Nick Lampson

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding me this time. First, I would like to associate my remarks with those of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) regarding his work with the international effort to return children who are taken from our country, and I look forward to working with the gentleman from New York on that issue. I rise today to encourage all of my colleagues to cast their votes in favor of S. 249, the Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children Protection Act. Two years ago when I first joined all of you in Congress, I wanted to address all of the problems that we face here, education, Social Security and health care. But unfortunately in April, right after my first swearing-in, all of my plans drastically changed when a 12-year-old little girl, Laura Kate Smither from Friendswood, Texas, was abducted and savagely murdered. After seeing the faces of the Smither family and the outpouring of support from the community of Friendswood, I knew that I wanted to work on behalf of our children and their families. After meeting Ernie Allen, the President of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and his dedicated staff, I decided to work diligently to establish the first-ever Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus with my colleagues the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Cramer) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) to provide a unified and loud voice for missing and exploited children here in Congress. I am pleased to report, as of today, this bipartisan caucus now has 126 members. We work on legislation to impose tougher penalties on those who commit sexual offenses against children and to make sure our communities are notified when convicted sex offenders move into their neighborhoods. The caucus would not be nearly as effective in producing innovative legislation and helpful district safety workshops without the advice and programs offered at the National Center. The Center's outreach programs help chiefs of police and sheriffs to develop fast response plans through the Jimmy Ryce Law Enforcement Training Program, to comb neighborhoods and streets for our children who have been reported as missing. The Center also focuses its educational outreach programs toward children who can learn how to protect themselves from the dangers that they face in today's world. I am proud to have helped the Center unveil a nationwide program called ``Know the Rules.'' It was a public service campaign that was started here in Washington just a couple of years ago. ``Know the Rules'' is a set of simple rules all children, but especially teenage girls between the ages of 12 and 17, should use in their everyday lives to build self-esteem and to help them escape potentially dangerous situations. I have two daughters and will become a grandfather for the first time in November. I am convinced that funding the National Center is as good an investment of taxpayer dollars as can be made to ensure the safety of our Nation's children. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of our colleagues from Oregon to Ohio and California to Connecticut to support the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on this National Missing Children's Day by voting for S. 249.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 1\1/2\ minutes in support of this bill.

Mr. LAMPSON

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

Mr. LAMPSON. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise this afternoon to voice my very strong opposition to all of the amendments offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) to H.R. 1654, and I will talk about all of them right now in one fell swoop. With all due respect to my colleague from Indiana, cancelling or capping the International Space Station, whether it is dealing with the partnership with Russia, killing funding authorization for the space station or setting caps on development of and launch of costs associated with the station is wrongheaded. It is wrongheaded domestic and foreign policy. When we began the International Space Station, we knew it would be a challenging project, to say the least. To stop now would be sort of like halting the construction of the transcontinental railroad shortly after the engineering survey work had begun and the first few miles of track had been laid in the 1860s. Mr. Chairman, it would be shortsighted and even foolish to terminate the program now that we are on the verge of realizing its many rewards. We have launched Zarya and Unity, the initial elements of the space station, into orbit where they are now operating, and moreover, shipment of the service module, the permanent crew quarters, will be placed in orbit next year. It is presently under way. NASA experts predict that the space station will be completed and can serve as an outpost for humans to develop, use and explore the last frontier within 5 years. Mr. Chairman, think about the advances that can positively affect the lives of all Americans that would be prematurely halted. For example, the new space life sciences doctoral program at the University of Texas medical branch in Galveston, my district, could be terminated, and the chances of improving telemedicine and even better access for health care for all Americans would be slowed down. Cutting space station funding would adversely affect Joe Valentine's Alliance for Technology access in San Rafael, California, which is in the district of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), and she is going to speak in a few minutes. The alliance which has 40 resource centers around the country provides assistance to the disabled through a variety of high- tech resources, many of which have been developed through manned space exploration and all of which stand to benefit greatly from current telemedicine-telemedical research. Mr. Chairman, capping or eliminating space station funding also could stymie progress at the University of Notre Dame's bioscience core facility. At this laboratory in the district of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) scientists and researchers are dedicated to providing technical and instrumental support for biological and biochemical research. I do not believe either of these Congress persons wish to do something that would harm the hopes and dreams of what these people are trying to accomplish in their districts, and our Nation's drive to improve the lives of humans and the health of our planet would be waylaid if Congress votes to terminate funding for the International Space Station. It would be a shame to throw away one of the best financial investments our Nation can make, and I have said it several times. For every Federal dollar we spend in space we get a $9 return here on Earth. Nine dollars has created tens of thousands of good jobs for Americans. Well, Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to think about their children and their grandchildren when casting their vote on any of these three dangerous amendments. Do we really want to deprive our children and grandchildren the benefits of future improvements and discoveries in medicine, meteorology, microbiology by voting against continued funding of the International Space Station? Well, I do not want the 106th Congress to go down in history as one of the most myopic in history by endorsing these amendments. Therefore, I urge all of my colleagues to vote no on the amendments to NASA's budget authorization bill.

