Dale Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, let me say at this time we have before us an excellent bipartisan bill, and our special gratitude should go out to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood) and to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott). Both of them have brought not only their expertise to this bill but their deep concern. That is extremely important, and I deeply appreciate it myself. I know this House appreciates it.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), a hard-working and knowledgeable member of the committee. (Ms. Woolsey asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the ranking minority member of the committee.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to rise before you today to honor a woman who has accomplished much in the name of education. On June 17, friends, colleagues, and family will gather to pay tribute to Mrs. Juanita Cleggett Holland of Flint, Michigan, who is retiring from the Flint Community Schools after 34 years of dedicated service to the community. For nearly four decades, thousands of young people have had their lives enriched due to the influence of Juanita Holland. A graduate of Tennessee State University and the University of Michigan, Juanita entered the Flint School District in 1965, as a teacher at Kennedy School. After 3 years, she went on to Emerson Junior High, and moved from Emerson to Northern Senior High in 1976, where she remained until 1982. A certified social worker, Juanita realized her talents could be used in other ways within the education world, and as a result, became a crisis social worker for the Flint School District, where she was assigned six different schools. From there, she became a social worker for Neithercut School and McKinley Middle School, where she had been assigned until now. In addition to being a State of Michigan certified social worker, Juanita displays superior credentials by her affiliation with the Academy of Certified Social Workers, and her status as a Board Certified Diplomate. Juanita also has a long history of community involvement as well. She is extremely active in her Church, and also her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. She has worked with or served on the boards for such groups and organizations as the Sirna Center, the Tall Pine Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Dort-Oak Park Neighborhood House. She has most served on the board for the Michigan Family Independence Agency since 1992, and has served as board chairperson since 1997. In efforts to improve the quality of education for Flint's children, Juanita has been at the forefront of projects designed to enhance discussion on outcome based education, school improvement, community service, and group work. Mr. Speaker, in my former role as a teacher, and my current role as Member of Congress, it has been my duty to promote and enhance human dignity and the quality of life. I am grateful that there are people like Juanita Holland who have worked arduously to make my task easier. I ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to join me in wishing her the best in her retirement.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize and honor the achievements of a man who has given much to the community on behalf of civil rights. On June 27, local officials and civic leaders will join family and friends to pay tribute to Mr. Melvyn Brannon of Burton, MI, who is retiring as president of the Urban League of Flint, after more than 30 years of dedicated service. Melvyn Brannon was born in Memphis, TN, and went to studies at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He then moved to Michigan, where he pursued postgraduated studies at Eastern Michigan University, the University of Michigan-Flint, and Harvard Business School. During this time, he also participated in the National Urban League Management Training and Development Program. This served as just the beginning of a long standing relationship with the Urban League. Throughout the years, Mel worked at Flint Osteopathic Hospital as a radiologic technologist, and then moved on to lengthy and rewarding tenure with Flint Community Schools, which included positions such as teacher, special counselor, and job development and placement specialist. In September of 1968, Mel was appointed deputy executive director of the Urban League of Flint, and held the position until November of 1970, where he became president, a position he has held until this day. In addition to his extensive work with the Urban League both locally and nationally, Mel has benefited many members of the community with his vision and insight. In the past, he has served on such boards as Genese County Commission on Substance Abuse Services, the Coalition for Positive Youth Development, the Urban Coalition of Greater Flint, and the Hurley Hospital Board of Managers, to name a few. Currently he has been involved with the boards of Disability Network, Priority 90's, the Hurley Medical Center Human Resources Committee, and he serves as Chairman of the Bishop International Airport Authority. Mel has also been found working with groups such the NAACP, the Rotary Club, and the Genesee County Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, among many others. Mr. Speaker, the Flint area, as well as the entire state of Michigan has prospered due to the efforts and leadership of Melvyn Brannon. I ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to please join me in congratulating him on his retirement.