Nick Lampson

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, to all of you who are here today because you have been selected to participate in the 1998 Horatio Alger Association's National Scholars Conference, I would like to say welcome. As I am sure you have already learned, you have joined a very exclusive club of achievers who have been recognized by that fine organization. I am proud to note that several Members of Congress have been honored as distinguished Americans by the association such as Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia and other great American's like the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. But I am particularly proud that one of my constituents and friends, Tom Harken, serves on the association's Board of Directors. If each of you have not had the opportunity to meet this man make sure you do so. Especially if you plan on being in business. He is truly a Horatio Alger success story. Because each of you are exemplary high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding qualities of honor, integrity and perseverance and did not allow life's obstacles to stop you, I would like to say ``congratulations'' and to tell how proud I am of you. I would also like to tell you that with your distinct honor, not only comes the $5,000.00 scholarship you are receiving (although that is awfully nice), but also a responsibility to your own success and to keeping the dream of success alive for other young people who need to know that they too can ``beat the odds'' in spite of the hardships that they face. Today, as I speak to you on ``Issues Facing Congress: A Congressman's Perspective,'' I would like to take you back to the first time that I stood in this chamber, when I was your age, and how it shapes my perspective today and how I hope that your visit today will shape your vision for tomorrow. My first visit to Congress truly helped me understand that one of the greatest issues facing any session of Congress is how we keep the American dream alive for you and every other citizen of the United States, regardless of their financial, ethnic or religious background. This is done in many ways, but I'll come back to that later. Allow me to share with you how my first visit to this chamber gave me a glimpse of that dream of success and how that glimpse was the start of my commitment to making a real difference for myself and others. I hope you'll forgive me for being so personal, but I know that among you are people who can really make a difference, and I don't want to waste this opportunity to share my experience with tomorrow's leaders. When I first came to this chamber, I was very close to your age. I was not rich. In fact it seems as though I had worked almost every day of my life since I was in Junior High School. At that time, Jack Brooks was Congressman. Because he had come to this office by overcoming financial and personal adversity as a young person, he made sure that young people such as myself got the opportunity to be here as Congressional interns so that we could catch a glimpse of the dream and carry it on to another generation. It was during that internship that I committed myself not only to personal achievement but to leadership as well. As I said, one of the main issues facing Congress is how to provide the opportunity and tools necessary for every young person to not only succeed but to excel. I am attempting to do this in a number of ways that I think are extremely important. First, as a freshman Member of Congress, I have founded the Congressional Caucus for Missing and Exploited children. The purpose of this caucus is: 1. To build awareness around the issue of missing and exploited children for the purpose of finding children who are currently missing and to prevent future abductions; 2. To crease a voice within Congress on the issue of missing and exploited children and introduce legislation that would strengthen law enforcement, community organizing and school-based efforts to address child abduction; and 3. To identify ways to work effectively in our districts to address child abduction. By developing cooperative efforts that involve police departments, educators, and community groups we can heighten awareness of the issue and pool resources for the purpose of solving outstanding cases and preventing future abductions. Additionally, I strongly support funding for higher education both in institutional funding and in the form of grants and loans for those whose families do not have the resources to provide them with a college education. I have the privilege of serving on two Committees in Congress. The Committee on Science, on which I serve on the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics which is responsible for NASA and all of it's programs, including the space shuttle and the international space station. I must say that I truly believe that the space program can do more to make the dream available to more people in more ways than any other single endeavor. Additionally, I serve on the Committee on Transportation where I serve on two Subcommittees; the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment and the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development. On each of these Committees, I have the opportunity to cast my vote in favor of the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow. But probably the most important thing that I have the privilege of doing as a Congressman is to stand before a group of outstanding young people, such as yourselves, and say to you, do not quit, do not waiver and do not flinch no matter how tough the road may be. You have already proven that you are not easily discouraged. But I also want to challenge you to bring others along with you and show them the dream, so that when all is said and done, it is my hope that one day you will be standing here speaking to a group of Horatio Alger Scholars. Then I will know that my time in Congress was well spent.