Jerry Kleczka

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sharon Awe, South Milwaukee High School's (SMHS) Director of Bands, who is retiring after 34\1/2\ years of dedicated service to her students and to the community. Ms. Awe has shared her love for music with thousands of students during her career at SMHS. She inspired some to make music their careers, but her gift to all her students was a solid foundation of a lifetime appreciation for music and the arts. In more than 34 years of teaching, Sharon has been the driving force behind the South Milwaukee Rocket Band, and she will be sorely missed. And her dedication to her students and the music program did not end at the finish of each school term. Fro the past 25 summers, Sharon Awe and her band have participated in countless parades and competitions throughout the United States. South Milwaukee High School has a band room stuffed with awards and trophies, and has received a myriad of honors. Sharon and her students have proudly represented the State of Wisconsin at events such as Disney Music Days, the 1989 Gator Bowl, and even the 1996 Independence Day Celebration in Washington, D.C. But what Ms. Awe gave her students was much more important than a room full of trophies. She instilled in them a sense of accomplishment, discipline, and pride, and afforded them the opportunity for new experiences, camaraderie and memories they will treasure for a lifetime. And so it is with mixed emotions that I extend my congratulations to Ms. Awe on her well deserved retirement. The Rocket Band won't quite be the same without her striding proudly alongside it on the parade route. But I thank her for the enormous impact she has made on the lives of so many young people, and I wish her the very best for a happy and fulfilling retirement.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. KLECZKA. I thank the gentleman from Maryland for yielding. First, Mr. Chairman, let me rise and indicate my strong support for the bill. It did come before the committee I serve on, the Committee on Ways and Means. I think to provide this continuum of care to foster children is so important. However, one of the pitfalls of doing so was to find a funding source which had a direct impact not only on my State but on other States who pass through their child support payments. I had made note of that at the committee and I should indicate that the gentlewoman from Connecticut was aware of the problem, did indicate at the committee that she would work with me and the gentleman from Maryland to try to find a resolve and as the days went by, it was looking bleaker and bleaker because we could not find the necessary financial resources to pay for continuance of the hold harmless. Thanks to her efforts and her diligence, a day ago I was informed that a funding source has been found and that the manager's amendment as it does today will contain a continuance of paying States this hold harmless which is policy that I think this Congress should encourage not only for Wisconsin, Vermont but for all the States. If in fact you have a court-ordered child support payment, that should not be revenue for the State, that should be income for the family. With this incentive in the manager's amendment to continue it, even though at a lesser degree, States will be encouraged to continue the hold harmless and to advantage the families and not the State coffers. Mr. Chairman, I want to publicly thank the gentlewoman from Connecticut for the hard work she did on helping us retain this in part, and also I want to thank publicly the gentleman from Maryland who also felt that this is good Federal policy. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to support the Johnson amendment to the Foster Care Independence Act. Earlier, during the consideration of this legislation, I voiced my serious concerns about the impact this legislation would have on the child support system. Specifically, I was very concerned about the elimination of the hold harmless provision for the state share of distribution of collected child support. The outright elimination of the hold harmless would penalize states--like Wisconsin--who make giving child support payments to families a priority over state revenues. I believe that when a state collects the child support payments that the courts have decided a family needs, the family--and not the state-- should get that money. This is money families need to buy clothes and food. When this bill was considered in the Ways and Means Committee, I introduced an amendment which would have encouraged states to give families the child support to which they are entitled. Although my amendment was not in the final bill reported out of Committee, Representatives Johnson and Cardin expressed strong support for the proposal. Since the committee consideration of the Foster Care Independence Act, Representatives Johnson and Cardin have worked diligently to ensure that states would retain the financial flexibility to adopt this policy. I am pleased that their efforts were successful. The manager's amendment includes a provision to retain funding for those states that value child support payments to families over state revenues. I would like to thank Representatives Johnson and Cardin for ensuring that states like Wisconsin can continue to provide families with the full child support payment they deserve.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William Kowalkowski, an outstanding citizen and community leader who is retiring from the National Board of Federation Life Insurance of America. Mr. Kowalkowski is an example of the great American success story, embodying the values of hard work and perseverance. In 1925, when he was 5 years old, he left his native Milwaukee with his parents to live on a farm near the Baltic Sea in Poland. His parents had come from Poland to America in 1912 in search of freedom and better opportunities. After Poland regained its independence at the end of World War I, the Kowalkowskis yearned for their homeland. So they returned to Poland and bought a farm. When William Kowalkowski turned 17, the Polish government urged him to give up his U.S. citizenship and become a citizen of Poland. He refused, and instead decided to return to the United States where he longed for greater freedom and opportunities. His parents stayed in Poland despite his warnings of a possible war in Europe with the rise to power of Hitler in Germany. He left in 1937, just two years before the Nazi invasion of Poland. During World War II and for decades thereafter, he served as a member of the Polish Relief for Poland Committee, which shipped tons of clothing and food items to Poland and assisted many displaced Poles, including two of his brothers, in finding homes in the U.S. For his service he was awarded in 1995 the Order of Knight's Cross, Poland's highest civilian decoration for service to the Polish Republic. The decoration came from Poland President Lech Walesa. Since his return to Milwaukee, William Kowalkowski has been active in the Polish-American community, elected as president in 1979 of the Pulaski Council, which is the steering body of some 50 Polish American organizations. He served as president until 1991. Since 1941, Mr. Kowalkowski has been an active member of the Federation Life Insurance of America, a Milwaukee-based fraternal organization of Polish Americans. He has served for several terms as the organization's national director and national president, a post which he occupied until March of this year. Because he is a prominent and well-respected member of the community, Mr. Kowalkowski has met with national leaders, including Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to commemorate William Kowalkowski on the occasion of his retirement from the National Board of Federation Life Insurance of America and commend him on his enduring accomplishments and service to the community.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Tom Parker, who is retiring after serving as president of the Milwaukee County Labor Council for over 20 years. Tom has spent his career fighting for the rights of working people, first as secretary-treasurer of Machinists Lodge 66 and then as president of the Labor Council. He has long been a strong and effective voice on behalf of Milwaukee's working men and women. Tom's leadership and dedication to the labor movement will be sorely missed by all who have had the pleasure of working with him. But Tom's service to the community has extended well beyond his position at the Labor Council. Through the years, he has diligently given of his time and talents to a wide variety of boards and commissions in our city, county and in our state. Even as he retires, Tom continues to work to make the community he loves an even better place to live and work. He has asked that any contributions to a recognition dinner in his honor be given to fund an industrial machine shop at the new Lynde and Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School in Milwaukee. These contributions will help ensure that our community will have the skilled labor force it needs for generations to come. And so it is my great pleasure to join with Tom's family, co-workers and friends in wishing him a long and happy retirement. Congratulations, Tom!