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize and honor the accomplishments of a man who has given much to the teaching profession, and even to his many students. On June 30, friends, colleagues, and family will gather to pay tribute to Mr. Kenneth Baker of Flint, Michigan, who is retiring from the Flint Community Schools after 34 years of dedicated service to the community. As a former school teacher myself, I understand how important it is for the minds of our Nation's children to be influenced by positive, uplifting role models. I am happy that Kenneth Baker lives up to this ideal. A graduate of the University of Toledo, and Eastern Michigan University, Kenneth began his long and rewarding career with Flint Community Schools in 1965. He served as a science teacher at Bryan Community School until 1969, where he then went on to Carpenter Community School as its director. He served in this same capacity at McKinley Middle School from 1972 to 1990, helping guide the lives of thousands of children. When the need arose, Kenneth found himself thrust back into the role as teacher, as he taught science and social studies at Anderson Community School from 1990 to 1995, and then his current teaching position, once again at McKinley. No matter which hat he wore, Kenneth always proved himself to be an exceptional educator, able to help his students acquire and develop skills that would help them to become strong, positive members of society. In efforts to lead by example, Kenneth has also been involved in the community as well. Within the school, he has been a team leader in the team curriculum program, and has also been willing to volunteer as a referee for sporting events such as volleyball and track and field. He has served on the Learning Standard Committee, and has been a coordinator of the Buick City and Flint Olympian Road Race. Mr. Speaker, there are many adults throughout the entire state of Michigan whose lives have been enriched by an early life interactions with Kenneth Baker. I am proud to have a person such as him within my district. I ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to join me in wishing him well in his retirement.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise before you today to pay tribute to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. One hundred years ago, when the United States Army came back from the war in the Philippines, the survivors formed the Veterans of Foreign Wars. On June 12, VFW Post #582, located in Ortonville, Michigan, will join the celebration of preserving democracy by dedicating a stone monument to honor the many men and women who gave much to protect freedom. Throughout Ortonville, as well as Oakland County, the members of VFW Post #582 are known as staunch community leaders. Year after year they provide a tremendous public service by organizing community blood drives, as well as food drives for the homeless and underprivileged. Post members have frequently contributed their time at various area hospitals, and have also provided a support network for each other, relying on each other as friends, colleagues, and fellow soldiers for support and advice. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I stand before you today, asking you and my colleagues in the 106th Congress to honor the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and VFW Post #582. For an entire century, they have stood firmly to their commitment to this nation. Their dedication to protecting and promoting the enhancement of human dignity of all Americans serves as inspiration to the entire country.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the bipartisan spirit in which this bill has been written from beginning to end. I think we have a very good bill here. I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 249, the Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children Protection Act makes vital improvements to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and deserves the strong support of all the Members here today. This legislation will streamline and refocus the existing basic Center grants, the transitional living grants and the drug education program into one reauthorization, while maintaining the distinct nature of each program. I believe this is an essential improvement that will strengthen the ability of localities to provide services to the vulnerable populations of runaway and homeless children. Mr. Speaker, S. 249 also requires a National Academy of Sciences study to examine which factors contribute to violence around and in our schools. This study will better enable us to understand what leads our young people to commit such tragic acts as those in Littleton, Colorado, and other places that have shared the unfortunate experience of having school violence touch its teachers, parents, students and communities. This study, which has been a cooperative effort between the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Goodling), and myself is necessary so we can gain a better understanding of the profile of those most likely to commit violence and provide them with appropriate interventions and supportive services. It is my hope we can constructively use the results of this study to lessen the violence which presently is troubling our schools. Mr. Speaker, I believe this legislation is worthy of Members' support, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Klink).

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson).

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a woman who has dedicated herself to improving the quality of life in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. On May 21, 1998, Mrs. Shari Lambert will be the guest of honor as family and friends gather to celebrate her retirement after 25 years of dedicated public service. Shari Lambert has never once hesitated to reach out and help someone in need. Since 1974, she has worked for the Michigan Employment Security Commission, now known as the Michigan Unemployment Agency. Most recently, Shari worked as Manager for the Agency's Flint branch. For 25 years, Shari has worked with thousands of individuals, ensuring that each one was set on the road toward prosperous and gainful employment. Her dedication to being an active public servant set a positive tone in each branch of the Michigan Employment Security Commission, as well as its successor, the Michigan Unemployment Agency. She has served as a role model for efficiency, compassion, and fairness. Many Michigan residents owe their ability to provide for themselves and others to Shari's