Jack Kingston

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to talk about education a little bit, because if one looks at the record on education, Republican versus Democrat leadership, it is not even close. Republicans have put far more resources into education, far more flexibility for local teachers, far more money into the special Individuals with Disability Education Act, far more money into school lunch program. I hope that some of these Democrats will actually read the bill. They will see if they want to measure their money. They have lost. Now, this proposal to construct new schools is great if one is in Chicago or New York City where one has not kept up with one's education or here in Washington, D.C. where one's roofs are leaking. Do my colleagues know why? Because the cities and States have not made the investment into education. Why should my South Georgia school districts be penalized? They have raised taxes locally. They have done the right thing. They have been responsible. They built new school systems. Why should they be penalized to subsidize Chicago and New York City school systems. It is ridiculous. Education has always been a State and local priority. We do not need to federalize it and have Uncle Sam in the Department of Education knowing best.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Officer William ``Bill'' Burgstiner, United Nations police officer, of Savannah, Georgia. Officer Burgstiner is serving as a U.N. police officer in Kosovo, he is a hero by any other name. In late March, 2000, in a war torn Kosovo, an abandon baby lay by the side of a road wrapped in a bloodied blanket and bleeding from its umbilical cord. The baby's good fortune began when Officer Bill Burgstiner was returning from a meeting and driving through the village of Prilep, about 50 miles southwest of the provincial capital of Pristina. A villager flagged him down and took Officer Burgstiner to the baby, who was lying on a step, wrapped in a blood soaked blanket. Bill used a table cloth to stop the bleeding. He then whisked the child to the Italian military hospital, rushed through the front gate and delivered Fortunato (the baby's new name) into the arms of Roberto Bramati, a doctor. Doctor Bramati credited Officer Burgstiner with saving the precious life of little Fortunato. A Savannah native, Bill joined the Brunswick Police Department after graduating from the police academy. He served from 1990 to 1993, and helped organize the department's K-9 unit. A role model in the local community he has again shown that his compassion and strength of character crosses international borders. It is with great pleasure that I recognize Officer William ``Bill'' Burgstiner for his kind humanitarian and heroic act.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, how did the Army lose a $1 million rocket launcher? How did the Air Force lose 15 jets? How did the Department of Interior build a $300,000 outhouse? Why is it that Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream gets an $800,000 taxpayer supplement? Why is it that, if one eats cheese pizza, the FDA inspects it; but if one has the cheese and pepperoni, the USDA inspects it? It is easy. It is called OPM, ``other people's money.'' In Washington, the departments, the bureaucracies are all operating on other people's money, taxpayers' money, hard-working men and women who put in 40, 50, 60 hours a week paying their tax dollars to Washington only to have it squandered by unelected faceless bureaucrats who know the beauty of OPM. They do not have to be accountable because it is not their money. Mr. Speaker, the Republican party knows whose money it is. It is the hard-working American taxpayers. That is why we believe budget surpluses should be used to pay down the debt, protect Social Security, and give a tax decrease to the working Americans; and that is what we are working for.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I introduce the chaplain of today, the Reverend Chip Lingle. Chip comes to us from Faith Lutheran Church in Savannah, the mother city of Georgia, founded in 1733. He has been there with his wife, Ruth, for 5 years. Reverend Lingle grew up in North Carolina and did his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina in Raleigh. He received his master's from the Lutheran Theological Seminary of the South in Columbia, South Carolina and has served in churches in North Carolina, South Carolina, and in Georgia. I have gotten to know the Lingle family over the past years and have become great friends with his son Ben, who also served as a page here. Ben goes to Jenkins High School and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of the marching band and concert band. He is on the Mock Trial team and has been very active in Boy Scouts and church activities and plays in a rock and roll band called Sweet Pig. Ben is also here with us today; and so is Reverend Lingle's mother, Isetta Lingle, who is with us in the gallery. So please join me in welcoming Reverend Chip Lingle.