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, a lot of my colleagues have come to the floor and indicated that, Well, friends, last week it was okay to spend $9 billion for an emergency supplemental bill out of the Social Security trust fund. But now we have got religion today and, my Lord, what we did last week, it was wrong. We should have never done it. But none of the Republicans would admit to that. I have yet to hear one of my colleagues from the majority party say, ``Yes, that was wrong. We should not have done it. But now we are going to amend our ways.'' The difference there, my friends and colleagues, is last week's $9 billion was for defense. Okay? And that is not spending. That is okay. But now we have to stop what is going on. Let me back up and share with the House what the current system is. Right now, and since 1983, we are collecting more in Social Security receipts than we need for benefits. So what do we do with it? Do we give it to the Secretary of the Treasury to put under the mattress? No. Those excess dollars are invested in treasuries, interest-bearing treasuries. The interest income goes back into the trust fund. It is just like us taking our dollars, our hard-earned dollars, and putting them in a bank. We can go back the next day and say, ``I want to see those dollars again that I deposited'' and the bank is going to say, ``they are not there anymore.'' Did they squander them? No. They lent them out. That is what banks do. And anytime we come to withdraw those funds, the bank will have other revenues, other mortgage payments, other loan payments to give us our money back. And that is what the current system is doing. Should we deficit spend? Clearly not. To say those treasuries that are in the Social Security trust fund are worthless, that is false. If they are worthless, every savings bond this Government has ever issued is worthless, all the public debt held by corporations and institutions and individuals is worthless. And that is not the case. The truth of the matter is the full faith and credit is behind that debt to the Social Security trust fund, as well as all other debt. How does this lock box work? Before I came down here, I went to the Republican side and I said, I need a lock box. Do you have one hanging around? And thank God they did. Here is a Social Security lock box. And here is what this proposal would do. We are going to collect surplus Social Security trust fund money and we are going to put it into the box. Well, when the majority leader was talking earlier in the debate, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) said, Well, what are they going to do with this money. Just let it sit around? Are they going to invest it. What are they going to do with it? The majority leader indicated, we are going to take this money and pay off a part of the national debt. So now, after we go through hours of debate how Congress is stealing the money blind, how the administration is spending it, we are going to find out at the end of the day that this is the lock box. My friends, the money is gone. It went back to pay off the national debt. Mr. Speaker, this is what the lock box is all about. The money is going to come in, the money is going to drop out to go pay the national debt. When we need the money because these folks before me are going to retire, we are going to use other revenues coming into the Government. Hopefully, and I think we all are going to work to that, there are going to be surplus revenues. But the money is not going to sit around under someone's mattress. This is the lock box we are talking about. Talk about trap doors. Talk about phoney issues. This is one of them, my friends.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, the previous Member of Congress who spoke indicated that the big spenders continue to dip into the Social Security surplus. I ask her who are these big spenders? Point them out. Ask them to stand. Because I will tell my colleague who they are. They are the Members of the majority party who last week took a bill the President introduced for $6 billion and parlayed that into a $15 billion bill. Where does my colleague think that additional $9 billion came from? It came from the Social Security surplus. These are the same people today who are telling us, let us protect the Social Security surplus. Why did they not bring this bill up 2 weeks ago so that grab of last week would not have been possible? Because they could not satisfy their special interest friends. The bulk of those $9 billion went to the defense contractors, big contributors to the Republican Party. But now, after they have taken the dollars, they come to the floor obsessed with this ``protect Social Security.'' They say for the last 40 years the Democrats have spent it. Where do my colleagues think the dollars came from for the Reagan tax cuts? There was no general revenue surplus during those years. Every dollar of that tax cut came from Social Security surplus. Where do my colleagues think the additional spending during the Bush administration came from for budget purposes? It came from the Social Security surplus. So let us not go pointing fingers at one side or the other. The Republicans are as good at spending it as we are, as evidenced by their actions last week where they took a $6 billion administration request, parlayed it into $15 billion, $9 billion more, which came from the Social Security surplus. Now, let us talk about this lockbox. I think the only way we are going to provide solvency to the Social Security System is by a reform bill. Lockboxes, my colleagues, are eyewash. They do not do anything to provide a 75-year window for Social Security recipients in this country. So take with a grain of salt, my friends, what we hear today, because last week it was okay to raid $9 billion out of the Social Security surplus; and today they are aghast, my God, what is this Congress doing? And I say to my colleagues, my God, what did they do last week? That was okay spending, because that was for our favorite programs and our favorite special interest group. That is hushagawa. If my colleagues want to know what hushagawa is, call my office.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Allen L. Samson, president, Liberty Bank, who on June 15, 1999 will receive the Star of David Award given by the Israel Bonds organization, Milwaukee. This award recognizes Allen for his support of Israel's economic development, involvement in humanitarian causes and his distinguished service to the community. Allan Samson received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served as deputy district attorney for Milwaukee County and was a founding partner in a local law firm. Allen changed careers in 1973 and concentrated his efforts on American Medical Services, a business founded by his father, which operated nursing homes and pharmacies. He served as the company's vice president for 10 years when he became the chief executive officer, as position he held until 1990. In 1994, Allen and a small group of investors purchased Liberty Bank, a community bank which specializes in servicing small businesses and individuals. Allen is currently president and chief executive officer of Liberty Bank. Allen has been an active leader in the Jewish community where he has received numerous awards and accolades. His support for Israel Bonds, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, the Milwaukee Jewish Home and Care Center is unprecedented. He has been active in the United Way of Greater Milwaukee, earing the prestigious Fleur de Lis Award in 1996 for Excellent Achievement. He is active in many leadership positions in the Milwaukee-area arts community including the symphony and the art museum. A devoted husband to Vicki Boxer for 21 years, Allen is the proud father of Daniel, Rachel, David and Nancy. He is a loving and doting grandfather. Congratulations, Allen. You are truly deserving of this year's Star of David Award.