Paul Kanjorski

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Nuangola Chapel in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Chapel will mark its centennial with a service and luncheon on Sunday, July 26. I am proud to have been asked to participate in this event. Late in the nineteenth century, the newly- organized Triangle Lake Association built an uncovered platform in a grove of trees for the purpose of dances and other social activities. On Sundays, the platform was used for services and Sunday School. In 1890, Nuangola consisted of only about twenty-four cottages, all on the west side of the lake, but it had grown considerably by 1898 when John Reader proposed building a chapel. A meeting was held at the dance platform and a committee was formed to consider the idea. In the minutes of that meeting the lake was referred to as ``Triangular Lake.'' However, there were three other bodies of water in the country with that name at that time. To avert confusion, the U.S. Postal Service used what was thought to be the original name of the lake--Nuangola--after an Indian maiden thought to have drowned there. The new committee decided to call itself ``the Nuangola Chapel Association.'' On September 10, 1898, the committee petitioned the court to grant it a charter. The petition was granted and recorded for the purpose of maintaining ``a chapel for public worship of Almighty God, evangelistic but non-sectarian.'' The chapel was built and dedicated in 1904 and it has been used every Sunday during the summertime since 1900. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate the fine congregation of the Nuangola Chapel on its Centennial Celebration. I send my very best wishes on this milestone event for continued prosperity in the years to come. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to bring the Nuangola Chapel's proud history to the attention of my colleagues.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report to the House that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Jacob Lew, has confirmed that enactment of the LaTourette-Kanjorski, Credit Union Membership Access Act (H.R. 1151) would have, ``no net budget impact'' and ``no PAYGO cost.'' This finding by OMB, which applies to both the House-passed, and Senate Committee-reported versions of H.R. 1151, verifies what most of us have intuitively known for some time. Expanding access to credit unions will give consumers additional choices but will not negatively affect the federal budget. Nor will it violate the Balanced and Emergency Control Act. Claims to the contrary are merely efforts by opponents of consumer choice to throw obstacles in the way of this important pro-consumer legislation. The Office of Management and Budget has had an excellent record in recent years for accurately projecting the budget impact of legislation. OMB's analyses are prepared by dedicated professionals who take their responsibilities seriously. We should be thankful for their conclusions and should all work to ensure that a final version of the LaTourette-Kanjorski Credit Union Membership Access Act is presented to the President for his signature as soon as possible. The full text of OMB Director Lew's letter follows: Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC, July 15, 1998. Hon. Paul E. Kanjorski, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Kanjorski: Thank you for your letter inquiring about the budget impact of H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act. OMB estimates that there would be no net budget impact from either the House or Senate versions of H.R. 1151 under section 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985's Pay-As- You-Go budget scoring rules (known as ``PAYGO''). Sections 101 and 102 of H.R. 1151 (as passed by the House and as reported by the Senate Banking Committee) redefine the circumstances under which a credit union may expand its field of membership. By increasing credit union membership beyond what was permissible after the recent Supreme Court decision, the new field of membership rules may allow consumers to shift funds from tax-paying financial institutions to tax- exempt credit unions, resulting in reduced revenues. By longstanding convention, OMB only scores revenue changes resulting directly from modification of tax law; it does not score indirect changes resulting from modification of consumer behavior. This is consistent with OMB's interpretation of the Budget Enforcement Act requirement to score costs resulting from legislation. Because Sections 101 and 102 do not change tax law, OMB estimates that these sections would have no PAYGO costs. The new definition also would lead credit unions to acquire more insured shares (deposits), thus increasing deposit insurance assessments received by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). The Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, section 252(d)(4)(A), exempts provisions that provide for the full funding and continuation of the government's deposit insurance commitment from the PAYGO scoring rules (known as the ``deposit insurance exemption''). The additional deposit insurance assessments that NCUSIF would receive as a result of this provision come under the deposit insurance exemption and are, therefore, PAYGO exempt. OMB estimates no PAYGO cost from expansion of the common bond authority. H.R. 1151 would prevent the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) from issuing a rebate of NCUSIF funds to insured credit unions until the fund's reserve ratio exceeds 1.5% of insured shares. Currently the NCUA pays rebates whenever the fund reserve ratio exceeds 1.3%. This provision would decrease NCUSIF outlays until the fund reaches 1.5% currently estimated to happen in 2003. As above, this provision contributes to the full funding and continuation of deposit insurance, and is therefore exempt from PAYGO. Finally, H.R. 1151 increases NCUA's administrative expenses. The NCUA's policy, however, calls for charging member credit unions fees sufficient to offset all administrative costs. Thus, these additional expenses would be PAYGO neutral. Thank you for your interest in OMB's analysis of H.R. 1151. Sincerely, Jacob J. Lew, Acting Director.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This week the Little Theater will celebrate its 75th anniversary; it is believed to be possibly one of the oldest community theaters in the country. I am honored to have been asked to participate in this important celebration. The Little Theater has been providing quality entertainment in Northeastern Pennsylvania since it was organized in 1922. The Theater's original founders were some of the most prominent families in the area, including Mrs. Simon Long, Mrs. Frank G. Darte, Mrs. Ernest G. Smith, Annette Evans, Daniel W. Davis, Todd Rippard, Bernard Burgunder, Brandon Gearhart, Raijean Breese, and Leonard Parkhurst. With no building of its own until 1957, the first performance of the new group was performed at what was then Wilkes-Barre High School. The Little Theater was established for the purpose for the purpose of stimulating local interest in the performing arts. In addition to producing first-rate shows, the Theater provides training for people of all ages. The Theater has sponsored a workshop specifically for high school students for the last 12 years. The Little Theater stage has hosted such noted artists as actor James Karen, Tony Award-winner Santo Loquasto, film designer Maher Ahmad, founder of the Pennsylvania Ballet Society Barbara Weisberger, and even Judge Harold Flannery and the late Congressman Daniel Flood and his wife, Catherine. The Little Theater's tradition of excellence is continued today by General Manager Walter S. Mitchell Junior. Artistic Director Ann Marie Kopec, and Technical Director Christine E. Rook. Their efforts are supposed by the current members of the Little Theater's Board: Joe Lucas,. Bonnie Biros, Barb Wilson, Lisa Y. Fink, Deb Kolojejchick, Mary Ann Ulichney, Chet Newhart, and Marge Dewees. Mr. Speaker, the Little Theater has produced more than 300 Broadway- style productions since its inception. It is the only community theater in Northeastern Pennsylvania with full orchestration in its musical productions,. I am extremely pleased to be able to join with the community in thanking the Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre for 75 wonderful years. I send my sincere best wishes for the little Theater's continued success.