Walter Jones

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, since taking control of Congress, the Republican Party has stayed focused on the commitment we made with the American people--to change the status quo. While the Democrats are playing politics by creating a ``buyers market'' for the White House, we are trying to save and protect Medicare for senior citizens and for future generations. Our plan abolishes the one-size-fits-all plan, designed over 30 years ago. We replace it with a program that allows senior citizens to have the same health care choices as other Americans. Also, the well-documented waste and fraud of the Medicare system, will be [[Page H 6744]] rooted out allowing for a 54-percent spending increase--the spending per senior will increase from $4,800 to more than $6,700. Bottom line, the Republicans stand for change and the Democrats stand for the status quo. It is time to put aside political games and address the concerns of the American people.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, when we convened for the 104th Congress in January, we came with our word and honor to uphold. And we have done it. We promised the American people action toward a more responsive, efficient Government, and we came here with our honor and integrity on our minds, not the next campaign. The President, however, doesn't seem to take his job as seriously. Instead, he compromises his integrity by using his office for personal political purposes. His agenda focuses not on service to the American people but on benefiting from special interest donations. We can here with determination to do the work of the American people, not to sell our offices for political advantage. In his State of the Union Address, President Clinton implored politicians to just stop taking contributions from special interest donors. Now, several months afterward, he is blatantly practicing the very things he preached against. Unfortunately for him, actions speak louder than words.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of representing three military bases, many active and retired military personnel, and a large group of patriotic civilians who all have strong feelings of respect for the American flag. As a proud cosponsor of the flag desecration constitutional amendment, I strongly believe in protecting the American flag and everything that it symbolizes. Old Glory, the most respected and recognized symbol in our country, represents the continued struggle for freedom and democracy. Far too often people disregard and betray all that the flag has stood for throughout our history and continues to. The flag is the physical embodiment of that for which many men and women have sacrificed their lives. To desecrate the flag is to desecrate them. We owe it to these unsung heroes to continue the job they started by ensuring passage of this constitutional amendment. Our flag is a unique symbol of our country's heritage that deserves the highest degree of respect and dignity.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, when President Clinton was running for the Presidency, a tax cut was one of the main features of his campaign. But when the President was elected, he raised taxes on the middle class. Where does the President stand now? Who knows. Mr. Speaker, in the absence of leadership from the White House, Republicans have introduced a tax relief plan that allows working Americans to keep more of the money they earn. We have not flip-flopped or changed our position. Instead, we stand with the vast majority of Americans who know all too well the impacts of higher taxes and who struggle to make ends meet. Mr. Speaker, the President may not know where he stands, but Republicans have consistently stood for tax relief, smaller Government, and a balanced budget.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Brig. Gen. Jeffrey R. Grime for his dedicated service to our Nation as the commander of the 4th Wing for the U.S. Air Force. General Grime was assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Goldsboro, NC in July 1993 as commander of the 4th Wing. The 4th Wing has been involved in every major air support action undertaken by the United States. General Grime also commands an F-15E and [[Page E 1330]] KC-10 composite wing, a major air combat command base with more than 4,600 personnel who provide logistics support for the 916th Air Refueling Wing. General Grime served with distinction from February to August 1994 as the commander of the 4404th Composite Wing at Dhahran Air Base in Saudi Arabia. He has also presided over the addition of the national training mission for the F-15E--giving Seymour Johnson the world's largest compliment of this state-of-the-art weapons system. Also under his command, the 4th Wing received the highest rating during the air combat command operational readiness inspection, thus establishing a new standard of excellence for the U.S. Air Force. As if his operational contributions have not been enough, General Grime distinguished himself in reaching out to the civilian community of the Goldsboro area. This was shown in an increase in base tours and by over 94,000 hours of volunteer work by service members in Wayne County in 1994 alone. Indeed, General Grime has made a big difference in the lives of many--and there are plenty of personal testimonies supporting it. From all of us who have worked with General Grime, we join in bidding him a fond farewell. Thank you, Jeff Grime, for your friendship and extraordinary contributions to Goldsboro-Wayne County, NC, and to our Nation.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Ship's Serviceman Senior Chief David Gross, as he retires upon completion of over 23 years of faithful service to our Nation. [[Page E 1312]] A native of Moyock, NC, Senior Chief Gross was inducted in the Navy in 1972. After graduating from recruit training at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL, he served in various managerial billets including Navy exchanges and bachelor enlisted quarters. In addition, he served as a shore patrol officer and as a recruiter. During his most recent shore duty, he served as a logistics management assessment team member at the NAVSURFLANT Readiness Support Group. Senior Chief Gross accumulated 16 years of sea duty aboard various ships including the U.S.S. Vulcan (AR-5), U.S.S. Conolly (DD-979), U.S.S. America (CV-66), U.S.S. Coontz (DDG-40), U.S.S. Hayler (DD-997). He was a plank owner aboard U.S.S. Supply (AOE-6), the Navy's newest class of fast combat support ships, during his last tour afloat. His impact on crew morale and readiness has been immeasurable. In addition to providing the finest ship's store, laundry, and barber services to crew members, he maintained tight financial accountability. Senior Chief Gross was also instrumental in providing logistics support to the fleet during his tour as a logistics management team member. Producing one success story after another, Senior Chief Gross was awarded three Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Battle ``E,'' five Good Conduct Medals, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star, four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons and Kuwait Liberation Medal. In addition, he attained Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification. A man of Ship's Serviceman Senior Chief Gross' talent and integrity is rare indeed. While his honorable service will be genuinely missed, it gives me great pleasure to recognize him before my colleagues and to wish him ``Fair Winds and Following Seas,'' as he concludes a long and distinguished career in the U.S. naval service.