Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, is the next vote on an amendment which was offered by my distinguished colleague from New York, Mr. Serrano?

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention the fine work and outstanding public service of Paula Porter, the outgoing chairman of the board of the Victorville Chamber of Commerce in Victorville, CA. Paula was recently honored for her dedicated advocacy on behalf of the citizens and business community of the Victor Valley. Paula Porter graduated from Victor Valley High School and is a 1981 graduate of the University of Redlands with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. A native Californian and seventh generation native of San Bernardino County, she works as vice president and treasurer of Porter Real Estate. She is the former city clerk and assistant to the city manager for the city of Victorville. Over the years, she has also served in a variety of civic and community oriented capacities. Paula's longstanding commitment to and support of the Victorville Chamber is demonstrated through her fine leadership and many years of active participation. She was first elected to the board in 1992 and has served in many capacities--vice president for membership services, vice president for financial services, vice president for community services, vice president for business services, and vice president for economic development. As chairman of the board, Paula has developed a number of new ventures for the chamber including participation in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Accreditation Program and developing a partnership with the Victor Valley Daily Press newspaper. Over the years, her work has also resulted in technological advances for the chamber including the addition of new computers and an Internet web site. Mr. Speaker, Paula Porter provides an example of leadership that is deeply respected and admired by her professional colleagues and the community at large. I ask that you join me, our colleagues, and Paula's many admirers in thanking her for such dedicated service and wishing Paula and her husband, Bill, the very best in the years ahead.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention a remarkable celebration that recently took place to honor Msgr. John J. Bradley as well as the 135th anniversary of St. Bernardine Church in San Bernardino, CA. On June 7, the parish hall was rededicated and named after Monsignor Bradley, a beloved and cherished figure in the history of this historic downtown church. Monsignor Bradley was ordained on June 4, 1942 at St. Kierans' College, Kilkenny, Ireland, and served in Ireland and England until coming to the United States in 1946. In December 1946, he began serving as an assistant at Sacred Heart Church in Ocean Beach. Monsignor Bradley also served as a pastor at St. Joseph's Church in Holtville from 1951 to 1953 and at St. John's Church in Encinitas from 1953 to 1961. In June 1961, he became a pastor at St. Bernardine's in San Bernardino, a tenure that lasted 31 years. In July 1992, Monsignor Bradley began 1 year of retired service in residence at St. Bernardine's. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in paying tribute to this gentle man who has served and inspired our community over the years. One cannot begin to describe the esteem in which this beloved man is held in the local parish. It is only fitting that the House of Representatives recognize his dedicated and faithful service today.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention the fine achievements of an outstanding group of students from Redlands High School in San Bernardino County, CA. Earlier this year, the Redlands High School mock trial team participated in and emerged victorious from both the San Bernardino County championship and State championship competitions, earning the right to compete at the national level. Under the fine coaching of Donna St. George of Redlands High School and legal coaching of Michael Knish, a deputy public defender for San Bernardino County, the 11-member mock trial team won the San Bernardino County championship on March 1. On April 6, these dedicated students defeated the best teams in the State of California to win the State championship in Sacramento. As a result of that victory, the Redlands High School mock trial team traveled to Nashville in May to compete in the national championship. They emerged from this competition with a 16th place finish putting Redlands High School among the finest in mock trial teams in the entire United States. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in paying tribute to Manuel Aguilar, David Burton, Christopher Carrillo, Jesse Dioquino, Angela Gi, Erica Hagstrom Kevin Hicks, Rachel Julagay, Grace Kong, Candice McNeil, and Tiffany Wang. To say the least, I am extremely proud of these fine students and it is only fitting that the House of Representatives recognize their achievements today.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my chairman yielding this time to me, and, Mr. Speaker, I currently have the privilege of being the chairman of the subcommittee of appropriations that deals with the disaster relief part of this bill. Throughout my career I have made a very serious effort to attempt to, where I could, eliminate partisan vitriol from subjects that relate to our subcommittee, but specially in the area of disaster relief. When we recessed not so long ago, I was working in the conference dealing with this major bill. During that conference we had two or three items that were hanging up the bill, so we could not get the work done before that recess. Everybody but everybody knew there was enough money in the FEMA, that is the Federal Emergency Management Agency pipeline, to fund that which we could do in the very short term. There was some discussion of a slimmed-down version to make people feel good, but the facts were there was enough money to cover that 10-day period. Because of that, I was astonished, while working in my district, to hear the President of the United States using his weekly radio address to suggest that one way or another, the Congress had walked away from those disaster victims. He suggested that they were unconcerned about the people of South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota, and he said, as they go on vacation, ladies and gentlemen, disaster does not know of a vacation. I was astonished that the President would take that position, when he knew full well, or at least he should have known, that there was money in the pipeline to cover that very short recess. Now we find ourselves, we found ourselves today considering legislation in which the Republican committees have added $3.5 billion more than the President requested for disaster relief and put extra money in a housing program to make sure we can solve the problems of moving families from the floodplain way beyond the President's request in these cases, way beyond the President's request. And now we find ourselves with that same President who is talking about our vacation, threatening to veto this very important measure, because of two technicalities really, one having to do with the census in which we suggest at least everybody ought to be counted; and the other end has to do with whether we allow the President to deal with a continuing resolution, shutting down the House or not. He wants to strike the language that would eliminate the shutting down of the House. I cannot understand why he would want to do that. Nonetheless, on technicalities, he is going to veto this bill and presume that that is not a vacation, presume these people do not have this problem any further. Mr. President, you should sign this bill if you really care about those people in the disaster areas of this country.