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Daniel J. Bader, recipient of the 1999 Community Service Human Relations Award from the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. Mr. Bader is president of the Helen Bader Foundation, which has awarded more than $50 million in grants since 1992 with the express aim of advancing the well-being of people and promoting successful relationships with their families and communities. As president, Mr. Bader leads the foundation's day-to-day interaction with projects and programs in the United States, mainly in Wisconsin, and also Israel. He is a member of the foundation's seven-member board of directors, which evaluates grant proposals and provides strategic oversight of the foundation's grants programs, mainly in the areas of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, early childhood development in Israel, economic development, education, Jewish life, and learning and supporting programs for central city children and youth. It is noteworthy to recognize the leadership of Mr. Bader and the foundation in the establishment of the American Jewish Committee's Hands Across the Campus program, which was given its ``jump-start'' in Milwaukee. The program's innovative curriculum and leadership development program now operates in five school districts in southeastern Wisconsin. Each year hundreds of high school students are given hands-on experience in bridge building, conflict resolution, anti-bias activities and the deconstruction of prejudice. The Bader Foundation enabled the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Jewish Committee to provide teacher training for practitioners of the Hands program. Mr. Bader is partner in Granite Microsystems, Inc., a Mequon-based computer hardware firm. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Rochester Institute of Technology. A Milwaukee native, he and his wife, Linda, reside with their son on Milwaukee's east side. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I commend Daniel J. Bader for his outstanding and innovative contributions to the community, and congratulate him as a most deserving recipient of the 1999 Community Service Human Relations Award from the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Jewish Committee.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a nationally acclaimed Jewish residential high school, the Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study, on its 19th anniversary. The school, or Yeshiva, was founded in 1980 to provide a unique high school and post-high school experience. Its programs attract students from major cities across the country. The high school program offers a comprehensive Torah study curriculum and, simultaneously, an intensive college-preparatory general studies program. The Bais Medrash is the advanced, post high school program. As a testament to its growth and strength, the institute will expand due to steadily increasing enrollment. When completed, the expanded facility will house a new Bais Medrash, labs and classrooms. The Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study also honors this year its twin pillars of strength in the community: Armin and Hollie Nankin. Armin, past president of the Jewish Community Center and former board member of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, and his wife Hollie have seen the school through some very difficult moments, and have served humbly and with dignity as a beacon of light and a source of strength. They have been actively involved with many other organizations, including Hillel Academy and Congregations Beth Israel and Lake Park Synagogue. They are the single most generous donors to the expansion campaign of the Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study, and through their encouragement have caused others to lend support. The involvement of Armin and Hollie Nankin is summed up in three phrases: Quick minds, for their keen insight to the community's needs. Strong feelings, for their deep concern for the people in their lives and the community. And, deep impacts for an array of causes and institutions which are better today for their involvement. In Hebrew, Torah literally means teachings or learning. By their involvement the Nankins have taught us the meaning of devotion and generosity. Mr. Speaker it is with immense pride and gratitude that I commend Armin and Hollie Nankin for their service to the community, and it is with great happiness and best wishes for continued success that I congratulate the Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study on its 19th anniversary.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Conference Report before us today. I oppose this $15 million bill because it contains authorizations that do not belong in an emergency bill and it includes spending provisions for non-emergency purposes that should be debated in the normal appropriations process. The authorizations in this conference report should be contained in authorizing legislation, not in an emergency appropriations bill. These provisions include prohibiting the federal government from both recovering part of the $246 billion tobacco settlement and placing restrictions on how states could use such funds; removing the restriction on FY 1999 funding for the Census Bureau; extending an existing moratorium on revising the way crude oil from federal lands is valued in order to determine federal royalities from the leases; and exempting a proposed mine in Washington State from a recent Interior Department ruling that would have blocked the mine's development. The conference report also contains $268 million worth of non- emergency spending provisions that--although offset by cuts in other programs--should not be considered as part of an emergency spending measure. Among these are $29 million for the Postal Service's subsidized mail program, $48 million to replace a public broadcasting satellite, $3.8 million to renovate the House Page dormitory here on Capitol Hill, and $1.3 million for the World Trade Organization Ministerial meeting in Seattle. These provisions and their offsets should be debated on their merits in the normal appropriations process, not when we are trying to provide funding for our forces in Yugoslavia and those who have been devastated by natural disasters. The legislative process through which this bill was crafted reminds me of the back-door deals and spending pile-ons that characterized the pork-laden Omnibus Appropriations bill last fall. At that time, then- Chairman of the Appropriations Committee Bob Livingston said ``We on the Committee on Appropriations are not happy doing our business that way. We are prepared to work with anyone willing to restore the integrity of the process.'' Apparently that integrity has yet to be restored. Mr. Speaker, how quickly we have forgotten the lessons of last fall. I regret being put in a position of voting against poorly crafted legislation that includes some goals I support. I remind my colleagues that the Administration originally requested $7.3 billion total for Kosovo and natural disasters. Today's legislation has been ballooned to $15 billion. I urge a vote against this bill. Let's support our troops and assist those victims of natural disasters who are truly in a state of emergency, but let's do it the right way.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the founding of The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, a congregation that is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. In 1849, thirteen secular Franciscans emigrated from Bavaria to establish a religious order to meet the education needs of German immigrants in Milwaukee. As such, The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi are the first Third Order regular Franciscan congregation founded in the United States. Over the years the work of the congregation has extended to virtually every walk of life and touched countless thousands through ministries of healing, teaching, reconciliation and liberation. The congregation is involved in diverse ministries, which include: Making affordable housing units available through Canticle Court and Juniper Court, promoting undergraduate and graduate education at the renown Cardinal Stritch University, making affordable rental units available to non-profit groups through the Marian Center, and offering community-based care for all ages through the innovative work at the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. In addition, ministries are maintained by the congregation throughout the U.S. and Taiwan through St. Colett's organizations in Wisconsin, Illinois and Massachusetts. And, a collaborative relationship is maintained with a Franciscan congregation in Cameroon, West Africa. In all, nearly 350 Sisters and 75 Associates promote the mission of the congregation in areas of education, pastoral ministry in parishes, hospitals and nursing homes, music ministry, elder housing and day care service to those with developmental challenges, and volunteer work of all kinds. In the last week of July, The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi will bring its mission to television in a series of public education messages called, ``We are Franciscans with a Future.'' On Sunday, May 30 the 150th celebration will culminate with the May Crowning and on Open House. Then, in August, another celebration will take place with two other congregations who share the same roots of foundation: The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration from La Crosse, Wisconsin, and The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist from Meriden, Connecticut. In addition, some 35 friends and parishioners from parish church in Ettenbeuren, Bavaria will join the celebration. They will also visit the motherhouses of all three religious congregations. Mr. Speaker, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I commemorate The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi on its jubilee anniversary and the wonderful contributions the congregation has made to the spiritual, academic, and temporal quality of life in communities close to home and around the world.