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, as the only Houston area member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I am pleased to have played a role in moving the BESTEA out of committee and to this floor. I applaud the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) for the fine work that the big four produced. BESTEA sets funding formulas to determine percentages for States to receive Federal Highway Trust Fund monies. Texas, for the past 6 years, has received only 77 cents for every dollar we pay into the trust fund. Our needs are too great to give our dollars to other States. This new legislation will make a significant increase in Texas' share of highway funds and bring us closer to equity. For over two decades, Congress and the White House have used unobligated funds in the four transportation trust funds to make the Federal deficit look smaller. It is a sham that has kept billions of dollars locked up in Treasury notes that should be in our economy matching local and State transportation dollars continuing the process of building this country. There are plenty of uses for any funds that we can secure. I also do not need to tell this House how important improving infrastructure is to promoting economic growth. Over the last 6 years, this Nation has dedicated $155 billion to its transportation infrastructure. Compare that to the $2.1 trillion spent by Germany and the $3.2 trillion spent by Japan over a decade to develop their respective transportation networks. Our national transportation economy in 1994 accounted for 10.8 percent of our gross domestic product, employing over 3.2 million Americans, but at the same time congestion on our highways has risen to such a level that traffic costs American businesses $40 billion a year. Americans waste 1.6 million hours every day sitting in traffic. We cannot allow our Nation's transportation infrastructure to erode any further. Our highways and railways must be shored up to keep transportation costs as low as possible for the sake of commerce. For the sake of our economy, now is the proper time to act. If we allow the situation to get worse, we will have to make a choice down the road to expand or repair. I do not believe that is a choice we can make. Let us pass H.R. 2400. As the only Houston-area member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am pleased to have played a role in moving the Building Efficient Surface Transportation and Equity Act, or BESTEA, out of Committee and to this Floor. I applaud Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member Oberstar, Chairman Petri and Congressman Rahall for the fine work the ``Big Four'' produced. BESTEA sets funding formulas to determine percentages for states to receive federal highway trust fund monies. Texas, for the past six years, has received only 77 cents for every dollar we pay into the trust fund. Our needs are too great to give our dollars to other states. This new legislation will make a significant increase in Texas' share at highway funds and bring us closer to equity. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has taken steps to significantly improve donor states' rate-of-return by including the $9.3 billion High Priority Projects category within the Minimum Allocation program. While BESTEA currently includes a 90% rate-of- return, I am of the hope that as the process continues, donor states will see a 95% rate-of-return on 100% of the funds distributed to the states. For over two decades Congress and the White House have used unobligated funds in the four transportation trust funds to make the federal deficit look smaller. It is a sham that has kept billions of dollars locked up in Treasury notes that should be in our economy, matching local and state transportation dollars, continuing the process of building this country. There are plenty of uses for any funds we can secure. I also don't need to tell this House how important improving infrastructure is to promoting economic growth. Over the last six years, this nation dedicated $155 billion to restoring its transportation infrastructure. Compare that to the $2.1 trillion spent by Germany and $3.2 trillion spent by Japan over a decade to develop their respective transportation networks. Our national transportation economy in 1994 accounted for 10.8 percent of our Gross Domestic Product, employing over 3.2 million Americans. But at the same time, congestion on our highways has risen to such a level that traffic costs American businesses $40 billion each year. Americans waste 1.6 million hours every day sitting in traffic. We cannot allow our nation's transportation infrastructure to erode any further. Our highways and railways must be shored up to keep transportation costs as low as possible for the sake of commerce. Our products compete on a worldwide basis now, and products from countries with strong and efficient infrastructure will cost less on the market and allows producers to spend more on quality. That's the bottom line. For the sake of our economy, now is the proper time to act. If we allow the situation to get worse, we will have to make a choice down the road to expand or repair the existing infrastructure. That's a choice I don't believe this nation can afford to make.

