requirements and save a local government and local taxpayers billions of dollars. Mr. Speaker, it is about time the Congress used good judgment. Let us pass this bill.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I object.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, well, here we go again. Our President, without consulting the Congress, has allowed the United Nations to make a decision to bomb in Bosnia. It is going on as I speak. The U.S. F-18's, according to the press, are over there bombing. U.N. control of U.S. forces is unconscionable, without resorting to consent from the Congress. We did not declare war. If one American life is lost because of these actions, I think it is a disgrace to American integrity.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant]. He is exactly correct. Promises, promises. Tomorrow President Clinton is expected to break yet another one of his campaign promises. He promised American veterans and the families of those servicemen still missing in action that he would not normalize relations with Vietnam until we had a full and complete accounting of those still missing in action. But now, with 55 cases still unsolved, he is going ahead with normalization, praising the Vietnamese for their so-called cooperation. But, in reality, between 1992 and 1994 they provided us more than 21,000 documents, photos, and artifacts. Only 1 percent have pertained to missing Americans. The Vietnamese have not changed; if they had they would have already opened up all the records and we wouldn't be involved in bartering information for normalization. You know, I don't expect us to be able to count on the Vietnamese. But, we should at least be able to count on our own President. He should take a strong stand for America, instead of caving in to narrow special interests and giving away America's integrity.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe people are talking about not giving money back to the people of America. It is your money. We need to give it back to you. It is not Government's money. Mr. Speaker, today Republicans will pass the first plan in 26 years that balances the Federal budget. This budget ensures a secure future for this country and protects the children of tomorrow by eliminating the debt of today. This budget is proof that Republicans, unlike the President, are serious about eliminating the deficit, downsizing the Government, and giving much needed tax relief to all Americans. This budget is fair, it is balanced and it is the right thing to do. I consider this one of the most important votes we will ever make in the Congress. We hold America's future in our hands. This is the greatest Nation on Earth and this budget will ensure that it will have the financial security to stay that way. I encourage my colleagues to vote for prosperity, vote for our future, and to vote for our children. Vote ``yes'' on this budget, our country deserves it.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I say to the gentlewoman, ``I agree with you, Marcy.'' Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues know, for the past 40 years the Federal Government has supported its wasteful spending habits by increasing taxes on our businesses, our seniors, our families, our children. This week that destructive pattern will finally come to an end. Republicans will pass the first balanced budget plan in 26 years, and provide needed tax cuts to spur the economy and give money back to the people who earned it. Despite the whining from critics, I know tax cuts and deficit reduction go hand-in-hand. The only way to reduce the amount of money the Government takes is to reduce taxes. I say to my colleagues, ``The Government takes in taxes from you, the people, and I feel compelled to remind everyone in this body it is not our money. It belongs to the American taxpayers.'' Let us help America. Let us give them back what they deserve, a big old whopping mother of a tax cut and a balanced budget. Both are long overdue.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, just a few short months ago, the Smithsonian Institution was surrounded with controversy. The planned exhibit of the historic Enola Gay, the plane that actually dropped the atomic bomb on Japan, was overcome with historic revisionism and distortion of fact by a group of people that was determined to editorialize and promote an anti-American message about the end of World War II, which we are celebrating this year, as you know. I am happy to report that starting tomorrow, that exhibit is going to be open to the public, and Secretary Heyman and the Smithsonian have created a new Enola Gay exhibit that every American can be proud of. The new exhibit, which I had an opportunity to view last week, tells the amazing story of the development of the B-29 airplane, and it talks about how America researched and how American industry and how American ingenuity developed our air power so that we actually were able to win World War II, and it shows the brave crew that flew on a historic mission. Most importantly, the exhibit shows the true role America played in ending World War II, in saving both American and Japanese lives. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Smithsonian. I think the National Air and Space Museum is back on track as an exemplary museum for America, and I urge all Americans to visit the National Air and Space Museum here in Washington and see this great tribute to American aviation, American veterans, and American history.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in a day when crime and juvenile delinquency are growing concerns internationally, I would like to commend a group of outstanding young people who are striving to set a new standard of strong moral character and social good works in our Nation and around the world. Among these young people are the 130 individuals below who recently traveled to Taiwan, and the Republic of China, to represent positive qualities before government leaders, in public meetings, and most importantly of all, in presentations to and personal conversations with over 14,000 Chinese students. The youth named below traveled to the Republic of China on April 1, 1995 and visited the cities of Taichung, Taipei, and Kaoshiung before departing on April 17, 1995. The leaders with whom they met included Dr. Ma Ying- Jeou, the Minister of Justice, R.O.C.; Dr. Yung Chao-Hsiang, Political Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education R.O.C.; Dr. Hwang Jen-Tai, Administrative Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education, R.O.C.; Mr. Wu Den-Yih, Mayor of Kaohsiaung; Mr. Wu Ying-Jang, Commissioner of the Bureau of Education of Taipei; Dr. Wu Chung-Lih, Deputy Director of the Government Information Office, R.O.C.; Dr. Li Tchong-Koei and Dr. Jeng Sen-Shyong, President and Vice President of the China Youth Corps with the directors of their cabinet; Dr. Chen Chien-Chin, Speaker of the House for the Taipei City Council; and various other educational leaders of all three cities. In the course of these contacts, invitations were extended for additional groups of these young people to come to Taiwan, The Republic of China and initiate long-term projects with Chinese youth and families. Steve Alexander (TX), Julie Allen (TX), Dominique Bakash (IN), Kimberly Barber (GA), Matthew Barnes (IN), Jamie Becker (CO), Mary Bolin (NE), Bethany Bowman (MI), Matthew Bowman (MI), Tom Boyle (CT), Bud Bramblett (GA), Billy Briscoe (OK), Joshua Brock (GA), Bert Bunn (NC), Gracie Butler (AL), Mike Cancigilia (WA), Jonathan Carslile (MO), Mary Carpenter (SC), Pamela Chamberlin (IN), Faith Chen (NY), Karen Chen (NY), and Stephen Chen (NY). Timothy Chen (NY), You-Lan Chen (NY), Amanda Collyer (MI), Bridget Conklin (CT), April Cooney (OR), Jill Cooney (OR), Abby [[Page E 1293]] Cowan (NZ), Emily Cummings (WA), Garrett Dauer (CA), Dorece DeLano (WA), Sonia Dietos (CA), Anitra Donald (WA), Jessica Douglas (IN), Reuben Dozeman (MI), Annie DuBreuil (IL), Ryan Ennis (AR), Erika Engen (WA), Prggy Evans (TX), Steve Ferrand (CO), Janet Fay (PA), Paul Ford (MN), and David Freeman (FL). Antonio Garza (TX), Danielle Greiger (NC), Delisa Greiger (NC), Abagail Gelotte (WA), Paul Glader (SD), Rachel Glader (SD), Alison Gracom (CA), Christen Grunden (TX), Desiree Hansen (BC), David Hanson (IN), Matthew Harry (MI), Titus Heard (OK), Rachel Hedden (MN), Matthew Heisey (PA), Strickland Holloway (GA), Timothy Hood (FL), Seth Horvath (NY), George Hsu (TX), Timothy Hsu (TX), Jennifer Hulson (OK), Andrea Jackson (CA), and Annette Jackson (CA). Lulu Jang (Taiwan), Matthew Jefferys (OH), Aaron Johnson (WA), Scott Johnson (TX), Shannon Johnson (NC), Bradley Johnson (IN), Jody Killingsworth (MO), Karl Kinzer (MN), Leslie Knight (GA), Tracy Koskart (SD), Janet Lassiter (TX), Stephen Leckenby (WA), Tim Levendusky (TX), Rebekah Lilly (MI), Aaron Lioi (OH), Samuel Lundmark (PA), Mike Lyle (GA), Christina Mason (AR), Chad Max (MN), Nathan Maxwill (KS), Sonshine Meadows (GA), Jason Miller (NY), Christina Navarro (NJ), Kristia Needham (MN), Sara Needham (MN), Jonathan Newhouse (MN), Shawn O'Rourke (TN), Matthew Olsort (KS), and John Pate (AR). Courtney Pell (IL), Amy Pelletier (WA), Rachel Perdue (CO), Douglas Plagerman (WI), Michelle Pollock (MI), Michelle Popowich (CO), Jonathan Purks (MD), Christy Rayla (MI), Jenny Roberts (KS), Christopher Rogers (WA), Jamie Rutland (MS), Cara Sanford (TX), Gretchen Schiller (NY), Aaron Scott (CA), David Sevideo (VA), Joel Smith (OK), John Stephens (IL), Melissa Stroder (TX), Kira Stuckey (ON), Rebecca Swanson (IO), Bradley Voeller (MN), Jim Voeller (MN), Jim Voeller (MN), Kathy Voyer (CA), Brandon Wassenaar (IL), Elizabeth Whiting (NZ), Joel Williams (NZ), Matthew Wood (WA), Erin Worley (TX), Sara Yoder (IA), Matthew Yordy (IN), and Elisabeth Youngblood (NC).