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, last year when the House proposed to Federal agencies that they cut out 1 cent of every dollar they spend, the Clinton administration screamed bloody murder. Cut out 1 cent from the Federal Government for every dollar we spend? There is no way. We are too efficient, too effective. The Secretary of Interior said there is absolutely no waste in my department and yet went on to waste money after money. Let me give my colleagues an example. The Social Security Administration sent out $3.3 billion in checks to people who were ineligible for it. Well, they might look there. How about the rocket launchers? Al Gore is a big gun control advocate, but when one of the $1 million rocket launcher disappeared, there was no word from the administration. Now, that is scary enough, but then another one disappeared. Think about that. There are two rocket launchers at large somewhere in our society. Yet, the folks in the Gore-Clinton administration are telling us there is no waste in government. Mr. Speaker, we have got to do a better job. We are not spending our money. Contrary to the government dogma that it is government money, it is not. It is taxpayer money. It is what people back home work real hard to send to us. We need to be fiduciaries of it. We need to spend it carefully.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize two distinguished veterans from Georgia, Mr. Moses Cox and Mr. James Ransome Avant. On March 18, 2000 these two Veterans will be honored by their families and friends as they place Military Headstones on their graves in the Avant-Cox-Pierce Cemetery in Washington County, Georgia. Mr. Moses Cox started his illustrious military career in our Nation's fight for freedom and independence. He proudly served as a Private (Scout) in the Revolutionary War with the North Carolina Militia for over three years. He fought in the victorious Patriot Battle of Moores Creek Bridge on February 27, 1776. This battle was a decisive victory over British Loyalists at a point in time that served to dramatically raise the morale of the Patriot forces. Soon thereafter Mr. Cox was called to bear arms in the battles of Brier Creek (GA), Battle of Catawba (NC), and at Gates Defeat (SC) where he was wounded in the right forearm. He gallantly continued the Patriot fight for independence and marched from Wilmington and Fayetteville, NC to Camden, SC. Mr. Cox married Martha Patsy Avant; blessed with a large family, came by wagon train to Washington County, GA where he settled Cox Town Road and a small community called Coxtown, later changed to Oconee. He accepted over 400 acres of Pioneer Bounty land off Coxtown Road in Oconee, cleared the land, built a house and raised his large family. He was again called to arms to serve and protect his beloved country in the War of 1812. He served as Lieutenant in the 98th District of Georgia Militia from Washington County, Georgia. A fine soldier, father, and husband he was laid to rest on December 19, 1845 with only family honors. Mr. James Ransome Avant proudly served as a Private in Company B, 12th Battalion Georgia Light Artillery, Confederate States Army during the Civil War. Mr. James Ransome was married to Moses and Martha Cox's granddaughter Lucretia Cox. Mr. Avant died in 1876 and also received a burial with family honors. Family, friends, and guests will be gathering at the Avant-Cox-Pierce Cemetery off Coxtown Road in Oconee, Washington County, GA and honor these two Veterans. I would like to formally recognize the bravery, honor, and selfless services with which these veterans served as the families remember these special veterans on March 18, 2000.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, now, we have to love that government crowd down at the Census Bureau. I mean they are so typical government. We remember this crowd. They are the ones who did not want to bother counting the people just because that strange document called the Constitution requires a head-by-head count. What they wanted to do was sample. Now, they showed us their efficiency last week; go home and check your mail if you do not believe me. They sent out 120 million forms to the wrong address. Check it. Every address had an extracurricular ``1'' in it. Well, it still got through because the Post Office, being another governmental agency, knows how to think like a governmental agency so they figured out what the Census Bureau was really trying to do. But then they put all of the instructions on the back in every language under the sun. Well, not quite, but in 40 languages, they just overlooked English. No problem, I know a lot of people are against English first in America, and apparently the census is too. But in it they did not put instructions in English. They have an enclosed envelope. I do not know what to do with the envelope, so I looked for the toll free number. The toll free number is not on the form. So I just would ask the people at the Census Bureau, call the folks at Reader's Digest Sweepstakes. They will show you how to do a mailer, they will show you how to get responses and maybe we can get this thing done. But remember, they are the ones who are responsible for counting us. Does that not scare you?

