Walter Jones

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I am on the floor tonight because we have approximately 11,000 men and women in uniform that are willing to die for this country on food stamps. Yes, Madam Speaker, we have passed legislation that will help increase their salaries, but still we have men and women in uniform on food stamps. Members can see what I have before me is a Marine. He represents not only the Marine Corps, but every man and woman in uniform. Standing on his feet is his daughter Megan, who is 2 years old, and in his arms is a baby girl named Bridget. I think about Megan and Bridget and all the children that are children of men and women in uniform, and the fact that when this Marine is deployed to go overseas to Bosnia for 6 months, there is no guarantee that he is going to come back. There is no guarantee that any of our men and women in uniform who are sent into harm's way will for sure come back. I look at that little girl's face, and I am thinking, as she is looking at the camera when this photograph was made, how tragic it would be if the father did not come back. But almost as tragic is the fact that we have approximately 11,000 men and women in uniform that are on food stamps. These are men and women, like this Marine, that are willing to die for this country when called upon. And yet we can't find $59 million over a 10-year period of time to give men and women in uniform on food stamps a $500 tax credit. Madam Speaker, I think that is a shame. I think that is unacceptable. Last year in the tax bill, we as a Congress passed tax credits for the steel industry, the timber industry, and for the electric industry. There are other tax credits that we as a Congress passed. Of course, the President vetoed the bill. I am calling on my colleagues in the House tonight, both Democrat and Republican, to join me in saying to the leadership, both Republican and Democrat, this year we are going to pass some type of legislation. Mine just happens to be the only one; it is H.R. 1055. It is called the Military Family Food Stamp Tax Credit Act. Madam Speaker, you went on the bill today. I thank you for that. I can tell you and my colleagues in this body that it is unacceptable that men and women in uniform are on food stamps. We need to do everything that we can to say to them that we are going to work and try to make sure that no one that serves this great Nation is on food stamps. Madam Speaker, I am planning on coming down about one night every week and bring this to the attention of my colleagues; we have legislation that we can do something about men and women on food stamps. Real quickly, Madam Speaker, as I end my time, from 1982 to 1990, our United States Army and Marine Corps forces were deployed 17 times. From 1990 to 1999, they had been deployed 149 times. Can you think about how many times men and women in uniform were called away from their family and their children? Madam Speaker, I thank you for being one of the Members who have joined us in supporting this legislation.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to come to the floor and talk about a bill that I introduced last year, H.R. 1055, the Military Family Food Stamp Tax Credit Act. I have approximately 61 of my colleagues on both sides, Republican and Democrat, who have signed this bill. Mr. Speaker, there are probably as many as 12,000 men and women in uniform who are willing to die for this country today that are having to live on food stamps. I think that is unacceptable and deplorable that any person that is willing to die for this country would have to be on food stamps. So we looked at how we could help those in the military that are on food stamps, and we came up with the suggestion from several different sources that probably the best thing we could do was to provide a $500 tax credit for men and women in uniform. Mr. Speaker, I bring this photograph of a Marine in my district. This Marine is getting ready to deploy for Bosnia for 6 months. We can see standing on his feet a beautiful little girl, and in his arms a new baby girl. And I looked at this photograph, it was in the Raleigh paper in my State of North Carolina, and it has so much meaning and depth to it that I thought I would have it blown up so that I could bring it to the floor of the House or take it to a committee to remind my colleagues who make the decision on how we pay our military and make the decisions on what we can do to help those men and women in uniform on food stamps. We have approximately 60 percent of the men and women that serve this Nation that, again, are willing to die for this Nation, that are married. I think this family from Camp Lejeune getting ready to deploy shows just how fortunate we are to have men and women who have families that are willing to serve this Nation. When I looked at the fact that we in Congress last year passed $15 billion in foreign aid for countries overseas, and I realize that we have to have foreign aid and we should have northern aid, but I think we could reduce it, frankly. I think I voted against that bill because we need to take care of the American people first. And we certainly need to take care of those in the military that are serving this Nation. Then I looked at the fact that the President recommended that we eliminate the debt of $5 billion to 36 countries that owe the American taxpayer $5 billion. So, therefore, we have excused that debt. I look at what we have spent in Bosnia already, somewhere around $5 billion. I look at what we spent in Yugoslavia last year, $11 billion. Mr. Speaker, to help 12,000 men and women in uniform on food stamps would only cost $59 million over 10 years. I want to also make the point that this Congress last year passed an Omnibus Budget bill that had in excess of $13 billion in pork barrel spending. Mr. Speaker, I say again, those of us who have the privilege to serve in the House and Senate, we must work together to help get these men and women off food stamps that are willing to die for this country. Mr. Speaker, I plan to come to the floor on a regular basis until the leadership, both Republican and Democrat, work together to help get these men and women off food stamps, because they are so important to the defense of this Nation. We owe them everything that we can give them and especially to help get them off food stamps. I thank the Members of this House, Republican and Democrat, who have cosponsored this bill, H.R. 1055, the Military Family Food Stamp Tax Credit Act; and I hope this year we, as a Congress, will do what is necessary to get these men and women off food stamps.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Will the gentleman yield for just one moment?