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the 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 329 such individuals who have recently returned from Moscow, Russia, where they have been involved over the 1994-95 school year in providing character education to 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. The success continues to be heralded throughout Moscow by television, newspaper, and word of mouth among the citizens and leaders of Russia. Furthermore, the credential 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. Karleen Affelt (MI), Evangeline Alexander (AK), Adam Allen (CA), Gabriel Anast (NM), Christy Armstrong (CA), Jason Axt (OH), Aileen Bair (OH), John Bair (OH), Peter Bair (OH), Robert Bair (OH), Stephen Bair (OH), John Barja (NC), James Beaird (TX), Amy Beckenhauer (CA), Kurt Beckenhauer (CA). Zachery Beckner (MN), Paul Bedingfield (GA), Joshua Billingmeier (MD), Alan Balck (TX), John Lack (TX), Nicole Blockeel (ON), Dean Boehler (CO), Justin Boehler (CO), Rachel Borchers (MO), Sarah Borchers (MO), Andrew Bowers (TN), Skylar Bower (WA), Rachel Brillhart (FL), Vann Brock (GA). Hannah Brooker (GA), Daniel Brown (TX), Micah Buckner (TX), Reuben Burwell (TX), Andrew Campbell (NZ), Jerry Campbell (FL), David Carne (OR), Andy Cecil (GA), Estelle Christensen (NM), Jim Christensen (NM), Justin Christensen (NM), Mark Christensen (NM), Stephen Christensen (NM), Timothy Christensen (NM). Nathan Clausseen (MN), James Clifford (ON), Lisa Cload (OH), Barbara Coker (OH), Chuck Coker (OH), Matt Coker (OH), Buck Collie (CA), David Collie (CA), Sarah Collie (CA), Sue Collie (CA), Tim Collie (CA), Jesse Conklin (CT), J. Marty Cope (SC), Arrie Courneya (MN), Annalisa Craig (NE). Daniel Craig (NE), David Craig (NE), Mary Craig (NE), Neil Craig (NE), Stephen Craig (NE), Timothy Craig (NE), Timothy Crawford (MI), David Cummings (WA), Benjamin Daggett (TX), Steve Dankers (WI), Trey Darley (GA), Mary Kay Del Mul (TX), Orlando Diez, Jr. (WV), James Diel (WI). Don Dillhaunty (TX), Jason Dolan (TX), Daniel Dorsett (CA), Kieran Dozeman (MI), Joseph Elam, Jr. (FL), Ben Easling (WA), Jason Edwards (VA), David Elliott (WY), Jason Elliott (EY), Paul Elliott (WY), Jana Farris (CA), Amanda Feldman (WA), Carolyn Fickley (VA), Robert Fickley (VA), Scott Flaugher (MO). Scott Forrester (TN), Jennifer Freeman (CA), Stephen Gaither (TX), Vawna Gary (TX), Charles Gargeni (IN), Gary Gilchrist (FL), Jonathan Glick (PA), Chris Goodman (TX), Chad Greenacre (IL), Andrew Griffin (TN), Peter Guy (CA), Bonnie Hackett (OR), Marie Hackelman (MI), Susan Hall (MI), Brant Hambly (IA), Brian Hambly (IA). Daniel Hambly (IA), Denise Hambly (IA), Milton Hambly (IA), Terra Hambly (IA), Aaron Hawkins (AZ), Sally Hawkins (OR), Susan Hawlins (OR), Timothy Haynes (NY), Trevor Haynes (NY), Amy Hensarling (MS), Adam Hess (NE), Dean Hertzler (PA), Kaarina Hilman (OR), Tamra Hoaglund (IL), Daniel Hobbs (PA), Nathan Hoggatt (TX). 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Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Dellums amendment. First, the funding for the B-2 falls well within the spending cap imposed by the Committee on the Budget. It does not break the budget. Second, the B-2 is a necessity. I have experienced firsthand the dangers of flying into a helpfully defended area, being tracked by radar and shot down. As a matter of fact, I was shot down in Vietnam because our Government, this body, refused to supply us with the right airplanes or munitions. In fact, we did not have munitions most of the time. I flew an airplane that the gun sight was really just a piece of chewing gum that did not move, the gun did not fire, a product of the McNamara era which he