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize The Savannah Shamrocks Rugby Club, which is a non-profit, charity aiding organization in Savannah, GA. The club was founded in 1978 and now has approximately sixty members. The club is comprised of Military personnel, Teachers, Scientists, Doctors, Engineers, Sales people, and College students. The team plays 24 games per year in Savannah, facing competition from local teams such as Georgia Southern, Hilton Head, Columbia, and Augusta. Occasionally, the club is given the opportunity to compete against International teams such as the British Navy, South America, and Canada. There are two seasons per year, one is played in the Fall and the other in the Spring. The main highlight for the club is the popular, annual St. Patrick's Day Rugby Tournament. This tournament is held every year on St. Patrick's Day weekend, which makes it feasible for the ``out of town teams'' to compete. The tournament's overwhelming popularity on St. Patrick's Day is the main reason The Shamrocks is the number one amateur sporting event economically in the Savannah area. Based on sheer numbers of players and supporters, who attend this great event, it is estimated that approximately $3 million is generated to the local economy over this one weekend. During the rest of the year the club spends about $42,000 per year locally, and approximately $54,000 on ``out of town'' spending. The club also donates annually to local charities and in nine years the club has donated over $25,000 to MDA. The Shamrocks have hosted this tournament for the past twenty one years, and would like to continue to host the tournament for many more years to come. It is my pleasure to commend this charitable organization, which provides many benefits to the community beyond the intense, competitive game of Rugby.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today and honor the retirement of one of Georgia's finest citizens. Walter C. Corish, Jr., Brigadier General, Georgia Air National Guard, will end his duties as an outstanding guardsman on March 4, 2000. On this day, he deserves our respect and gratitude for his 32 years of honorable and dedicated service to this great nation. Outside of family, church, and friends, General Corish lives two lives--one protecting our freedom and the other serving as a business and civic leader. As a soldier, General Corish sets the standard for the National Guard. His duties include Commander of the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron, Communications-Computer Staff Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Assistant to the Commander, and Commander of the Georgia Air National Guard. His professional military education includes Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff Course, and the National Security Management Course. His military decorations consist of the Air Force Meritorious Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, the Georgia Meritorious Service Medal and the Georgia Commendation Medal. As a civilian, Walter is President of Corish and Company, a successful independent insurance agency. He served as an Alderman for the City of Savannah, President of the National Guard Association of Georgia, member of the Savannah Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Committee, plus many other church, civic and fraternal organizations. Mr. Speaker, General Corish is a shining example of what is best about the National Guard. He epitomizes the great admiration many of my colleagues here in Congress have for the men women who serve our nation while maintaining their occupational and family responsibilities. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to get to know Walter on a personal basis. As a citizen soldier, he embodies virtues of duty, honor, and love of country. Furthermore, he is a man of courage, dignity, enthusiasm, and impeccable morality. His devotion to church, family, the Guard, business, and his community goes beyond the highest level. I am personally grateful for what Walter and his family have sacrificed over the years, a sacrifice so many of us take for granted. I am happy and proud to join Walter's wife, Patty, his two children, Trey and Kathy, other family, friends, and the National Guard on this special occasion. On behalf of millions of grateful Americans everywhere, and especially on behalf of the people of the First District of Georgia, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Walter for the many years of service rendered to a grateful nation.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about Meredith T. Jones. She is one of 48,000 Georgians who has found out that being 65 is not as old as she thought it was. She has great health, she has great energy and enthusiasm, particularly with the kids out of the house. So she wants to go to work. Miss Jones gets a job, feeling good about it, and then comes the IRS. And she has found, like so many other senior citizens, that because she is over 65 that she will lose $1 in Social Security benefits for every $3 she earns. Yet, if she works, she is healthier, she is happier, she is more independent. But the IRS does not recognize that and wants to penalize Miss Jones and 48,000 other Georgia seniors because they are working. The Social Security earnings limitation is unfair. It hurts seniors. Republicans have a plan to restore fairness and provide relief for seniors so that they can earn a good living and enjoy productive retirement years without being penalized by the IRS. Mr. Speaker, we need to pass the Social Security earnings limitation.