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding. I happened to be in my office watching the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger) on the floor talking about this marriage tax, and I wanted to come down to help the gentleman from California out. As the gentleman is telling the people in Congress that we need to do something, instead of just talking about trying to help those people that have bonded based on the Bible and their belief that the Lord meant for us to marry, man and woman, that they should not be penalized. And I just wanted to commend the gentleman from California, because many times people in my district tell me that they just cannot quite understand how we in Congress can forgive a $5 billion debt to Third World countries, how we can spend $10 billion in Bosnia, $12 billion, $14 billion in Yugoslavia, yet we cannot find the money to give tax relief to married people. I was just so pleased to see the gentleman from California come down here and talk about this issue. And I wanted to join him for a few minutes.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Is it true that 25 million married couples in this country would be helped if we should pass this bill, if the President finally signed it into law? Is that about right?

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. If I can ask the gentleman just one more question, because I may have missed this. Again, I was trying to watch the gentleman in the office, and I can see some of our colleagues have joined us, and they want to take part in this effort. Would the gentleman tell me again how much of a savings, if our bipartisan bill, as you said, should pass, how much savings this would be per married couple approximately?

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. I just wanted to come down on the floor and thank the gentleman from California and my colleagues. I see the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Thune) is here and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) will be here in just a moment. I just wanted to let the gentleman know that I will do everything I can as one Member of Congress to help see that this legislation passes, because it has been needed for a long time. We need to reward men and women that marry and live by the sanctity of our Lord. I just commend the gentleman from California and everybody else. I look forward to helping.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1398) to clarify certain boundaries on maps relating to the Coastal Barrier Resources System.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is identical to legislation that I introduced earlier this year, which the House passed last month. This legislation simply corrects a mapping error that currently excludes Dare County residents from qualifying for Federal flood insurance under the Coastal Barrier Research Act. Congress adopted the Coastal Barrier Research System in the 1980s to protect the coast from future development. When the North Carolina areas were added to the system, it was Congress' intent for the line to be adjacent to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore boundary, thus allowing certain privately owned structures to remain eligible for flood insurance. Unfortunately, the National Park Service incorrectly identified the boundary, which resulted in inaccurate maps. This error incorrectly puts approximately 200 landowners in harm's way, especially during hurricane season. With Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd recently wreaking havoc on the Outer Banks of Eastern North Carolina, this legislation is a justified step forward in providing the necessary assistance to the landowners in Dare County. Currently, these residents have been left unprotected by the inability of the Federal Government to appropriately manage the Coastal Barrier Resource System. With the assistance of Senator Helms, the Committee on Resources, and the Fish and Wildlife Service, we have been able to work towards a solution that all sides can agree to. With the help of the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), we were able to pass this legislation through the House earlier this year. Passing Senate 1398 today will complete the work we all started a year ago. The importance of passing this legislation could not be more timely after one of the worst hurricane seasons in recent history. I would hope and encourage my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 1398, the Senate bill just passed.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, to the gentleman my friend from Durham, NC (Mr. Price), I want to read to him that we got word just a few minutes ago from the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor) that the White House, not the House or Senate leadership, demanded that the $508 million for North Carolina relief be taken out of the Labor-HHS bill. I was not there and I do not know, but I wanted to pass that on since I was asked to share that with the House body. Mr. Speaker, I will say that we have worked very closely together. This is what I think is good about this Congress and good about America. The American people know when their brothers and sisters are in trouble that they come forward and do what they can to assist them. I think this resolution is proper. I am sorry if it has been read as politics, but I do not really think that it should be, because, right or wrong, there is a belief that we need to have the guidance and the leadership of the President to come forward to the Congress with his recommendation after consulting with OMB with recommendations as to what should be done for the people that have been devastated by Hurricane Floyd, whether it be North Carolina or other parts of the United States that have been devastated. Some of the frustration that we hear back home, and let me first say that FEMA and these other agencies and the multitude of volunteers has been enormous. It really does the heart well to know how much people care about others that are in trouble, but some of the frustration back home as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) just mentioned is that the citizens in eastern North Carolina who pay the taxes, we are elected in Washington to spend their tax dollars, it is the taxpayer that is in trouble now, particularly in eastern North Carolina as well as other parts, New Jersey and some in Maryland and some other parts that need the help of the Congress. Again, it is their money. It is not our money. It is the people's money, the people that pay the taxes. One thing that comes to mind that I hear quite frequently in my district, I do not vote for foreign aid. I have been here 5 years and I have yet to vote for foreign aid and I do not intend to vote for foreign aid until I see it down in single digits, $6, $7 billion instead of $12 or $14 billion. We passed a bill that was $12.7 billion in foreign aid and the President wants $4 billion more. Again, I voted against that because I thought the $12.7 billion was too much money. Another problem that we are having is that people read recently where the President of the United States said, well, we ought to forgive 36 countries that owe the United States of America, they do not owe the United States of America, they owe the people that make up the United States of America, $5 billion. So the people in eastern North Carolina want to know if we can forgive a debt of $5 million, why can we not get a couple of billion out of the Congress to help them as they try to recover from this devastation? Again, I have to answer these questions back home, so I am bringing it to the floor of the House. This summer, the United States sent $500,000 in flood relief to aid China. Every time I have been on the floor of the House and had a chance to vote, I am opposed to MFN for China. So, Mr. Speaker, it is important that we forget the politics and we talk about coming together and passing legislation that will help the people of eastern North Carolina.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 199, and I commend my colleague, the gentleman from Texas, for bringing forth this important resolution. I feel strongly about the right to pray in public, and believe that prayer at public school sporting events is in fact constitutional. Mr. Speaker, we are truly fortunate to be Americans. The Founders of this great country worked to ensure each citizen's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our Nation's military has fought and sacrificed to protect and preserve these rights. America was built upon Judeo-Christian values. Yet this foundation of our culture is so often ignored in today's society, and even frowned upon. Citizens throughout the country are being denied one of the most basic, fundamental rights we have fought so hard to protect, the right to freely express one's religious beliefs. Children have been barred from bowing their heads in private prayers and writing their religious beliefs in school papers, and even from bringing the Bible to school. Freedom of religion is one of the most protected rights guaranteed to us under the Constitution. There are far too many incidents of students and student athletes being prevented from expression of their religious beliefs. In Santa Fe, Texas, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling has forced student athletes to replace their former pre-game invocations with the observance of nonsectarian moments of silence. Just recently, Mr. Speaker, while I was watching an NFL football game, a player was seriously ill. Out of deep concern about their teammate, the members of that team knelt on the football field in front of the national TV audience to pray that he be protected from the injury. To my knowledge, there was no objection to this practice, so I ask, Mr. Speaker, why are student athletes prohibited from expressing their faith on the field? I feel that this is a tragedy. We must stand up for our students' rights to freely observe their religious beliefs. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to quote Jeff Jacoby, a columnist for the Boston Globe, who brilliantly conveys the belief of the Founding Fathers on freedom on religion. ``Religion can't survive in the absence of freedom, but freedom without religion is dangerous and unstable.''