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Martz Group, the nation's largest, privately-held, non-subsidized bus company. The Martz Group is headquartered in my district in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania and this year is celebrating its 90th Anniversary. It has grown from owning a single bus to owning 400 motor vehicles and employing 700 people worldwide. The Martz Group provides vital services for my constituents. Last month alone, an estimated 2,500 people a day traveled on Martz buses from New York City to Wilkes-Barre, the most populous city in Pennsylvania's Eleventh Congressional District. Both the company and its President/CEO, Frank M. Henry, are very highly regarded in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I speak for many in the Wyoming Valley when I say that we are looking forward to another generation of fine leadership as Scott Henry increases his role in the company. Mr. Speaker, the history of the Martz Group has been adeptly summarized in a June 14 article by Mary Ondrako for the Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice. I wish to enter this article in the Congressional Record so that my colleagues may be aware of the distinguished history of this company. I wish the Martz Group a happy anniversary and continued success in the future. [From the Citizens' Voice, June 14, 1998] Martz Buses Still Rollin' Along 90 Years Later (By Mary Ondrako) Ninety years and still rolling along is what the Martz Group is celebrating this year. Founded in 1908 by Frank Martz Sr., the business has grown from a single bus to a transportation empire of nine companies featuring about 400 motor vehicles and 700 employees worldwide. The largest, privately held, nonsubsidized bus company is now under management by Frank Henry and his son, Scott E. Henry. Scott Henry represents the fourth generation of the Martz family. Headquarters are on Old River Road, Wilkes- Barre. Frank Martz Sr., whom Scott Henry described as an ``innovator,'' back in the 1900s, recognized a need to provide transportation services for people, who like himself, often had to walk to their places of employment despite chilly winters or other inclement weather conditions. ``My great-great grandfather's father ran a company store and he used to have to deliver goods from the company store to different places around town and he would walk,'' Scott Henry explained. ``He got tired of walking so he decided to get a truck and he nailed a flat platform in the back of his truck and saw he could give miners a ride while he was delivering his goods.'' According to Martz Group, the vehicle he designed, was ``rustic'' by today's standards, but was heralded ``a chariot'' particularly by mining families in Wyoming Valley area at that time. In 1912, Frank Martz Sr., incorporated the White Transit Company and added four coaches. For a nickel, an individual could ride the coach to get from `Point A' to `Point B.' White Transit Company provided public transportation for Wilkes-Barre area until Luzerne County Transportation Authority took over the service, Scott Henry noted. Over the years, Martz coach service was expanded throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Illinois. Also, in 1926, a four- and six-passenger airplane service was started by Frank Martz Sr. to shuttle corporate clients to and from Wilkes-Barre, Newark, Buffalo and Cleveland. This service ended in 1933. Frank Martz Coach Co. was incorporated in 1927 and this led to more buses being added and intracity routes. With this, an individual could hop on a bus and travel to New York City, Philadelphia, and upstate New York. According to Martz Group, the company was the first to feature an on-board host or hostess. Frank Martz Sr. also is considered a pioneer in express service, according to Martz Group. He implemented the service to appease prospective clients who were disappointed by frequent bus stops. In 1936, National Trailways Bus System was established which consisted of a group of independent carriers providing transportation and ticketing coordination to help companies compete against Greyhound. According to Martz Group, Martz is the sole original member of the organization of 26 carriers. During the Depression of 1930s, Martz scaled back coach services. Frank Martz Sr. introduced ``club coaches'' to clients to help stay the business. Club coaches offered amenities such as overstuffed chairs, writing desks, radios, a host or hostess and air conditioning. At the time of his death in 1936, Frank Martz Sr. was operating a transportation company that extended along the Northeast coast and featured 150 coaches. His son, Frank Martz Jr. then took over the company, rebuilding Martz after the Depression. After Frank Martz Jr. died in a helicopter accident in 1964, Frank Henry took over the Martz reins. He serves as president and CEO of Martz Group; Scott Henry is president of Martz Trailways. The company was renamed ``Martz Group'' and has facilities and services concentrated on the East Coast, from Wilkes- Barre, including Martz Towers on Public Square, to New York and Florida. Businesses operating under the Martz Group banner are Martz Trailways, Wilkes-Barre; Martz Lines/Gray Line, Philadelphia; Martz Travel, Wilkes-Barre; Tourtime, Virginia; Gold Line/ Gray Line, Washington, D.C.; Franklin Motorcoach, Virginia; National Coach Works, Virginia; First Class Coach Co. and Gulf Coast/Gray Line, both of Florida. ``Basically, we'll do whatever anybody wants to enjoy themselves in the transportation end of it,'' Scott Henry said. He noted excursions offered by Martz include Penn State football games, fall foliage tours, Belmont Stakes and Preakness, amusement parks including Great Adventure, New Jersey, and Hershey Park, and NASCAR events. Martz also transported passengers to Olympic events held in Atlanta, GA and Montreal, Canada, according to Scott Henry. Charters can be arranged for up to 53 people. For those who desire to travel in the lap of luxury, Martz offers its ``Executive'' line buses. The vehicles are equipped with a lounge, card tables, sofas, microwaves and coffee makers, televisions and seat up to 24 people, according to Scott Henry. A host or hostess is also included in Executive packages. ``I view our business as we are in the entertainment business,'' Scott Henry suggested. ``We will take people so they could go and have a good time. ``If you say you want to go to Pittsburgh, we will get you tickets for the football game, baseball game. . . . You tell us how many people you have, an idea of what you want to do and we'll find something for you,'' he continued. According to Scott Henry, the business is constantly growing and adding new coaches, services and upgrading equipment to transport clients to almost any point in the world. Notably upgrades in equipment have helped grow its customer base, Scott Henry noted. For example, in the 1950s, Martz was the second company nationwide to implement two-way radios in its coaches. This allowed for speed of service in weather bulletins and assisted communication among passengers. And it was one of the first to provide television to clients. ``We were the first in the area and one of the first in the country to do it and now it's standard where we buy equipment with televisions on it,'' Scott Henry said of the founder's foresight. The company's commitment to service was noted early in the business's history, Scott Henry added, explaining that Frank Martz Sr. would situate a block of ice near a ventilation system as a primitive air-conditioning system for coaches. A recent upgrade, Martz features four handicap accessible coaches, one of which is permanently sited in Wilkes-Barre, Scott Henry said. And Martz buses can be seen rolling down almost any highway and bi-way today as a testament of its success. ``In Wilkes-Barre alone, for the month of May, we had 73,000 passengers,'' Scott Henry said of just one of its daily line services from Wilkes-Barre to New York City. ``That's 2,500 people a day.'' More recently, Martz is offering ``I Ride Trolley'' services in Disneyworld, Florida, and bi-lingual tours in Washington, D.C. Charters feature head sets for all passengers in up to five different languages, Scott Henry explained. As far as look to the horizon, Scott Henry noted the company will remain committed to its longstanding motto of ``Safe, courteous service'' which has been the case since Frank Martz Sr. began the business 90 years ago. According to Scott Henry, Martz, for now, plans to build up its holdings. ``We plan to continue to concentrate on the Eastern region,'' Scott Henry stated. The company's main competition is from airlines, rental cars and also people who choose to travel with their own wheels. To that end, Martz seeks to safeguard and improve on its niche in the comfort zone and move closer to becoming a one- stop service. He explained persons chartering trips to New York City can obtain event tickets, arrange for an early night dinner before catching the latest theatrical production and taking in a few city sights and maybe catch a flick on the way home.