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I adamantly oppose the Roukema amendment to strike provisions of BESTEA that continue the Transportation Department's Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Program. I represent the part of Houston which is currently embroiled in a lawsuit regarding this exact program. In fact, the citizens of Houston overwhelmingly supported a referendum to continue the DBE program as recently as this spring. Houston is not in a vacuum. This is an issue that has captured the attention of cities nationwide. The DBE program is fair and it is constitutional. It does not include any set-asides or any quotas. Rather, it is a goal-setting economic development program. It uses a competitive bidding process, which includes qualified minority and women-owned businesses vying for transportation dollars. There is a need for the DBE program. Minority and women owned businesses are still underrepresented in the construction industry. The Senate recognized the validity of the program when it defeated Senator McConnell's efforts to eliminate the program. The Roukema amendment will have a devastating effect on the opportunities for DBEs to participate in federally funded highway and transit projects. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Roukema amendment to eliminate the DBE included in BESTEA.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Yesterday in, Galveston, Texas, I was visited by one of my constituents, Lisa Halili, who brought about 15 other people along with her, many of whom had relatives and certainly had friends in Kosovo. The story that they proceeded to tell me was one that was absolutely amazing. The pictures that they brought of the murder of Lisa's father-in-law last week in Kosovo and the pictures of people who had been tortured, who have been butchered, have been sprayed with hot water, all while they were attempting to do peaceful demonstrations by carrying bread in their hands and by holding their fingers up in a symbol for peace, and then being attacked in the way that they have was something that I had a difficult time understanding. I do not understand how we could in any way stand by while people are injured and killed for participating in a nonviolent protest. The Serbian Government must acknowledge the basic civil rights of all of their citizens. This bill condemns the violent repression of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo by Serbian authorities and calls for a dialogue between the Serbian Government and the leaders of the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo to end violence by all parties. So I, too, join my colleagues in asking for an ``aye'' vote on this bill, but I would also ask that we might, as soon as possible, consider sending humanitarian aid in to these people, because I know now that there are other relatives of my own constituents in the Ninth District of Texas who are holed up in houses, fearful of being able to go out even in search for the medical attention that they need to treat the wounds that they presently have. They are able to get out or get messages out so that other relatives can call back here, and we are receiving word on a daily basis of the condition of these people, but it is unquestionably deteriorating. As soon as possible, the Red Cross must be allowed in with safe passage as well.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, on February 24, on rollcall 18, I am recorded as not voting. Unfortunately, my flight into National Airport was delayed. This bill provides for increased mandatory minimum sentences for criminals possessing firearms. Had I been recorded on that vote, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, Southeast Texas said good-bye to Julie Rogers last week. Julie Rogers, and her late husband, Ben, displayed the finest example of citizenship throughout their lives that I have ever known. ``Extraordinary'' is the only word our language provides us to describe the qualities Julie Rogers displayed throughout her 83 years. In an era where women were supposed to stand in the background, Julie's intelligence and talent stood out. She was born and grew up in Chicago. She finished college at age 16 and earned her law degree from DePaul University when she was only 19 years old. While in Chicago, Julie fell in love with a promising young man named Ben Rogers. The couple moved to Texas in 1936 to seek their own portion of the American Dream. Through hard work, the Rogers family prospered and Julie and Ben Rogers were able to share their love for each other with the entire community. Julie was a talented violinist and her love of music motivated her to promote the fine arts. She helped organize the Beaumont Symphony and the Texas Arts Alliance As we laid Julie to rest, two internationally acclaimed artists, pianist Van Cliburn and opera singer Roberta Peters performed in her honor. The funeral was held in the Julie Rogers Theater for the Performing Arts. While the lives of the people of Southeast Texas will be greatly enriched by the Rogers' promotion of the arts, their love and care for the people around them will be their legacy. Julie and Ben Rogers established philanthropic entities that helped the less fortunate get a college education, receive mammograms and receive needed treatment for mental illness. Julie and Ben Rogers fought for social justice even when popular opinion was against them. They actively supported the Anti-Defamation League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The awards won by Julie Rogers are too numerous to list. She received the highest civilian honor from the Salvation Army in 1992, which is perhaps the most symbolic recognition of her giving and loving spirit. Ben Rogers left us 4 years ago and now, as we say farewell to Julie, we can take comfort in the fact that the two of them will be reunited. Their legacy of love will live on in the lives of Southeast Texans for many generations to come. We are all richer for having known them.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous pride that I recognize a native of Port Arthur, Texas who has gone forth into the world and become a legend in the world of art. Robert Rauschenberg is the first American to win the prestigious Venice Biennale Grant Prize, as well as the first living American artist to have his work published on the cover of Time Magazine. In a career that has spanned the latter half of this century, Robert Rauschenberg's groundbreaking work has been included in the most prestigious collections and won awards around the world. Robert has used his artistic voice to benefit humanitarian causes. He created the first Earth Day poster in 1970. In 1990, he established the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation to promote medical research, education, the environment, and to aid the hungry and homeless in the United States and across the globe. This weekend, Robert Rauschenberg will be honored in Houston for the greatness of his life's work. Though Robert left Port Arthur to seek his fortune in the world, he is a symbol of the greatness that lurks within each child. A child who grows up among oil refineries became one of the most important artists of his generation. He is a native of our area and we are duly proud, but we know that Robert Rauschenberg, through his work, belongs to the world and to the ages.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker and other House Member colleagues, I rise to honor the memory of my friend and colleague, Walter Capps. We freshmen Members on the Democratic side learned to look to Walter Capps as a leader among us. He led with humility, with fundamental goodness, and boundless wisdom. It is an overwhelming thing to arrive here in Washington, DC, and realize that we now have to stand in the shoes of generations of leaders who have steered this country through the course of its history. It was reassuring to have among us a man who seemed to understand our role as part of a scheme that went beyond the day-to-day operations of the government. As a scholar of religious studies, Walter Capps' presence in this House reminded all of us that our work must reflect our beliefs and our faith. Mr. Speaker, Walter Capps ran for Congress because he believed he had something to offer to this country. He had already had a successful career and certainly had a beautiful family. He did not need this. But he felt obligated to offer his gift, himself, because he loved his country. In the short time that he served, Walter Capps made a difference. He touched the lives of each of the Members of the House of Representatives, and he touched the lives of the citizens across America. And tonight our deepest sympathies go with Lois and his beautiful children. Indeed, ``God bless you.''

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, yesterday the people of Friendswood, TX, whose lives have been inexorably altered by the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Laura Kate Smither, saw a light at the end of their tunnel. Police Chief Jared Stout announced yesterday that they had a prime suspect who was in custody. The Friendswood police were able to name this suspect after his arrest for kidnapping a 19-year-old woman from a nearby community called Webster. In the case for which this suspect was arrested, he approached a young woman changing a flat tire and offered assistance, but as he approached, he pulled a knife on her and ordered her into his truck. This woman escaped by throwing herself out of his truck, which was moving down an interstate highway at 70 miles an hour sustaining significant injuries. That was not the first time this individual had attacked a woman. The prime suspect in the murder of Laura Smither had been sentenced on December 18, 1986, to a total of 28 years for convictions on charges of aggravated kidnapping, forcible oral sodomy, and rape. He was released a year ago. He served less than half of that sentence, and now this man has been named as the prime suspect in the slaying of Laura Smither. In less than a year, this individual, who had committed previous acts of kidnapping and violent sexual assault, has already been charged with aggravated kidnapping again. It is outrageous. Scientific data demonstrates that individuals who commit sex crimes against children have the highest recidivism rate of any criminal. It is irresponsible, if not downright negligent to release this individual back into society after serving only 10 years of a 28-year sentence for aggravated kidnapping, forcible oral sodomy and rape. Violence against women and children cannot be tolerated. It cannot be excused. It cannot be swept under the rug. Rape and sexual violence are not minor offenses. They are violent attacks that violate the body and violate the human spirit. These crimes must be punished swiftly and severely. An Oklahoma court tried to do that when it sentenced this man to 28 years in prison. But somehow in that State's criminal justice system someone decided that 10 years was enough for that rapist. And less than a year later, one 19-year-old woman had to throw herself out of a truck to save herself, traveling 70 miles an hour down a highway sustaining significant injuries, to save herself from a rapist. And when Chief Stout's investigation is completed, we are likely to learn that this individual has committed a total of three acts of aggravated kidnapping, one act of forcible oral sodomy and two rapes and a murder. We cannot lose these people in this system. Yes, this man was registered as a sex offender, but if he had been an incarcerated sex offender as he was sentenced, we might have a 12-year-old child alive today. As for Bob and Gay Smither, they may soon know for certain who took their little girl away never to return again. That is little solace, but that is what the Friendswood Police Department has worked so hard to accomplish since we discovered Laura's body on April 20. We thank and salute them and the Webster Police Department, as well. And today we still pray, as many did last night gathered in Stevenson Park in Texas. We are all still mourning, and worst of all, we must continue to pray for the safe return of Jessica Cain, who has kidnapped from the same vicinity on August 17. It was the way the community came together to search for Laura that spurred me to form the Congressional Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children. I am proud of the fact that 80 of our colleagues in the House have joined the effort to protect our children and reunite families. But this morning, Madam Speaker, I am frustrated and angry. Whatever we do here in Congress will not matter a bit if we do not punish these sexual predators and make them serve their full sentences in prison. Madam Speaker, we cannot allow more of these tragedies.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, if we respect the way tobacco products are marketed in this Nation because we are concerned about the documented health risks, how can we in good conscience use taxpayer funds to help tobacco companies market their products overseas in nations where no restrictions are placed on their tactics which overwhelmingly target children? It is indefensible. As this Nation works to finalize a settlement that will force tobacco companies to reimburse States and individuals for the illnesses caused by many of their products, we must not be aiding the efforts to export those illnesses overseas. In fact, a New York Times editorial recently pointed out American tobacco companies have agreed to proposed domestic settlement in part because it does not touch them overseas where profits are soaring and they can boldly target teenagers without fear of lawsuit or powerful critics. In this Nation nearly 30 years of antismoking efforts, because of it and despite it, American children still recognize Joe Camel as much as they recognize Mickey Mouse. In Hong Kong, empty packs of American cigarettes can be redeemed for tickets to movies and discos and concerts. In the mid-1980's our own U.S. Trade Representative demanded and won the right for American tobacco companies to advertise in Korea and Taiwan. No wonder tobacco consumption is growing at the fastest rate in the world in Asia. I believe this Nation should be exporting antismoking efforts, but at the very least, we should stop aiding the efforts of the tobacco companies overseas. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, as we proceed in this debate, and as chairman of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, I would like to remind my colleagues of the importance of the National Center for missing and Exploited Children. The National Center has helped locate 114,600 missing children. We should not play politics with its funding. Missing children and frightened families should be held sacred by this body. Just last Sunday, the Houston Chronicle printed the pictures of 27 girls who have been abducted in the area in and around the Ninth Congressional District. Our most recent tragedies include 12-year-old Laura Smither of Friendswood. Laura was abducted while on her morning jog. Her body was found 2 weeks later. She had been murdered. And now we are searching for 17-year-old Jessica Cain of Tiki island. Jessica never came home after a party on August 19. Her truck was found with the engine running and her wallet still on the front seat. I have met the Smither and Cain families. I have searched through woods looking for their daughters. Most importantly, in becoming involved with this issue, I have come to know and respect the excellent work done by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on behalf of these children and their families. We need to give our full support to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and give the issue our full attention and respect. I ask my colleagues to protect the funding for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and to untie any provision affecting the National Center from the COLA. I oppose the COLA, but I am deeply saddened that Members of this body may have to cast a vote against the National Center to express their opposition to the COLA.

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about the children, not the 27 pictures that I hold in my hand right now, whose pictures were printed in the Houston Chronicle on Sunday, all of whom were abducted and most of whom have been found, unfortunately, dead. We have got to speak to the lives of the 114,500 children that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are trying to be the strong voice for and having them returned to their families. I think it is wrong for us to be playing politics with an issue as major as that of protecting our children. I find it very interesting that this is a day that we have so much interest on such a totally different issue. We need to put our kids first, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Houston, Texas, for yielding time to me, and for her good and gracious work on this bill. As chairman of the congressional missing and exploited children's caucus, I rise in strong support of the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Improvement Act of 1997. I congratulate and thank the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] for his work on this bill. Scientific studies have shown that those who commit acts of sexual violence against children have the highest rate of recidivism among all criminals and crimes. In fact, the typical offender molests an average of 117 children, most of whom never report the offense. These are innocent children being preyed upon by devious and sick individuals. The legislation before the House will widen the net that registers these predators. Megan's Law mandated registration, and through this bill we will close loopholes in making sure that every sexual predator is on the books whenever and wherever they relocate in this country, regardless of the original jurisdiction in which they were convicted. Is this unfortunate? Yes. Is it necessary? Absolutely. The statistics speak for themselves. The memories of Jacob Wetterling, Megan Kanka, Laura Smither, and hundreds of other victims of senseless abuse cry out for every possible protection we are able to offer. Madam Speaker, I have taken to the floor of the House twice this year to report the abduction of young girls in my district. It is my hope that by speaking on behalf of legislation like this, I will never be faced with that sad duty again. So I urge strong support for H.R. 1683.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with my colleagues how I spent part of my August recess. I spent several days searching in the woods of Galveston County, TX, looking for a young woman who was abducted. Seventeen-year-old Jessica Lee Cain was driving home from a party in the early morning hours on Sunday, August 16. She never made it home, though her truck was found by the side of the road with her wallet still sitting on the front seat. Well, Jessica is still missing. Last week, she would have begun her studies at Sam Houston State College, just a few days after her 18th birthday. We pray that whoever is responsible for her disappearance will return Jessica unharmed. Mr. Speaker, I founded the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus this past spring when 12-year-old Laura Smither, also from my district, was found abducted and found murdered. That we could have two such tragedies in the same area within months is beyond comprehension. However, on behalf of the Smither and Cain families, we must work harder to protect our precious children. I ask my colleagues to pray for Jessica and the Cain family and to join me in the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus. There is much work to be done.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, my friend, Coach Richard Marler, will be inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. For 22 years, Coach Marler was head coach at Stephen F. Austin High School in Port Arthur. He amassed a career record of 138 wins, 86 losses and 9 ties. Nine of his Eagle teams qualified for the State playoffs. Twice, his teams reached the State semifinals. Coach Marler's fine career is a testament to the need for perseverance. Three of his first four campaigns as head coach were losing seasons. But, in time, success came. Football fans in the Golden Triangle will long remember the Eagles' 1983 season when Coach Marler led his team to a 13-1-1 record and the Class 3A semifinals. Far above and beyond football, Coach Marler has made a positive impact on the lives of countless young men. He taught them the value of hard work and discipline. He was a role model for many young men who needed one desperately. Richard Marler continues to be an asset to his community. Before this House of Representatives, I wish to congratulate him on this recognition and to thank him for his friendship.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I join the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] and other members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in bipartisan support for House Concurrent Resolution 98, which would authorize use of the Capitol Grounds for the Safe Kids Buckle Up program. The event is scheduled for August 28 and is part of a national effort to assist parents in protecting young children from the leading cause of unintentional death of children, which is motor vehicle injury. Each year, approximately 1,400 children die as motor vehicle passengers and more than 280,000 are seriously injured. I am deeply saddened to report that in my State of Texas, Mr. Speaker, 86 children age 8 and under died in motor vehicle crashes in 1995. Because many of those children were completely unrestrained, many of those deaths could have been prevented. This event will focus on proper installation of car seats and provide other important preventive tips to reduce injury and increase child safety. Educating our families is critical to protecting our children from becoming national statistics. It is a very worthwhile event. It deserves our support. Mr. Speaker, it could prove to save lives. I also want to thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] and the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster] as well as the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] for their expeditious handling of this matter. In closing, I would like to thank both the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer] and the gentlewoman from Maryland [Mrs. Morella] for their introducing the resolution and for focusing national attention on the importance of child safety seat use. Unfortunately the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer] could not come here this afternoon because of his involvement with the Committee on Appropriations. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers either, so I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore [Mr. Goodlatte]. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 98.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, we know that tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death, yet 400,000 Americans die each year from causes related to the use of tobacco. Our young people have grown up certain in the knowledge that tobacco causes cancer. Yet 3,000 American teenagers start smoking cigarettes every day. Hopefully the new FDA guidelines will help lower that number dramatically. I believe we need consistency in our policy toward tobacco. If we do not offer Federal crop insurance for commodities that are not a serious public health risk, why should we offer insurance for tobacco? Last year the taxpayers footed the bill for about $80 million in net tobacco insurance costs. At the same time, we spent almost 177 million trying to discourage tobacco use. Now we must ask the question, should we spend money to promote tobacco use or to discourage tobacco use? That is the fundamental issue that we are discussing right now. I do not believe the American people want us to continue having it both ways. After all the tough decisions we had in cutting spending, this is a simple one. It is time to stop giving special aid to tobacco. Instead of protecting the special interests, we must take the opportunity to help our families protect their children.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues know, in Congress we are working on giving Americans an $85 billion tax cut. The question is who should reap the greatest benefits from these tax cuts? Should it be the wealthiest corporations and the wealthiest Americans? Well, that is what I believe my Republican colleagues suggest. Or should it be the middle-class families who are struggling to obtain their dreams and could greatly benefit from these tax cuts? The Republican tax plan gives tax breaks to America's most profitable corporations and wealthiest individuals while leaving middle-class families with little help. According to a Treasury Department analysis, 63 percent of the Republican tax cuts will go to the top 20 percent of the wealthiest Americans. The Democrats' tax plan provides for middle-income families by giving a break to those families making less than $75,000 a year. It also provides a $500-per-child tax credit to middle- and low-income working families. The Republican plan denies millions of these families such tax breaks. I believe that is wrong. Working families need a break.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I intended to speak on my opposition to the Rohrabacher-Roemer amendment. This amendment was promoted to the members of this body in a letter headlined ``If You Won't Kill It, Chill It.'' What the sponsors of this amendment fail to remember is that earlier in this session, we had a referendum on the international space station. It was proposed by my good friend from Indiana. His amendment to kill the space station was soundly rejected. This body has made a commitment to the space station. We have done so, I believe, because we realize the space station is the next step for scientific and technological discoveries. While we debate this issue on the floor of the House today, the Pathfinder is sending us new and valuable information about Mars. I am sure we all agree the Pathfinder has been a complete success so far. America's fascination with space has been rekindled. Internet sites that posted pictures from the mission have been overwhelmed by people who wanted to see them. That fascination encourages students to work harder and scientists to be daring in finding the solutions that have eluded mankind here on Earth. And while we debate this issue on the floor of the House today, the Space Shuttle Columbia orbits the Earth on a 16-day scientific mission. Space is the future of research and development of new technologies. We all know the problems of the Russian economy. We know why there are delays on the delivery of their flight hardware. None of us like having to make these contingency plans. But bear in mind, the delays caused by Russia's inability to make good on their commitments cost us money, as well. Our