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, one night last week, I watched Hannity & Colmes on the Fox News Channel. The show featured two professional athletes and a discussion on whether sports figures should be role models. The men and women our children look to for guidance is an issue I have taken a great deal of interest in, especially in the last few years. In fact, I have come to the House floor a number of times to discuss the lack of morality within our society and its potential impact on our Nation's future. Too many times the leaders and public figures our children look to for guidance fall short in their responsibility. Thank goodness for men and women at the local level who work to teach our youth the value that they need to succeed in life. They are the parents, the little league coaches, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders, and volunteers across this country. These individuals work directly with our children to encourage character and integrity in their lives and the lives of our children. As Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, ``The noblest services come from the nameless hands, and the best servant does his work unseen.'' Mr. Speaker, I agree with this statement. In fact, I wish that more of our children could see their parents and community leaders as the heroes they truly are. Too often the athletes and actors our children look up to fail our children. They may have money or fame, but their own behavior often lacks the sense of responsibility our children must see in order to succeed in life. Thank goodness there are exceptions. As I watch Hannity & Colmes, I was most impressed to see one fine athlete who takes his position as a role model very seriously. In fact, he uses his success and popularity to help children gain the skills they need to succeed. A.C. Green is a forward with the Los Angeles Lakers. He began his professional basketball career in 1985 after graduating from college. He has a record-setting career, playing for such teams as the Phoenix Suns, the Dallas Mavericks, and the L.A. Lakers, that has earned him recognition among sports fans and respect among his colleagues. While A.C. Green is best known for his talents on the court, it is his dedication to our Nation's children that makes him a role model we can all respect. In 1989, A.C. Green created a youth foundation in his name to help our children realize their potential and work to achieve their goals. In fact, the foundation's mission statement reads, ``Our goal is to serve both the youth and the communities in which they live by providing information about sexual abstinence and social issues that concern our young people and educating them to make responsible choices to prepare them for their future.'' The A.C. Green Youth Foundation believes that young people must develop morally, ethically, educationally, physically, and mentally to fulfill their dreams and goals in life. Mr. Speaker, as part of his program for youth, A.C. Green created a leadership camp that over 100 boys and girls take part in each year. The summer basketball camp focuses on academics, career discovery, and offers self-esteem counseling. It reaches out to those children who have been abused or maybe economically disadvantaged and encourages leadership and teamwork. Perhaps most important, A.C. Green takes the time to personally supervise the camp and interact with the children. In addition, his foundation has also created abstinence curriculum for today's youth called ``I've Got the Power.'' The program teaches students to recognize their self worth, realize boundaries, and learn to make responsible decisions. These are the values we must work to encourage in the lives of our children. Mr. Speaker, A.C. Green's commitment to his community is deserving of our recognition. As a basketball player and as a community servant, A.C. Green is a true role model. Having found success at a young age, he is now working to help those less fortunate realize their own dreams and work to their fullest potential. His efforts and those like his should be honored and encouraged. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank A.C. Green and every one of our Nation's role models who make a difference in the lives of our Nation's children, for the children are America's future. I thank A.C. Green for helping to ensure a strong America tomorrow and in the future.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. The gentleman is correct.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, if I might ask the gentleman, because, again, I took his time and I apologize, but if he would please respond and help me explain to the people in my district.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I will say that the gentleman is right on target because the people of eastern North Carolina have been devastated. They keep telling me that they want this Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, to understand that the American people, when they have a need, should come first. To try to expand this foreign aid bill by $2 billion to $3 billion is unacceptable to the people of my district and the district of the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton), I can assure the gentleman.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, when the gentleman was talking about foreign aid, it reminded me, he is very familiar with the fact that in my district, along with the district of the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton), we have had devastating floods; and the people in my district are asking me how can the President want to increase foreign aid when the people of eastern North Carolina as well as many farmers throughout this country that were devastated by drought, why we do not take some of that money and give it back to the taxpayer that is paying for this foreign aid. So I wanted just to thank the gentleman because I will say quite frankly, it is becoming an issue that I hear almost daily from the citizens of eastern North Carolina who have been devastated. They want some of this money that is going to foreign aid to stay here in America to help the taxpayer.