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I would like to register an objection. I am a guy who loves peanut butter, and I have discovered, my research, it cost me 33 cents more for a 18 ounce jar, and I think that the Members on the other side of the aisle should get together and vote me a subsidy of 33 cents for every jar of peanut butter I consume a year because, after all, why should I not be entitled to be subsidized as the peanut farmer is? This argument is really an argument. It is bipartisan in nature. There are those on both sides of the aisle that want to support the peanut farmer. If we talk about the peanut farmer, my heart goes out to him, too, except when we look at the reality of the situation, 22 percent of the peanut farmers are deriving 80 percent of the profits from these quotas. Seventy-five percent or two-thirds of the licensees of these peanut support systems are not farmers. They are owners of land and owners of licenses. Some of them inherit them as a matter of inheritance from father and grandfather, and we are saying here that we are fighting for these poor farmers. A lot of them live on Wall Street, the holders of these licenses, because this is a negotiated saleable item, a commodity that is sold in this country, and it is just time that, if we are talking about free markets and we are talking about competition, we are not suggesting to go straight to a free market. We are suggesting a simple 10 percent reduction in support costs. And I just want to remind all the Members how many people would be screaming aloud here if we guaranteed the price of steel that would have to be consumed by auto manufacturers or other users of steel in this country. What if we said oh, these people have made their investment and always produced steel, they have got to get a fair guaranteed price by the Congress of the United States. What happened to our Congress, our supposedly free marketeers? This is not asking for a free market; it is asking for something nearer to a fairer market. If it does not happen, the hypocrisy we will express in doing this, and when I hear our friends talk about it is going to end in 2002, well, I am not a gambler, but if anyone would want to step to the back of the Chamber, I would make a wager that in 2002 there is going to be an excuse to continue to subsidize licensee holders on Wall Street, New York, with the payment from American consumers to protect the markets of the license holders of peanuts. You will not be wrong. It is going to happen. We know it is going to happen. All we are saying is maybe let us just give the indication to the American people that we are going to reduce this hard support system for peanut farmers by just 10 percent now. Let us see what the effect is on the marketplace. Let us see how competitive it makes our candy business. Let us not run the risk of encouraging our candy manufacturers to move to Mexico, right across the Texas line, and buy peanuts $300 cheaper from Texas than they can today. I urge my friends to support this amendment.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my colleague and close friend, State Representative Robert E. Belfanti, Jr. Bob will be honored by the Susquehanna Valley Boy Scouts Council at the Council's July 7 American Distinguished Citizen Dinner. I am pleased and proud to be able to participate in this prestigious event. Mr. Speaker, Bob Belfanti represents parts of my congressional district in Northumberland County, Montour County, and Columbia County. I have been proud to work with him on numerous occasions since I was first elected in 1984. I consider him a close personal friend. Born in 1948 to Robert and Rose Belfanti, Bob attended local schools in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, in what is part of the District he now represents. He was active in Scouting and became an Eagle Scout in 1961. He graduated high school in 1966 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps the following July. Bob served in Vietnam and was decorated six times. Following his tour of duty in Vietnam, Bob attended the University of North Carolina on a special Inservice Program. In 1971, Bob received an honorable discharge from the Corps but remained active in a Reserve unit for another two years. In 1972, Bob began electrician school and graduated as a journeyman in 1975. He operated his own contracting company prior to his election to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1980. Active in numerous local organizations, Representative Belfanti is a member of the AmVets, N.E. Economic Development Council, Lions, Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, UNICO, and various Scouting organizations. Bob was listed in Who's Who in American Politics, received the Outstanding Young Men of America Award, National Young Democrat Award, and the National Leadership Award. Bob's legislative efforts have ranged from employment issues to the environment. He has helped his district move beyond its coal mining heritage and toward the 21st century with millions in grant money for everything from technology to sewage treatment. Mr. Speaker, Bob Belfanti is a proven leader, an able legislator, and a concerned citizen. I am proud to join with his wife Cece, his sons, his friends, and the community in paying tribute to his outstanding career and his dedication to his community. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to bring Bob's many accomplishments to the attention of my colleagues and I wish my good friend continued success, good health, and prosperity.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council, the United Way of Wyoming Valley, and the City of Wilkes-Barre, the most populous city in Pennsylvania's Eleventh Congressional District. These three entities were recently honored by the AFL-CIO at its National Conference on Community Services. I am proud to bring this outstanding alliance to the attention of my colleagues. 1998 marks the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council and the United Way of Wyoming Valley. The AFL-CIO award recognizes outstanding community services, activities and programs provided by the United Way and the Labor Council. The City of Wilkes-Barre was named a Model City in Community Services for the Northeast Region for its affiliation with the partnership. Some of the programs recognized by the award included: union counseling, blood drives, services to retirees, food drives, and a wealth of other volunteer activities. Mr. Speaker, the Labor Council consists of more than forty unions of a diverse nature and has active standing committees on Community Services, Education, and Political Action and Legislation. My good friend Sam Bianco has been the President of the Labor Council for the past 19 years and an active United Way volunteer for for nearly 40 years. Betty Friday has been the Chair of the Labor Council's Community Services Committee for 17 years and a United Way Volunteer for 40 years. Another good friend Lois Hartel, the Council Secretary, has been an active United Way Volunteer for 25 years and a past recipient of the prestigious United Way of America's Joseph Beirne Community Services Award. These hard-working, dedicated people and the others working with them on countless volunteer committees deserve our gratitude and respect. I join with the community in congratulating the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council, the Wyoming Valley United Way, and the City of Wilkes- Barre for sharing this outstanding honor and bringing pride to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Chairman, I am what I classify as a moderate Democrat, and I think that reform of bankruptcy is something that is necessary. I think there has been an abuse in the country. I would say some of the abusers are in the banking industry themselves, by sending out these credit cards to people that are even in bankruptcy are receiving credit cards. But forgetting that, as we may, this is really a killer amendment for me and I think a lot of moderate people who would like to support bankruptcy. This is opening up the largest loophole in the whole bankruptcy act. This is saying to people, come to Florida, Texas, figure out what you are going to do, and shelter your assets. You are saying to people in Pennsylvania and 45 other states that will not have any great benefit from