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rev. Erwin E. Mogilka who marks the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination on May 28th. ``Father Erv's'' history is a lifelong testament to devotion to his religion and his community. Born at his home on the south side of Milwaukee, Erwin E. Mogilka was baptized April 13, 1924 at St. Josaphat Basilica in Milwaukee. He attended St. Josaphat Basilica elementary school, received his first Holy Communion on June 11, 1933, and was confirmed on May 13, 1936. After graduating from St. Stanislaus High School, Erwin Mogilka attended the St. Francis Minor Seminary and the St. Francis Major Seminary from 1942 to 1949. He was ordained May 28, 1949 at St. John's Cathedral by the Most Rev. Moses E. Kiley, Archbishop. Fr. Mogilka held his first Mass the next day at St. Josaphat Basilica. On July 7, 1949 Rev. Mogilka was assigned associate pastor to St. Adalbert parish, Milwaukee, where he assisted with remodeling the school and church. On July 6, 1961 Rev. Mogilka was assigned associate pastor to St. Roman Parish, Milwaukee, to be tutored under the auspices of Rev. Maximilian L. Adamski. Friends note, however, that Fr. Erv's transfer did not become effective until he completed scraping, scaling and painting the hull of the boat belonging to Msgr. Clement J. Zych of St. Adalbert. At St. Roman's, Rev. Mogilka supervised and coordinated the remodeling of the school, church, rectory, convent and grounds, and, according to friends, became something of a ``con artist'' because of his knack to enlist tradesmen to donate their services through which the parish saved many thousands of dollars. And Fr. Erv worked beside them. It was not uncommon to see him climbing the scaffolding in church to the latest remodeling project. While overseeing the remodeling of the physical plant at St. Roman's, Fr. Erv also was shepherd to the spiritual well-being of the parishioners, administering to the sick, the elderly, the disabled, the poor and the lonely. On June 17, 1969, Rev. Mogilka was assigned as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Racine, Wisconsin, where he served until his retirement in 1992. Among the many awards and recognitions that he has received was the 1997 Priest of the Year Award from the Racine Sienna Club. Mr. Speaker, it is with pride and humility that I commemorate, on the jubilee anniversary of his ordination, Rev. Erwin E. Mogilka, an honorable and compassionate man, who has done so much good for so many.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, the President submitted to Congress an emergency spending request of $6.0 billion to fund the current operations in Yugoslavia through the end of fiscal year 1999. The Republican majority then more than doubled the requested amount adding defense spending items that have absolutely nothing to do with the NATO operations or an emergency. For these and other reasons which I will expand upon, I must oppose this bill. The additional spending on such areas as increased pay and retirement for our military, munitions procurement, spare parts, depot maintenance and additional moneys for recruiting are clearly justified expenditures, but should and must be addressed in the regular appropriation process where the recently passed budget bill reserved $290 billion for such purposes and other priorities. The reason the majority insists on including these items in H.R. 1664 is that the new spending doesn't have to be offset and thus will free up like amounts when they start spending the $290 billion. Also, many of the other unrequested projects like $115 million for new facilities in Britain including $13 million for a dormitory in Fairlord and $10 million for a control tower in Lakenheath are questionable. Clearly, the $48.3 million for new bachelor housing and $35 million for a control center in Bahrain are not an emergency. All this additional spending has been declared ``emergency'' spending by the Republicans in order to avoid the need for offsetting cuts in other discretionary accounts. Under this bill, these costs will be taken from the currently projected Federal Budget surplus. But, Mr. Chairman, the entire surplus is made up of excess Social Security trust funds being amassed to pay Social Security benefits to current and future retirees. It was only a few short weeks ago that you and your colleagues were beating your chests over the myth that you have created a ``lockbox'' to hide the surplus trust funds from those who would seek to spend them! Guess the majority has found the key and now you're doing exactly what you promised the American people you would never do! Mr. Chairman, I support our men and women bravely serving our country in Yugoslavia. But, I cannot support this bill which circumvents the annual appropriation process and the spending caps and unjustly uses the Social Security Trust Fund surplus.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, on April 29, 1999 I introduced the Dog and Cat Protection Act. I was appalled to learn about the use of dog and cat fur on coats, toys, and other merchandise as profiled in a recent segment of ``Dateline NBC''. Immediately thereafter, I began drafting legislation to end this abusive practice. While crafting this measure, I contacted the Humane Society of the United States for their input. As a result of these efforts, I introduced H.R. 1622, the Dog and Cat Protection Act. An estimated 2,000,000 dogs and cats are slaughtered and sold annually as part of the international fur trade. Many of these animals are raised in deplorable conditions. Unfortunately, there are no federal laws to prohibit the importation, manufacture, transport or sale of any product made with dog and cat fur. The only provision in law to regulate the importation of products made with cat and dog fur is the Fur Products Labeling Act (FPLA). The FPLA and its regulations simply require that any product with a value of more than $150 contain a label informing a consumer that it contains animal fur. Any product worth less than $150 is exempted from the labeling requirement. My legislation would impose a ban on all products entering the United States made with cat and dog fur. In order to prevent a foreign importer from establishing operations in the United States, H.R. 1622 would also prevent the sale, manufacture, transport, or advertisement of any product made domestically with cat and dog fur. Furthermore, H.R. 1622 would give additional authority to the Customs Service to inspect products entering the United States to ensure they do not contain cat and dog fur. Violators of the ban would be subject to both civil and criminal penalties. Furthermore, persons found to be in violation of the ban would face the prospect of being permanently prohibited from selling any fur product in the United States. The Dog and Cat Protection Act also amends the Fur Products Labeling Act to require all fur products entering the United States--regardless of their value--to contain a label showing their true content. This means those persons who try to mislabel products in order to get around the ban contained in my legislation would face additional penalties under the Fur Products Labeling Act. The additional labeling requirements will also help the Customs Service in their enforcement efforts. Mr. Speaker, it is time to put an end to the inhumane treatment of dogs and cats once and for all. I urge my colleagues to become cosponsors of H.R. 1622.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, May 8, 1999, letter carriers from around the country will be gathering nonperishable food items set aside by their customers for people in need. Milwaukee is a compassionate community and its benevolence ranks the city, for the second straight year, as number one in the nation in the amount of food collected. The National Association of Letter Carriers, in conjunction with the United States Postal Service and the United Way, will kick off this year's food drive in Milwaukee with a press conference on Thursday, May 6th, to educate the public about the issues of hunger and convey the importance of each citizen's involvement to stamp out hunger. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to ask my colleagues to lend a hand to this worthwhile project by supporting the letter carriers' food drives across the nation. I would also like to invite the residents of Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties to consider adding a few extra canned food items or nonperishables to their grocery carts for collection on May 8th. Let's make this year's food drive better than ever. Our food pantries are counting on drives like this to help keep their shelves filled. Let's all try to do our part to alleviate hunger.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly recognize 12 outstanding students from Heritage Christian High School in West Allis, Wisconsin and their teacher, Mr. Tim Moore, who are representing the State of Wisconsin in the national finals of the 1999 ``We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution'' competition in Washington, DC. This is the third time that a class from Heritage has been named State of Wisconsin champions in this exceptional program sponsored by the Center for Civic Education and developed to educate young people about the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Mr. Moore and his students have worked diligently to reach the national finals and have gained an impressive understanding of the fundamental principles and values of our constitutional democracy. This year's representatives from Heritage are: John Averkamp, Brent Barnett, Maureen Buchanan, Tim Cady, Tara Flood, Mike Frede, Mike Gruennert, Josh Lutter, Jessica Mobley, Justin Roeder, Luke Sinclair, and Anthony Slamar. I ask the House to please join me in congratulating Mr. Moore and his students in winning the State of Wisconsin ``We the People . . .'' championship, and wish them continued success in the national finals. I look forward to greeting them personally when they visit the U.S. Capitol.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Amo Houghton and I today are introducing the Independent Contractor Clarification Act of 1999. This bipartisan legislation attempts to solve one of the more troublesome aspects of the tax code--the proper classification of workers. I am pleased that Representatives Stark (CA), Johnson (CT), Matsui (CA), English (PA), Levin (MI), Weller (IL), Coyne (PA), Foley (FL), McDermott (WA), Lewis (GA), Boehlert (NY), Evans (IL), King (NY), Barrett (WI), Quinn (NY), and Forbes (NY) are original cosponsors of the bill. The bipartisan spirit of this legislation cannot be underestimated. Congress has struggled with this issue since 1978. Unfortunately, legislation introduced in recent years has tended to favor employers and only served to polarize the debate on this issue. Congressman Houghton and I have worked with groups representing both employers and employees for most of the past year to develop the legislation we are introducing today. The current 20 point test used to determine an individual's employment classification and the section 530 safe harbor are burdensome and unworkable. The 20 point test is a series of tests that provide employers with a general guideline as to how they are supposed to classify their workers. However, these tests do not provide employers with a clear definition of who is an independent contractor and who is an employee. This lack of clarity has led to countless workers being misclassified. For example, one of the criteria used in the 20 point test is the level of training of the worker. Some have interpreted a level of training to be a college degree while others would argue it is a person's general work experience. Another criteria is furnishing significant tools and assets. For a computer programmer, significant equipment and assets might be an expensive computer system whereas in the case of a laborer an employer might deem a significant investment to be some basic tools. With the increased enforcement of the employment tax laws beginning in the late 1960s, controversies developed between the IRS and businesses as to whether the businesses were properly classifying certain workers as independent contractors. As a result, Congress included section 530 in the 1978 tax bill, which created a safe harbor by which employers could treat a worker as an independent contractor for employment tax purposes regardless of the true employment status of the worker. To be eligible for the section 530 safe harbor, an employer simply had to have a ``reasonable basis'' such as a prior audit by the IRS, a private letter ruling from the IRS, or have relied on a long- standing recognized industry practice. Although it was intended to be a temporary solution, section 530 was permanently extended by Congress in 1982. Furthermore, section 530 has prohibited the IRS from issuing regulations and guidance to employers to bring about the proper classification of workers. The inability of the IRS to issue rulings on employment status has prevented the IRS from clarifying the 20 point test. As a result of the lack of clear direction, many businesses have misclassified their workers as independent contractors. Such misclassifications have resulted in workers being denied essential benefits such as health coverage, a retirement plan, or the employer's share of FICA taxes. Workers who are actual employees and who work at the direction of and under the supervision of a superior are entitled to these benefits as part of their employment. The Independent Contractor Clarification Act would replace the current 20 point test with a simple, easy to understand 3 point test. An individual would be classified as an independent contractor if the employer does not control the manner in which the individual completes his or her assigned tasks; the individual is able to solicit and undertake other business opportunities; and the individual encounters entrepreneurial risk. The last point would include the ability of the independent contractor to generate a profit or bear the risk of financial loss. However, any person that has a statutory exemption would maintain that exemption under this legislation. For example, current law says that real estate agents and direct sellers such as newspaper delivery persons are independent contractors, and they would maintain that status under the Independent Contractor Clarification Act. The Independent Contractor Clarification Act would also repeal section 530 thereby allowing the Department of Treasury to issue guidance to employers so they can properly classify their workers. However, businesses that are currently eligible for the Section 530 safe harbor will be covered by a transitional rule which would continue the current safe harbor protections until 2003 or until the IRS issues additional guidance. In addition, if the IRS requests a reclassification of any section 530 worker after the date of bill's enactment but before 2003, the employer must make the change prospectively but will not be held liable for back taxes. The single largest hurdle to employers reclassifying their workers as employees is the fear the IRS is going to take the reclassification as an admission of wrongdoing and, as a result, assess retroactive employment taxes. Under this legislation, the IRS would be prohibited from collecting back taxes if an employer meets the following criteria: The business had consistently treated the individual, and all other persons in similar positions, as an independent contractor; the tax returns filed by the employers are consistent with the treatment of the workers as independent contractors; and the employer has a reasonable basis for the classification of the worker such as a prior audit or a letter ruling from the IRS. The effective date of this legislation is January 1, 2001. This is designed to give businesses a reasonable amount of time to implement the changes in the independent contractor statutes. Furthermore, any business that is told to reclassify its workers would have 60 days after final notification from the IRS to implement the change. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is a bipartisan solution to a difficult and longstanding problem. The Independent Contractor Clarification Act attempts to balance the interests of employers and their workers. If enacted, this legislation will provide employers the guidance they need to properly classify their workers. It will also serve the interests of hard-working Americans and their families. It is for these reasons I urge the adoption of this legislation.