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as the year 2000 quickly approaches, I believe that we are in a unique position to reflect upon our Nation's history and the constant commitment of our United States veterans. These are the men and women who have accepted the highest responsibility and made the greatest sacrifice to preserve freedom and liberty for their brothers and sisters. Their dedication to protect our country and preserve the principles that it was founded upon have ensured and provided for the survival and strength of this Nation. Last year, we celebrated the 80th Anniversary of Armistice Day, a day that marked the end of World War I. The first world war became known as the ``Great War.'' It was fought to make the world safe for democracy. The government of France decided to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice by awarding the Legion of Honor, France's highest decoration, to Americans and other allied veterans who served in the ``Great War'' on French soil. Mr. Speaker, whenever we have been involved in conflict, brave citizens have always answered the call to duty. The first world war was no exception. The United States sent over 4.5 million troops into battle and over 100,000 never came home. These individuals gave their lives to protect our country and the freedoms we all enjoy today. Today we have approximately 3,200 living World War I veterans, half of whom are believed to have served in France during the war. Harvey Lewis Gray of Carteret County, North Carolina, had just turned 18 in 1917 when he joined his fellow Americans in the ``Great War'' in the fight against tyranny. Corporal Gray was one of almost 2 million Americans sent across the ocean to fight alongside French soldiers. He served in the United States Army from April of 1917 to April of 1919 and served in the 26th Division in France. This year, Harvey Gray is celebrating 100 years of life. I am proud that the Third District of North Carolina, which I have the honor to represent, is home to such a courageous soldier. On October 7 of this year, Harvey Gray received the Legion of Honor award surrounded by his family and friends. His commitment to his Nation can only be matched with his commitment to his family. I could not be more proud to represent such a fine soldier and a fine man. Harvey Gray's effort in the name of freedom is unforgettable and worthy of the recognition and tribute he has received, and more. Mr. Speaker, my grandfather was gassed during World War I at the Battle of Argonne. While my grandfather was fortunate enough to survive, thousands of others lost loved ones. The courage of these brave soldiers and the courage of all who have served this Nation have provided for the free democratic nation we enjoy today. Daniel Webster once said, and I quote, ``And by the blessing of God, may that country itself become a vast and splendid monument, not of oppression and terror, but of wisdom or peace, and of liberty, upon which the world may gaze with admiration forever.'' Mr. Speaker, it is because of the strength and courage of men and women like Harvey Gray that America is free today. Our United States veterans symbolize the greatness of this Nation. They represent the America that rose to greatness on the shoulders of ordinary citizens. While we can never thank them enough for their sacrifice, we can recognize the heroic courage of our veterans who fought for our freedom. Harvey Gray, I thank you and your country thanks you for your courage and your service to this great Nation.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, it is clear when reading both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, that our Founding Fathers recognized the important role that God and the Bible would play in guiding our Nation's leaders who governed the world. Today, it is becoming clear that the Judeo- Christian principles this nation was founded upon are as critical to the future progress and stability of this nation as they have been in the past. In fact, the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, emphasized the important relationship between the Bible and the freedom that you and I enjoy today. He said, (and I quote) ``Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet anchor of your liberties; write its precepts on your heart and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for the progress made, and to this we must look as our guide in the future.'' Mr. Speaker, there is a man of Christian faith, a leader within our society today who is working to remind you and I to keep this same spirit of faith and freedom alive. That man is Dr. D. James Kennedy, a true Christian statesman. Mr. Speaker, when I was elected in 1994 to represent the citizens of Eastern North Carolina, Dr. Kennedy presented every newly elected Member with a copy of the New Geneva study Bible. In the front cover is a note stating his hope that we would read and apply the messages we found in the scripture to our work and our daily lives--just as Ulysses Grant proposed. Mr. Speaker, I begin and end each day on my knees in prayer. I pray for guidance in the decisions I make that affect the American people. In the last 5 years, I have often reached for the Bible that Dr. Kennedy gave to me for inspiration, encouragement, and a sense of hope. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Kennedy embodies the ideal of Christian statesmanship. In fact, he has dedicated his life to celebrate and share God's word. In 1959, he became the founding pastor of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida. This year, as the church celebrates its 40th anniversary, Dr. Kennedy is the most widely listened-to Presbyterian minister in the world. His broadcast messages are televised to 35,000 cities and towns across the United States. But Dr. Kennedy's commitment to evangelism and strengthening our nation's communities extends well beyond his role as senior minister to Coral Ridge Church. In 1962, he created a lay-witnessing program called Evangelism Explosion International, which is used in every nation to encourage growth in congregations around the world. Dr. Kennedy also founded the Westminster Academy in 1971 to provide quality Christian education for the citizens of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition, he started Knox Theological Seminary in 1990, which now offers courses in the United States as well as in Seoul, Korea. Mr. Speaker, last fall I had the unique opportunity to participate and see first hand, Dr. Kennedy's efforts to encourage and motivate people of faith. Coral Ridge Ministries is the television and radio outreach of Dr. Kennedy's word, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. One of the television programs his ministry airs is called ``The Power of One.'' The program recognizes individuals in our Nation's communities who are working to promote Christian values. One such person is Rebecca Mason, a 10-year old girl from the Third District of North Carolina, which I am proud to represent. Rebecca became frustrated with the state of our country after learning some frightening facts about the rate of crime and violence in our Nation's neighborhoods. Rebecca could not understand why more people of faith were not taking action, so she decided to do something about it. She created a petition for Christian values, calling upon all Americans to stand up and take action to promote and preserve the morals and values we learn from the Bible. Rebecca's efforts were featured on Dr. Kennedy's ``Power of One'' program. As a man of strong religious conviction myself and as Rebecca's Congressman, I was asked to participate in the program. It was an honor for me to be part of a television program that recognizes the citizens who are taking action to make their communities and their nation stronger. In fact, it reminded me of one of my favorite Bible verses from Isaiah book 6, verse 8. It says, ``Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.'' Mr. Speaker, Dr. Kennedy, like Rebecca Mason, has answered God's call, and he has devoted his life to serving as a messenger of God's word. Today, I am proud to recognize his efforts during this exciting year of celebration to show my respect for his devotion and his commitment to spread the message of hope to all America. Thank you Dr. Kennedy, for reminding those of us who serve the American people--and all citizens--that faith and freedom go hand in hand. Happy anniversary. May God continue to Bless you and give you the strength to continue sharing His message with the world.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding. I am picking up on the same theme as my distinguished colleague from Kansas. I, too, was shocked to hear the claim that this body is incapable of interpreting the Constitution for itself. Unfortunately, those across the aisle did not like the interpretation of the Constitution reached by the majority of this body and instead preferred the interpretation of the Constitution reached by unelected lawyers. So, in an effort to impose the will of those judges with whom they agree on this body with whom they disagree, they tell us that we in this body have no right to interpret the Constitution for ourselves. This is an amazing doctrine to set forth because they disagree with the free exercise of religion explicitly guaranteed by the Constitution. Contrary to their ill-educated claims, Congress does have not only the right but also the authority and the responsibility to interpret the Constitution for itself. We are here to use every tool at our disposal to preserve for the people of the United States the rights guaranteed by that document, including their right of public religious expression, even when the judiciary disagrees with that constitutionally guaranteed right. Interestingly, in the course of our debates on religious liberties, our opponents across the aisle have frequently cited two Founding Fathers, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. Since they have such a high esteem and veneration for these two, I felt sure they would want to know what Madison and Jefferson said about the right of Congress to read and interpret the Constitution for itself. When James Madison heard it proposed that only judges, and not the Congress, were capable of interpreting the Constitution, he forcefully rejected that suggestion. He declared, and I quote: The argument is that the Legislature itself has no right to expound the Constitution; that wherever its meaning is doubtful, you must leave it to take its course until the Judiciary is called upon to declare its meaning. I beg to know upon what principle it can be contended that one department draws from the Constitution greater powers than another. Nothing has yet been offered to invalidate the doctrine that the meaning of the Constitution may as well be ascertained by the Legislative as by the Judiciary authority. And distinguished Founding Father John Randolph, a member of this body for nearly three decades who served with James Madison, reaffirmed this doctrine explaining, and I quote: ``The decision of a constitutional question must rest somewhere. Shall it be confided to men immediately responsible to the people or to those who are irresponsible?'' At that point he was talking about the Congress and judges. I further quote: ``With all the deference to their talents, is not Congress as capable of forming a correct opinion as they are?'' That again I think is an important quote to share with the colleagues here tonight as well as to those who are not here. The other favorite Founding Father of our distinguished colleagues across the aisle is Thomas Jefferson, the founder of their party. Thomas Jefferson was equally clear on this issue. He declared: Each of the three departments has equally the right to decide for itself what is its duty under the Constitution without any regard to what the others may have decided for themselves under a similar question. The doctrine that only the judiciary can interpret the Constitution is a radical and dangerous doctrine. And in a second statement by Jefferson, he continued the same