this loophole, oh, you are going to be able to be wiped out in bankruptcy. You can only keep $16,500 of your exemption. But if you come to Florida, and even if you participated in fraud, abuse and theft in the savings and loan industry, you can remain living in your $5 million mansion and you have wiped out all other creditors through bankruptcy, because we have this exemption. I understand we have this teetering and tottering here. We have some people that are for states' rights and they want the ability to have the exemption, but, on the other hand, they want to have a national statute that makes the credit card owner pay for it. I say pox on both our houses. If we are going to do the fair thing, the underlying bill here gave a $100,000 exemption. How much more do you want? How much more blood from Pennsylvanians, from New Yorkers, from people in 45 states of this union that want to have responsible payment of debt, but do not want loopholes and favoritism? I suggest, Mr. Chairman, that if you persist in this course and this amendment wins, here is one Member who is going to vote for no for this bill, who had been all along the support of this bill, because I think it should move through the process so we can get some reform in bankruptcy. But if I see this type of extremity going in, I know we are not going to get the type of reform that the constituents in my State and district could allow.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Carmen Ambrosino on his 25 outstanding years as Director of Wyoming Valley Drug and Alcohol Services. A certified Addictions Counselor and Certified Preventions Specialist in Pennsylvania, Mr. Ambrosino founded the first Pennsylvania chapter of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors and sat on that organization's national board for two years. He has developed college and graduate courses on dependency for area universities. Carmen Ambrosino is nationally recognized in the field of drug and alcohol patient counseling and prevention education services. From being recognized in 1979 as an Outstanding Young Pennsylvanian to being recognized recently by the Four Chaplains of Philadelphia, Mr. Ambrosino's work has been acclaimed throughout his career. He has authored six nationally-released publications for young people and served as a consultant on a drug education film. In 1996, he was nominated by the Governor of Pennsylvania for the Prevention Professional of the Year Award. In 1997, he was a delegate to the Presidential Summit on volunteerism in Philadelphia. Mr. Speaker, these are but a few accomplishments in Carmen Ambrosino's long career. Carmen Ambrosino saw the problem of drug and alcohol abuse in Northeastern Pennsylvania and undertook the challenge. He has served his community with dedication and commitment. He and his organization have touched the lives of countless thousands of school children through education and prevention. He is the uncontested leader in his field in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I am extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to bring just a few of his many accomplishments to the attention of my colleagues. I send my sincere best wishes as the community gathers on May 29 to pay tribute to the outstanding career of this fine community leader.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I am not usually engaged in these type of discussions, but I made it a point to come down tonight because I like the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner). I have had the occasion to spend some time with him and find him to be a man of admirable quality. I came to the House at the same time that the Majority Leader came to the House, and I find him to be a man of quality. Indeed, it is a sad day for the House of Representatives and for this government. We seem to be ever increasingly accepting leaks, contentions, illogical reasoning; and bright and intelligent men that exercise unusual influence in this House and in this country are willing to leap ahead and make conclusions, as the gentleman from California said, making a charge that the President of the United States is guilty of treason. I have served in this House probably longer than most Members here because I started my service as a page and I followed the House through. So I went through the McCarthy hearings. And I am not going to make any reference that this reminds me of that because that is something for historians to determine. But I have taken the time to read the Record of the House in 1972 and 1973 and 1974, and I would challenge my friends on the other side to examine the statements of then Speaker Carl Albert, the Majority Leader, or at that time the Majority Leader, and the Majority Whip and the Caucus Chairman and show us one instance where that leadership came to the floor of the House of Representatives to assert an indictment and a conviction for the crime of treason against the President of the United States on the basis of leaked information in a New York newspaper by unnamed investigators that have arrived at some facts that they do not draw conclusions from. I would like to tell my friends on the other side, I have been a very serious member of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight for 18 months now in this investigation. I have sat through hundreds of hours of hearings and depositions and things that have been thrown around this town and around this world. The Majority Leader yesterday said that he was going to see that the deposition of Johnny Chung was released. Well, by golly, if he can release it, I wish he would tell me where it is. Because I sat in a meeting when Johnny Chung and his lawyer refused to take a deposition before this Committee but was entertained by the Chairman of our Committee for about 2 or 2\1/2\ hours in, quote, a friendly discussion; and at that time and through those 2 hours of testimony never did he remotely indicate where any funds came from from foreign government, foreign agents, or that he, in fact, had any activity that would castigate not only the national Democratic party but certainly not the President of the United States. Suddenly, the deposition is to be released on Wednesday. Apparently, my friend from Ohio has more information than I have. I have been 2 weeks at hearings asking for proffers. In his opening statement, my colleague indicated what these four witnesses are going to testify to. Why did not the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) allow to us have those proffers if he is sharing it with the majority side and conference chairman? Mr. Speaker, we are not going to solve this. But I want to say one thing. I think the leaks that were made over the weekend are serious leaks. They are not proper. They are not right. They do not stand for anything. But they are things that we should be investigating. I think it is time to put politics and partisanship aside. We may have serious problems. And we may have none. If my colleagues want my belief, I am going to tell them this. If I conclude that for an $80,000 contribution to the Democratic National Committee that the President of the United States committed treason, I will tender my resignation the day that fact is established to me. I cannot believe that any responsible Representative, Republican, Democrat, Independent, in the Congress of the United States could be so foolhardy to think that the President of the United States would risk that country's security, violate his oath of office, commit treason, and subject not only every man, woman, and child in America, but the 6 billion people of this world, to nuclear war. What a charge. What an incredible charge. All I suggest, my colleagues, is before we make these wild allegations, statements and charges, please take the time to realize that a bipartisan investigation is necessary; and that is the only thing the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) requests.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and perhaps I should ask for a moment of silence because the vote that was taken to table the privileged resolution from the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) is a sad moment in the House of Representatives. I have the distinct honor and pleasure of serving on the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. The fact that we have had a difficult time in the administration of our mission over the last 18 months is evident to everyone in this Chamber and everyone in this Nation. The privileged resolution would have given this House the opportunity to air the problems in that committee and to attempt to find a solution so that we could move on in our mission of adequate investigation of financial and campaign finance violations of the 1996 election. I think, as a result of our failure to use the debate process on that privileged resolution, we will find that May 14, 1998, by a vote of 223-196, this House has decided not to reform campaign finance but to start the political campaign of 1998.