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, we are continuing right now the very important budget negotiation process. One thing that the Republican Party stands firm on is that we have to meet our Social Security/ Medicare obligations. Last year our budget's first priority was to put aside $1.9 trillion for Social Security and Medicare. The second step is debt reduction. Last year, we put aside $2 trillion for debt reduction. And then after those three things have happened, and only after those three things happened, was there a trigger for tax relief. This year we passed the marriage tax penalty because it is not fair that if you live with each other you pay less taxes than if you are married. We passed that out of the House. We hope the Senate will pass it, and we hope the President will not veto it as he already has promised to do. But the second part of that tax relief for tax fairness is to say to a senior, if you are working, you should not be penalized on your Social Security, because people are living longer, the needs are greater, and people need to work and want to work. It is healthy. There are lots of benefits to it. But if they do make this decision, they should not be penalized under Social Security. The Republican Party will be having this bill in committee today. I hope we get it on the floor soon and pass it so that the Senate can.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, 20 years ago my wife, Libby, and I walked down the aisle. And we were lucky, we had a lot of family and friends there, who showered us with gifts. My wife seemed to have written thank you notes for a month or two afterwards trying to catch up. Now, we got married in October. Well, come April we got a little notice from Uncle Sam. It was not a wedding gift, though. It was the marriage tax penalty. Because we decided not to live with each other; because we decided to get married, we had to pay more money. And just like Michelle and Shad Hallihan in Joliet, Illinois, we in Savannah, Georgia, had to pay extra. Now, as the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller) said, Michelle is pregnant. She is going to have a baby. Uncle Sam is going to take away about $1,000 worth of diapers because of the marriage tax penalty. But they will also be having to buy diaper changing tables and cribs and all kinds of other things, such as car seats and so forth. Why? Because they are doing the right thing. Because they are making a lifetime commitment. Because they are going to become property taxpayers, to send their kids to the schools, they are going to contribute to the United Way and to all the charities and the churches, for that Uncle Sam is penalizing them. Common sense says we need marriage tax relief. It is a good bill. I hope that we can pass it soon.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentleman from Indiana for yielding to me. I want to commend him on his work for what he is doing. It is amazing that in this society where our government has all kinds of rules, regulations and taxes to encourage and to discourage certain behaviors, that here we have really a frontal assault on married couples all over America, saying that if you get married, we are going to penalize you. If you want to just live together, it is no problem, we will not increase your taxes. It is ridiculous when we think about the importance of marriage as an institution for our economic stability, for our social stability, really as a way to continue the race, if you will, marriage is a profound institution. Here we are talking about two potential plans. One plan basically almost gives you a car payment, a monthly car payment, $210. The kind of bombs that I drive, you cannot even get financing on, but if you could $210 would certainly pay for it. The other one is good for maybe 3 months' worth of house payments, to say to a married couple, we want to help you and here is one worthy place because you are going to need a house, to put that money, that makes sense. Serving 28 million people versus 9 million people. I think that it is proper for us to aggressively try to help as many married couples as possible and not try to take the Washington approach where, yes, if you vote for this lesser plan, you can leave Washington and you can go back home to the Rotary clubs and the Kiwanis clubs, the folks in your church and synagogue and say, ``Oh, yeah, I'm a strong supporter of the marriage tax penalty,'' because technically you can. But there is an old expression we used to say in the Georgia legislature, it is like holding up a little fish and saying, ``Hold still, little fish, I'm not going to do anything but gut you.'' That is what the administration and the Democrat proposal does. Yes, it is a marriage tax penalty relief bill but it basically guts the entire intent of it. It does not help a broad spectrum of people and it does not give any real help to those it can. It is ironic that those who a few years ago were laughing at our $500 per child tax credit, saying what is that going to do to help people, now want to have full election-year bragging rights on a $210 tax credit. It does not make sense. I plan to support the legislation that the gentleman from Indiana is cosponsoring. I encourage him to keep up the good work.