Jerry Kleczka

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Vretenar Construction, city of St. Francis 1996 Business of the Year. Vretenar Construction, formerly known as Vretenar & Sons, was founded by John Vretenar, Sr. in 1949 with a trailer, a wheel barrow, a mud box, and a lot of hard work. Forty seven years later, Vretenar Construction remains a family business, run by John's son Milton and Milt's wife Elizabeth since John's retirement in 1965. Even Milt and Betty's son Craig was involved in the family business until he became building inspector for the city of St. Francis. Vretenar Construction has provided many years of service to the community, building homes, and buildings for area residents and businesses. But their dedication extends well beyond that. Milt, the longtime mayor of the city of St. Francis and a talented mason contractor, is constantly donating his time and skills to a city he loves so dearly. Milt quietly helps out wherever he can, from construction of the veteran's memorial to repairs on the St. Francis Historical Society house to a host of other projects too numerous to mention. He and Betty also remain involved in a number of community organizations and have for so many years been so committed to making St. Francis a great place to live and work. Vretenar Construction is a perfect example of a business with a strong community spirit. It is certainly a well-deserving recipient of the city of St. Francis Economic Development Committee's Business of the Year honor. For the Vretenars, community service is truly a family affair.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of 750 retirees in my district who were betrayed by their employer, and on behalf of retirees across the country who are increasingly victimized by corporate irresponsibility. Last month in Milwaukee, the Pabst Brewing Co. abruptly informed its retirees that it would no longer provide health and death benefits. Just like that. Years of hard work and dedication. Labor agreements. Promises. Out the window. This is a disturbing trend. Last week I introduced the Health Care Assurance for Retired Employees Act, or the CARE Act. It would provide that companies give their retirees 6 months notice of any changes to their benefits. Further, the Labor Department would have to certify that the changes were in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreements. Under the CARE Act, retirees aged 55 to 65 would have expanded access to health insurance under COBRA until they were eligible for Medicare. Medicare's late enrollment penalties would be waived, and a 6-month Medigap open enrollment period would be established. I ask my colleagues to please join me in cosponsoring this bipartisan bill which will provide fair and workable safeguards for your retired constituents.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Federation Life Insurance of America in the State of Wisconsin, in recognition of its 25th National Quadrennial Convention, held on September 1, 1996. From its incorporation in Wisconsin in 1913 to the present, the Federation Life Insurance of America has remained an active and successful fraternal organization. Second and third generations of Americans of Polish descent, as well as members from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, continue to enjoy the benefits of Federation Life's sound fiscal management and strong commitment to service. As a fraternal organization, Federation Life sponsors a variety of social and cultural activities, contributing to a strong sense of community and good qualify of life. Congratulations to Federation Life Insurance of America on its 25th national convention. I commend Federal Life's service to its members and their communities and extend my best wishes for a bright and successful future.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Pioneer Branch 2 of the National Association of Letter Carriers. In the carriers' annual food drive this year, Pioneer Branch broke its own outstanding past records, and was third in the Nation in the amount of food collected. This year's national food drive may well have been the largest 1-day collection in the world. Pioneer Branch 2 collected 1,000,361 pounds of food on May 11, which is 500,000 pounds more than last year. Thanks to their efforts, thousands of needy families in the Milwaukee area alone will not have to go to bed hungry. The letter carriers' continued excellence in helping to feed their community deserves recognition and our commendation. In addition to their fine mail service through all kinds of difficult Milwaukee weather, these dedicated men and women have made a real difference in the quality of life of our city. I cannot thank them enough for their efforts. May their food drive be blessed with continued success.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3814, the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations for the upcoming year. This bill is particularly important among the measures we consider each year, because it funds what more and more Americans identify as their top priority: fighting time. This bill increases funding for the Justice Department at a time when hard choices have been made across the board. Nevertheless, we've committed to funding Law Enforcement Block Grants, which will help local public safety officials develop the kinds of programs they most need to prevent crimes and to solve them when they do happen. We've also fully funded the popular Community Oriented Policing Service [COPS] program. In my own community of Milwaukee and its metropolitan region, this program has had a significant impact, enabling us to hire 30 new police officers this year, and 500 statewide since the program began in 1994. This is something tangible that has a real impact on the cities and towns that we represent, and I am happy that the COPS program continues to receive congressional support. I think the American people will also be happy that we've funded the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund that was included in last year's anti-crime bill. In addition, the Violence Against Women grants will receive a boost--helping stem domestic violence and strengthening police effectiveness in dealing with this national scourge. I'm pleased that the Congress was able to restore some of the funding for the Legal Services Corporation, which provides our Nation's poor and badly needed legal service. While the funding level is lower than last year, it will allow the Legal Services Corporation to fulfill its important mission. There is, however, much to support in this bill. I commend the committee for reporting strong legislation.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Gekas amendment. Mr. Chairman, only seven legislative work weeks are left until our October 4 target adjournment date. Significant appropriations work remains, and the specter of Government shutdown and rancorous, time- consuming debate over CR's has raised its head. The country cannot afford another drawn-out debate on funding levels while Government offices gather cobwebs. During the two Federal Government shutdowns this past winter, constituents found out the hard way what Washington gridlock means. They couldn't get passports or some veterans benefits or even get questions answered about Social Security and many other services on which they depend. At the same time, the cost to the taxpayers of lost productivity was enormous. In my State, the government does not shut down over budget wrangling. Instead, Wisconsin has in place a common-sense plan which maintains government operations while the budget goes through the legislative process. I have introduced legislation which would set this Wisconsin plan into Federal law. This Gekas amendment is similar to my bill, H.R. 2965, the Keep Government Open Act, which would prevent a Federal shut down from occurring by establishing an automatic continuing resolution. Although my bill--like the Wisconsin plan--maintains current Government funding unchanged from last year's levels, while Mr. Gekas' plan is somewhat more complex, the essential concepts are the same. With this proposal--like H.R. 2965--we can permanently avert Government shutdown crises and debilitative CR fights. Removing the pressure and rhetoric that build as part of the appropriations process would allow us to focus on substance and good public policy. I commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania and urge a ``yea'' vote on this amendment. point of order