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the occasion of being a member of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight and the disagreements that have occurred between the minority and the majority. I think it is vitally important to understand what some of the major issues are, and one of the issues being the tapes. I want all the American people to know that we believe that under the law, the committee is entitled to have the tapes. In fact, a subpoena was issued last July, and that subpoena was responded to by the Justice Department by providing our committee with all of the tapes of Mr. Hubbell's discussion with his family and friends while he was institutionalized in a Federal institution for conviction of a crime unrelated to Whitewater or anything that we are investigating. The problem was should these tapes be released to the public and whether or not it in any way impeded what the committee was doing. The fact is we had the tapes for more than 6 months.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. I would say to the gentleman from Michigan, we know that in prior Congresses you had the occasion to chair this committee of the House. Can you tell us from your personal experience of having served in the Congress more than 30 years any recollection on your part of the conduct of this particular chairman of this committee in the investigation of such a serious matter?

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I know the hour is late. It is a pleasure to follow my good friend from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), the former chairman of the House Operations Committee, now the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of the House of Representatives. On the same issue that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) recently addressed the House on, I would just like to spell out some of my thoughts in regards to the exercise of the authority of the committee and the chairing of the committee, particularly in the last several months. Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives, in passing the resolution directing the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight to examine the election practices in the presidential and congressional elections of 1996, invested in the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight a very unusual power and instruction. I dare say, although this was a political issue from the standpoint it involved political campaigns and supposedly both parties that were engaged in the campaign of 1996, my observations were that both on the majority and the minority side, originally there was some expression of intent to do a serious, credible investigation and examination; not a persecution or a politically motivated investigation, but something that would give insight to the Members of this House and to the American people of a very serious problem, and that problem is the prostitution of the American political system and campaigns, which is fast overwhelming this Nation as experienced in 1996. As we met to organize and to identify our mission, it seemed that very early on many of us on the minority side of the committee were fast realizing that there was an extraordinary power, the power of subpoena that was going to be vested in the Chairman without the need for clearing a subpoena through the ranking member or to going to the full committee that would normally have some input in the exercise of the issuance of a subpoena. I thought that was strange, and to my own mind and to others I remarked at the time that as a result of this unusual power being vested in the chairman, he would become the most powerful American citizen in the United States. No other individual in the United States could, by merely signing a subpoena, command the presence, the records, the examination of all of the personal papers of any American citizen. We cautioned the chairman that it may be wise to carry on prior practices, both of the Committee of Oversight and Investigation, and the experiences of the Watergate committee, the Thompson committee in the Senate, and that was that when an individual is going to be issued a subpoena, it should come to the full committee to be disclosed, or at least to the ranking member so that a discussion can be had; and when agreement was reached, the subpoena would issue. If there was disagreement, it would come to the full committee and the full committee would cast a vote with the majority of the committee controlling the outcome as to whether the subpoena should issue. Instead of doing that, the chairman received, without limitation, by vote of the majority of the committee, that he in his own right, without consultation and without consent from the committee, and without contest by the rest of the committee, could issue at will subpoenas to many citizens in the country. Mr. Speaker, I think nearly 1,000 such subpoenas were issued. Some of them were so grossly and improperly issued that because the surname of the individual who was named in the subpoena was of Chinese American origin, there was a professor at the University of Georgetown that had his bank records seized, even though he had nothing to do with the campaign and was, in fact, an entirely different person. We called that very strongly to the attention of the chairman and he dismissed that. About 5 months ago, we had a vote to immunize six witnesses before the committee. At that time we were assured that they would offer testimony that was necessary to the committee. In fact, that immunization of those witnesses allowed an individual to escape prosecution by getting immunity from that committee

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the residents of the Borough of Palmerton as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary. The history of Palmerton is a rich one. What is now Palmerton Borough was first settled by Europeans in the 1740's who were attracted to the area by its abundant natural resources--coal, paint ore, iron oxide, and zinc. Indeed, zinc mining was the main industry in the Borough for many years. Although Palmerton did not legally become a Borough until October 14, 1912, Palmerton's unofficial birthday was on July 3, 1898 when, following the formation of the Palmer Land Company by Stephen S. Palmer, the President of the New Jersey Zinc Company, the town plan initiative was signed. In 1900, the people of Palmerton saw the completion of the sewer system and the introduction of telephone services and electricity to some homes. By 1907, Palmerton was home to more than 2000 people. The Palmerton Post Office, fire company, town park, Delaware Elementary School, Hospital, railroad passenger station, local Boy Scouts of America chapter, and the Neighborhood House all emerged in the surrounding years. The region continued to grow as 110 bungalow-type houses and another 125 homes were completed in 1913. In 1920, Palmerton was already home to a Red Cross Detachment, two banks, a four-year high school, and several churches. The Stephen S. Palmer Junior-Senior High School was opened in April 1925 for grades 7 through 12. The Palmerton Community Chest was formed and the first automatic telephones in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania were installed. Although the coal and zinc mines that originally fueled the Borough's growth have long since closed, the 5400 residents of Palmerton Borough continue to thrive as they move toward the new millennium. Two major initiatives will help prepare the Borough for the 21st Century: the flood-control project at the Aquashicola Creek and the Brownfields initiative at Horsehead Industries' West Plant promoted by State Representative Keith McCall, county and borough officials, the local Chamber of Commerce, and myself. Since my election to Congress in 1984, I have spent a great deal of time in Palmerton but one visit last year is especially prominent in my mind. The event was a re-dedication of the town swimming pool, which had been renovated after 50 years of use. I have been to many events like this one over my career, but I was struck by the optimism of the crowd. It seemed like the entire town had come out to note how they were committed to looking after the future needs of their community. It brought home to me the community spirit that is at the heart of Palmerton. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to congratulate Palmerton on its Centennial Anniversary. Knowing that Palmerton's best days are ahead of it, I send my sincere best wishes for continued growth and prosperity.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mercy Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Mercy is celebrating its centennial with a mass and a reception on April 19, 1998. I am proud to have been asked to participate in this milestone event. Founded by Mother Catherine McAuley in Ireland in 1831, the Sisters of Mercy nursed the poor in Irish slums plagued by cholera. They marched with Florence Nightingale to Crimea and to Constantinople to tend to the wounded. In America, the Sisters served in the Civil War nursing wounded on both sides of the conflict. In March 1898, the six original Sisters of Mercy, or the ``Hospital Sisters'' as they were known, opened the doors of the original Mercy Hospital, in the former Haines House on Hanover Street in Wilkes-Barre. Before the end of that summer, the hospital provided care for seventeen wounded veterans of the Spanish-American War. The Mercy Hospital in Wilkes-Barre flourished immediately, tending to the region's injured coal miners. Donations to support their effort poured in; wealthy individuals donated fuel and money and the poor shared their food with the Sisters. Only the coal companies failed to offer support, refusing to even offer a discount on coal for heat. Mr. Speaker, over the last hundred years Mercy Hospital has suffered the wrath of nature several times. In the Flood of 1936, the Hospital was almost destroyed. Again in 1972, when Hurricane Agnes caused the Susquehanna River to inundate the Wyoming Valley, the hospital sustained six million dollars of damage. In 1996, the hospital was forced to evacuate once again as the Susquehanna reached flood stage. Undaunted by economic hard times, changes in health care, nature's wrath, and the staggering growth in new technology, Mercy Hospital has not only survived but grown into a state-of-the-art facility. Expanding and providing services that no other local health facility has undertaken. From the McAuley House, a shelter for women and children, to a special and innovative clinic for expectant mothers, Mercy Hospital has contributed to the community for 100 years. The state-of- the-art hospital of today owes its success to the vision and perseverance of a handful of dedicated Sisters. I am extremely pleased to join with the community in thanking Mercy Hospital for its dedication and service and send my very best wishes for continued prosperity.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today one out of four Americans will have an opportunity to keep their eye on the House of Representatives as we will have an opportunity to take up H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Access Bill which will allow 70 million Americans to exercise their right of choice for financial services in this country. I want to compliment the 207 sponsors and cosponsors on both sides of the aisle of this legislation. I further want to compliment the bipartisan spirit of the Speaker, the minority leader and minority whip, Mr. Bonior, who sponsored the bill, the chairman of the Committee on Rules and, most particularly, the chairman and the ranking member of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services who, working together, have shown what a bipartisan effort can do in the House of Representatives when the job has to get done. Today, as we pass under suspension H.R. 1151 and send it on to the Senate, we will be performing an act that is truly American in the best spirit of the cooperative movement of the credit union movement of America. All I ask is all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to express their aid and assistance for the credit union movement by voting yes on H.R. 1151.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, this is a great day for the House of Representatives. I just want to take a moment because I am one of the Members that have had the opportunity to serve in this House not only as a Member of Congress but as a page. So my history goes back to the 83rd Congress, and I have watched so many great and fine people come through this tradition and this institution and go on to our highest office. But today is a fine day; and our former friend and colleague, Bill Emerson, would have been pleased to be here today because he had the same intuition as I have about this fine institution. We had a problem yesterday with the attachment, and we saw the chairman of the Committee on Rules take appropriate and good action in the best spirit of bipartisanship. We saw the chairman of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services reach out and create a task force to work on this bill. We have seen the ranking member of the full committee and the ranking member of the subcommittee on our side go through extra efforts to make certain that the task force was made up of all people and all issues and interest groups in the committee. We took it through the process of the committee. And although this is a contentious issue and was in the beginning because some people felt there had to be winners and losers, as my friend, and now he is my friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), just said, there are not any winners and losers here; it is just good, solid legislation by a House of Representatives that on April 1, April Fools Day, are going to prove they are not fools, that they are real legislators on both sides of the aisle. This is one of our finest hours, in my opinion. What this bill covers, we have heard all the discussion. It stops bleeding that would have killed the credit union movement in this country. It creates a framework under which they can exist and continue to grow and serve their membership and serve America. It does not unfairly compete with other financial institutions in our system but allows consumers free choice and protection. Most importantly, it reaches out to the new jobs and new businesses of small business that they, too, could be credit union members. It does for 70 million Americans something that, if this action were not taken today, would have been a death knell for their interests and their movement. It has 207 bipartisan sponsors on the Republican side of the aisle, on the Democratic side of the aisle. It has brought together the support of consumers groups across America, the Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union. It will maintain the existence and growth of the credit union movement and will not unduly interfere with the banks in any way. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of bipartisanship today, I want to thank everybody that has taken part, particularly my new and great friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), for this year comes to an end when we can send through the House of Representatives one of our most responsible financial services legislation, send it on to the Senate with the finest recommendation, and recommend to the President of the United States that he signs into law this resolution as soon as possible.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, a year ago, in a bipartisan effort, a young man from Ohio joined me to put together a bill to solve the problem of allowing American credit unions to continue to survive in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling that happened a little more than a month ago. That bill was fairly simple. Here is the copy of it. As of this moment, we have 207 cosponsors in this House in support of H.R. 1151. But understanding the legislative process, H.R. 1151 came to the hearing process and the markup; and, ultimately, last week, H.R. 1151 survived as a bill of approximately 31 pages that did not satisfy anyone completely but satisfied enough of the Members of this House that almost the majority are still cosponsors of H.R. 1151. And if left to come to this floor, I have not any doubt it would survive on a voice vote under suspension to be sent on to the Senate and with a good opportunity to be taken up to the Senate and passed as it is presently structured and sent on to the President for his signature. The indication today from the notification we have received from the Secretary of the Treasury, we would have his recommendation that the President sign the bill and put it into law, thus freeing the credit unions from captivity. Instead, that 35-page bill has been weighed down by the Committee on Rules tonight by 350 pages