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, Deputy Secretary of State Talbott, not the NASA administrator, signed a multinational agreement for the United States, establishing a framework, the legal framework for the national Space Station in 1998. This multilateral agreement involves major commitments by 15 countries and represents more than a space facility, but a political commitment by these countries to work together on a major civilian project. To terminate Russia's participation in the International Space Station would jeopardize the United States' ability in the future to work toward a common end with the same set of countries, friends and allies on large scale projects.

Mr. LAMPSON. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I would assume that we would be out of the Space Station. I think that we would probably be made to take our tools and go home, and we would lose the billions of dollars that we have spent. This does not make sense to me as an amendment for what we are trying to do in building a relationship with other nations and at the same time accomplish science that we believe in.

Mr. LAMPSON. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I fully understand that we have difficulties. We expected to have a challenge when we started building this Space Station. It is unfortunate that we have problems with the Russian government. But if we take action that jeopardizes our own ability to participate in this project, not only do we do harm to our other friends while we are trying to do harm to the Russians, we take ourselves out of it and we lose a significant commitment, a significant investment that we have made. I want to point out another thing in the bill. In the very first few sentences of the amendment of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer), it says that the administrator shall terminate all contracts. Then a little bit further down the page, it says ``Nothing in this section shall prevent the National Aeronautics and Space Administration accepting participation by the Russian government or Russian entities on a commercial basis.'' That conflicts within itself. This is not a good amendment. It is not one we should be considering here today because it has the potential of defeating the International Space Station, dissolving our partnership, costing us the billions of dollars that we have invested and that we have a hope that will give us something in our future. Termination of the International Space Station multinational agreement will impose termination costs on all our partners. Termination would be programmatically expensive to the United States. It would result in major objections from our international partners, given their independent agreements with the government of Russia. The Russian Space Station has an inextricable involvement in the Space Station program as a representative of the Russian government. It would be difficult to exclude their space agency from negotiations, should NASA be required to contract with Russian industry. I do not know how the commercial wording within the language of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) would work. The participation of the Russian government in the Space Station has never been more important, not only to contribute money to the project, but also to ensure the political stability in a troubled country. As long as the United States can keep some kind of good working relationship with the Russian government, we can rest a little easier during this political turmoil that is going on there. Our Russian partners have difficulty feeding its people. I admire their commitment to try to complete this long-term space project. From what my Russian friends and colleagues tell me, contributing capital and human resources to the Space Station is a tremendous source of pride among the Russian people. It is one reason why the government continues its commitment. So as a representative of the United States Government and industry, I believe we have to do all that we can to encourage the Russians to maintain their involvement with the Space Station, and I would ask that my colleagues not support this amendment.

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner).