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, I wanted to talk to the House tonight about the agenda which the Republican Conference is moving. We have worked closely with the White House and some Members of the Democratic Caucus on the BEST agenda, B-E-S-T. It is kind of easy to remember if we keep it in mind. B: Building up the military. One of the big problems we have is we are still in a dangerous world, and although the Soviet Union has fallen, we can still see, if we have watched Russia and Chechnya, that Russia really has not changed. Their political system has, but their philosophy of being an aggressive nation certainly has not. And they have a lot of military nuclear weapons over there. The question is what are they doing with that nuclear arsenal? One of the things is they are selling it to renegade countries. We need to keep an eye on them. Madam Speaker, we cannot disengage from the world military scene. The world is still an unstable place. There are too many Saddam Husseins and North Koreas out there. Also, we lose lots of soldiers because of the deployments. From World War II until 1989, there were 11 deployments. But since 1989, there have been 33 deployments. And all we have to do as a Member, and I recommend to all of the Members of Congress to do this, they should go talk to some of the military posts and bases in their district and find out how the recruitment is doing and the reenlistment is doing. They are losing lots of good soldiers. Another reason is, despite the Republican 4.8 percent pay raise that we passed in this Congress last year, there is still a 13 percent pay gap between military and civilian pay. These things have to be addressed, so the ``B'' in BEST is to build up the military. E: E is for education. The idea behind that is to return education to the local control. Think, Madam Speaker, about those great classic teachers that we were able to grow up and experience in our educational careers. The teachers who were just commander of the ship when we went in their classroom. They may have had a few extra rules. They worked us hard and were disciplinarians, but they changed our lives. And if we got a B in their class, it was worth an A in half a dozen other classes because that teacher got the best out of us. Madam Speaker, those teachers are rare these days because they are tired of the bureaucracy. Is somebody up on the sixth floor or the third office down to the right in the cubical telling teachers in Georgia and Illinois and in Maine and in California and Miami how to teach? Come on. There is not a bureaucrat that smart in our town. Return education to the local control. Let the teacher in the classroom get the dollars. Let the teacher run the show. The S in BEST: Saving Social Security. Last year in his State of the Union address, the President said let us spend 38 percent of the Social Security surplus on non-Social Security items. Actually, he said let us only save 62 percent, but doing the math, that would mean spending 38 percent of the Social Security surplus. That is not good enough. We need to protect and preserve 100 percent of the Social Security surplus. Last year this Congress left town with $147 billion in the surplus trust fund so that our loved ones can retire to an income that is there because of the money they put in it. And the T is tax relief. Every day another couple gets married and when they do, they get a bill, $1400 for walking down the aisle together. We need tax relief for working America. Madam Speaker, that is what it is. The BEST agenda. There is one other angle in there that I want to say. Despite all the great prosperity and despite all the millionaires that have been made in the high-tech industry, one industry that has been left behind is agriculture. We need to reach out to America's farmers. Less than 2 percent of the population now feeds 100 percent of America, plus a great percentage of the whole world. We need to make sure that our farm families are not left behind. How can they grow oats in Millen, Georgia, and compete against the foreign market that is subsidizing their farmer 30 percent in another country? They cannot do that. And yet we let our farmers get beat to death by foreign farmers whose governments subsidize them. We need to try to close that. We need to help balance things. We need to have tough trade negotiations when we are negotiating multinational trade agreements. So these are things that we have worked on. We are going to continue to work on. I believe that it is important for Democrats and Republicans to put aside partisan politics and, despite the hot air that is coming out of the cold State of New Hampshire, do what is best for America and do it here in Washington, D.C.