Russian Program Assurance funds are not a blank check. They are, in fact, a prudent attempt to keep the project moving forward at a point when over 200,000 pounds of flight hardware has already been constructed. NASA tells us that waiting until the Russians are able to deliver the Service Module will cost the U.S. $300 million. That would be the result of the passage of this amendment--more costs and longer delays. We have an interim control module under development and other Step 1 contingency plans in the works. The passage of this amendment would end production on the ICM and many of the contingencies, placing the space station and our entire investment thus far on the fragile shoulders of Russia. Mr. Speaker, I'm not willing to do that. It doesn't make sense. Finally, this amendment takes money from one NASA account and places it into another--and does so against NASA's wishes. There is no budget savings involved. This is a strike at the very heart of our commitment to the international space station. That's what is on the line when you cast your vote. We didn't kill the space station back in April. In fact, we demonstrated strong, bipartisan support. And now my colleagues ask us to chill the space station? I would encourage my colleagues to keep progress on the space station red hot.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1818. I bring the attention of this body to title 5 of the bill. The bill will provide $5 million per year for the next 4 years for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The National Center has done many things that I discovered after the loss of a child to a murder in my district. The National Center uses pictures of missing children and family members to create age progression likenesses to help locate growing children who have been missing for years. It has an international office to work with law enforcement overseas to locate children taken to other nations. Their Internet site has a comprehensive data base of missing children including pictures. That site is hit over a half-million times a day. Since its inception in 1984, the National Center has helped recover over 35,000 missing children and reunited them with their families. The stories of these recoveries are absolutely overwhelming. As chairman of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, I can assure my colleagues that funding for the National Center is money well spent. I thank the committee for its support and I ask my colleagues to please support this bill.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, it is my pleasure to announce another reunion of a missing child with his family. Fourteen-year-old Vincent Clayton wandered away from his Montrose, MI, home in May 1996. Vincent suffers from seizures and developed amnesia. He was living in a foster home in Toledo, OH. Recently Vincent's foster mother received a ``Have You Seen Me'' card in the mail and saw a picture of her foster son. She got in touch with the authorities and Vincent was reunited with his family back in Michigan. ``Have You Seen Me'' is a joint effort by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and ADVO, a direct mail company. That is why I have begun printing the pictures and vital statistics of missing children on my office envelopes and why I encourage every Member of this body to do the same. Pictures work. We must work harder to get pictures of missing children in front of as many people as we possibly can. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me and join the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I have been listening. This morning also we were listening to our colleagues across the aisle talk about in their 1-minute speeches, one by one come up and complain about the Democrats engaging in class warfare. Our budget agreement that we voted on earlier this year called for $825 billion in tax cuts. Each party came up with a plan to distribute those tax cuts. The President presented a plan that would place our priority on giving those tax cuts to families to help them support their children, pay for college, and to provide for retirement. I proudly voted for that package, which I believed was a responsible way to cut taxes while we were making significant spending cuts along the way. Our colleagues across the aisle created their own blueprint also for the distribution of these taxes. According to the office of tax analysis, as the gentleman has already spoken of a few minutes ago, this Republican plan would give two-thirds of the tax breaks, two- thirds to the wealthiest one-fifth of American wage earners. By comparison, the President's plan would provide two-thirds of the tax breaks to the middle 60 percent of American wage earners. And they have the temerity to accuse Democrats of class warfare. If this is war, then let us examine who each side is fighting for. The Republicans want to repeal the alternative minimum tax, as we heard also a few minutes ago, thereby helping the largest and most profitable corporations avoid paying income taxes. The Republicans accuse Democrats of class warfare. Mr. Speaker, I told the people in the ninth district in Texas that if they elected me to Congress, I would fight for working families and not for special interests. I see an America today where our stock exchange continues to shatter records, but middle-class families still struggle to make ends meet. I see those families and I want to help them. I cannot help but wonder if our colleagues across the aisle do not see those struggling families at all or if they are simply blinded to their needs. The priorities of the two political parties are crystal clear on this issue. I am proud to stand beside the families in Galveston, Texas, Beaumont, Texas, in Baytown, Texas who will use these tax breaks to improve their day-to-day lives. If the Republicans want to call this class warfare, that is just fine. This is a battle of our national principles. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with the gentleman and our Democratic colleagues who are here tonight. I am proud to fight for tax relief for working families.