thing, declaring: To consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions is a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have, with others, the same passions for party, for power, and the privilege of their corps. And their power the more dangerous as they are in office for life and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal. The other founder of the Democratic Party is Andrew Jackson. Maybe those from across the aisle would be interested in what he said on this same issue. Jackson emphatically declared, and I quote: Each public officer who takes an oath to support the Constitution swears that he will support it as he understands it and not as it is understood by others. The opinion of the judges has no more authority over the Congress than the opinion of Congress has over the judges. The authority of the Supreme Court must not, therefore, be permitted to control the Congress. On our side of the aisle, the one we claim as the founder of our party, Abraham Lincoln, was also clear about this issue. In his inaugural address, President Lincoln declared, and I quote: I do not forget the position assumed by some that constitutional questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court. At the same time, the candid citizen must confess that if the policy of the government is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions of the Supreme Court, the instant they are made the people will have ceased to be their own rulers, having resigned their government into the hands of that eminent tribunal. Interestingly, one of the things on which both Republicans and Democrats long agreed was rejecting the doctrine that Congress could not interpret the Constitution. But now those from across the aisle want to abandon the wisdom of the past two centuries and look solely to the judiciary as being the interpreters of the Constitution. Do they really believe the judiciary to be infallible? Need I remind them that it was the judiciary who declared that black Americans were property and not people? Or that it was the judiciary who instituted the separate but equal doctrine; and that when the judiciary finally struck down that position in Brown v. Board of Education that it was only reversing its own policy that it had established in Plessey v. Ferguson? Does not experience teach that the court is fallible and that Congress in its interpretation of the Constitution has been correct more often? I choose to agree with America's leading statesman and legal experts from both the Democrat and Republican parties over the past two centuries that Congress does have both the right and the obligation to interpret the Constitution for itself. Our oath of loyalty is not to the judiciary's opinions but rather is to the Constitution itself. Or, as President Andrew Jackson so accurately explained, and I quote, ``Each public officer who takes an oath to support the Constitution swears that he will support it as he understands it and not as it is understood by others.'' Mr. Speaker, before yielding to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, I would like to say that this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and those of us who serve in the United States Congress have a responsibility to remember that this Nation was founded on Judeo- Christian principles.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, for the past several months, I have taken a strong interest in the Department of Defense's mandatory anthrax vaccine program. The Third District of North Carolina, which I am proud to represent, has a large military presence that has increased my awareness to the anthrax vaccine. As a result, it has also raised my level of concern about the safety, the efficacy and necessity of the vaccine for our men and women in uniform. Given the lack of information we have about the shot, it is not surprising that a growing number of our Nation's Reserve, Guard and active duty members are choosing to leave the service rather than take a potentially unsafe vaccine. The harmful effects this issue is having on the readiness of our Nation's military is the driving force behind my efforts to change the mandatory nature of the program. Recently the Washington Post featured an article about the overdue anthrax inoculations intended for our reserve force. The paper reported that these delays might threaten the effectiveness of the anthrax vaccine. However, even if the shots are administered on schedule, there is little, if any, evidence supporting an exact number of shots that are needed to reach immunity. Despite the lack of information, the anthrax vaccine is currently being administered to our troops in a series of six shots followed by an additional shot each year the individual serves. A man or woman who serves our Nation for 20 years must receive over 25 separate anthrax vaccinations. As the Post reported, only 350,000 of the 2.4 million military personnel scheduled to take the vaccine have received their first shot. Current figures indicate that less than 1500 have received all six shots. Madam Speaker, the Department of Defense reports that it has evidence of only 300, 300 adverse reactions and 200 personnel refusing the vaccine, but there are still millions of vaccines left to be administered. While we wait for every member of the military to receive their full course of shots, we risk losing even more military personnel who resign to avoid their anthrax vaccine date. Madam Speaker, it costs millions of taxpayers' dollars to train each of our men and women in uniform to defend this Nation. We cannot afford to lose even one soldier, sailor, airman, or marine to a vaccine that has many questioning its safety and efficacy; but it seems that the more time passes, the more troops we lose and the more questions surface about the current program. The relationship between the Department of Defense and BioPort, the only company that produces the anthrax vaccine, is beginning to draw concerns. BioPort is not even licensed by the Food and Drug Administration to manufacture the anthrax vaccination. Now despite its