Dale Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of Eastgate Baptist Church of Burton, MI, where the Rev. Levi Parish is pastor. On Sunday, July 4, 2004, the Church along with the community will commemorate this joyous occasion with a full day of festivities that will conclude with a flag raising ceremony. A great event happened in the community of Burton, MI in 1954, when 32 individuals came together and formed one of the most spirit filled ministries in Genesee County. The church was named Providence Baptist until 1965 when the name changed to Eastgate Baptist. Also during that same year they relocated to their present place of worship at 4226 East Atherton Road. During the past 50 years Eastgate Baptist Church has made a significant impact on the community. The members of Eastgate have consistently heeded the call of Christ to assist all those who are in need of spiritual healing. The inspiration for living by Christian ideals is repeated again and again in the lives of the ministers and congregation of this church. I pray that during this glorious milestone the members and community of this magnificent church will come together and do as the Bible tells us in Psalms 33:1-4 ``Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the Lord is right and all his work is done in truth.'' Mr. Speaker, as the Member of Congress representing Burton, MI, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in paying tribute to the Eastgate Baptist Church community for 50 years of spreading God's ministry to the people of Burton, MI, and in wishing them the best in years to come.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am very glad to join my Michigan colleagues in congratulating the Detroit Pistons on winning the 2004 National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship. This is truly a remarkable achievement and the entire city of Detroit and the State of Michigan are very proud. I have had the pleasure of representing the city of Auburn Hills, location of The Palace, home of the Detroit Pistons. I have also been lucky enough to see firsthand the Detroit Pistons in action there. On June 15, 2004, the Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to win the title. This amazing accomplishment came from a great team comprised of players Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell, Darvin Ham, Richard Hamilton, Lindsey Hunter, Mike James, Darko Milicic, Mehmet Okur, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Corliss Williamson. I am especially proud of Pistons Forward Darvin Ham who is a Saginaw, Michigan native. His mother is Wilmer Jones-Ham, the mayor of Saginaw. Darvin played high school basketball at and graduated from Saginaw High School. He went on to play college basketball at Texas Tech University where he helped lead the Red Raiders to a 1996 NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. Darvin played an integral role with the team and is highly deserving of the championship ring he will now wear. Darvin and the rest of the Pistons who many had said could not compete with the Lakers are truly representative of Saginaw and the entire State of Michigan. Their hard work and never-say-die attitude will hopefully bring them more championships in the very near future. Once again, I congratulate the Detroit Pistons for winning the 2004 NBA Championship. [From the Saginaw (MI) News, June 16, 2004] ``Mama Ham'' Cheers Darvin (By Greg Mancina) ``Mama Ham'' was doing a jig early this morning while waiting for her World Champion son, Darvin, to come back out of the Detroit Pistons locker room in The Palace of Auburn Hills. ``I'm trying to keep my composure, but it's hard,'' admitted Wilmer Jones Ham, called ``Mama Ham'' by the Pistons players. ``The winning spirit of victory is in the air.'' That winning spirit came from a 100-87 shellacking of Shaquille O'Neal's Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday that gave the Pistons their third NBA title and Darvin Ham his first championship ring after what many national pundits are calling the biggest upset in NBA Finals history. The Pistons were low-down underdogs to the powerful L.A. Lakers, and its star-studded roster, bench and crowd. But something happened on the way to their coronation--a better team showed up, one that included Saginaw's Darvin Ham. ``I'm just trying to soak it all in,'' said Ham, who finally emerged from the locker room and popped into the team's post-game dinner in an upstairs dining room at the Palace at about 2:30 a.m. ``We did it, baby!'' And Darvin Ham knew it all along. ``I knew back in February we had a championship quality ballclub,'' he said. Now the rest of the world knows it, too. ``Don't nobody play D like this, never, ever, not for the long periods of time that we keep our defensive pressure consistent at that high of a level,'' Ham explained. ``It is nothing like anything that's come along in the NBA.'' ``Larry Brown preached defense, rebound, share the ball, defense, rebound, share the ball, defense, rebound, share the ball, and it rings true. That's why he won a championship in college and in the NBA. ``It's not rocket science, it's a simple formula, but I wish I could bottle it up and create a championship wine cellar so I can pop it open whenever I want.'' Adding to Ham's championship experience was sharing it with his family, his mother, and the more than 250 extended family members who somehow found a way into the Palace for Game 5. ``God allowed me to give birth to a World Championship basketball player,'' Wilmer Jones Ham said. ``Isn't that something?'' Wilmer Jones Ham, the mayor of Saginaw