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1376, legislation to provide tax relief for military personnel serving in Yugoslavia. I commend the Chairman and ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee for their timely action on this important legislation. As we are all aware today is April 15--the dreaded tax filing day. However, the troops serving in the Yugoslavian region should not be burdened with the additional worry of filing their taxes today. Our troops are risking their lives to protect the interests of democracy and human rights in Kosovo. They are bravely and tirelessly working to counter an ethnic cleansing of catastrophic proportions. The legislation before us has three important features to help the troops. First, H.R. 1376 says that the troops serving in the region qualify for hazardous duty pay and are exempted from all federal income taxes during their time of service in the combat zone. Second, H.R. 1376 gives the troops serving in the combat zone and all personnel serving in a support role a tax-filing extension of 180 days after their service with the current operations ends. Third, the troops serving in the combat zone would be exempt from the 3 percent phone excise tax on all telephone calls. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to pass this important legislation to help our brave servicemen and women. Easing their tax burden is the least we can do to show our appreciation for their sacrifice and dedication.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Madam Speaker, information on the most personal aspects of our lives continues to be spread across the landscape. Once taken for granted, our wall of privacy is steadily crumbling. Today I am reintroducing the Personal Privacy Information Act. This legislation attempts to restore some control over the use of our personal information. The bill prevents credit bureaus from giving out social security numbers, and prohibits the sale of any information that includes anyone's social security number unless they have written consent to do so. A merchant who requires a social security number on a check used for a purchase or a cable company who demands a social security number on an application for service will be prohibited from doing so. Further, this bill prohibits any State Department of Motor Vehicles from selling drivers' photographs or drivers lists containing social security numbers. Lastly, marketers will not be able to sell consumer purchasing experiences or credit transactions without prior approval. Madam Speaker, this legislation is designed to curtail the rampant invasion of our privacy. What we buy and where we buy it is no one's business but our own, and the unauthorized use and abuse of our social security number must stop. I urge all my colleagues to cosponsor and to support this legislation.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, information on the most personal aspects of our lives continues to be spread across the landscape. Once taken for granted, our wall of privacy is crumbling. Today, I am re-introducing the Personal Information Privacy Act. This legislation attempts to restore some control over the use of our personal information. The bill prevents credit bureaus from giving out Social Security numbers and prohibits the sale or purchase of any information that includes anyone's Social Security number unless they have written consent to do so. A merchant who requires a Social Security number on a check used for a purchase or a cable company who demands a Social Security number on an application for service will be prohibited from such practices or be charged with an unfair and deceptive business violation. Further, this bill prohibits any state department of motor vehicles from selling drivers' photographs and drivers lists containing Social Security numbers. In addition, marketers will not be able to sell consumers' purchasing experiences or credit transactions without prior approval. This bill also provides for civil and criminal penalties for violations. The criminal penalties are now possible because of action taken in the 105th Congress. Last year, Congress passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, which, for the first time, criminalizes identity theft. Finally, victims of identity theft have a means to prosecute those who assume their identities and ruin their credit histories. While I am pleased that this legislation, which I cosponsored, was signed into law by President Clinton, I feel that further action is needed. We must pass legislation to prevent these crimes from occurring. This legislation is necessary because anyone's personal information is easily accessible, be it through the presentation of false identification or through the internet. The information can be as innocuous as a name, address, and phone number or as intrusive as a detailed summary of personal finances, including bank account balances and investment portfolios. One of the main reasons information is so accessible is that a person's Social Security number has become a personal identifier. Many private entities, from doctors to universities, now follow the example of the federal government by using the SSN as an identifier. Recently, the Government Accounting Office completed a report that states ``No single federal law regulates the overall uses of SSNs.'' It further notes that ``Businesses and governments are not limited to using SSNs for purposes required by federal law.'' Consequently, requiring a person's SSN, the key to a wealth of personal information, as a condition of doing business is now common practice. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is designed to curtail the rampant invasion of our privacy. What we buy and where we buy it is no one's business but our own. And, the unauthorized use and abuse of our Social Security number must stop. I urge all of my colleagues to cosponsor and support this legislation. Section 1. Short Title The title of this Act is the ``Personal Information Privacy Act of 1999.'' Section 2. Confidential Treatment of Credit Header Information Section 2 would add a sentence to Sec. 603(d) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1681a(d), which defines the term ``consumer report'' for purposes of the FCRA. The team currently means, essentially, any communication of information by a consumer reporting agency about a consumer that is used or expected to be used as a factor in establishing the consumer's eligibility for credit, insurance, employment, or for any other legitimate business purpose. Under Sec. 604 of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1681b, a consumer reporting agency may not furnish a consumer report except for specified purposes. The new sentence that Sec. 2 would add to the definition of ``consumer report'' provides: ``The term also includes any other identifying information of the consumer, except the name, address, and telephone number of the consumer if listed in a residential telephone directory available in the locality of the consumer.'' If this new sentence becomes law, then consumer reporting agencies would be prohibited from disclosing such identifying information except for a purpose specified in Sec. 604. Section 3. Protecting Privacy by Prohibiting Use of the Social Security Number for Commercial Purposes Without Consent This section would add a new section to the general administrative provisions of Title 11 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 1301 et seq., prohibiting persons from buying or selling any information that includes an individual's social security account number (``SSN''), without the written consent of the individual. In addition, no person may use an individual's SSN for identification purposes without the written consent of the individual. In order for consent to be valid, the person desiring to use an individual's SSN must inform the individual of all the purposes for which the SSN will be utilized, the persons to whom the number will be known, and obtain the individual's consent in writing. These new prohibitions would not affect any statutorily authorized uses of the SSN under Sec. 205(c)(2) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 405(c)(2) (SSN used for Social Security wage records, and for various enumerated purposes by federal agencies and state and local governments), Sec. 7(a)(2) of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a note) (authorizing state and local governments to require disclosure of an individual's SSN if required by federal law or if the required disclosure was pursuant to a system of records in effect prior to January 1, 1975), or 26 U.S.C. Sec. 6109(d) (an individual's SSN is used for all identifying purposes specified in the Tax Code). Individuals are authorized to bring a civil action seeking equitable relief and damages in a U.S. District Court for violations of this section. Damages may include the greater of actual damages or liquidated damages of $25,000, or, in case of a willful violation resulting in profit or monetary gain, $50,000. The court may assess, against the respondent, reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs in cases where an individual prevails. A statute of limitation of 3 years is provided. The remedies provided by this section are in addition to any other lawful remedies available to an individual. The Commissioner of Social Security is authorized to assess a civil money penalty of not more than $25,000 for each violation of this section, or in the case of violations found to constitute a general business practice, not more than $500,000. The enforcement procedures for civil money penalties are the same as set forth in section 1128A of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1320a-7a(d), (e), (g), (k), (l) and the first sentence of (c). These set forth the criteria for determining the amount of the civil penalty, the investigation and injunction authority of the Commissioner, and courts of appeals review of civil money penalty determinations. Also applicable are the provisions of section 205(d) and (e) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 405(d) and (e), which authorize the Commissioner of Social Security to issue subpoenas during investigations, and provide for judicial enforcement of such subpoenas. The Commissioner of Social Security is directed to coordinate enforcement of the provisions of this section with the Justice Department's enforcement of criminal provisions relating to fraudulent identification documents, and with the Federal Trade Commission's jurisdiction relating to identity theft violations. The provisions of this section do not preclude state laws relating to protection of privacy that are consistent with this section. The effective date of this section would be two years after enactment of this bill. If a person refuses to do business with an individual because the individual will not consent to disclosure of this or her SSN, then such refusal will be considered an unfair or deceptive act of practice under section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 45). The Commission may issue a cease and desist order, violation of which is subject to civil money penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. Section 4. Restriction on Use of Social Security Numbers by State Departments of Motor Vehicles 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2721(b) sets forth permissible uses of personal information obtained by a state department of motor vehicles. This section provides that, with respect to the SSN of an individual, such personal information may only be disclosed to a government agency, court or law enforcement agency in carrying out its functions to the extent permitted or required under section 205(c)(2) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 405(c)(2), section 7a(2) of the Privacy Act of 2974, 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552a note, section 6109(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any other provision of law specifically identifying such use. This section would also prohibit the disclosure of SSNs by state departments of motor vehicles for bulk distributions for surveys, marketing or solicitations purposes. Section 5. Restriction on Use of Photographs by State Departments of Motor Vehicles Section 5(a) would add a new subsection to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2721, which currently generally prohibits the release of certain personal information from state motor vehicle records. This new subsection would prohibit the release of an individual's photograph, in any form or format, by a state department of motor vehicles without the express written consent of the individual. An exception would be permitted for disclosure of an individual's photograph to a law enforcement agency of any government for a civil or criminal law enforcement activity if authorized by law and pursuant to a written request. Section 5(b) would make technical amendments to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2721(a) and (b) to conform that section to the new provisions added by this section. It would also amend 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2722(a) to reference the new subsection (e) added by this section. Section 6. Repeal of Certain Provisions Relating to the Consumer Reports in Connection with Certain Transactions Not Initiated by the Consumer Section 6(a) would amend Sec. 604(c) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1681b(c), which governs prescreening to determine a consumer's eligibility for credit or insurance. Prescreening is a practice whereby a user of consumer reports, such as a lender or insurer, contacts a consumer reporting agency without having received an application for credit or insurance from a particular consumer. The user might submit a list of names and ask the agency to identify persons on he list who meet criteria that the user specifies. Or it might ask the consumer reporting agency to create its own list based on the user's criteria. Section 604(c) currently prohibits prescreening, except in two situations, to determine a consumer's eligibility for credit or insurance. It prohibits, in other words, except in two situations, a consumer reporting agency from furnishing a report on a consumer who has not applied for credit or insurance. The two situations in which it permits prescreening are when: (1) the consumer authorizes the consumer reporting agency to provide the report, or (2) the lender or insurer will make a firm offer to the consumer if prescreening shows the consumer eligible for credit or insurance, and the consumer has not previously asked to be excluded from prescreening done by the consumer reporting agency. Section 6(a) would, in effect, prohibit presceening in connection with credit and insurance except when authorized by the consumer. It would amend Sec. 604(c)(1) to provide that a consumer reporting agency would be permitted to furnish a consumer report in connection with a ``credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by consumer only if the consumer provides express written authorization in accordance with paragraph (2). . . .'' ``Paragraph (2)'' refers to Sec. 604(c)(2) of the FCRA, which would be rewritten by Sec. 6(b) of the bill. Section 6(b) would rewrite Sec. 604(c)(2) to provide: ``No authorization referred to in paragraph (1) [Sec. 604(c)(1)] with respect to any consumer shall be effective unless the consumer received a notice before such authorization is provided which fully and fairly discloses, in accordance with regulations which the Federal Trade Commission and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall jointly prescribe, what specifically is being authorized by the consumer and the potential positive and negative effects the provision of such authorization will have on the consumer.'' The regulations would have to require that the notice be prominently displayed on a separate document or, if the notice appears on a document with other information, that it be clear and conspicuous. Section 6(c) would repeal the provision, mentioned above, that allows consumers to exclude themselves from prescreening lists. The provision would be unnecessary if prescreening were prohibited except when a consumer had authorized it. Section 7. Sale or Transfer of Transaction or Experience Information Prohibited Section 7(a) would add a new Sec. 626 to the FCRA. New Sec. 626(a) would provide: ``No person doing business with a consumer may sell, transfer, or otherwise provide to any other person, for the purpose of marketing such information to any other person, any transaction or experience information relating to the consumer, without the consumer's express written consent.'' A consumer's consent would not be required for the sale, transfer, or provision of transaction or experience information for a purpose other than marketing. New Sec. 626(b) would define ``transaction or experience information'' as ``any information identifying the content or subject of 1 or more transactions between the consumer and a person doing business with a consumer. . . .'' Section 626(c) would allow six exceptions, where a consumer's consent would not be required for the provision of transaction or experience information: (1) communications ``solely among persons related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control,'' (2) information provided pursuant to court order or federal grand jury subpoena, (3) ``[i]nformation provided in connection with the licensing or registration by a government agency or department, or any transfer of such license or registration, of any personal property bought, sold, or transferred by the consumer,'' (4) ``[i]nformation required to be provided in connection with any transaction in real estate,'' (5) ``[i]nformation required to be provided in connection with perfecting a security interest in personal property,'' and (6) ``[i]nformation relating to the amount of any transaction or any credit extended in connection with a transaction with a consumer.'' Section 7(b) would make a technical amendment to Sec. 603(d)(2)(A) of the FCRA to ensure that it does not conflict with new Sec. 626, and Sec. 7(c) would make a clerical amendment to add a reference to new Sec. 626 to the table of sections for the FCRA.