Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to pay tribute to the 35-year public service career of G. Louis Fletcher, the General Manager of the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, located in my Congressional District in Southern California. From his start as an engineer, General Manager Fletcher has provided leadership at every level of the agency. He will retire at the end of this month. Louis Fletcher is one of the unsung men of vision who have ensured that the booming communities of the San Bernardino and Yucaipa Valleys have never faced a water supply problem. Starting with the agency in 1966, Mr. Fletcher was responsible for the design and construction of a major aqueduct system that presently delivers imported water from the California State Water Project to the San Bernardino and Yucaipa Valleys. Mr. Fletcher has championed the needs of constituents in the 40th Congressional District for decades, including leading the fight to convince the Army Corps of Engineers to agree to a flood-control dam that would be much more aesthetic--and more effective--than what was planned for the town of Mentone. The completed Seven Oaks Dam on the upper Santa Ana River provides flood control relief for millions and blends wonderfully with the surrounding hills. The principal accomplishment of Mr. Fletcher's career has been the design and construction of a water supply system for hundreds of thousands of people. He is known throughout California for his innovative work in groundwater management, water quality and quantity computer models, mortar lining of steel water pipelines, and improved methods of wastewater management. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in honoring G. Louis Fletcher for his lifelong work in providing clean and reliable water to so many people. It is fitting that all of us join with his family and friends in recognizing his service and dedication to the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise again only to say that the history of this is very, very important. Well over a year ago in San Diego, California, as a result of ill-placed policies developed in the State legislature, we found ourselves faced with an energy crisis. Some way, somehow the chairman of our public utilities commission in California advised the Governor that it was not a crisis and as a result of that literally they did nothing. The State legislature and the Governor has done nothing during this last year and a half. Now suddenly they are recognizing the crisis and asking Washington some way to figure out how they got there and how they ought to get out. The fact is that electrons do not know the limits of San Diego or of California. We are in a regionwide crisis. That crisis is beginning to be dealt with by some actions by FERC, only after long awaiting the Governor and the State legislature to come forth with actions of their own. Mr. Chairman, there is little question that we face a crisis in the West. But this proposal of price caps will only undermine the short- term efforts that are being made here but could potentially destroy our hope for a long-term solution which involves more and new energy sources in California.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time. The assumptions being made in the Pelosi amendment relative to the price caps assumes that one way or another that such price caps are going to make sure that the price of energy in California does not rise. The fact is that the price of energy, our utility bills in California, are rising at this moment and it appears they are going to continue to rise because of a history in California of a considerable lack of leadership in planning in terms of our energy needs and how we might meet those needs. There is little question that the action taken by FERC this last several days and actually over the last several weeks is a very positive step in the right direction. It was not by accident after the FERC ruling that affects the entire West that my colleague in the Senate, Dianne Feinstein, made a decision to back off of the approach that she was going to be taking relative to the energy crisis at home. She felt we ought to give it some time to work. It is very apparent that there is a very real risk that if we impose energy caps, two things will occur. First, we will lay the foundation to undermine the long-range solution, the kind of investment that will allow us to develop energy sources in California that we desperately need. But secondly I would point to a report that came forth today from the Department of Energy that indicates that the proposed wholesale electric price controls in California could double the number of rolling blackouts from 113 to 235 hours and increase the number of households in the dark to about 1,575. Minimizing the number of blackouts ought to be our principal goal because more intense blackouts would greatly imperil the health and safety of California's citizens and would undermine the State's economy at least as much as high prices. The analysis in this report is that blackouts will be worse and last longer if price controls are established. For those reasons, we should strongly oppose the Pelosi amendment.