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate the gentlewoman yielding. I just wanted to rise and say to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton], I very much appreciate the collegiality and the friendship she has extended to me. The symbolism that is the house that Congress built is just beginning. I think the gentlewoman already knows that any number of private partners have begun to contribute not just material but funds as well to make sure that the dollars are available to complete this facility. The gentlewoman has mentioned that this will go on from here. Indeed I know that the gentlewoman and I will be working together in the year before us to encourage Members not just along with their staffs to complete these two homes in Washington, DC, but then, just think, next year as Members start looking to their district and working with Habitat and talking about the wonderful theology of the hammer and the effect that it can have upon this place. I have for some time now been most disconcerted by reactions in my own district where people are saying: ``Why don't you people ever work together? Why this partisanship almost for the sake of it?'' And indeed the gentlewoman and I have talked a lot about that. There is little doubt that this is a turning point in the Congress, and being able to work with the gentlewoman is a great privilege for me, and I appreciate her collegiality and friendship, and I thank her for her help.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes] yielding. It occurred to me earlier that it is no accident that the very day that we will go out in a bipartisan manner together attempting to make a difference in the lives of these two families here in Washington, DC, that Mother Teresa will be receiving a gold medal on behalf of the Congress. To say the least, the confluence of people serving people that both those activities reflect is very much a part of the spirit that I have found and brought back from Hershey, PA, where as the gentleman remembers when we were there together, there were 220 Members, Democrats and Republicans, who committed themselves to a new kind of dialogue in the House, moving away from this confrontation for the sake of confrontation. Indeed if this resolution ends up being a reflection of continuing that spirit, then all the better. I want my colleague to know I very much appreciate his assistance and his friendship.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate my colleague yielding. I want to express my deep appreciation to my colleague, the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. Stokes], who has worked with me on this issue, and my colleague, the gentlewoman from Washington, DC, [Ms. Norton], my local Member of Congress. Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday Ms. Norton and I came to this floor to speak to a very important need facing the citizens of the District of Columbia and indeed the entire Nation. The need is simple: Decent, affordable homes for the working families of the United States. The gentlewoman from Washington, DC, [Ms. Norton], Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, the gentleman from Missouri, the House minority leader, [Mr. Gephardt], the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. Stokes], the gentleman from New York, [Mr. Lazio], and the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Kennedy] joined me in introducing this bipartisan legislation expressing the sense of the House that Members of Congress can do more than just talk about providing homes for our citizens and neighbors. Indeed, it is time for action. On that very same day, the Speaker, Ms. Norton, Mr. Stokes, the founder and president of Habitat for Humanity, Millard Fuller, and two very special families gathered together to celebrate an important milestone in the history of the Congress and the District of Columbia. These bipartisan leaders gathered to announce ``The House that Congress Built,'' a unique partnership involving Congress, HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo, leaders of the National Partners in Homeownership, and others. On June 5, these leaders will begin construction of two Habitat for Humanity homes in Southeast Washington, DC. ``The House that Congress Built'' is a powerful symbol demonstrating the commitment of a bipartisan Congress and numerous organizations toward one common goal, providing a decent and affordable home for every American family. It is also an appropriate way to kick off National Homeownership Week, the week of June 7 through 14, a campaign to emphasize local and national efforts to make the American dream a reality. This unique effort is supported by the National Partners in Homeownership, an unprecedented public-private partnership working to dramatically increase homeownership in America. Presently, this membership consists of 63 members representing real estate professionals, home builders, nonprofit housing providers, as well as local, State, and Federal levels of government. The goal of this partnership is to achieve an all-time high rate of homeownership, 67 percent of all American households, by the end of year 2000. There is still very much work to be done. This effort is only possible because of the inspiring work of Millard Fuller, the founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International, who has built a worldwide Christian housing ministry over a period of 20 years. Since its creation in 1976, Habitat for Humanity and its volunteers have built homes with 50,000 families in need in more than 1,300 cities and 50 countries. As a result of Fuller's vision, more than 250,000 people across the globe now have safe, decent, affordable homes. In Philadelphia recently, President Clinton, President Bush, retired Gen. Colin Powell and others gathered to