Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. If the gentleman will yield, I would be pleased to do so.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price).

Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate very much the gentleman having this colloquy with me and raising this important issue. As we have discussed, the smoking policy in the House office buildings is under the jurisdiction of the House Office Building Commission. That commission is made up of leaders on both sides of the aisle; and, frankly, I am very hesitant to interfere with their responsibility or their work. But I think it is very important that the gentleman is raising this issue today, and I am happy to have this discussion with him.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I found one other reason to love the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis). Her caring for horses as much as I do is a thrill to me. The problem is I have studied this material and cannot find that this is the best way to use our funding, especially when these horses will have a new home where they might be used more effectively. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I might consume. The legislative branch bill, Mr. Chairman, provides for $2.870 billion, an increase of only 1.7 percent over the fiscal year 2005. The bill represents a $270 million reduction from the budget request. Mr. Chairman, although we did not agree on every item on this bill, we worked very closely with the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) to produce a bipartisan bill for the legislative branch. I want to thank all the committee members for their contributions in putting this bill together. While small in size, this is the bill that funds the work of the Congress, and it is a bill that we all can be very proud of. The bill includes funding for the operations of the House and several joint items, the Capitol Police, the Compliance Board, the Congressional Budget Office, the Architect of the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Government Printing Office, the General Accountability Office, and the Open World Leadership Program. There will be no reductions in the current workforce. The bill provides for all personnel cost-of-living increases and all other pay-related costs. The bill also was reported out of the full committee on a voice vote. The Capitol Visitor Center is funded at the cost-to-complete level of $36.9 million. The bill does not include funding for CVC operating expenses. The bill establishes an Inspector General for the Capitol Police. The bill terminates the mounted horse unit and transfers the horses and equipment to the U.S. Park Service. As part of an amendment in the full committee, I offered, and the committee adopted, the Continuity in Representation Act at the Speaker's request. This bill has passed the House twice, and just recently, the vote in March was 329 to 68. Mr. Chairman, this is a good bill and one that benefits the entire legislative branch. Ultimately, this is the bill that reflects the work of the House. We are all in this together, Mr. Chairman, and because of that, I feel very strongly that this legislation should have the support of the entire House. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH22JN05.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH22JN05.002 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH22JN05.003 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH22JN05.004 Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the fiscal year 2006 appropriations has been held at the fiscal year 2005 level. This is a decrease of $2.5 million below the 2004 level. The Record is distributed in accordance with title 44, chapter 9 of the U.S. Code; and within that there are 3,000 copies that go to Members, of the House and Senate, 153 copies to the Library of Congress, et cetera. I can provide the balance of this in the Record. 3,018 copies to Members, House 1,479 copies, Senate 1,539 copies; 153 copies to the Library of Congress; 754 copies to public agencies and institutions designated by Senators; 698 copies to Federal agencies that pay for the copies; 521 copies to subsribers who pay for the copies; 692 copies to Federal Depository libraries nationwide. I would say to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), that it is my feeling that an amendment like this where people are kind of reacting to the Congressional Record, et cetera, will likely pass overwhelmingly. And if I am correct in that, I would be inclined for us to stand back in this discussion, if the gentleman agrees with me, and perhaps discuss this further as we go to conference. What would be the gentleman's reaction to that?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood). (Mr. LaHOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition to the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to yield 2\1/2\ minutes of that time to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) for purposes of control.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate very much my colleague's comments. Mr. Chairman, during the markup of this bill, we pared down the total requests considerably from roughly $3 billion to $2.8 billion, a 9 percent reduction from the requested amount. The bill is currently only 1.7 percent over fiscal year 2005. This increase barely sustains services. It provides for cost-of-living increases, some inflationary items, and a minimal number of projects to keep our buildings and grounds in reasonably good order. A further reduction of 1 percent will adversely impact the operation of the legislative branch during the fiscal year ahead. The amendment would reduce the total bill to a level that is less than 1 percent over current services. The reduction will severely impair the ability of the House and legislative branch agencies to provide the full cost-of-living increases for all of our employees. This is a good bill that has received balanced consideration. It is nice to say we will cut 1 percent across the board, but frankly, that is really not the way to legislate, and because of that, I strongly oppose the gentleman's amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), my colleague.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I certainly appreciate both of my friends yielding and having this discussion. But, this extended kind of dialogue and exchange we had on the floor today was one that was a very healthy discussion. I have had many experiences here of late with my friend, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey). And when I have had a great day, and when I really had a great day, it has involved a week in which we have worked our way through the processes that lead to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and I having more than one discussion a day for several days during that week. And I go home to California. And then, kind of taking in a deep breath on Saturday. Sunday morning I go out back, smile when I am feeling good, and I walk across the pool. And, gentlemen, I want you to know I get wet every time. In the meantime, it is a wonder, and a wonderment working with the two of you. You have done a fabulous job. We very much appreciate the leadership on both sides of the aisle on this very important matter.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to take just this minute to express my deepest respect and appreciation to both the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) for a fabulous job. We had a rather extended discussion today, which is not usual for this bill.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise only to express my strong support for the Dreier-Kolbe amendment, which recognizes that Congress has a long-standing understanding of the fact that the difficulties of immigration, the challenges of illegal immigration especially, are a Federal responsibility. What the gentleman is proposing is not creating a grant program, but rather reimbursing for funds already spent to meet the challenge of our borders. Indeed, it is very important that we move forward in terms of funding. This $50 million amount raises the total to $405 million, only about 25 cents on the dollar relative to the national cost. It is a very important change. Mr. Chairman, I urge everybody to support the Dreier-Kolbe amendment, and I thank the gentlemen for their work.