of some of the most contentious financial modernization, if that is what it can be called, legislation that we can imagine. The thing that disturbs me about the House of Representatives when they do something like this is they try and defy the rules of physics. There is no way this little skinny bill is going to carry this heavy contentious bill into law. So the ultimate result will be that we subject the 70 million American members of credit unions that we may end up, over the next 42 days of legislative days, without the rescue, without the life jacket that is absolutely necessary that could be obtained if the leadership and the Committee on Rules would just free H.R. 1151. Now I guess there are people like me that this jointure is trying to attract. I have told the leadership on both sides of the aisle that in the present state of what I know about H.R. 10, the modernization bill, not even if the Deity himself came to Earth and asked me to vote for that bill could I support it. I am talking to the 207 Members now that are now cosponsors of 1151. It is time that we assert our right, by voting ``no'' on this rule, to free 1151 to go through the process and assure 70 million Americans that they will have the right to exercise their free choice in financial services in this country, and then perhaps, I suggest to the leadership that we take the process that was carried on to come up with a compromise 1151 and apply those same tactics to trying to solve the financial modernization bill. There are amendments that were offered that would have given great strength to that bill. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) indicated desires, the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) indicated desires, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) indicated desires, amendments that would help that bill. Instead, H.R. 10 is going to sink 1151 unless we are smart enough today to vote ``no'' on this rule.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished physician from Northeastern Pennsylvania, Dr. Nicholas Ruggiero. Dr. Ruggiero will be honored at a retirement dinner this week and I am pleased to have been asked to participate in this tribute. A native of Pittston, Pennsylvania, Dr. Ruggiero graduated from Pittston High School in 1953. His parents could not afford tuition, so he worked his way through King's College before joining the army to acquire the money for medical school. He received his M.D. from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in 1966. He interned close to his hometown at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and completed his residency and a fellowship at Jefferson. During his fifteen-year tenure as the Director of the Coronary Care Unit at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Dr. Ruggiero began the Cardiac Lab at General Hospital. Its success led to the first open heart program in the area. Heart disease can now be diagnosed and treated at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Ruggiero's successes with the Cardiac Lab and open heart program in Wilkes-Barre meant that heart patients could stay in Northeastern Pennsylvania for treatment. This was a major contribution to the region's medical community. I am proud to be a part of a tribute to this fine physician and to have had the opportunity to bring his career and accomplishments to the attention of my colleagues. I join with his friends, his family, and the community in sending my very best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. LaTourette, and I are pleased to announce that support for H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act, continues to grow. Below are the thirty-first through fortieth of the more than 100 editorials and columns from newspapers all across our nation which support giving consumers the right to chose a non-profit, cooperative, credit union for their financial services. Surveys have consistently shown that consumers strongly support the value and services they receive from their credit unions. That is why the Consumer Federation of America endorses H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act. A bipartisan group of more than 190 Members from all regions of our country, and all parts of the political spectrum, are now cosponsoring the Credit Union Membership Access Act. We should pass it quickly so that credit unions can stop worrying about their future and return to serving their members. [From the Des Moines Register, Mar. 7, 1998] Banks vs. Credit Unions--Both Sides Have Exaggerated the Threat--There Should Be a Place for Both Next week, Iowa Congressman Jim Leach has scheduled hearings on whether Congress should act in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's Feb. 25 ruling regarding credit-union membership. Leach had better wear his hard hat. The court case is part of an increasingly acrimonious debate as banks battle to prevent credit unions from eating into their market. The banks, which pay hefty taxes, say credit unions, which don't, have an unfair advantage. That advantage might be acceptable for the classic mom-and-pop credit union, but bankers are alarmed at the growth of huge credit unions like the John Deere Community Credit Union in Waterloo with more than $385 million in assets and a full array of financial services offered to 77,000 members. Credit unions, in response, point out that at best they still have a slender 6 percent slice of the total market pie nationally, while banks have 77 percent. In Iowa the ratio is something like to 88 to 5. As for the tax disparity, credit unions note that, unlike banks, they have no profits on which to pay taxes. Credit unions return all profits to their members, who pay taxes on their earnings. In fact, some Iowa banks are now switching to that very taxing scheme under a new state law. Although these issues are not central to the question that prompted Leach's hearing, they are what drove the bankers to bring suit against federally chartered credit unions. The suit challenged recent interpretations of federal law that have allowed credit unions to broaden eligibility for membership. The Supreme Court, in its Feb. 25 ruling, came down on the side of the banks: Federal laws says there must be a ``common bond'' between employee groups belonging to a credit union, and the National Credit Union Administration has been reading the law too liberally by allowing federally chartered credit unions to sign up any employee group that walks in the door. Only five of the 212 credit unions in Iowa are federally chartered; the remainder are chartered under state law, which requires a common bond among employee groups. But, while this ruling may not have direct consequences here, Iowa credit unions see the bankers' Supreme Court victory as the possible leading edge for other victories by the banks. Credit-union advocates see this as a life-or-death struggle and suspect the bankers' ultimate aim is to destroy credit unions. That's a bit of an exaggeration, though the bankers have done themselves no favors with their own exaggerations of the credit unions' potential threat. While most credit unions hardly pose a serious threat to banks, the bankers have a good argument about the phenomenon of a few giant credit unions that have morphed into full service institutions that look an awfully lot like banks. As long as those operations continue to grow, they make an attractive target for banks and other financial institutions looking to curb credit unions. Whatever legislation emerges from Congress should ultimately aim to assure the banks of a fair shake and to leave the credit unions intact. Credit unions have for 80 years served a vital function for millions of Americans by offering services to their members that are not offered by banks. They still serve a vital function today.