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Garza family as they gather to hold their twenty-sixth family reunion. On June 12, 1999, the Garza family will convene in Katy, TX, to recognize outstanding family members, including those who have proudly served in the United States Armed Forces. The Garza family has entitled their reunion, ``A Century of Pride and Honor.'' As the Garza family gathers to recognize the service of its family members, it also will celebrate several qualities responsible for the family's success. Members of the Garza family strive to remain loyal to their heritage. Each individual hopes to make lasting contributions which will strengthen the family foundation. For the Garza family, instilling qualities such as bravery, loyalty, and service is essential to help ensure that future generations are prepared for their roles as our Nation's leaders. Members of the Garza family who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States include: World War II veterans Sabas Garza, U.S. Navy (deceased); Serapio Garza, U.S. Navy; Pablo Garza Medina, U.S. Army; Luis Castillo, U.S. Marines; Defino Amaro, U.S. Army (deceased); Juan De La Rosa, U.S. Army/U.S. Air Force (deceased); and Adolfo Anzaldua, U.S. Army (deceased). Vietnam Veterans include: Alfonso Garza, U.S. Army (deceased); Fortuanato Garza Solis, U.S. Army and Marines; Adolfo Garza Villarreal, U.S. Air Force; Pablo Garza Villarreal, U.S. Army; George Estevan Solis, U.S. Army; Placido Solis, U.S. Army; Frank Nieves, U.S. Air Force. Army National Guard Reservists include: Pablo Anzaldua Garza, Sabas Garza Villarreal, Juan Carlos De La Rosa (active service), Jose Refugio Garza Villarreal, and Roman Palomares. Most recent members of the Armed Forces of the United States include: Michael Solis, U.S. Marines; Michael Anzaldua, U.S. Army; Gary Anzaldua, U.S. Army, and Greg De La Rosa, U.S. Navy. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor the Garza family. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Garza family's dedication of military service to our country. The Garza family is an excellent example of a family that has made a difference to my community.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the thousands of men and women who help our children learn during National Teacher Appreciation Week. As a former high school teacher, who is married to a special ed teacher, I know both the joys and challenges teachers face every day. I remember the sense of excitement my students shared with me when we watched Neil Armstrong step onto the moon in 1969. I will never forget the gleam in their eyes and their new-found enthusiasm about space and science. I also know about the challenges. My wife, Susan, faces children with not only physical and developmental disabilities, but also emotional problems and mental illness. But, special ed teachers aren't the only educators who face emotional and behavioral problems. Unfortunately, many of our children suffer from physical and emotional abuse, or live in homes wrought with substance abuse and violence. Teachers, alone, cannot solve all of society's ills. We, as a broader community, must help our teachers reinforce the lessons taught in school by getting involved with their education. In closing, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of parents and grandparents everywhere, I'd like to thank our nation's teachers for helping the next generation succeed.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, while our nation continues to grieve over the school tragedy in Littleton, Colo., I'd like to turn our attention for a moment to a middle school student from Galveston, Texas, who is already making contributions toward advancing our understanding of the aging process at age 13. All too often we only hear about the problem children in our society. As a former high school teacher, I know that there are hundreds of kind, intelligent, and productive students, like Angelin Baskarin, who are working hard to become the next generation of scientists, professors, and even Members of Congress. I'd like to congratulate Angelin, who has won awards at the Galveston County Science and Engineering Fair, the Houston Science and Engineering Fair, the state of Texas Science and Engineering Fair, for her research project, entitled ``Math Semantics.'' She has been selected to present her research findings, which looked at how age, gender, and profession affect math proficiency, at a national science fair here in Washington, D.C., in June. It is the bright future and promise of students like Angelin, who make teaching worthwhile and rewarding experience. Good luck at the national competition, Angelin!