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I very much appreciate my chairman, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), for yielding me whatever time I might consume. I really rise because I want the House to know that this bill is perhaps one of the most positive reflections of what our Appropriations Committee can do at the subcommittee level when we work in a very professional and highly nonpartisan manner to address major problems that face our country. The question of homeland security and the need for expanding effectively our work in this arena is obvious. Both the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) have done a fabulous job of working together. The staffs are not just outstanding, they have produced a product of which we can all be proud. Indeed, as we go through the process today it is conceivable this product may change because of untoward circumstances. But I must say in the arena that involves homeland security we do have a new authorizing committee that has been put together. They have yet to produce their first product this year, but they are working diligently to try to move in that direction. It is our desire to help them be successful. And over time I am certain that we will be able to help them be successful. If money has anything to do with this process we hope to have a very positive influence. In turn, the bill as it is currently formed is being used effectively for oversight. We all know that this department is something much different than an elephant or a hippopotamus or a donkey combined. It is the merging of some 22 agencies, an attempt to put together the homeland security department. As we attempt to massage the process to make sure this agency can operate effectively, clearly the Appropriations Committee has a role to play. In their attempt to provide effective oversight, before oversight has been done by way of the authorizing committee, for they have not had a chance to do that yet, it is very important that dollar pressure get the attention of this organization. Let me just mention one area in the area of the Coast Guard's work, in the Deepwater arena. Preceding 9/11 they were on a plan for working and developing their responsibilities in Deepwater efforts. Subsequent to 9/11, the chairman has been pushing them to move in the direction of remodeling their plan to reflect this new world that we are living in. And the chairman has worked, by way of language in past bills, he has worked by communication with the leadership of the new agency, he has done everything he can to have them be responsive to a plan that is not just a 5-year, but a 20-year plan that tells us where these sizeable number of dollars are going to be spent to impact that piece of our security. And indeed the lack of response from the Coast Guard is astonishing to me. I mean, indeed, you would think perhaps that this subcommittee did not exist because they presume that money for them would be automatic around this place. Well, the Chairman has done a great job of trying to send a message that says, we expect you to have a real world plan that reflects post- 9/11 realities. And that language is important to our ability to provide oversight in the months that are just ahead. I would hope that all of us working together would recognize that sometimes you use the vehicle that is available to have oversight that will impact an agency whose attention we absolutely must get. Otherwise we could waste not just 6 months or a year, we could waste 2 or 3 years while we are getting our act together. Indeed, let me return to my original point; that is, this subcommittee has done a fabulous job. If you will just read this bill and look at the care that has been taken in every section, staffs on both sides of the aisle indeed should be applauded for their effort at causing both the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo) and my colleague, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), for doing a fabulous job on behalf of our Nation's security.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations have until midnight May 13, 2005, to file a privileged report making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations have until midnight, May 13, 2005 to file a privileged report, making appropriations for the Department of Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true leader for quality higher education in California, University of Redlands President, Jim Appleton. Over the past 18 years, Jim Appleton has helped a small liberal arts college gain a national reputation for excellence and progressive thinking. The University of Redlands was established by the American Baptist Church nearly 100 years ago in what was then a small farming community east of the growing Los Angeles urban area. In the intervening century, both the city of Redlands and the University have grown in population and sophistication. The university is now an independent liberal-arts school, and the community is known throughout Southern California for its historical housing districts and support for the arts. The University of Redlands was already becoming a modern institution when Jim Appleton was named president in 1987. Its student body had grown to 1,280, and its endowment was a respectable $24 million. It had been rated highly in the widely-read survey of colleges by the U.S. News and World Report magazine. Jim Appleton came to the University of Redlands from the University of Southern California, where he had been a faculty member, vice president for student affairs and vice president of development. He brought a can-do spirit from that national powerhouse institution. Appleton balanced the university's books in 1989 for the first time in years. A new ball field was added in 1994, and a new NCAA-quality aquatics center opened in 1996. Overall, the college has invested $140 million in new facilities in the past 18 years--compared to $21 million in the previous 20 years. The building program is continuing with a new science center, new environmental studies center and new mathematics facility. Along the way, many of the college's historic structures have been renovated and modernized, as well. New academic programs include Environmental Studies, Race and Ethnic Studies, and Theater. The college has increased its full-time faculty by 40 percent, and has added professional schools in business and education. Three graduate degree programs are now offered--in music, communicative disorders and in geographic information systems--the latter a collaboration with the internationally known GIS company ESRI, which is also headquartered in Redlands. The success of the university is easily measured: The student body today is 2,450 in the undergraduate schools, and an additional 1,965 in the graduate programs. The endowment is now in excess of $107 million, and the university has raised $70 million of a $100 million Centennial Campaign begun in 2004. As a member of Congress representing Redlands, I have been pleased that my colleagues have seen fit over the years to provide federal funds to further innovative programs at the university. The returns on the investment have ranged from informative studies on desert environment systems to new methods for teaching technology to classroom teachers. I have found it especially rewarding to work with my friend Jim Appleton, who has shown such dedication to his university and to the city we both call home. Mr. Speaker, after 18 years as president, Jim Appleton has decided to ``retire'' and become university chancellor. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking him for his years of service to the education of our young people, and wish him and his wonderful wife Carol the utmost success in their future endeavors.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, since this change is merely a technical item in nature, I urge swift adoption of this resolution so we can expedite enrollment of the bill and get it to the President for his signature today. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate Concurrent Resolution (S. Con. Res. 31) to correct the enrollment of H.R. 1268.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hostettler). (Mr. HOSTETTLER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the resolution instructs the enrolling clerk to correct a provision in division B of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations conference report that was drafted incorrectly. The conference agreement included a provision to make available an additional pool of permanent resident visas only for nurses and physical therapists. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the chairman of the Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, and Commerce, and Related Agencies, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf).