Jack Kingston

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Let me claim some time here because I really think this is a good dialogue; and I would say amongst those who are on the floor tonight, as long as we are talking we can move the ball further down the road and we can get somewhere with it. I want to shift just slightly the focus, though. As I see the President's proposal to federalize school construction, one of the things that is disturbing to me, and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) somewhat agreed the other night, and I will let him restate whatever his position is, is the President's insistence, apparently a union payoff, to have Davis-Bacon part of local school construction, which means the cost of local school construction will be up 25 percent. And that item is on the table, as I understand it. And that is something disturbing to me because when I go back to Glynn County, Brantley County, Wayne County, Georgia, they do not want to know, hey, the good news is the Federal Government is going to have more money for school construction; the bad news is it is going to cost you 25 percent more, and you probably should have just done it without the Federal Government's help. Could the gentleman from Wisconsin enlighten us where that is in the negotiation?

Mr. KINGSTON. Let me say this: As I understand it, the reason why there was agreement on it is it was in exchange for other concessions which the White House was offering, and when the White House reneged on their part of the bargain then our House leadership said, okay, if that is the case then we are going to go back to square one.

Mr. KINGSTON. That is what we understand from our leadership, and they have said that so far.

Mr. KINGSTON. Yes.

Mr. KINGSTON. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht).

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, as I understand it, the House level of the Labor, Health and Human Services bill was about $106 billion, and the gentleman wants to add $4.2 billion.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, let me reclaim the time, because we are going down to the wire and the gentleman has made his point. I want to point out that that bill was endorsed by the Rural Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association, and I believe the American Cancer Society. There was a whole list of associations who endorsed that.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, if I can claim some time, having come from the State legislative ranks and now serving on the Committee on Appropriations, one of my big disappointments is that it seems that regardless of who is in charge, the budget is ignored; and I think we have to all hold the line on spending. I do not know why we ignore it year after year.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. KINGSTON. Let me say one thing about the courtesy. I appreciate you all mentioning that, but we are here, as my Democratic colleagues all are here, because we really do want to resolve this. We have philosophical differences, but I think everybody in this Chamber knows that the people want a product here. So I think we are all here because we want to do the right thing. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, we only have 2 minutes remaining. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht).

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the participants of this Special Order and thank everyone for trying to keep working on these things dark into the night. Maybe, if we can get a few of our colleagues back here with us, we could resolve this.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me this time. I also appreciate the passion and the sincerity of the Democratic and the Republican leadership and the appropriators in trying to work out this situation. I know that you have been hard at it, and I know that you have worked hard over the weekend. But as I sat there listening to you, it was curious to me. I kept hearing about some unelected guy, Jack Lew or somebody, and I kept hearing this vague generic reference to the White House, but I did not hear about the President, and I am concerned. Maybe the gentleman from Florida could tell me. Was the President of the United States negotiating with you or not? I will be glad to yield to the gentleman from Florida or maybe somebody could help me from the Democrat side in these very, very important, high- level negotiations which the President is keeping Congress in town at the cost of millions of dollars to the taxpayers that of course could be going to health care or education or worker safety. What was the President doing? Was he there Saturday night? He was not there, was he? Was he there Sunday night? He was not there again, was he? Was he there Monday night? He was not there Monday night. Well, surely he showed up Tuesday night. No, wait. He was in Kentucky.

Mr. KINGSTON. Of course I am saying that I know where the President was. He was out campaigning. He was out fundraising. But this is a legitimate question. If it is worth the taxpayers to pay millions of dollars to keep the Congress, 435 Members and 100 Members of the Senate, in town to negotiate, then certainly it is worth his time to be here. I do not think you are negotiating in good faith when you are not here, when everybody else is coming to the bargaining table to try to work something out but the President is in New York campaigning, he is in Kentucky campaigning, he is, I understand, on his way to California campaigning. Now, if he were in the Middle East, I would say that is understandable. If he was in North Korea, I understand that. But, instead, he is campaigning. Here is where we are on all our bills. This is the appropriations rundown. We have come up with levels of spending for Agriculture, for Commerce, State and Justice, for Defense, Energy and Water, Foreign Operations, Interior, VA-HUD, and we are pretty much where the President is. I will say sometimes we are up and sometimes we are down, but this is the chart. It is open for public record. We are trying to work things out. But it is not enough. It is never enough with this President. I want to quote and close with a question by 16-year-old Sarah Schleck from Albert Lea, Minnesota, to why are we still in town because the President wants to spend more money. She said, the 16-year-old wisdom, ``Isn't our government big enough already?'' Must we really stay in town so that we can spend a couple of more billion to pay off one constituency group or another? I do not think we should do that. I think that this House, the Democrat and the Republican leadership, ought to come to its own conclusion, give it to the President, and then maybe we can go back home and tell the folks what we are up to.

Mr. KINGSTON. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.

Mr. KINGSTON. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. KINGSTON. Let me reclaim my time. The gentleman is right. I have not been here as long as some of these in-town government people. I know, for example, the Vice President is very proud he has been here 24 years. He came straight from the hotel room to the floor of the Congress. But to a lot of us being in the private sector is a badge of honor, and I am glad I have not been here all my life because I am proud that I have had private sector experience. My question was, is the President who is so engaged, was he here for these negotiations Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday?

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a great American hero from my district Savannah, Ga., Thomas L. Grooms, Jr. as a World War II Veteran. We should all stand up and applaud Mr. Grooms for his service in the Battle of the Bulge. He used his talent as a Medic to treat those injured and hurt in the line of duty. Without his dedication to helping others many lives would have been lost. The Battle of the Bulge took place in Germany in 1944. While Mr. Grooms was there he sent all of his pay home to provide for his mother and sister. When the war ended he did not get to go home, instead he stayed in Germany to manage multiple hospitals. Several months later he returned to the United States with no great fan fare. All of the jobs were already taken by the soldiers that had returned earlier. Mr. Grooms decided to go back to school since he was struggling to make ends meet. He became a Chemist and stayed with American Cyanamid/ Kemira Pigments for 33 years. He has since retired and is desperately trying to battle colon cancer. Mr. Grooms and his wife Bette will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary on November 5th. In today's society marriages like theirs represent a shining example of family devotion. Both are native Georgians--with their families having migrated from England and Ireland in the 1700's. He and his wife raised four children with strong Christian ethics and family values. Mr. Grooms wife, Bette, is retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with over 25 and \1/2\ years service. The citizens of my district have been the true beneficiaries for the many personal sacrifices this family has done in order to serve their community, church, and country. Mr. Grooms' presence and dedication to our country helped insure the freedom we enjoy today. His unselfish acts made a difference to the families of each person he helped. America's all volunteer military has always served with pride meeting the challenges necessary to maintain our national security, to protect American interests at home and abroad, and to guarantee our freedoms and way of life. Our Veterans made many sacrifices to protect our freedoms and way of life, and Americans owe them a great deal. Please join me again in applauding Mr. Grooms. His warmth, generosity, and friendship has touched thousands of people in his community, church, and family. Without him our country's history would be different. The dedication of this brave man helped shape our history. Our society today needs more people like him who unselfishly dedicate to their lives and fight for the freedom of our country. This man is a very brave person and deserves to be recognized as an American hero. I am pleased to submit this acknowledgment of his continuing life in the Congressional Record. My name is (Tommy) Thomas L. Grooms, III. I have met you before and I have been in your office here in Savannah (on Abercorn). I am a staunch Republican Christian Married Male who is retired from the U.S. Air Force (having served over half of my career assigned to an active-duty slot with the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard in Savannah). I was a single parent of two precious daughters for over ten years and struggling in service to our country as an enlisted member on a ``fixed'' income in a slot with no upward mobility. I was forced to retire three years ago when my slot was abolished and I was devastated to say the least. I am now employed with the Coastal Heritage Society, here in Savannah, in an administrative position as Assistant to the Executive Director. This is more of a title than anything, as my income is very low--due to this being a non-profit organization, as you well know. I was blessed with a new wife a little over a year ago. My father has cancer (in the final stages--he is currently in ICU at Candler Hospital, here in Savannah). My wife was one of his medical care-providers when he was initially diagnosed with cancer. The reason that I am writing to you with this long message is two-fold: 1.) My Father, Thomas L. Grooms, Jr., is a World-War II Veteran--he served as a ``Hero'' in The Battle of the Buldge--as a matter of fact, Time-Life has a series of books out on World War II, with one book dedicated solely to The Battle of the Bulge--and in this book is a full-one-page picture of my Father on the Battle-Field. He served as a Medic and, when the War ended, he did not get to come home, but was left to manage multiple hospitals in Germany for a number of months. When he arrived back in the states, there was no ticker-tape parade for him and all of the jobs were taken. While he was away at War, he sent all of his pay home to provide for his Mother, who was dying of colon cancer (the same that he now has) and for his sister (his Father, who was a Medical Doctor, had passed away when my Father was an infant) . . . My Father struggled and to make ends meet, went back to school, married my Mother at Calvary Baptist Temple-- here in Savannah (with the ceremony being performed by Dr. John Wilder), and I was born a year later in 1951. He retired from American Cyanarmid/Kemira Pigments--with over 33 years employment--here in Savannah over 10 years ago, as a Chemist, where he was exposed to many chemicals for many years (contributing, I believe to his cancer condition today). My Father just had his 77th Birthday on October 5, 2000. On November 5, 2000--my parents--Tom & Bette Grooms--will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. a. What I am getting to is this: (1) Is there any way that you could possibly have my Father recognized in some special way for his War efforts (so many sacrifices) in behalf of our country--before it is too late? You obviously are aware that our country, to date, has not ever properly recognized our World War II Veterans--I am aware of the planned Washington Monument/Memorial--but, it may be too late for my Dad, Jack. . . . Please do something if you can. . . . You don't know how much I would appreciate this . . . (2) Congrats ltr? you could have both of my parents recognized for their 50th Wedding Anniversary (NOV 5)--should my Dad live long enough to be here for it??? . . . Their Names, Again: Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Grooms, Jr. (Tom & Bette)--My Mother's Maiden Name is: Barbaree. Both of my parents are native Georgians--with their family having migrated here from England and Ireland in the 1700's. They are both dear Christian people who have been so involved in their church all of their lives and have reared four children in a Godly, Christian home. They are well-respected in the community by their peers and family alike. They truly deserve to be recognized. As an added note, my Mother, Bette Grooms, retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with over 25\1/ 2\ years service, including employment at Historic Fort Pulaski under Mr. Ralston B. Lattimore, the original Superintendent who was responsible for the original restoration efforts there. She, too, was a hard worker who contributed much to this community for many years. . . . So, if you can have them recognized for all of this on this very special occasion, it would mean the world to them, me and the rest of our family and friends . . . 2.) The second issue deals with me and my fellow Veterans who have served our country as a career in the U.S. Air Force. I retired after having served over 25 years. I am, once again, a conservative Christian Family Man Who is a Card-Carrying Republican. I am appalled at what our country has done to its Veterans. We were promised free medical, dental, insurance, etc. for the rest of our lives--in return for 20 or more years of service. We however, have to pay for ``Tri-Care'' and have no Dental Insurance, Eye Care, or Life Insurance . . . I, also, happen to have qualified for V.A. benefits due to disability suffered from a broken back, etc. while in service (I am a Viet Nam Era Veteran, as well). However, every dollar that I receive in V.A. is taken out of my retirement pay. Why is it that a young person can serve 6 months of service and be placed on V.A. due to an injury/ disability and receive the same pay that I receive after having had served for over 25 years. (a) If there is any way you could help initiate a bill and push it through Congress to eliminate this unfair practice/ discrepancy--and allocate payment of retirement pay to those who have earned it, as well as V.A.--and another bill to return the proper medical care to all Veteran Retirees for Life, as originally promised by our U.S. Government Representatives/Recruiters/Retention Officers--this would be so very much appreciated, along with a reasonable increase in Retirement Pay for Military Retirees, so we won't have to struggle so much on the outside . . . If I was making more in retirement at this very moment, I would not have to be working to make ends meet and would be at the hospital, helping to morally support my parents during this very trying time. . . . In closing, thank-you, Jack, for all that you have done for our community, our state and our nation--and for how you present yourself--as an Honest, God-fearing, Christian, Family, Moral Man with Values. If there is ever anything that I can do to help support your mission, your campaign, your office, please do not hesitate to call upon me, sir! Anything that you can do positively relative to the above shared situations would be greatly appreciated and would not go unnoticed. Thank-You, again, Jack, and May God Continue To Richly Bless You In All That You Undertake For His Glory and For The Betterment of Mankind, Our Country, Our Community, and Your Family!!! Looking forward to hearing from you in the near future in a most positive manner concerning these matters, I am most humbly and sincerely,

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Michael Cohen, head coach; Cheryl Haworth; Cara Heads-Lane; Suzanne Leathers; Michael Martin; and Oscar Chaplin III as members of the United States 2000 Summer Olympic Weightlifting Team. All of these amazing individuals live in my Savannah, GA., part of my congressional district. They have worked hard and represented our country well. We should be proud of the way they represented our country. Michael Cohen the head coach of the U.S. Women's Olympic Team was an alternate for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team that was boycotted so he did not get to participate. In 1984 Cohen did not get the chance to compete again because he was an alternate. In 1988, he injured his back and was unable to compete. It was then that he realized that the only way he would make it into the Olympics was to be a coach and it was then he founded the Paul Anderson/Howard Cohen Weightlifting Center. He is a great coach and an inspiration to all of the people that come into his gym. Cohen had to wait some 20 years to experience his dream of participating in the Olympic Games. He was allowed to walk in the open ceremonies with all of the athletes. This was a treat because some countries do not allow the coaches to walk in the open ceremonies. Cohen's father started him lifting weights at the age of 5. Cheryl Haworth of Savannah, Georgia became the youngest U.S. athlete ever to win an Olympic medal in weightlifting when she earned a bronze medal in the women's plus 75kg with a total of 270.0kg. On her way to winning the bronze medal, Haworth set four American records--two in the snatch and two in the total. Haworth began lifting only three and a half years ago. She is the exception to the rule of training for many years equals success. She walked in the gym some three years ago in order to increase her strength for playing softball. As soon as she walked into the Paul Anderson/Howard Cohen Weightlifting Center the coaches at the gym immediately realized her amazing natural talent and began her training. Haworth is a three time national champion and holds every American record in her weight class. Haworth won America's only medal at the 1900 Worlds, a bronze in the snatch. Cara Heads-Lane moved to Savannah, Georgia four years ago from Costa Mesa, California in order to train. She has been training since the age of 8 and has worked a long time in order to make it to the Olympics. Cara placed 7th in the Women's Heavyweight in the 2000 Olympic Games. Oscar Chaplin III was the first American in history to win Junior World Championship. Chaplin finished 12th in the men's Middle Weight in the 2000 Olympic Games. Chaplin has been lifting weights since the age of 9 and is ranked in the top 15. He holds the National Junior and Senior records for the last three years. Suzanne Leathers was an alternate for the 2000 Olympic Weightlifting Team. She moved to Savannah, GA. with her coach Donald McCauley to be in the weightlifting capitol. She and Donald decided that they would get married if she made the Olympic Team. So, on September 14, 2000 they tied the knot in Australia. I wish them a happy and joyful life together. Michael Martin was the youngest person to ever make it on to an Olympic weightlifting team. He was picked as an alternate for the 2000 Olympic Team. His sights are set for the 2004 Olympics. Please join me in applauding all of these fine young men and women. They have worked extremely hard to reach this momentous goal. Let us all look up to them and strive to work as hard as they have to reach a goal. Our society needs more people like them that work extremely hard to represent our country. These young people proved that our American youth are indeed the best.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, let me just say this, that under the plan proposed by Governor Bush, the janitor, the worker in the restaurant, would, in fact, get great sums of tax relief. But more importantly, rather than this class division, rather than the politics of envy, the Bush promise is to make that restaurant worker the restaurant owner. That is the biggest difference between the Bush vision and the Gore vision, which keeps the poor, poor. And that is the problem when we have the politics of division instead of the politics of unity. I think that is what this is all about. Now, Mr. Speaker, we want to talk a little bit about what we are doing here on a Sunday night, and joining me are my colleagues from Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota and Colorado; and we are going to ask the question, we are here because how much is enough, Mr. President? Last year the Labor and Education bill, Health and Human Resources, had a sum of $96 billion. This year, negotiating with the President, we are up to $106 billion. But it is not enough for the President and Mr. Gore. They want more money. So I will ask my colleague from Arizona, how much is enough? How much does the President want to spend?

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra), does he know how much is enough? I want to refer to our chart again. How much is enough, Mr. President? How much do you want to spend?

Mr. KINGSTON. I yield to the gentleman from California.