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, it is with immense pride and pleasure that I rise to congratulate the students, parents, teachers and faculty who contributed to the championship season recorded by the Bay View High School (BVHS) debate team in the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association's (WHSFA) annual State Debate Tournament held at UW-Oshkosh on January 28th and 29th. I applaud the efforts of affirmatives Kimberly Malak and Robert Croston, and negatives Benita Anderson and Corey Scott for their wonderful individual and team accomplishments. Additionally, the affirmative team shares the honor of an undefeated record with the affirmative team from Cedarburg. Both finished with 7-0 records. Bay View's winning score was 12 wins and two losses. Other Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) teams participating at the tournament were Rufus King High School, which placed 4th overall, and Juneau Business High School. The 1998-99 season for the Bay View High School debate team was historic. The varsity team won an invitational tournament held at Sheboygan South High School for the first time since 1995. The team also successfully defended its 1997 City Championship First Place Trophy on December 11, 1998. After qualifying at the district debates for participating in the WHSFA State Tournament earlier in January, the Bay View team was matched against others from across the state in what many consider the premier debate tournament of the year. The team has been coached by Mr. Ray Lane since the 1995-96 season. Mr. Daemien Morscher, a 1993 BVHS graduate, National Merit Scholar, and former member of the debate team, is serving as assistant coach. Other members of the team include Daniel Brandt, Kenneth Dunbeck, Steven Finch, Matt Hickling, Leonard Wilson, Robert Woodliff, and Winston Woods. Ben Silver also participated in some tournaments. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to salute the talent and commitment of the Bay View High School debate team on its outstanding season, which I bring before you in commendation.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fr. Gilbert G. Arciszewski, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church on the 40th anniversary of his priestly ordination. Fr. Arciszewski is representative of the high caliber of priests from the Milwaukee Archdiocese. He is a lifelong resident of the community and has served in leadership positions of various churches in the Milwaukee area since his ordination. Fr. Arciszewski is a product of Milwaukee's near South Side. He is proud of his Polish-American heritage. He and his predecessor, the late Msgr. Alphonse Popek, traveled many of the same paths to Queen of Peace church, growing up in the same neighborhoods, and going to the same schools, beginning with St. Adalbert's elementary. The Popek and Arciszewski families lived only a few blocks from each other. Fr. Arciszewski studied canon law at St. Francis Seminary and was ordained May 30, 1959 at St. John Cathedral by Archbishop William E. Cousins. He served as associate pastor of St. Helen, Milwaukee, June 1959 to July, 1966, and St. Alexander, Milwaukee, July, 1966 to March, 1975, when he became pastor of St. Casimir. By coincidence, the celebration of his 25th anniversary of ordination in 1984 coincided with the 500th anniversary of the death of St. Casimir. In February of 1987, Fr. Arciszewski was assigned pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church where he has served since. Among the many milestones observed at Our Lady Queen of Peace was the marriage of Frankie Yankovic, the polka legend, to his wife Ida. Mr. Speaker, on this the 40th anniversary of his ordination, I would like to recognize the contributions and commitment to the church and community demonstrated by Fr. Arciszewski.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to Jerome ``Jerry'' Janczak, of Milwaukee, the recipient of the 1999 Pal Joey Award from the St. Joseph Foundation, Incorporated. Jerry Janczak, a true product of Milwaukee's south side, is the youngest of eleven children born to his Polish immigrant parents. He attended Catholic grade school and high school, where he was an accomplished athlete. Shortly after graduating from high school, Jerry enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served until 1955. While stationed in Florida, he met his future wife, Grace. They were married in 1954. Jerry worked for many years as an employee of Milwaukee County, with the House of Corrections, the Sheriff Department and the Probate Court where he remained until his retirement in 1988. That same year, Jerry was honored by the South Side Business Club as their ``Man of the Year'' and was given the ``Special Award'' by the St. Joseph Foundation. Jerry and Grace have two children, Michael and Thomas, and six grandchildren. Jerry's love of sports and competition, which he passed down to his children, led him to develop a part-time trophy and awards business in 1972, which still operates today. Besides his family and business, Jerry's hobbies include golf, bowling, sheepshead and traveling throughout his home state, Wisconsin. He is active in many civic and religious organizations, including his parish, St. Mary Magdalen, the South Side Business Club, St. Joseph Foundation, the Milwaukee Society Polish National Alliance, Polish Festivals, Inc., and the secret International Mushroom Pickers Society (IMPS.) Jerry has given valuable time, energy and resources to make Milwaukee's south side and the Polish community stronger and has set a fine example for all to follow. For these reasons, he is truly deserving of the 1999 Pal Joey Award. Congratulations, Jerry and Grace. Keep up the excellent work. May God continue to bless you and yours.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, thousands of former servicemen and servicewomen in five states are currently prohibited from receiving state-financed home mortgages. That is why Congressman Herger and I, along with 21 of our colleagues, are introducing the Veterans American Dream Homeownership Assistance Act. This legislation is similar to bills we introduced in the 104th and 105th Congresses. In order to help veterans own a home, Congress created a program where states could issue tax-exempt bonds in order to raise funds to finance mortgages for owner-occupied residences. Five states-- Wisconsin, Alaska, Oregon, California, and Texas--implemented such a program for their veterans. Under a little-known provision in the 1984 tax bill, Congress limited the veterans eligible for this program to those who began military service before 1977. As a result of the 1984 tax bill, veterans who entered military service after January 1, 1977 are prohibited from receiving a state- financed veterans mortgage. This means veterans who served honorably in Panama, Grenada, or the Gulf War cannot get veterans home mortgages from their state government. Are those who began serving our country after January 1, 1977 any less deserving than those who served before? This arbitrary cutoff was created to rise additional revenue in the 1984 tax bill by limiting the issuance of tax-exempt bonds. When this provision was enacted, post-1976 veterans were a small percentage of all veterans, without much voice to protest this discriminatory change. But, nineteen years later, there are thousands of veterans who have served our nation honorably. Mr. Speaker, as time goes by, this legislation takes on increasing importance. The State of Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs has informed me that if the cap on veterans bonds is not lifted this year, the State will be forced to disband the program because too few veterans are eligible for the program. This legislation would simply eliminate the cutoff that exists under current law. Under our proposal, former servicemen and servicewomen in the five states who served our country beginning before or after January 1, 1977 will be eligible to quality for a state-financed home mortgage. This legislation does not increase federal discretionary spending by 1 cent. It simply allows the five states that have a mortgage finance program for their veterans to provide mortgages to all veterans regardless of when they served in the military. There is no justification to allow some veterans to qualify for a home mortgage while others cannot. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to help those veterans who have served after January 1, 1977 to own a home and pass this important legislation into law.