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of the welfare proposal put forth by the majority today. I commend my colleagues on their decision to remove the poison pill of Medicaid from this bill. And I commend my colleagues for the substantial steps they have taken to address the President's concerns, and the concerns of my Democratic colleagues. This new bill ensures the continuation of health care coverage for those no longer eligible for AFDC. It deletes the unwarranted reductions to the earned income tax credit that were included in the original bill. And, it adds in $3 billion in work program funding. No piece of legislation is perfect; this one is no exception. We know full well that we will revisit this issue repeatedly as problems arise. I would have preferred to see more Federal funding for job placement and training, for child care, and for protection during recessions. I would have preferred to increase State flexibility by giving States the option to use Federal funds to provide vouchers for children whose parents hit the time limits, rather than removing the protection of those vouchers by including a mandate against them. I have fought, unsuccessfully, for stronger nondisplacement language so that America's workers can be assured that their jobs won't be put in jeopardy. This omission still concerns me. However, this legislation is a solid start. It gives our States the tools and the flexibility they need to enact meaningful, constructive reform. A reform based upon personal responsibility, and personal achievement. A reform that moves people into the work force-- permanently. Congress must put aside partisan differences and pass this plan--to reform and revitalize our welfare system.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery] for yielding time to me. Let me echo the remarks of my friend, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman], in support of H.R. 3643. Not only does the bill provide priority health care for those veterans who were exposed to a agent orange, but also broadens the definition for the veterans who served in the Persian Gulf. I think a more important portion of the bill requires the Veterans' Administration to promulgate mammography quality standards for our service men and women. The last portion of the bill, which I asked be inserted, and I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] and the minority leaders, the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery] and the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans], my friends, for helping me out on this; the situation is that in Milwaukee County the current baseball stadium lies on three parcels of land owned by the Veterans' Administration. Two of the parcels were transferred way back in 1948, and the third was transferred in 1954. Now there is a new stadium being contemplated, the financing is almost put together on the new ball park, and we found that two of the parcels already have been transferred by the Secretary's authority. The third needed congressional legislation. The provision in the bill today provides that since the use is going to be the same, for a public purpose, that the Veterans' Administration Secretary, at his authority or on his authority, can transfer the land. I want to thank the chairman for helping us out on this situation.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend, Esther Leah Ritz, who is being honored by the Jewish Community Centers Association of North America with the 1996 Community Builder's Award. In honoring Esther Leah, the JCCA is paying tribute to an individual who has done so much for the Jewish community. Esther Leah has played a major role in several local and nationwide organizations, including serving as president of the JCCA. In addition, she has provided leadership for Americans for Peace Now, the Council of Jewish Federations, and the World Confederation of Jewish Community Centers. Throughout her career, Esther Leah has also been a strong advocate for promoting Jewish education, both formal and informal. As president of the JCCA, she implemented the Commission on Maximizing the Effectiveness of Jewish Education. Her leadership on this issue has served as an example for all within the Jewish community to follow. Over the years, Esther Leah has become a good friend and a trusted adviser. I have called on her for advice throughout my career on various topics, especially for her input on Israeli issues that are debated by this body. She always provides me with an honest, well thought out view of issues important to the Jewish community and to all Americans. The Jewish Community Centers Association has made an excellent choice in bestowing upon Esther Leah the Community Builder's Award. I share in her family's pride for her receiving this recognition. Congratulations, Esther Leah, that is an honor that is well deserved.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin which has formed a unique partnership with State and Federal law enforcement agencies to help combat fraud in the insurance industry. The organizations are listing helpful information about health care fraud on Blue Cross & Blue Shield's World Wide Web site on the Internet. The site, HealthNet Connection, contains Wisconsin's first online library of free information about the State's health care system. The company has now announced that it will join with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and the State attorney general to use their Internet site to make even more information available to the public. This access can assist in ensuring that health care dollars are spent wisely by raising awareness, educating consumers, and giving them tools to help prevent insurance fraud. Each of the participants will make available their own organization's efforts as well as a system for reporting suspected fraud. The U.S. attorney's office section will describe Federal laws and penalties, issue consumer alerts, and help for reporting suspicious incidents. The attorney general's office will outline State laws and penalties as well as how to relate potential violations. In addition, Blue Cross & Blue Shield already dispenses information to help health care providers, employers, government decisionmakers, researchers, and consumers make informed decisions about medical care. This high-technology assistance for Wisconsin's health care consumers is an extraordinary service from the State's largest health insurer. Blue Cross & Blue Shield United of Wisconsin is to be commended for utilizing the information superhighway to form such a creative and useful partnership with law enforcement insurance fraud fighters.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to rise in tribute to Milwaukeeans Louise and Gerald Stein, as they receive the Jerusalem 3000 Builders of Israel Award on Monday evening, June 24, 1996. Both Louise and Jerry were raised in traditional Jewish homes, stressing family and faith. These commitments remain an important and vital part of their lives to this day. Louise, in addition to raising the couple's three daughters, has been very active over the years as an officer in the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, the Milwaukee Association for Jewish Education and the B'nai B'rith Women's Council. As president and chief executive officer of the Milwaukee-based Zilber/Towne Realty family of companies, Jerry has been a positive force in the Milwaukee business and Jewish communities for many years. He is currently the president of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and is a past campaign chair. In addition, he is a director and past president of the Milwaukee Center for Independence and the Milwaukee Public Museum. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Foundation Board, the Milwaukee Heart Institute, First Bank Milwaukee, the UW-M School of Business and the Marquette University Law School Multicultural Council all benefit from Jerry's dedicated efforts. Therfore, it is with great pleasure that I join the family of Louise and Jerry Stein, their business associates and many friends in honoring them as they receive the prestigious Jerusalem 3000 builders of Israel Award. Continued best wishes, and on behalf of the residents of the greater Milwaukee-area, I offer a heartfelt ``thank you'' for your generosity and many, many hours of unselfish work over the years.