influence. In addition to her work with the Unemployment Agency, Shari serves as a member of several Workforce Development Boards, such as the Career Alliance Board, Greater Pontiac Area Consortium Board, and Macomb/St. Clair Board. She can also be found working with groups within Macomb County such as Growth Alliance, the Private Industry Council, the School to Work/Tech Prep Board, the Human Services Coordination Body, the Macomb County Economic Club, and the Central Macomb Chamber of Commerce. She has also been a member of the Flint Chamber of Commerce, and is a past president of the Michigan chapter of the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security. Mr. Speaker, many people, not only in the city of Flint, have been granted a new lease on life because of the dedication of Shari Lambert. As it is our duty to preserve and protect the quality and dignity of life for our constituents, let us remember that our task is made easier by people like Shari. I ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to join me in acknowledging the accomplishments of Shari Lambert. We owe her a debt of gratitude.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I come before you today with a heavy heart, as I stand here to recognize the lifetime achievements of a woman who gave much to her family and her community, in the name of equal rights for all. On May 21, the Beasley family, local officials, civic leaders, and members of the Flint, Michigan, community will gather to honor the memory of Ms. Olive Beasley of Flint, who died May 13. Olive Beasley was born in Chicago, and upon moving to Michigan, worked for the NAACP, where she was an integral part in the campaign in favor of Michigan's Fair Employment Act. She was later transferred to Flint, in the 1960's, and began a tenure with the Michigan Civil Rights Commission. Olive rose through the ranks, and for 16 years, headed the Civil Rights Commission's Flint office. During that time, she also began a long lasting partnership with the Flint Civil Service Commission. In fact, Olive was the Civil Service Commisison's longest serving member. Her tireless and selfless efforts to ensure that each and every person received the same opportunities for success made her known as one of the area's most staunch advocates, and in many eyes, Olive was indeed the mother of Flint's civil rights movement. Olive was a steadfast member of the Flint community, and constantly served as a role model and counselor for people throughout the city, including many city officials, who turned to her for advice and insight. Many of Flint's most prominent public servants credit their involvement in politics and activism to Olive's influence. Her dedication to civil rights extended beyond the Civil Rights Commission, as she became a member and served on the boards of such groups as the Urban League of Flint, the Urban Coalition of Greater Flint, the Legal Aid Society, and the advisory board of WFUM, the public television station of the University of Michigan-Flint. Mr. Speaker, the Flint area, as well as the entire state of Michigan has lost one of its strongest advocates for civil rights. Olive Beasley will always be remembered as a giant person in the community. The respect she commanded from everyone she came into contact with was tremendous. My sincerest condolences go out to her family. She will be sorely missed.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, It is a great honor for me to rise before my colleagues today and pay tribute to Mr. Richard Landis, of Davison, Michigan, who has received the American Ambulance Association's 1999 ``Star of Life'' award for his outstanding service as an Emergency Medical Services professional. The remarkable thing about individuals who serve as emergency medical responders is that they are always on duty. No matter where they are or what they are doing--they may be called upon to assist another person. Their ability to be swift and precise at that moment is of utmost importance; it can be the difference between life or death. Mr. Landis was in just such a situation while spending a leisurely afternoon at the Silverdome. When another individual also at the Silverdome suffered from a sudden heart attack, Mr. Landis stepped in and saved that individual's life. Due to Mr. Landis's immediate desire to help and his quick thoughts and actions, that cardiac arrest victim is alive today. This truly amazing event exemplifies the characteristics of Mr. Landis. Not only is he a talented medical professional, but he also brings courage and compassion to his work. His colleagues have noted that they frequently turn to him for advice and support, and they can count on him for his kind and positive attitude. Since this is Emergency Medical Services week, it is an appropriate time for all of us to think about the valuable role of EMS workers in our communities. I am grateful to have the opportunity to recognize the service that Mr. Landis delivers to communities in my district. His actions are an inspiration for us all and I am proud to represent him in Congress.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the 40th annual observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Flint Memorial Park is the setting for this observance on May 14 in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. On this day the Flint community will take time to reflect on the loss of some of its finest police officers. For the past 40 years, Flint Memorial Park has honored Peace Officers that have fallen in the line of duty. A memorial service is held annually to remind us of their bravery and sacrifice. The names of the officers that have been immortalized on the monument at Flint Memorial Park are: Patrolman Terry Lee Thompson--Burton Police Department July 5, 1983. Patrolman Russell A. Herrick--Burton Police Department May 8, 1980. Trooper Norman Killough--Michigan State Police, Detroit Post October 6, 1978. Deputy Ben R. Walker--Genesee County Sheriff Department April 6, 1971. Detective Alton C. Fritcher--Flint Police Department January 5, 1969. Trooper Albert Souden--Michigan State Police, Brighton Post September 3, 1959. Trooper Burt Pozza--Michigan State Police, Flint Post November 19, 1956. Patrolman Karl J. Liebengood--Burton Township Police Department January 11, 1955. Trooper George Lappi--Michigan State Police, Flint Post November 19, 1956. Detective James McCullough--Flint Police Department February 28, 1952. Patrolman Neil Krantz--Flint Police Department April 24, 1951. Deputy James W. Cranston--Genesee County Sheriff Department July 26, 1945. Patrolman Gerald Leach--Flint Police Department September 21, 1940. Patrolman John Wopinski--Flint Police Department August 9, 1932. Detective Matthew Hauer--Flint Police Department April 18, 1924. Patrolman Avera M. Hudson--Flint Police Department June 28, 1924. In addition to the memorial to slain Peace Officers a monument to police dogs that have been killed in the line of duty will be unveiled at this year's ceremony. The names of the canines and their handlers are: Aiko--Handler--Trooper Joel Service, Symmon--Handler--Sgt. Richard. E. King, Gillette--Handler--Officer Bruce Burton, Romel-- Handler--Sgt. Dan Spaniola, Charlie--Handler--Deputy Dale Glover, Major--Handler--Sgt. Jerry Wilhelm. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to please reflect on these individuals and their families and pay tribute to their ultimate sacrifice. We pay homage these slain officers and all peace officers everywhere that are asked to give so that the rest of us can live in a safer world.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize the longtime success of a group that has provided a valuable community resource in helping to teach many youths discipline and character. On May 7, local officials, family, and friends will gather to celebrate the Azteca Boxing Team of Pontiac, MI, for 25 years of service. Twenty-five years ago, Pontiac resident Ruben Flores, a former Golden Gloves champion, envisioned an opportunity to give Pontiac youth a chance to help young people off of the streets and into positive activities that promoted self-esteem and responsibility. He was joined in this endeavor by Juventino Prieto, and the Azteca Boxing Team was born. In 1977, Flores and Prieto were joined by Robert Paramo as a coach, and the three of them began a quarter of a century of teaching youth not only about boxing, but about dedication, physical well being, and pride in one's self and one's abilities. Since 1973, over 2,800 young people have benefited from the programs that the Azteca Boxing Team has had to offer, many of whom have ventured and excelled in the field of professional boxing. The large volunteer staff they maintain assist in the children's total development, including educational guidance, diverse cultural experiences, and community activism and awareness. The group, an official nonprofit organization, receives 98 percent of its funding from donations, including computers for their students, field trips, and more. The remaining 2 percent comes from a $2 membership fee, however they have pledged never to turn away a child due to lack of funds. Mr. Speaker, the contributions that the Azteca Boxing Team has given the Pontiac community is tremendous. Many of these youngsters owe their very lives to the impact that the group has made. I ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to join me in congratulating Ruben Flores, Juventino Prieto, and Robert Paramo for all their efforts.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize the accomplishments of a man who has made a strong commitment to protect and defend human dignity. On May 8, the members of Oman Temple 72, of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, will gather at their 45th Annual Potentate's Ball, where they will honor their Illustrious Potentate, Mark L. Walker. Mark Walker was born in Dora, Alabama, in 1960. His family moved to Flint, Michigan, in 1975, where Mark graduated from Beecher High School. He then attended Lansing Community College, where he completed the Correction Officer's Training Program, and later received degrees from C.S. Mott Community College, and the University of Michigan-- Flint, both times graduating with honors. Not content with stopping there, Mark is currently seeking a Masters of Public Administration, also from the University of Michigan. It was during this time that Mark became involved with Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He rose to the level of 32-degree Mason, and has held positions of distinction within the group. He is recognized as a Past Master, Past Most Wise and Perfect Master, and Captain of the Guard, prior to his tenure at Illustrious Potentate. Whether as a member of the Shrine, or on his own, Mark shows a tremendous amount of dedication to being a positive force in the community. He has been an organizer of a Summer Food/Children Reading program, has been president of the flint Park Lake Neighborhood Association, and the Great Flint Educational Consortium. Mr. Speaker, the contributions that Mark Walker has given the Flint area in the areas of community service and education are tremendous, and I am indeed fortunate for the impact he has made within my district, especially amongst our children. I ask my colleagues in the 106th Congress to join me in congratulating him for his dedication and perseverance.