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, as a former high school physical science teacher, I know the value of science education, and I remember the sense of anticipation and excitement that my students shared with me when we huddled around a television set as Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon in 1969. I saw the gleam in their eyes that inspired them to become our future engineers and scientists, those of today. Unfortunately, today's scientists and engineers do not accurately represent the ethnic and racial makeup of our melting pot society. In fact, the Beaumont Independent School District is comprised of about 70 percent minority students and, of those, 55 percent are considered to be economically disadvantaged. We must do something today to ensure that every child in every home or apartment building in this Nation, regardless of their color, religion, economic status, can realize their dream of becoming an astronaut or physics instructor or researcher. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to talk about an exciting program in my southeast Texas district that motivates school-aged minority students to study math and science and explore new frontiers where no man or woman has gone before. As a member of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, I was able to help Lamar University in Beumont to secure a space, science and technology educational program grant to provide disadvantaged high school students with science curriculum and related hands-on interactive learning activities. For example, students from my hometown will be going on a field trip to Austin, Texas, to explore the relationship between astroid impacts and the extinction of dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago by studying dinosaur tracks. So far, this program has trained more than 200 teachers and has benefited more than 23,000 students in Beaumont public schools. It is also worth pointing out that the in-kind and cash contributions of the consortium members total more than $800,000. Moreover, Lamar University, which is my alma mater, waived the institutional overheads for this program because of its wide-ranging regional impact on the education of southeast Texas youth. I am not a gambling man, Mr. Speaker, but I bet that NASA's educational grant will turn out to be a wise investment in the future of engineering, technology and scientific research. My guess is that a decade or so from now there will be men and women who attended Beaumont Independent Schools working as astronauts and physicists at NASA and other space industries. That is what I am banking on.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to urge my colleagues to help Kosovo achieve peace, not only for the benefits of the thousands of people living in that troubled area of the world, but also for their family members who live here in the United States. Let me tell my colleagues about a family in my southeast Texas district who has loved ones who are trapped in violence-torn Kosovo. John and Lisa Halili, who own and operate an oyster and shrimping business in San Leon, watch 24-hour television and read newspapers with anxiety and anticipation each and every day. Why? Because John's father and brother, and many other people, have been forced to flee their homes and, in one instance, hide in a single house in the village of Vushtrri. Unfortunately, Bajram and Idriz Halili have been unable to leave their hideaway and escape to the safety of the United States. So they, along with their son and daughter-in-law in Texas, wait and wait and wait for peace to come to Kosovo and the entire region. Feeling helpless and sometimes hopeless, John and Lisa have contacted me, hoping that I, as a United States Representative, could do something to diminish their worry or reunite their family. Unlike the Halilis, Congress is not helpless, nor should it be hopeless about peace talks in Kosovo. I know that there are other areas of the world that are crying out for help, including places in our own country. But where we can make a difference, we have an obligation to do so. We have the duty to do whatever it takes to help this troubled region of the world create an environment of peace for its people and their families who live within all of our Congressional District. We as a Congress have a responsibility to support the President so that the United States speaks with one voice on foreign policy.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to challenge all of my colleagues, Democrats, Republicans and independents, to pass legislation that would provide all Americans with the health care protections that they need and deserve. I am very concerned that patients from my district are being denied the health care coverage they need to lead productive lives. It seems that I cannot pick up my local newspapers, the Beaumont Enterprise or the Texas City Sun, without reading about someone who was denied care because some insurance company bureaucrat decided that a procedure was not necessary. It is one thing to keep down costs, but it cannot be done at the patient's expense. That is why I support yesterday's reintroduction of the patient's Bill of Rights. I am confident that the Bill of Rights will give residents of Hotel Beaumont, a senior citizens community in the heart of my hometown, the right to choose a specialist and to see the same doctor throughout treatment. It is time for us to put our money where our mouth is. Let us prove to the American people that this Congress can work together to address issues they really care about. Let us pass the Patients' Bill of Rights.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Beaumont Teachers Association and the Literacy Volunteers of America for their terrific work performed in raising money for the adult literacy programs at the Literacy Depot in Beaumont, TX, this week. Since 1996, Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) has raised national awareness of literacy issues and funds to provide a solution through the Incredible Reading Rally. Developed collaboratively among literacy program managers, volunteers and LVA national leadership, the Incredible Reading Rally involves thousands of adults, school children, businesses, and organizations around the country each February. Kick-off events have ranged from gala evenings and public appearances by Garfield the Official Spokescat of the Rally, to celebrities like Miss America reading their favorite books to school children. Through the generous sponsorship of Ferrero USA, Literacy Volunteers of America is able to provide materials and supplies to its participating affiliates at no cost to the local programs. Other corporate sponsors may contribute through either cash or prize donations. Friends and family can sponsor volunteers by pledging money for each hour per book read during the Rally period. Eighty percent of all monies raised by volunteers will stay in the local community and directly benefit individuals who need reading help. In addition to highlighting the importance of families reading together, this event gives participants a sense of accomplishment about their efforts to support literacy. Once again, I would like to congratulate the Beaumont Teachers of America and Literacy Volunteers of America for their fine work.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to pass along some comments that my mother, Nancy Lampson, made to me after church just recently. She, like millions of other senior citizens, is worried about the future of Medicare and Social Security. She is afraid that it will not be there for me and my brothers and sisters. My mother knows that saving Social Security and Medicare is not just good for retirement security for her. She knows it is also good for me, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. Why? Because putting aside 62 percent of the surplus for Social Security and another 15 percent for Medicare will also reduce the national debt and reduce the billions of dollars we waste each year on interest payments. Winnowing down the national debt will be good for my mother's great grandchildren. Currently, the United States of America spends nearly as much on interest payments as it does on national defense. If we wisely invest the surplus in Social Security and Medicare today, we can reduce our interest payments from 14 percent of the budget in 1999 to 2 percent in 2014. Investing in Social Security and Medicare will not only reduce the debt but also will lower interest rates, boost the economic growth, and increase the financial security of working families. You do not have to be a Harvard economist to know that this makes good sense to the American people. So, on behalf of my mother and the millions of Americans we represent, I urge all of you to invest in the present and the future by investing the budget surplus in Social Security and Medicare--it makes good sense for America.