Mr. KLECZKA

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce today legislation to limit the frivolous usage of the Social Security number. In March, I was contacted by a constituent of mine who went to apply for a credit card at a local wholesale club. The application required him to list his Social Security number. When he refused, the store threatened to deny his application. In my judgment, this situation is unacceptable. The Social Security number was designed by our Government for one simple use: To follow workers throughout their employment history in order to ensure that they received the Social Security benefits due to them upon their retirement. Over the years, the Federal Government's usage of the Social Security number has expanded to other legitimate uses like taxpayer identification and welfare benefits distribution. Congress has provided for each of these expansions with specific language in statute. Meanwhile, the use of the Social Security number in the private sector has run rampant. Citizens are now asked or required to give the number to get grocery store check cashing cards, to apply for credit cards, or even to make golf tee time reservations. It is time to limit these frivolous uses of what should be strictly a Government identifier--not a national ID number. My legislation will restrict use of the Social Security number to bona fide Government, tax, and related purposes. It bans companies from buying or selling marketing lists that contain Social Security numbers and prohibits the private sector from requiring customers to divulge the number as a condition of doing business. Exceptions are made for current Federal uses of the Social Security number, as well as State usage for drivers licenses, motor vehicle registration, welfare benefits, and tax purposes. In addition, my bill preserves the ability of companies to use the number for taxpayer identification. This is important for banks that must report interest income to the IRS, payroll companies withholding taxes, and a limited number of other groups. The provisions of my bill will be enforced by the Office of Management and Budget, which currently polices Privacy Act violations, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security. Mr. Speaker, I believe my legislation addresses a problem that has been ignored for too long. I look forward to working with Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Bunning and the rest of my colleagues to enact this bill.

Mr. KLECZKA

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

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey].

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton].

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Barrett].

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, the previous speakers indicate that we are giving 30 days. They know full well the law provides that 30 days shall be given to the public for comment, and the Governor by his own words and written sentences states to us that if you do this by August 1, that is fine with me. So I guess we are playing Governor here by knowing better than what Tommy Thompson needs. The substitute provides the process will be completed by July 31. The Governor says do it by August 1. Everything is fine. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Sabo].

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii [Mrs. Mink].

Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLECZKA. Four point eight.

Mr. KLECZKA. Eighty-eight.

Mr. KLECZKA. The gentleman is probably more informed because he is one of the few that is here.

Mr. KLECZKA. No.

Mr. KLECZKA. There has not been 1 minute of hearings, sir.

Mr. KLECZKA. The gentleman asks a excellent question. A lot of talk has been had today about how the State legislature of Wisconsin went out, had public hearings, and they debated the bill. This is a bill just like the Wisconsin Legislature debated, and the normal operating procedures, as the gentleman well knows, is for the Committee on Ways and Means, which has control of the issue, it is in our jurisdiction, it is the committee I serve on, the bill would be introduced, we would have public hearings, members of the public could come before the committee and say we like this, we like that, this should be changed, and at this point, after the committee heard the public testimony, voted on whether or not we should recommend it, it would then be sent to the floor for debate like we are having today. That process was totally skirted. The Committee on Ways and Means and the Members who serve on that committee do not know any more what is in this bill or the waivers than the gentleman from North Carolina.