has admitted to. The B-2 gives us an ability to fly a strategic bomber into a defended area undetected by radar without fighter escort. This is a state-of- the-art technology that no other country can match. Third, those who oppose the B-2 have said we can use old B-52's and B-1 bombers instead of B-2's. As my colleagues know, the cost of flying those old airplanes is $6.4 billion more. More importantly, relying on the older airplanes through the year 2030, as opponents have planned, is risky. By that time the B-52 will be nearly 70 years old, and, if we apply that same 70-year timeframe, a 1918 World War I biplane would have been a front line plane in Desert Storm. Support our Nation's Armed Forces. Vote against the Dellums amendment.

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this motion to instruct. It frankly puts the cart before the horse. This is an amendment to the current Medicare Program and wholly inappropriate to require the conferees to resolve differences in the context of contemplated changes to Medicare. We all know the House-passed budget calls for reduction in the rate of growth of the Medicare Program. What we do not know, however, is how it will be achieved. It is interesting to me that the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Doggett] showed us a blank chart. You know what? The blank is in the White House, not in the House of Representatives. The blank chart has been filled up with Republican ideas and I will tell you what, before we are through, we are going to have Medicare fixed, it is going to be a super program for all our seniors, and we are not trying to take away from the seniors. We are trying to help the seniors protect the program and make it something that will be viable in the future. It is interesting also to note that the gentleman from California [Mr. Waxman] and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Doggett] both voted for this Medicare Select when it was passed on the floor by overwhelming vote. It is interesting to note that the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Doggett] has now changed his mind. It makes one wonder how can you have convictions on anything and vote on the floor in a different manner. Medicare is going broke. I think the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] has said that, all our speakers have said it, it is going broke in the year 2002, and there is no way that this Government can pay anyone over 65 once that trust fund is to zero. The bills will not be paid. That is why Medicare needs to be fixed and fixed in a hurry and that is our goal, our aim, and it has been transferred to a scare tactic for the seniors of this Nation. We are not trying to scare anybody, we are just telling you the facts. The President's own people reported that Medicare is broke, going broke, and we are going to fix it and we are going to make it a system that is viable for all Americans, forever I hope. I would just like to add that as of October 1994, approximately 450,000 beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare Select. While a majority are covered through Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans, approximately 50 companies offer Medicare Select products. Medicare beneficiaries are old and these policies save 10 to 37 percent in premiums over traditional fee-for-service MediGap policies. And in August 1994, Consumer Reports rated the top MediGap insurance nationwide; 8 out of the top rated 15 MediGap plans were Medicare Select. Failure to pass this legislation will lead to higher premiums for enrollees and the potential withdrawal of insurers from the market, meaning our seniors in that case would not have a choice of plans.