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Budget Office has weighed in on President Clinton's plan to balance the budget in 10 years. Their conclusions were not too, shall we say, promising. CBO concludes that Clinton's new budget would not even come close to balancing in the year 2005. They predict the deficit that year will be $209 billion, about what it is today. During his first State of the Union Address, Bill Clinton sang the praises of the CBO. Now, the differences between his numbers and CBO's numbers are passed off as merely a difference of opinion between policy wonks. Mr. Speaker, Bill Clinton's budget is a sham. If he were serious about balancing the budget, he would get serious about the Federal Government's spending problem. Instead of a real balanced budget, all Bill Clinton proposes is a plan to protect big government.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority continues to make good on our promise to change the status quo by cutting Government. Today we are bringing to the floor two measures to prove our dedication--the legislative branch appropriations bill, and legislation to establish a Corrections Day. Through the legislative branch bill, we will reduce our own budget by $155 million for the next fiscal year. We have cut congressional staff and eliminated unnecessary programs. Corrections Day will help purge the Federal Government of ridiculous red tape. It will especially help State and local officials, who have been dealing with ridiculous regulations for too long. Mr. Speaker, a smaller, less costly, and more efficient Government is our goal.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 390, I inadvertently missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I stand in opposition to this amendment. I would like to point out that the approved projects to replace the general officers' quarters at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is something the Air Force and the Administration asked for before I was elected. I did not add this project to the budget, but I do support its construction, after realizing the obvious need for it. The building in question was built in 1956. This project, more than anything else, is a matter of replacing a house which is showing the age and wear of continuous heavy use. Most everything, from the walls to the foundations and the underlying pavement, requires major repairs or replacement. Plumbing and electrical systems are outdated and do not meet the current standards for efficiency or safety. In addition, the heating and air conditioning system needs to be totally replaced. [[Page H 6139]] I would like to add that every study that could be done to evaluate this project has been done. Studies show that replacing the house would cost less over the long run than constantly repairing this 40-year-old system. Mr. Chairman, if we are going to call for quality of life for our troops, I do not think it is to much to ask that the legitimate needs of our commanders be met.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the President has submitted Clinton budget No. 2. I am glad that he has finally realized that the American people really do want a balanced budget, and while we are still waiting on the details, I did find something very interesting in the 15-page summary the President submitted. Clinton budget 2 does not propose to eliminate any Cabinet-level departments of the Federal Government. Mr. Speaker, this is amazing. The Republican budget cuts the huge Federal bureaucracy by eliminating three Cabinet-level departments. The Federal Government is too big and spends too much. Republicans want to streamline the Federal Government by cutting waste and eliminating unnecessary positions. The Republican majority understands the American people want a smaller government.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, remember the first budget that the President sent to Congress this year. It came up for a vote on the Senate floor and was defeated 99 to 0--yes, 99 to 0. Not one Democrat supported his budget. Now, the President tells us that he has seen the light. He has realized that the American people really do want to balance the budget. So, at the end of the process, he has finally jumped on board--we hope. Where are the details? Where is the fine print? It is easy to stand up and talk the talk, but it takes real leadership to walk the walk. Republicans have shown that leadership through our balanced budget plan. Mr. Speaker, we hope the President will soon show us the details of his plan.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, on June 2, 1995, a United States Air Force F- 16 Fighting Falcon was shot down over Bosnia. The pilot's fate was unknown. What was known was that if he had survived, he had gone down in a hostile, war-torn land where Bosnian Serbs were using captured United Nations peacekeepers as human shields. While the Nation waited for answers, a Navy ship steamed into the Adriatic Sea. Aboard the ship was the 24th Marine unit, commanded by Col. Martin R. Berndt. On June 8, at 3 a.m. Bosnian time, Colonel Berndt was notified that the downed pilot had been located. The marines moved quickly. They hastily assembled a TRAP team, for Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel, under the command of Lt. Col. Chris Gunther. By 5 a.m., Colonel Berndt, Lieutenant Colonel Gunther, and their Marines were aboard helicopters en route to the Bosnian coast. Forty-five minutes later, before crossing into Bosnian air space, the Marines were joined by EA-6B Prowlers from the USS Roosevelt, F/A 18 Hornets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 533, and two Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts. AWACS airborne warning and