salute the spirit of volunteer service that exists in this country. No other organization better illustrates this spirit than Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is an organization that brings people together. Its volunteers are as diverse as the people who live in these United States. Most importantly, Habitat for Humanity promotes what Millard Fuller describes as the theology of the hammer, namely, putting faith and love into action to serve others. In this case, the theology of the hammer is being applied to assist two very special soon-to-be homeowners, Marlene Hunter and her family and Mary Collins and her family. Even before the first nail has been driven, Members of Congress, corporate sponsors and these families have made a commitment that will be fulfilled as these two homes are built this summer entirely by Members of Congress and their staff. Let me assure my colleagues that this is only just the beginning. Next year we hope to continue this bipartisan effort by having every Member of the Congress make a commitment to build a Habitat home in his or her own congressional district. That is a commitment that will provide a home for 435 working families. Imagine an additional 435 first-time home buyers because of the hands-on work of every Member of this body. It is a first step, but an important beginning, nonetheless. I want to thank my colleagues, Speaker Newt Gingrich, Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, Ms. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Lou Stokes, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Rick Lazio, and the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Joe Kennedy, for their commitment to this unique effort and for joining me in passing this bipartisan resolution

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman would yield, I am happy to.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, we have seen the amendment, we agree with the amendment and accept it.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate the gentleman yielding. I asked the gentleman to yield simply because I did enjoy the gentleman's speech but he just happens to be wrong. The fact is that FEMA moneys, advance payments of FEMA moneys are making up for funding of floods and disasters that have taken place in the past. We have got to continue that funding forward. If we do not continue that funding forward, there could be a gap in FEMA's services. The last thing we need to do as a result of this bill is to allow any gap to occur in those fundings for those disasters that are so important to the American people.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment. Mr. Chairman, it is very important that Members focus upon this amendment for it goes right to the heart of why we have an emergency supplemental. If this amendment were to be successful, it would interrupt FEMA's ability to go forward consistently without having to close back their operations at a very critical time. Remember that the time when these funds will be most needed takes us directly into the heart of the hurricane season, which has been predicted to be among the worst on record. There is little question that if Members at this time vote in a fashion that would undermine FEMA funding, an agency that among all the agencies has begun to do things right, we will be in a position of having stood on this floor and essentially voted against those people facing very difficult times at this critical moment. I urge the Members to be very cautious about this vote. I also urge the Members to vote no on this amendment.

Mr. LEWIS of California. If the gentleman will yield further, I might say that the people ought to have a clear understanding that the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Hayworth] has certainly gotten all of our attention and we appreciate that.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate the gentleman yielding. I would first like to express my deep appreciation to the gentleman from Arizona for his bringing this matter to my attention. I have been very, very appreciative of his making certain that our committee understands just how frustrating this has been not just for him but for his constituents back home. We are more than happy to make every effort to see that FEMA is responsive to the problems of the people in and around Gila, Arizona. I agree that 4 years is too long to wait to get relief for those communities which have suffered from disasters. I would like to work with the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Hayworth] in the months ahead to make certain that day in and day out we have the attention of the top leadership of FEMA, and I am happy to be a part of that effort.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LEWIS of California. If the gentleman will continue to yield, we have worked very closely with the Department. I must say to the gentleman that it was a GAO study approximately a year ago that the committee became involved in that first began reviewing these programs. At the same time, the new Secretary was just really coming aboard, and he has done a very effective job of helping us identify some of these problems. There is no question that the House should be committed and is committed to making sure these services continue to be received.

Mr. LEWIS of California. The gentleman is correct, Mr. Chairman. I think the gentleman understands that suddenly we have found that the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs does have a little problem from time to time with their accounting procedures. We suddenly found that there was a sizable amount of money in reserve which had not been discovered before. It was very apparent to this Member that if that BA was just left out there it might very well have been scooped up by other interests around the House. It was important that we reserve that money in a way that would allow us to maintain control. So two things occurred: First, as we recognized that some of this budget authority could very effectively be used to deal with these emergency problems across the country, that at the same time allowed us to maintain some control over that authority over time. We wanted to make certain it was not used for other purposes because we do need the long-term commitment to those tenants who are receiving these services in these housing programs.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to yield, he is correct, the bill rescinds budget authority which has been held for reserves and which HUD says they will not need. May I ask the gentleman if he included that amendment in the housing bill which passed yesterday?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Massachusetts in time to have a colloquy regarding a question in the housing field that he is interested in.