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today in the Ninth Congressional District in my State of Texas, we celebrate Juneteenth Independence Day. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 to abolish slavery, but it was not until June 19, 1865, 132 years ago today, that U.S. Gen. Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, TX in my district to announce that the State's 200,000 slaves were free. Although this holiday originated in Texas, it is being celebrated throughout our Nation today. I encourage all Americans to join with me and with the citizens of Texas, not only in celebration, but to take a moment to reflect on the meaning of Juneteenth and remember those African-Americans who have been slaves and who suffered and struggled to move from slavery to freedom. And finally, Mr. Speaker, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: ``We must use time creatively in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.''

Mr. LAMPSON

Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my dismay over the continued mishandling of the disaster relief bill by the Republican leadership. I represent a district along the gulf coast, and perhaps in several months, after a devastating hurricane, I will find myself in the same position as my colleagues, the gentleman from North Dakota [Mr. Pomeroy] and the gentleman from South Dakota [Mr. Thune]. I know that I would want disaster relief for my constituents in Galveston or Port Arthur or Texas City or Beaumont to be delivered as quickly as possible. Instead, my friends from the Dakotas have watched with what I can only imagine to be a combination of anger and disgust as certain factions within this body have played politics and political games with their aid. I voted against adjourning for the Memorial Day recess so we could resolve this situation. I cannot imagine how my colleagues must have felt returning to sites of the flood devastation and trying to explain the holdup. And yet, with great empathy for the flood victims, I felt that I had no choice but to vote against the disaster relief bill when it finally came to the floor. The practice of attaching extraneous riders to disaster relief legislation may not be new, but as a freshman, it is the first time I had been forced and faced with such a dilemma. It is wrong. It should not be done. Some of my colleagues have said it is the President playing politics. It is the House of Representatives playing politics and it is not right and should not be done. I agree with Grand Forks, ND, Mayor Pat Owens, who said: ``It is not fair to play with our people's lives and put amendments on to that bill.'' The Governor of South Dakota, Bill Janklow, a Republican I might add, refused to put his name on a letter to the President asking him to sign the bill. A Fargo-Moorhead Forum editorial described Janklow's refusal as, ``putting the interests of flood victims ahead of partisan considerations.'' I appreciate that the people of this area understand why we have been forced to vote against supplying them the aid they need and deserve. A clean disaster aid bill for the victims of the flooding in the Midwest is weeks overdue. It is the right thing to do. Today, after the President's veto, there is still no clean bill. Mr. Speaker, I must ask why. People's lives are in the balance. Mr. Speaker, I must also ask why we do not allow the extraneous provisions attached to the disaster bill to stand on their own. Are we afraid they will not stand up to the scrutiny of the committee process? If these are good ideas that will benefit the American people, let them stand alone. If these extraneous provisions have a broad base of support among the American people, allow the Members of this body to consider them on their own merits. Attaching them to a disaster relief bill is cowardly. I will briefly address just one of these provisions. In the 104th Congress, the House asked the Census Bureau to cut costs on the 2000 census. Followup analysis of the 1990 census done by the Bureau shows that our current method is resulting in an undercount. The National Academy of Sciences has told us a statistical technique called sampling will result in a more accurate count for the final 10 percent of Americans, those who do not respond to the questionnaires. The Census Bureau tells us the use of this technique will save them $1 billion in conducting the 2000 census, almost 25 percent of their cost. The Republicans seek to ban a technique which scientists tell us is better and the counters tell us is cheaper. Mr. Speaker, this does not add up. The fact that this is attached to a disaster relief bill is a red flag waving high in the sky. It is enormously suspicious, especially when given that a few years back, the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Gingrich, specifically requested sampling to be used in his own State. Mr. Speaker, one side of this debate has been up front with the victims of this flood and one side has made them pawns in a political game. The Fargo-Moorhead Forum newspaper concluded on Sunday morning and I quote again: ``Republican leaders in Congress continue to play outrageous political games with the lives and futures of Red River Valley flood victims.'' How true and how sad it is. A clean disaster relief bill is the right thing to do. Mr. Speaker, let us get it done.