control system aircraft, which had been in radio contact with the downed pilot, circled overhead and directed the Marines to his approximate location. The Marines hit the objective at 6:40 a.m. The Cobra gunships went in first, flying fast and low over the trees to identify and destroy any potential threat from the ground. Seconds later, the first Super Stallion landed. Marines leapt from the aircraft and deployed to secure the area. As the second CH-53 touched down, 29-year-old Captain Scott O'Grady, the F-16 pilot who for 6 days had evaded capture and lived off the land, sprang from a tree line and ran toward the Marines. Colonel Berndt reached out, grabbed O'Grady, and pulled him safely aboard the chopper. ``I'm okay,'' O'Grady said. ``Get me out of here.'' Colonel Berndt obliged. From the time they landed to the time they lifted off, the Marines spent less than 2 minutes on the ground. During the flight back to the ship they were fired on by surface to air missiles and small arms. At least one round hit the helicopter that carried Captain O'Grady. But it was not enough to stop the U.S. Marines, and today Captain Scott O'Grady is safely home. This operation demonstrates many things. It demonstrates the superior capabilities of our equipment, and the effectiveness of our tactics. It demonstrates our military's exceptional capability for inter- service communications and cooperation. But above all, it demonstrates the unequaled skill, valor, of American troops. Courage saved Captain O'Grady--his own courage, and the courage of the Marines who pierced the Bosnian dawn to pull him from harm's way. The TRAP team that rescued Captain O'Grady included two Sea Cobra helicopter gunships; four Harrier attack jets; and 41 Marines from an 81 mortar platoon from the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines. These elements are home based at Camp Lejeune, NC. Much of Camp Lejeune is in the third congressional district, and I am here tonight as their Representative in Congress, to commend their actions over Bosnia. These Marines are daring. They are intrepid. They are dauntless. They represent the very best America has to offer, and their actions reflect great credit upon each individual Marine, the 3rd Battalion, the 8th Marines, the 24th MEU, and Camp Lejeune. I am proud to represent them. The Marines of Camp Lejeune demonstrate the spirit and meaning of the Corp's proud motto: ``Semper Fi''--``Always faithful''. I say thank you Captain O'Grady and thank you to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, this week, Congress has the opportunity to vote on legislation which would put American interests first. The American Overseas Interests Act overhauls our Nation's foreign aid policy to reflect our foreign policy and national security interests in the 1990's, not the 1950's. It defends our national security and supports our trade and economic interests while balancing the budget for our children's future. We draw a line between offering a helping hand to countries which support us and countries who choose to work against our interests. We send a bold statement to our enemies by cutting off funds to countries that spy on us, provide weapons to terrorist states and consistently vote against us in the United Nations. Most importantly, it eliminates three foreign policy agencies and cuts foreign aid spending by nearly $1 billion. Finally, it sends a message to neighbors around the world that we know ``we cannot buy friendship.''

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, in the coming months we face two extraordinary battles--the battle to protect the future of our Nation's seniors and the battle to preserve the future of America's children. We cannot fail in either of these battles. Our opponents will do everything they can to distort what we are trying to do. They will use fear tactics to scare innocent Americans into a false sense of security about the status quo. The status quo is the enemy. If we do nothing Medicare will be bankrupt in 7 years. What would the Democrats have our seniors do then? By acting now we can save the Medicare system and offer security to our seniors. If we do nothing about the budget, our children will pay more than $187,000 over the course of their lives just to pay for interest on the national debt. We must balance the budget now if we want to protect the American dream for our children. Mr. Speaker, we must stand firm and deliver. The stakes are too high to do nothing.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, this week the House of Representatives will make history. For a quarter century Government has been the problem rather than the solution. Government policies have squandered our children's future, stagnated our workers' wages, assaulted our families' values and eroded our citizens' freedoms. This week, once again the people will govern. We will vote on a program to transform the Federal Government by making it work for the people. Our plan will balance the budget for the first time in 25 years by making Government responsible. Our balanced budget restores our children's American dream by ending the practice of squandering the children's inheritance on big government. It returns power to the people by ending the micromanagement of intrusive Washington bureaucrats. It prepares for the future by saving programs that would otherwise go bankrupt like Medicare. It restores democracy by making government officials public servants. The people of America want a balanced budget.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, time is running out. If Congress fails to address the out-of control Federal budget, it will soon be too late for our children's future. If we fail to end the irresponsible spending that Washington has engaged in for the last 25 years, we can say goodbye to the American dream, and say hello to a diminished standard of living for our kids. The consequences are jut too great to imagine if we do not bring the Federal budget into balance. In just 10 years, at current projections, the Federal Government will be unable to pay for anything beyond the service on the debt and entitlements. That means no defense, no law enforcement, or any other domestic spending. Mr. Speaker, Republicans are committed to bringing budgetary sanity out of budgetary chaos. We will balance the budget by eliminating out- dated agencies, waste, and programs that simply do not work. All the liberal Democrats can offer is class warfare rhetoric and posture for the best political angle. They totally fail to realize that the future of America is on the line and that time is running out.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Chair's approval of the Journal.