who Darvin says ``has a bigger name than I do,'' attended her first basketball game in its entirety since a fainting spell during a City Council meeting last month. The mayor went to Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, but could only stay until halftime ``by doctor's orders.'' But Tuesday was different. Tuesday was close-out day for the Pistons and there was no way Ham was going to miss what turned into the title-clinching victory. ``Guess what? I stayed the whole time and I'm wringing with sweat,'' Wilmer Jones Ham said. ``My heart has been beating, it's never stopped fluttering.'' ``I would sit down and put a cold rag to my head, saying to myself `exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale.' '' The mayor sat in the first row along the baseline by a basket and near enough to the Pistons' bench that they kept asking ``You alright Mama Ham? You alright?'' ``She got to see the important (game),'' Darvin Ham said. ``It's been incredible.'' The family atmosphere also permeates the team, said Darvin Ham, who said that in all of his NBA stops he's never experienced anything like the camaraderie he's had with this team. ``Joe Dumars created an environment where it's easy to come to work, and you look forward to seeing your teammates,'' Darvin Ham said. And right on cue, the Palace turned into a hug-fest after the victory. ``Everybody is holding onto Darvin, hugging him,'' Wilmer Jones Ham said. ``This just shows you that hard work pays off,'' she explained. ``They can be an example for all young people--you don't give up, you don't throw in the towel.'' Darvin Ham is practically the poster child of not throwing in the towel. A reserve player on his Saginaw High School basketball team, Ham worked through junior college to latch onto a scholarship at Texas Tech. Then he turned his reputation as a defender and ``banger'' into a profession, first playing in one of basketball's minor leagues before signing an NBA free agent contract with the Denver Nuggets. He played for five more teams before finally landing in Detroit in September of last year. Darvin Ham came to the Pistons as a defensive specialist and used his work ethic and infectious personality to catch the attention of coach Larry Brown, who also gave Mama Ham a hug after the final horn. Ham earned extended playing time in early-season games, and two starting assignments, based on his work ethic and defense in practice, an attitude Brown was trying to instill in the rest of his team. ``I earned my minutes and recognition through the practice floor,'' he said. ``Darv is such a good-hearted person and they told me he is the joy of the team,'' Mama Ham said. ``He's the mover and the shaker, `Hey, we can do it. We can work through it.' '' In 370 career NBA games, Ham's averaged 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game, and he's had to bang a lot of bodies in practice to earn those minutes. In Detroit this season, he averaged 1.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 54 games. ``It's just being focused and competing,'' Darvin Ham said. ``Everybody matters. We all pushed . . . Darko (Milicic) pushed our big guys every day in practice. That's stuff not written about in the papers and people don't get to see it. The thing I love the most is they recognize that around here.'' The fans will recognize that over the next few days when Ham and his teammates have a slate of parties, parades and rallies planned beginning Thursday morning. ``I'm not sleeping until Labor Day,'' Darvin Ham said. Greg Mancina is a sports writer for The Saginaw News. You may contact him at 776-9670.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. I yield to the gentleman from West Virginia.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Rahall amendment, which would protect Native American sacred sites on Federal land. Congress has enacted several laws designed to protect religious rights of Native Americans, as well as to protect the cultural and historic sites from poor management practices. These laws include the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, the American Indian Free Exercise of Religion Act, the National Preservation Historic Act and the Native American Grave and Repatriation Act. But, Mr. Chairman, despite the enactment of these laws, many Native American sacred sites remain to this day under threat of desecration. I therefore urge my colleagues to support the Rahall amendment that would prevent Federal funds from being used to harm Native American sacred sites on Federal land.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize an outstanding group of young men and women who on August 1, 2004 will receive their degree in the field of Mortuary Science from Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences located in Detroit, Michigan. The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, located on the campus of the Detroit Medical Center, is a unit of Wayne State University. The School of Mortuary Science was formed within the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 1943. Students from all over compete for a spot in this highly selective program. The program provides students with specialized training in the area of funeral preparation and services. The students who graduate from this program are fully prepared psychologically, physically and socially to deal with the process of dying and death. Upon acceptance of their degrees they each will be charged with the duty of providing guidance, advice and support to those who have lost loves ones. The process of bereavement is long and sometimes stressful. Many families will look to these individuals for answers to questions regarding the burial process, as well as words of comfort. I am confident that the instruction given to these graduates over their course of study will assist them in their mission to promote nobility and understanding within the field of Mortuary Science. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me congratulating the Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Mortuary Science class of 2004 and in wishing them the best in future endeavors.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 643 introduced by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon), a resolution congratulating Brigham Young University for winning the Division I-II volleyball national championship. The regular season and the championship tournament truly gave BYU an exciting run to the national championship. I want to extend my hardy congratulations to the head coach Tom Peterson and all of the BYU athletes. BYU won a school record 21 consecutive matches during the regular season showcasing their true championship spirit. Winning this national championship has brought national acclaim to Brigham Young University and its student athletes. I am sure this national championship will give the university and its fans something to treasure for years to come.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4278. The bill is a culmination of many months of bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the Assistive Technology Act. This law is an important component in ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access assistive technology to attend school, to maintain employment, and to live independently. As Members know, this bill is critically needed. This legislation finally ensures that States grant programs can counts on a stable source of Federal funds to support their operations. The last reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act in 1998 sunset the State grant program. For the past 3 years, many States have wondered whether a certain year would be the last year of Federal funding. This bill erases this doubt by ensuring that all States will be eligible for funding through 2010. I want to mention the inclusion of the American Indian Consortium as a funded protection and advocacy system under this legislation. Individuals with disabilities in Indian Country are some of the most disadvantaged when it comes to the ability to access assistive technology. This bill will provide resources to this consortium to ensure the needs of Native Americans seeking assistive technology are represented. This provision alone will have a tremendously positive impact on Indian Country. The momentum behind this bill would not have been possible without a real bipartisan effort to move this bill. I want to thank particularly the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), its former governor, for his hard work on this bill, and I want to thank their staffs for working closely with my staff. We have truly created a bill that will improve the ability of individuals with disabilities to access assistive technology. This legislation is an excellent example of what we can accomplish if we put our efforts into working together. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this bill makes an important technical change to the American Indian Foundation. I introduced this bill in the 106th Congress, and Congress established this foundation in that Congress to improve the education of Native Americans. This bill would rename the existing American Indian Foundation as the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education. This is an important technical change that allows this foundation to avoid copyright conflicts with the previously existing foundation with the same name. I urge Members to support myself and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and this legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) and I can join forces to make a necessary adjustment in our immigration and homeland security laws that would ensure that the millions of Americans who work in the travel industry do not suffer while we continue to improve new immigration security technologies. Today we are considering legislation to extend by 1 year the requirement that travelers from visa waiver countries present biometric machine-readable passports at United States ports of entry. A 1-year extension will allow business visitors and tourists from the 27 nations in the visa waiver program to continue to make plans for the near future with currently valid passports and travel to the United States while technology is improved. Using biometric passports will make us safer, but only if the technology is effective, durable, and part of a globally interoperable system that is compatible between nations. A 1-year extension will give Congress and the State Department more time to assess the very important questions of protecting privacy and ensuring efficient processing, while continuing to make serious steps toward a system that will secure our ports and national security. As we balance serious threats to national security with our needs to protect our liberty, we must adhere to our fundamental values as an open society. Most visitors come with goodwill, contribute to our economy, share their knowledge, learn about our culture, and spread the promise of democracy and freedom around the world. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) and me in supporting this legislation to ensure that the benefit of travel and exchange are not lost in the war on terror.