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, since October 1924 over three million men and women have benefitted from the superb communication and leadership programs of the Toastmasters. I am one of those 3 million. Today, I want to recognize Toastmasters International now in their 75th year of existence, and wish to commend the Savannah, Georgia, Toastmasters Club 705 on their own 50th anniversary. Seventy-five years ago, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, met with a group of men in the basement of a YMCA in Santa Ana, California and formed a club ``to afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among its members.'' Since 1924 that small group of men has grown into a remarkable non-profit organization with over 174,900 members representing 8,642 clubs in more than 60 countries around the world. Toastmasters International has been referred to as ``the world's premier self-improvement club.'' Through seventy-five years, millions of men and women have improved their leadership skills, self-confidence and communications abilities through the public speaking programs of Toastmasters International. ``Home Improvements'' star Tim Allen, Miss America 1996 Tara Dawn Holland, and Georgia Senator Sam Nunn are credited with being ``celebrity Toastmasters''. But it is our local businesses, Governments, and communities that benefit from the abilities gained by those who chose to become better listeners, thinkers, and speakers through involvement in this organization. The Savannah, Georgia, Toastmasters Club 705, was chartered in 1949 and recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary. The third oldest of 179 chapters in Georgia, Club 705 members pride themselves on the long history of the organization, their outstanding members, and their standards of conduct that have improved many an individuals communications and leadership skills. The old stories of the six foot tall street traffic light that was used as a timer, the Claxon that provided a deafening overtime sound, or the infamous ``AH Bucket'' a tin can into which marbles were thrown whenever a speaker used a ``non- word'' reflect some of the tools of the trade to build talent in a fun, exciting atmosphere. Over the passed 50 years the many members of Club 705 have developed their talents over time and have mentioned many a rookie in their communications ability. These are extraordinary members like Fred Stephens, Dick Piazza, Jack Homans, bill Kearny, Maggie Edinfield, Linda Cole, the current senior member Neil Bodenstein, and many others. Rookies like myself sincerely appreciate what Toastmasters has done for us and for our communities, improving the listening, thinking, and speaking abilities of millions through their dedication and time. Special thanks to the current officers of Club 705; President Earl Berksteiner, Vice Presidents Peggy Keisker Gunn and Teresa Martinez, Secretary Debbie Cameron, Treasurer Michael Dubberly, and Sergeants at Arms Mark Stall and Neil Bodenstein. Congratulations to Toastmasters International and to Savannah Club 705--Happy Anniversary--here's to you!

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming the time from the gentleman from Wisconsin, let me first of all thank the distinguished gentleman for being here---- Announcement by the Speaker pro tempore The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood) The gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) will suspend. The gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Schaffer) controls the hour, so the gentleman from Colorado is recognized to control the hour.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, let me first of all thank the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking member, for being here this weekend. I think that is very important. I wish he was the decisionmaker on their side. Unfortunately, the decisionmaker, the Minority Leader, was not here over the weekend. The proposal for the tobacco, I do not know where that has been all year long. We have been in session since January. This is the first I have heard of it. I am not saying I am the most informed Member of Congress. Maybe my colleagues have heard of it. In fact, I would like to see the hand of anybody in here who has heard of it, and pretty much no hands go up. It is a new proposal. I am glad to know it is out there. But the reality is we are going to leave town maybe not tomorrow, maybe not the next day, and maybe not the next week, but when we leave town, there will be $160 billion untouched in the Social Security Trust Fund, and that never happened under the Democrat majority.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, let me say this about the proposal of the gentleman from Wisconsin. As it was explained and presented right now, I think it makes sense. I think that as I understand it, we are talking about if there is a settlement, put excess money into Social Security. I think that is a step in the right direction. I have no problems with that. I hope also on that side we can get them to join us in finding that measly little penny for each dollar. If we can do that, I think we can leave town, again, with the $160 billion in Social Security, the surplus left intact, unraided. I certainly welcome the opportunity to work together.