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, if an average American were to pile up huge debts and engage in reckless financial behavior, that person would eventually be held accountable, either by the law or by his creditors. But here in Washington, somehow, the reverse is true. The Federal Government has become immune to accountability. They have racked-up trillions in debt and yet continue their irresponsible spending. Unfortunately there is a price for all this irresponsibility. That price will be shouldered by average Americans who are not responsible for the failed policies of the past. If we do nothing to remedy the out-of-control spending here in Washington, our children will suffer a very dim future. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that spending more than you earn is not the wisest thing--especially in the long run. And, it does not take a wizard to fix the budget. All it takes is commonsense, determination, honesty, and a realization that we simply cannot continue with the old Washington way of doing things.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, while home during the 3-week recess, I traveled 17 of 21 days, visited 15 of 19 counties that I have the privilege to represent, appeared on several radio talk shows, and held numerous town meetings. Overall, people are optimistic about the direction the new Congress is going. People believe Congress is starting to represent the working man and woman and passing commonsense legislation. I sincerely believe we are in the process of rebuilding the public's trust in Congress which was lost after previous Congresses neglected to listen to the people. In the next few months we will all have to make difficult choices. But we, as elected officials, must continue to use common sense when drafting, discussing, and voting on legislation. We must continue to work for the American people. Ultimately, we need to stay focused to the commitment we made with the American people--to again make America a great country.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, Americans are working harder today than ever. However, they are receiving lower wages and paying higher taxes. Throughout the country, both parents are having to work just to keep their heads above water. In 1948, the average American family with children paid only 3 percent of its income to the Federal Government in income and payroll taxes. Today, the same family pays 24.5 percent to the Federal Government. Working families deserve relief from this growing burden. The Republican tax relief proposal will do just that. It will provide 35 million families with the $500 per child tax credit, lowering the tax burden for 89 percent of the American families. The middle-class squeeze is taking its toll on families in endless struggle to make ends meet and taking its toll on the fabric of our society as well. More than ever before, American families deserve tax relief.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, the Republican tax fairness and deficit reduction proposal cuts taxes for everyone; individuals, families, and senior citizens. Most importantly, the proposal provides relief for working families. Since 1988, the working family has had their median income plunge approximately $2,500 while receiving a 2.5-percent increase in taxes. Over 75 percent of our tax relief proposal will focus on restoring fairness to the middle class. The remaining 25 percent will go directly to deficit reduction. The cuts are designed to lend a helping hand to the middle-class working family, the $500 per child family tax credit, the tax credit for adoption expenses, and the tax credit for small businesses. Republicans are committed to reducing the burden of government on the working families.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, from 1954 until 1995, this body was governed by a party whose basic philosophy was that Government could do everything, provided that enough money was spent. The consequences of this philosophy has been devastating. Today, the average family pays over half of its income to taxes at all levels. One cannot logically expect civilization to continue with taxation so burdensome and Government so expensive. The American people have lost their patience with this situation. They have figured out that there are winners and losers with the current tax system. The winner, of course, is the Federal Government. The losers are American families and senior citizens. Mr. Speaker, the time has come for the tax relief the Republicans promised in our Contract With America. The liberals will offer refrain after refrain of class warfare. But let us not forget whose philosophy and whose stewardship created this mess in Washington.

Mr. JONES

Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, Thomas Jefferson had it right when he said, ``a wise and frugal government * * * shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.'' Liberals would reject that sound advice. However, Republicans will revive that Jeffersonian spirit by passing a tax relief plan that is pro-family, will create jobs, and increase saving and investment. We will pay for these tax cuts by putting the Federal Government on a strict diet. We will scrutinize the entire budget to find waste fraud and abuse. Now you will hear a lot from the Democrats about fairness. But is it fair to penalize middle-class families for saving for the future? Is it fair to rob our children's future to pay for Clinton's spending binge? I say no. It is time to change business as usual.