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend congratulations to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, sometimes known as the NAACP, as it celebrates its 90th anniversary on this Friday. The NAACP is the oldest, largest, and strongest civil rights organization in the United States. On February 12, 1909, on the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, 60 prominent black and white citizens issued the call for a national conference in New York City to renew the struggle for civil and political liberty. Participants at the conference agreed to work toward the abolition of forced segregation, promotion of equal education and civil rights under the protection of law, and an end to race violence. In 1911 that organization was incorporated as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Today the NAACP is a network of more than 2,200 branches covering all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Japan, Germany, and its membership exceeds a half million people. Born in response to racial violence, the association's first major campaign was the effort to get the anti- lynching laws on the books in the United States. In 1919, to awaken the national conscience, the NAACP published an exhaustive review of lynching records. NAACP leaders, at potential risk to their own lives, conducted firsthand investigations of racially motivated violence that were widely publicized. Though bills succeeded in passing through the House of Representatives several times, they were always defeated in the Senate. Nonetheless, NAACP efforts brought an end to the excesses of mob violence through public exposure and the public pressure it mobilized. The NAACP has always known how to respond to challenges, and is certainly no stranger to struggle. Through political pressure, marches, demonstrations, and effective lobbying, the NAACP has served as an effective voice, as well as a shield for minority Americans. From educational parity to voter registration, housing, and labor, the NAACP has been at the forefront of efforts aimed at securing civil rights and civil liberties. No longer do we see signs that read ``white'' and ``colored.'' The voters' booth, the schoolhouse door, now swing open for everyone. It is important for us to all remember how effective the NAACP efforts have been. While much has been accomplished, much more needs to be done. Mr. Speaker, America still needs the NAACP. I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the national organization and all its local chapters as they celebrate their 90th anniversary on February 12. I wish them continued success as they continue to focus on the protection of civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to announce that I will host a Social Security summit in the Ninth District of Texas. Why? Because hundreds of senior citizens and their families have called and written letters to my office concerned about the future of Social Security. Americans from all walks of life recognize that this sacred contract between the public and their government must be addressed and must be addressed now. I congratulate the President for having the foresight to set aside the vast majority of our budget surplus for this critical issue. As we look toward the 21st Century, we cannot afford to risk losing this opportunity to save Social Security by allowing ourselves to become mired in partisan rhetoric or by failing to use creative approaches to problem solving. It has been said that opportunity only knocks once. Mr. Speaker, Congress must answer the door. We owe that to the American people.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Peter McCann. It was through my involvement with the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children and as chairman and founder of the Congressional Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children that I had the privilege of being introduced to Mr. McCann. Missing and exploited children is an issue of great concern to me and one that I hold in the absolute highest regard. As a parent of two children, I cannot even begin to imagine the hurt families of missing children feel as they are left to wait and hope for the return of their son or daughter. Well, after garnering support from the Caucus and from the National Center to record a song inspired by the plight of these families, I was flattered that Peter McCann would offer his time and talent to compose such a song. Peter performed his duty as a songwriter in superb fashion by composing the heartfelt duet: Among The Missing, and because of his passionate commitment to this project Peter used his connections in Nashville to convince George Massenburg of Seventeen Grand Recording Studios to produce the sound track and to donate the studio time to make this CD. In addition, recording artists Michael McDonald and Kathy Mattea recorded the song to the accompaniment of an 18-piece string section and 35-voice chorus. Well, Peter is a seasoned veteran of the music industry, and this accomplishment represents only one of his many musical achievements. He originally embarked on his career at Motown Records in 1971, and after releasing two albums of his own he began a lengthy and productive relationship with CBS as a songwriter during which time Peter began advocating the rights of music artists with his involvement in the Songwriters Association. Later, Peter lobbied pro bono on behalf of his colleagues here on Capitol Hill using his organizational leadership skills as the co-chair of the legislative committee for the National Songwriters' Association International. His songs have been recorded by Julio Iglesias, Kenny Rogers, Lee Greenwood, Reba McIntyre, Crystal Gayle, the Oak Ridge Boys, Isaac Hayes, Karen Carpenter, Donnie Osmond, and that is just to list a few among the long list of musical entertainers. Mr. Speaker, I believe that this most recent recording will provide Peter and the others involved a true sense of pride and a memory of one of their most satisfying accomplishments as songwriters and as musicians. Peter has agreed to donate the publishing royalties and the right to use the song for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Wal-Mart, a long-time partner in the Center's mission to locate missing children is also committed to promoting the song, Among The Missing, in its nearly 3,000 stores nationwide. Additionally, RCA Records, the recorder and distributor of the song, will dedicate a portion of the sales to distributing photographs of missing children nationwide. Mr. Speaker, I offer my heartfelt thanks to Peter whose efforts and time played a very large part in ensuring that this project come to fruition. If this song raises the awareness about missing children and reunites one child with his or her family, Peter McCann can take credit. He can hold his head high and feel as proud of his work on behalf of our nation's children as we are of him. Thank you, Peter, and God bless you.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, this morning I began writing a letter to my daughters and my future grandchildren and great-grandchildren to describe my feelings on this sad, yet historic day. I wrote my daughters that I have listened to my colleagues talk about truth, wrongdoing, punishment, and respect. And I want to say to my colleagues that no one denies that the truth matters. No one denies there was wrongdoing, and no one denies that the American people deserve the respect of this great House of Representatives. And so I ask, please don't deny an alternative to impeachment. I continue to be overwhelmed by the fact that this Congress and, as a result, the American people, are being denied the right to vote on a disciplinary action that would unify our country at this critical time--this action is censure. The American people support censure. Censure, is not only constitutional, it is fair and right for our country. So, to my colleagues in the majority, I implore you in the interest of fairness to take the step that will stop this downward spiral of bitterness and rancor that currently controls Capitol Hill. As our country continues to polarize, I pray that we, as a Congress, have not lost our ability to seek common ground. For if we have, it will affect our ability to solve problems for decades to come. Mr. Speaker, you have the power to unite the majority of this country by allowing a vote on censure. I challenge you to seize this opportunity to bring our country back from potentially devastating consequences. In that letter, I'd like to tell my children, so that they can tell their children, that this body came to it's senses and put aside partisanship in favor of statesmanship. Let the 105th Congress be remembered for allowing the will of the American people to be heard through a vote on censure. It is the only fair thing to do.

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, this morning I began to write a letter to my daughters and future grandchildren to describe my feelings on this sad, yet historic day, and I wrote that I continue to be overwhelmed by the fact that this Congress and, as a result, the American people are being denied the right to vote on an action that would unify our country, censure. To my majority colleagues, I implore them in the interests of fairness to stop the bitterness and rancor that currently controls Capitol Hill. As our country continues to polarize, I pray that Congress has not lost its ability to seek common ground, for if we have, it will affect our ability to solve problems for decades to come, and I would like to be able to tell my children so that they can tell their children that this body came to its senses and put aside partisanship in favor of statesmanship. Let us be remembered for allowing the will of the American people to be heard through a vote on censure. It is the only fair thing to do.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I did not intend to come here this morning and deliver a message, but in following the discussion that we have had on education in the last several days, particularly really for a lifetime as being a former teacher, I saw the opportunity now that we are going to have in improving our classrooms certainly by increasing the number of teachers, and it brought a story to mind that happened to me in 1970 when I was transferred to one of the high schools in which I taught. Within the first week, as I tried to raise the blinds of the one of the windows, the window shade fell off the wall and cut my face on my cheek. I noticed that 2 weeks later when it began to rain the walls leaked, the roofs leaked, and water ran down the side of the walls, and the children had to be evacuated from some of the classrooms in which they were. I could not teach. The children were there to learn, but they were so distracted by their surroundings that they were not focused. We have to give our children an opportunity for a better future, and that is going to be through a quality education. We know we are going to have more teachers now. That is going to be in this budget. Thank goodness for that. Now we need the classrooms to put them in, good, quality classrooms to do it. Mr. Speaker, we must have school modernization. We must pass that in this particular bill in this Congress now. Let us do it before we leave.