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, my collegue, Mr. LaTourette, and I are pleased to announce that support for H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act, continues to grow. Below are the twenty- first through thirtieth of the more than 100 editorials and columns from newspapers all across our nation which support giving consumers the right to chose a non-profit, cooperative, credit union for their financial services. Surveys have consistently shown that consumers strongly support the value and services they receive from their credit unions. That is why the Consumer Federation of America endorses H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act. A bipartisan group of more the 190 Members from all regions of our country, and all parts of the political spectrum, are now cosponsoring the Credit Union Membership Access Act. We should pass it quickly so that credit unions can stop worrying about their future and return to serving their members. [From the Wilkes-Barre, PA, Citizens' Voice, Apr. 12, 1997] Credit Unions Deserve Help From a D.C. Friend Credit unions occupy a very small part of the world of finance. But they perform a service which is huge. Credit unions don't have a lot of political clout. But they have become part of a controversial national issue. Credit unions need a little help from a friend at this time. And we're happy to see they're getting some, from a local legislator. Congressman Paul Kanjorski recently introduced legislation to provide access to credit unions to a greater number of consumers. The legislation aims to reverse a recent court decision which prevents credit unions from merging--and prevents employees of one company from joining the credit union of another company. At the heart of the issue is whether consumers will have greater or lesser choice regarding small loans and daily finance. Credit unions, said Kanjorski, often serve the smaller loans that large banks overlook. That's a genuine service. And that's a service we hope all our area's members of the U.S. Congress will understand and support by signing on to Kanjorski's bill on behalf of credit unions.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. LaTourette and I wish to state that support for H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act, continues to grow. Below are ten of the more than 100 editorials from newspapers all across our nation which support giving consumers the right to chose a non-profit, cooperative, credit union for their financial services. Surveys have consistently shown that consumers strongly support the value and services they receive from their credit unions. That is why the Consumer Federation of America endorses H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act. A bipartisan group of more than 190 Members from all regions of our country, and all parts of the political spectrum, are now cosponsoring the Credit Union Membership Access Act. We should pass it quickly so that credit unions can stop worrying about their future and return to serving their members. [From the USA Today, Mar. 4, 1998] Courts Slap at Credit Unions Hurts Consumers Consumers seeking bank services want low costs, higher returns and convenience. Last week, the Supreme Court struck a blow against all three. In deciding by a 5 4 vote that multiemployer credit unions were, in effect, illegal, the court put a halt to credit unions' rapid growth, up 12 million members since 1990. Current multiemployer credit unions are expected to be allowed to continue. But the ruling threatens to reduce competition for banks by preventing millions of other Americans from joining them. Nonprofit credit unions are mostly employer sponsored and employee run. To be financially viable, each needs 500 members--more than most small businesses have. If they can't jointly sponsor credit unions, their workers must do without. This suits bankers fine. They claim credit unions offer higher interest on savings and lower rates on loans because they don't pay income taxes. That's OK, they said, if membership is strictly limited. But opening credit unions to a wide array of people, as multiemployer ones do, damages banks and robs taxpayers, they argue. There's only one problem with that reasoning. History shows it to be false. Federal regulators urged small credit unions to merge 15 years ago to prevent them for going under, which could have hit taxpayers the way savings and loan failures did. And despite their rapid growth since, they've hardly hurt banks. Credit unions' share of the nation's financial assets is struck at 2%. Only 1% of their loans go to commercial ventures, where banks make their big money. And even in consumer lending, at which credit unions excel, they haven't made big inroads. A federal study last year found banks' share of family debt climbed from 29% to 35% between 1988 and 1996 while the share owed credit unions rose from a mere 3.3% to hardly awesome 4.2%. Meanwhile, bank profits are at record highs, with fee income rocketing. Those fees, on everything from counter service to ATMs, added $50 billion to banks' bottom lines last year. Banks say they're needed to cover the $250 annual cost of maintaining an account. But they're also high enough to force 13% of families out of banks and into the hands of costly check cashing outlets and pawnshops. Even professionally managed credit unions still have policies set by member elected volunteer boards. They strive to keep services affordable, so fees average 40% below those of banks. At most, people eligible to enroll can open accounts with $25 or less. Try doing that at a bank. Congress recognizes the need. It is considering legislation to preserve that access. Doing so won't hurt banks. It will cost taxpayers nothing. It only ensure consumers have the choices they deserve.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. James A. Rooney of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Rooney will be designated as the ``Man of the Year'' by the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at their 84th annual banquet. I am honored and pleased to have been asked to participate in this event. The fifth of nine children of the late George J. and Catherine Horan Rooney, Jim was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania. He attended Jenkins Township High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Scranton. A veteran of World War II, Jim was awarded two bronze stars for his service in Europe. He is a member of various veterans' organizations in Northeastern Pennsylvania. During Jim's career, he served as a weighmaster/shipper for the Pennsylvania Coal Company, an accountant at the State Correctional Institute, and an accounting field supervisor in the Office of the Comptroller of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. At the time of his retirement, he was Chief Financial Officer at the White Haven Center. Jim is active in his church and the community. He is a Grand Knight and the financial secretary of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Speaker, Jim Rooney has been a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for over 45 years. He is also a member of the Donegal Society and the Anciety Order of Hibernians. I join the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in honoring Jim as ``Man of the Year'' and send my best wishes for a successful event.

Mr. KANJORSKI

Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Brian F. Kelly, a community leader from my district in Pennsylvania. The Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will bestow the W. Francis Swingle ``Irishman of the Year'' award on Brian F. Kelly at their 84th annual St. Patrick's Day Banquet. I am honored and pleased to have been asked to join this tribute. Commander Brian F. Kelly, Chaplain, United States Navy is a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Father Kelly attended St. Joseph's Oblate Seminary and St. Pius X Seminary. He is a 1973 graduate of the University of Scranton. In 1977, he earned his Masters in Pastoral Theology from St. John's in Boston. In 1990, the U.S. Navy assigned him to post-graduate study at the University of San Diego, where he earned a masters in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling. In 1996, he earned his Ph.D in Pastoral Psychology. Father Kelly was ordained to the priesthood in St. Peter's Cathedral on May 7, 1977. Father Kelly has served in the diocese as a Chaplain at Mercy Hospital, an Assistant Pastor at Williamsport's Annunciation Church, and a Chaplain in Williamsport's Divine Providence Hospital. Father Kelly was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy on August 3, 1984. Among other assignments, Father Kelly has been stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina; the U.S.S. Midway in Yokusuk, Japan; the Marine First Force Service Support Group at Camp Pendleton; the Marine Air Ground Task Force in Honduras; and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Mediterranean Theater. He is presently assigned to Headquarters and Support Battalion of the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton in California. Mr. Speaker, despite his travels, Father Kelly has always been rooted in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I join the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in honoring this distinguished and accomplished man and I send my best wishes for another successful St. Patrick's day event.