financial failings, the Department of Defense has doubled the amount of its original contract with BioPort. This aspect of the program alone has caused concerns among those who must take the shot. Madam Speaker, the need to protect our United States military from potential chemical and biological warfare is critical, but we cannot accept the risk of exposure as the only reason to mandate the shot and ignore the lack of information on the long-term safety of the vaccine. If the anthrax vaccine is safe and can effectively combat the threat of anthrax for our military, the Pentagon has failed to convince the very people it is trying to protect. The questions being raised are serious, legitimate questions that must be addressed in order to ensure our military receives the answers it needs. I introduced legislation this summer to make the current anthrax vaccine program voluntary. My colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), introduced a bill to institute a moratorium on the program until more testing can determine it is long-term safety. Madam Speaker, we are becoming more reliant upon our reserve force to help defend the security and interests of this Nation. If these men and women are concerned that the shot is unsafe, the morale and readiness of our military is severely threatened. Then we stand to lose more of the bright, capable, and trained individuals who represent the very strength of the country. I cannot stand by and watch this happen. Let me assure our men and women in the military that I will continue with my colleagues to pursue the issue until we can be sure that the anthrax vaccine is safe, effective and necessary.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I represent the Third District of North Carolina that sustained unprecedented damage from Hurricane Floyd. I believe I echo the feelings of my North Carolina colleagues in Congress who also represent storm-damaged areas when I say that the amount of devastation that we have witnessed is almost impossible to comprehend. While the storm itself has passed, the flooding has wreaked havoc on homes, farms, businesses, and entire communities. Some families lost their homes, jobs, and vehicles; and they are financially and emotional stressed and shattered. Many of our rivers did not fully crest until days after Floyd hit and the additional rainfall last week only added to the problem. But despite the amount of devastation that surrounds the citizens of eastern North Carolina, everyone is working together in a spirit that reminds us of the strength of this great Nation. I want to thank the individuals, communities, businesses and organizations in North Carolina and across the country that have stepped up to the plate to help the citizens of eastern North Carolina. It has been a tremendous encouragement to our people. Madam Speaker, just let me list some of the companies that are assisting: BlueCross/BlueShield of North Carolina, Food Lion, Lucent Technologies, Glaxo Welcome, International Paper, AJT and Associates of Florida, Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Sara Lee, Winn Dixie, Anheuser- Busch. These and many other companies have sent help to eastern North Carolina. The charitable agencies and relief organizations have also been wonderful. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwestern North Carolina collected more than 100,000 pounds of food in one week. AmeriCares donated cleaning supplies. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the United Way are also coordinating donations of clothing and food drives. Religious communities across the country are also donating time as well as money to help their brothers and sisters across our district and the country. All branches of the armed services, especially the United States Coast Guard and the United States Marines, Air National Guard, Army National Guard, and Air Force were tireless with their time and resources rescuing residents stranded by flooding. Their dedication to the State and Nation is second to none, and their efforts have been critical in saving and protecting human life. Madam Speaker, now Congress must do its part. This Congress has an obligation to help the American people first when they are in trouble. We have a moral contract with the taxpayers. Madam Speaker, every year we send money to countless countries across the globe in foreign aid and we know through a variety of sources and reports sometimes billions of these dollars never reach the people they were sent to help. Billions of dollars in U.S. aid to Russia has reportedly been laundered through foreign banks including possible IMF funds. Now the President has pledged to forgive the debt of 36 countries owed to the United States in order to help these countries finance basic human needs. To forgive this debt would cost the American taxpayer $5 billion. I would say to the President, there are families in North Carolina who have lost everything. They are living in shelters dependent upon the goodwill of friends and neighbors to provide them with the most basic human needs. Imagine what the community of eastern North Carolina could do with even $1 billion to help rebuild and repair the devastation. Now Congress has appropriated over $12 billion in foreign aid for fiscal year 2000. Madam Speaker, I understand that we have strategic obligations to allies in the Middle East such as Israel; however, I cannot justify voting for a foreign aid package when families in my district are hurting so badly. Madam Speaker, we must help the American taxpayer first. I will not break faith with our own American citizens in their time of need. Not one dime of foreign aid should be appropriated until we take care of the people of our United States of America. Madam Speaker, if this sounds like ``America first,'' so be it. The people in flood-ravaged eastern North Carolina need our help now, not next year. They are striving to exist each and every day. I call on the leadership of both parties to work together in a bipartisan effort to bring much-needed relief to these families in eastern North Carolina immediately.