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to make sure that we all go over and talk about this tax reduction and the budget. But one has to do it going to the lectern behind the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth), right in front of our distinguished Speaker pro tempore, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle). Because at that position in this chamber in January, the President, in his historic State of the Union Address, said let us spend 38 percent of the Social Security surplus. He said let us preserve 62 percent and then outlined spending of 38 percent. Now, we stopped that debate to say, do you know what, Congress? Republican and Democrats have always raided that cash cow called the Social Security Trust Fund. Let us stop doing that. Let us protect and preserve grandma's pension. Let us do not do that. That was one of the most significant things about this Congress. But then the second part of our budget, along with preserving 100 percent of Social Security, was to pay down the debt. Our budget had $2.2 trillion in debt reduction. Then, thirdly, and most importantly, because this is a triangle, this is a sequence, Social Security, debt reduction, and then a trigger. Maybe this is what the Democrats did not like, but the trigger said, after you have taken care of Social Security, after you have taken care of debt reduction, then you have tax relief, because the American people are entitled to their change. If one goes to Wal-Mart and one buys a $7 hammer, the cashier does not load one's grocery cart up with more goods. She gives one one's $3 back. That is all we are saying is that, after we have paid Social Security obligations, debt reduction obligations, let the American workers have their overpayment back. It is so simple. It is an equity question for American workers. I am not sure why the liberals on the other side do not understand that.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman said the history of this Congress, the history of the United States Congress.

Mr. KINGSTON. Because this Congress stopped the raid, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I just want to say, as the son of an educator and the brother of a teacher, I really appreciate what the gentleman is saying about teachers because they really do need more control over the classroom. I am going to yield the floor after this, in terms of my portion, but I just wanted to say this. In the 106th Congress, the Congress we are going to be adjourning, we always talk about winners and losers. Well, let us talk about who won. For the American consumer, we revamped a 65-year-old banking law to give American families more choices in borrowing, saving money, and buying insurance. For the rural TV watcher, we have increased the access to local news programs. And if my colleagues think that that is not important, they should think what happens when the people are trying to get hurricane updates. For the American taxpayers, we said no to the President's trying to increase taxes. On a bipartisan vote we said no to the President's $42 billion increase in new tax dollars. For future generations, we have committed to paying $130 billion in debt reduction; and already we have paid down $88 billion. For all Americans, we have increased military morale by increasing their pay 4.8 percent. We have increased funding for equipment modernization and for readiness. And for all of American security, we passed the missile defense system. For our children, educational flexibility; to put local school boards, teachers, and parents back in charge of their classrooms, not Washington bureaucrats. For seniors, we have increased access to health care by protecting Medicare and reforming the Balanced Budget Act. And, finally, for the first time since 1969, we stopped the raid on Social Security. And we will be adjourning with $147 billion in the Social Security surplus untouched. Now, Mr. Speaker, I know we are not allowed to wear buttons on the floor, but if we were allowed, I would wear this one. Because it says, proudly, we the Members of this Congress have stopped the raid on the Social Security Trust Fund.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, the gentleman's leader was actually fund raising. He was not on the floor of the House. His leader was fund raising. There we have it. Mr. Speaker, we have got a situation where the Democrats are claiming we are doing nothing, but their leader was fund raising yesterday while we were trying to save Social Security, while we were trying to put educational flexibility in, while we were trying to raise the pay raise for our soldiers, and while we were trying to find one small, actually now it is a half-cent in the dollar to cut the bureaucracy to preserve and protect Social Security. The Democrat leader was home fund raising. Well, I hope he made a lot of money, and I hope it was successful. But the Republicans were here. We showed up for work. We are paid $134,000 a year. We should be here working. We should not be out fund raising on taxpayers' time and money. Come help and protect Social Security.

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

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, let me yield the floor to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) who spoke before me and ask if he can tell me where his Majority Leader was yesterday when we were trying to save Social Security and put local flexibility in education and try to pass a pay raise for our soldiers.