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

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution offered by the distinguished chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary. The gentleman's resolution recognizes the efforts of Bernard John Cigrand, a schoolteacher from Waubeka, Wisconsin, who, in 1885, urged his students to observe June 14 as Flag Birthday. That effort, at a time when the flag had only 38 stars, developed into Flag Day, which President Truman signed into law on August 3, 1949. As we observe Flag Day, and we consider this resolution, I hope all Americans would, as the resolution urges, reflect on the values that the flag represents: the rights of all Americans under the law to free speech, free press, and freedom of assembly; religious liberty; the right to face their accusers in court; to be secure in their homes and papers; to be free from cruel and unusual punishment; and the right to due process of law. It is those values and this Nation which fought to protect these rights, that make the flag such a potent symbol. I hope that as we celebrate Flag Day, Mr. Speaker, we will all take time to celebrate what the flag represents. I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, for bringing this resolution forward; and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize a woman of God, Sister Patricia Fischer, O.P. for her outstanding contributions in the field of education and religion. Sister Patricia was born in Adrian, Michigan. She attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School, and graduated from Adrian Catholic Central High School. She received her Bachelor of Administration degree from Sienna Heights University in Adrian, and her Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Wayne State University, Detroit. Sister Patricia also holds several certificates of completion for courses in Theology, Scripture, and Spirituality. Sister Patricia, as a member of the Adrian Dominican Sisters took her first profession of vows on December 29, 1961 under the religious name of Sister Janice Ann. Her final profession was made on December 29, 1966. In 1969 she resumed her baptismal name of Patricia Ann Fischer. Sister Patricia's educational ministry began in Illinois. She held the position of teacher at St. Joseph School, Homewood, St. Lawrence School, and St. Carthage School of Chicago, and the Infant Jesus of Prague School, Flossmoor. Upon her reassignment to Michigan she accepted a position teaching at St. Leo School in Detroit. In 1975, she began a 29-year tenure as principal of St. John the Evangelist School in Fenton. Upon stepping down from her position as principal, Sister Patricia will return to the Motherhouse as an administrator. Sister Patricia has received numerous awards for her invaluable service and dedication to the community. She was honored by the Knights of Columbus, St. John the Evangelist Parish, St. John the Evangelist School, and the Principals Academy of Washington, DC. In addition to her position as principal of St. John Evangelist School, she sits on the Board of Admissions for the Adrian Dominican Sisters, on the board of St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, and serves as Co-Chair for the Diocese of Lansing Diocesan Services Appeal. Sister Patricia is also a St. John Evangelist RENEW Leader (Faith Formation), as well as a member of several St. John the Evangelist Parish committees, and she is a member of the Diocese of Lansing School Accreditation Teams. Sister Patricia is without a doubt a counselor, spiritual advisor and a friend to many. Our community is certainly a better place because of her presence. I know Sister Pat would want me to point out that the love, prayers and support of her family has greatly contributed to her overall success. She has three sisters, Nancy Cochran, Janice Mann, and Martha Sue Marquis. She has several aunts including her mother's sister, Sister Clarine, S.S.N.D. and eight nieces and nephews. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in paying tribute and congratulating Sister Patricia Fischer upon her retirement from the Catholic School System. Sister Pat has inspired many in the field of education. She has and continues to serve the Lord with the greatest devotion. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless Sister Patricia as she carries on her quest to spread the word of God to all.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I remember Ronald Reagan as an enthusiastic American patriot. He truly enjoyed being President. He was just like everyone's uncle or grandfather. He always had a kind word to say. He could disagree, without being disagreeable. I have served with six Presidents, and I liked him personally. Even one of his principal opponents, House Speaker Tip O'Neill, liked him. President Reagan was well known for his great sense of humor. On Saint Patrick's Day, Tip O'Neill invited President Reagan to the Speaker's dining room to have lunch with the Irish Members of Congress. In his remarks, President Reagan said, with great humor, ``I am told that on Saint Patrick's Day, one should spend time with saints and scholars, so you know that when I leave here I will have to go to two other places.'' We all loved it. On the international level, President Reagan made it difficult for the Soviet Union to compete with us, either economically and militarily. May he rest in peace.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the members of American Legion Post 18 of Bay City, Michigan to pay tribute to their past Commander and life-time member, Mr. Ken Hamlin. The Legion will honor Mr. Hamlin during a special recognition ceremony to be held in Bay City. Ken Hamlin was born in Bay City on June 15, 1928. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II and the Korean War. He retired honorably from the Reserve in 1966. Ken has spent the majority of his life serving and protecting. His commitment to the U.S. Navy and American Legion Post 18 is without doubt commendable. Ken has been a member of the American Legion Post 18 of Bay City for 29 years. During his 29 years of service with the Post he has had the honor of being a post service officer for 23 of those years. Ken's dedication to the post and its veterans have not gone unnoticed. In 1994 he was named Post 18 Commander, and later was granted Life Membership status for outstanding service. Also during 1994 he was awarded the Bay County Veteran of the Year award. Aside from Post 18, Ken is also a member of VVA Chapter 494 and a lifetime member and Past Commander (5 times) of AMVETS Post 22. He was the Past Chef DeGear Voiture 690 Bay County, and Past President Bay City Bowling Association. He was elected to the Bay City Bowling Hall Of Fame in 1998, is a member of Post 18 Baseball committee, and a member of the Bay County Naval Ship Committee. One of his most noted contributions to the Bay City Veterans Council was the assistance he provided in forming the Bay County Color Guard with the late George Rowell. Ken's strength, pride and steadfastness in getting the job done whenever and however will always be remembered. He is a leader of high moral standards. Many veterans are thankful for his generosity and kindness. Without his guidance and the assistance that the many veterans' organizations provide, many of our American Heroes would be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in paying tribute to an outstanding veteran, Mr. Ken Hamlin, for his past service to our Nation and his continued commitment to assisting veterans.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the residents of Frankenmuth, Michigan, to recognize their fire department for 100 years of skilled and dedicated service. On Friday, June 4, 2004, the Frankenmuth community will gather to celebrate this milestone during a special open house and ceremony to be held at the Frankenmuth fire station. The Frankenmuth Fire Department was organized in 1904. Martin Eischer was named the fire chief, and he held the post until his retirement in 1937. The department at the time of establishment had an appointed staff of 19 men, a $750 steam powered and horse drawn fire engine, and a $535 hose and hose cart. Although the department was fully equipped and staffed, it did not acquire a home until 1905 when the Village Hall was constructed. The hall would serve as the home of the fire chief and fire engine. To ensure a reasonable water supply, the village council provided fire cisterns throughout the village. In 1918, they purchased a Waterous Motor Propelled fire engine, which would be considered as the forerunner of the modern fire engine. The department retained the original horse-drawn engine, and relocated it to a garage across the river. The department assigned a crew of men to the garage to provide fire protection during floods, when normal access across the river was blocked. In 1937, the department appointed a new chief, Herman ``Whitey'' Eischer; son of retired Chief Martin Eischer. He held the post until resigning in 1947, and Waldemar Veitengruber was appointed. During Chief Herman Eischer's tenure, which was during the onset of World War II, 22 volunteers were added to the roster, the department purchased a 1942 Ford engine, and a Civil Defense team was organized. In the late 1940s, the department received its first gas mask, and in 1979 the Frankenmuth Women's Club donated money to purchase the ``Jaws of Life.'' In 1976 George Reinert was appointed fire chief, after the sudden death of Chief Veitengruber. He served 10 years and was succeeded by Gene Rittmueller. Chief Rittmueller resigned in 1997 and was replaced by the current chief, David Wright. Aside from work and training, the department is also a community group. They have sponsored several community and station events, including the annual community picnic, fireman's ball, Christmas party, and in the last few years they have sponsored the fire muster. This year over 200 participants are expected. Currently, the department roster for 2004 lists 30 volunteers, including the chief, two assistants and three captains. The department with its skilled crew has handled each emergency over the years with great attention to detail and duty. In the wake of September 11th, the American public has come to better understand and acknowledge the heroic commitment and responsibility that is charged to our nation's fire departments. We are all indebted to you for protecting our community each day. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me paying tribute to the Frankenmuth Fire Department for 100 years of service to the community.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In conclusion, I would say adoption of my motion to recommit would really begin to touch immediately the needs of those people who are unemployed, rather than this anemic approach offered in the bill itself. I urge that we support the motion to recommit.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, my motion to recommit is simple: It authorizes the extension of unemployment benefits. Mr. Speaker, 1.5 million workers have exhausted their initial unemployment benefits. These individuals have yet to find employment due to this very sour economy. Despite the need for these workers to provide for their families, this Congress has turned a deaf ear. We have continually failed to ensure the financial security of these workers and their families. The question for this House is how can we pass legislation providing job-training vouchers when there are no jobs. We need to first ensure the financial security of those workers who have lost their jobs, and we have not done that. This amendment does that by authorizing the extension of unemployment benefits. Mr. Speaker, we have a moral responsibility today. In Michigan and many other States around the country, job growth is nonexistent or anemic. Nationally, 8.2 million individuals are unemployed. The unemployment rate is 5.6 percent. It is quite evident that American workers want to work. The simple truth is that jobs do not exist. How long are we going to ignore the needs of the American workforce. The underlying legislation is completely inadequate in addressing the problems facing the American worker. We cannot simply authorize a job- training voucher program. That does not meet the need. We have to act today, and we have to act now by extending unemployment benefits. I want to remind Members that the House has considered nearly identical language to this motion to recommit during the debate on the Community Services Block Grant bill. I urge Members to support my motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am in its present form.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt). (Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).