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring an editorial in today's Washington Post about the recent Center for Civic Education National Competition to the attention of Members. For 12 years, the Center for Civic Education has developed and promoted its ``We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution'' program to increase student understanding and knowledge of the Constitution and this document's impact on today's society. Over this period, the program has provided instruction to 26.5 million students, distributed more than 89,000 sets of free textbooks, and trained more than 82,000 teachers in 24,000 elementary and secondary schools across the country. In light of the tragic recent events surrounding our Nation's schools, this editorial shows the positive impact that this program is having on our Nation's students and their sense and understanding of citizenship and its responsibilities. [From The Washington Post] A Class Action (By David S. Broder) The topic was the constitutional guarantee of freedom of association, and the questions from the Kentucky college teacher, the Virginia judge and the Charleston, S.C., lawyer came thick and fast. ``Given the volatile nature of the atmosphere in Colorado following the Columbine High School tragedy, do you think the Denver City Council would have been justified in saying, `We do not want the NRA [National Rifle Association] meeting here this weekend?' '' ``Could it have restricted the number of people at the meeting?'' ``Could it have asked for the names of those attending?'' The five Hempfield High School students from Landisville, Pa., facing them were not rattled. One by one, they made their points in quick, incisive fashion, referring twice to the controlling Supreme Court cases: Barring the convention would have been justified only if there were a real threat of retaliatory violence. Limiting its size was not sensible-- ``It should be all or nothing.'' Asking for names could not be justified by any compelling state interest. The discussion moved to the issue of youths wearing symbols or clothing that others in school might find intimidating-- and once again, the students spoke calmly and clearly about the issues that have agitated the country since the Littleton massacre. On Sunday, the second day of the annual national competition sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, a downtown Washington hotel was the place to have your faith in the younger generation restored. For 12 years, the center, funded by a $5.5 million annual grant from the Department of Education and six times that much in state, local and private support, has promoted semester-long curriculum called ``We the People. The Citizen and the Constitution,'' and trained thousands of teachers to use it in classrooms across the country. Each class is invited to compete at the congressional district and state level, and last weekend about 1,250 students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia gathered for the national finals. The format is a simulated congressional hearing on an issue requiring application of constitutional principles. Each team has four minutes to present its prepared position and then must answer unscripted questions from a trio of contest judges for another six. ``The whole class comes to Washington,'' Chuck Quigley, the program director, explained. ``This is not like a debate meet, where the best and brightest represent the school. Each class divides into six teams--one for each unit of the course--and each team `testifies' once in each round. You can't have cliques or factions. Everyone has to cooperate for the school to do well.'' In a 1994 evaluation of the program, Stanford political scientist Richard Brody found it particularly successful in promoting tolerance of dissenting views and active participation in the political system. Carly Celmer, a member of the team representing Florida, said, ``It teaches you that people can make mistakes, but our structure of government is really sound.'' Elaine Savukas, who teaches the Pennsylvania students I watched, said her husband, the principal of Hempfield High-- ``a school of exactly the same size as Columbine in the same kind of suburban community''--values the course because ``it shows kids there are ways to work through disagreements other than violence.'' Mary Catherine Bradshaw, the teacher of the Hillsboro High School entry from Nashville, Tenn., said ``Taunting is pervasive in every high school.'' But her class, on its own initiative, came up with a checklist of actions federal, state and local authorities might take to prevent another Littleton. And then one student said, ``There is something we can do as individuals.'' And the class began circulating a pledge that ``as part of the community . . . I will eliminate taunting from my own behavior. I will encourage others to do the same . . . and if others won't become part of the solution, I will.'' They put the pledge on their Web site and now are hearing that it's been adopted at high schools all over the United States. The competition--and the underlying course--have attracted celebrity backers. Henry Hyde has coached classes in his district; Hillary Clinton, Kenneth Starr and several Supreme Court justices met with schools in this year's competition. Anthony Corrado, a distinguished political scientist at Colby College in Maine, has judged the contest for eight years and has helped train teachers at summer institutes on using the curriculum. He takes the time, he told me, because ``the best antidote to cynicism is understanding the basic principles of our system of government and being challenged to apply them to today's problems.'' This is a course most of us adults could use. (The phone numbers of the Center for Civic Education are 818-591-9321 or 202-861-8800.)

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, to the gentleman from Iowa: I served on the Committee on the Budget very well. I know how the Committee on the Budget relates to the Committee on Appropriations. I referred to three committees. The real legislative committees here are the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means, and they hold in their hands really the hope for any of these programs. If the Committee on Ways and Means cuts revenue, that makes it more difficult for us to fund these programs. Unless the Committee on Appropriations acts, these funds will not be appropriated. So they are the ones who really control that Blue Cross card we are debating.

Mr. KILDEE. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez), a member of the committee.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney), a member of the committee.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Baldacci). (Mr. BALDACCI asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)