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I must say he has made an immense contribution today and I appreciate it very much. Mr. Chairman, the bill, as the gentleman from Florida has indicated, involves supplemental appropriations requirements across the board. With many of the circumstances facing the country but particularly with national defense, this bill addresses the fact that there are shortfalls in a number of areas that essentially are must-pay obligations. Within the bill there is a total of defense appropriations amounting to some $6.3 billion. With an offset of some $834 million, the net increase is $5.46 billion. The bill reflects a broad cross-section of serious concerns dealing with our military. I will give just a few examples regarding the elements of this bill and hold back as much as I possibly can on taking time. An example of high priority on the part of both the President as well as the Chiefs of the various services, the bill includes $550 million to cover the costs associated with military pay and benefits, costs which are being incurred largely because of legislated changes in the pay and benefit package. In addition to that element, there is approximately $1.6 billion for funding shortfalls dealing with defense medical programs, the TRICARE program that helps provide the fundamental medical care available to our military people. The bill also provides over $3 billion in direct support for ongoing operations and readiness. This includes $670 million to address those increases in energy costs that are being borne by DOD installations across the country. We have had a good deal of discussion already today about the impact of rising energy costs in the West. As our communities are affected, so is the military affected, and this bill attempts to begin to address that subject area. I might mention, in connection with that, especially to those in the West who are concerned about the energy matter, another component of this appropriations bill as well as the language that goes along with it will attempt to take us in the direction of developing energy independence on our military bases, hopefully moving in the direction of having them have enough capacity to meet their needs but also have supplementary capacity that can help assist in the grid when serious shortfalls take place. Finally, within the bill, we have provided funds for unexpected costs for a number and variety of immediate challenges and unexpected challenges. For example, the U.S.S. Cole, that tragedy that occurred not so long ago, there is a $44 million amount. There is also $40 million for damages at defense facilities resulting from national disasters, but the Cole is an obvious illustration of the kind of emergency needs that we are talking about. We would hope in the months and years ahead to be able to establish guidelines within defense appropriations that will essentially take us to the point of not having to have supplemental appropriations bills. But clearly emergencies do come along. We have illustrations of those in the chairman's statement and mine as well.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. Mr. Chairman, it is a relatively simple matter to stand and oppose new airplanes that one can designate as ``airplanes purchased for generals'' and describe them as ``luxury jets.'' The reality is that we do have a number of aircraft purchased over a number of years that are used by the leaders of all the forces within the Department of Defense and the individual branches. In this case, over the last several years we tried to replace several of those older aircraft. Some of them are as old as 40 years of age. The new aircraft that have been put in as replacements are smaller, they are modern, they are commercial, they allow the senior military leaders within the branches to carry out their very serious responsibilities in providing leadership for our national defense systems. The Air Force budgeted $6 million in fiscal year 2001 of the President's budget for the C-37A provided for in the Fiscal Year 1999 appropriations. However, total operating costs for that C-37A have exceeded estimates, plus start-up costs for a number of other aircraft put us in a position where the total cost involved for this fiscal year is some $30.5 million. The military had already budgeted some $6 million, leaving us with a shortfall of $24.5 million. If we were to cancel that funding, essentially we would have new aircraft in place, but no way to effectively use them in the fashion they were designed to be used in the first place. This appropriation was considered and passed by the Congress in the past. I urge the Members to recognize the reality of this need among the leadership of the branches and urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank very much the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), my full committee chairman, for yielding me the time. Like the gentleman from Florida, I wish that I were the author of this amendment for, indeed, if it were not for those budget limitations that have been mentioned, there is little question that we would have bipartisan support by way of vote, as well as spirit. There is little question that one of the complications in this process is that under other circumstances, we might very well have exercised emergency provisions to be able to go by our budgetary cap. On the other hand, we face rather sensitive and complicated circumstances in the other body. If they should find themselves with difficulty, it would require 60 votes in the other body; and it could slow down this very, very important measure. Nevertheless, as the gentleman from Florida has indicated, there is not a Member in the House who is more concerned and dedicated to doing the work that is necessary for the men and women who make up our armed services than the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton). He is my colleague, the ranking member on the authorizing committee. He works very, very closely with us as we go about the appropriations process. I very enthusiastically support his intent here, but I must reserve my vote when the vote actually occurs. And I appreciate the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, the airborne laser integrates a high power laser on a Boeing 747 aircraft. It is designed to protect our deployed troops from the threat of theater ballistic missiles. The Pentagon requested $153 million to address program shortfalls. The amendment reduces that request by $55 million, leaving an increase of $98 million. It is true that in the January time frame this year, the Air Force estimated the airborne laser shortfall to be at $98 million. Thirty- four million was part of cost growth, $64 million rephase efforts originally planned for out years. Since January, the Air Force has identified two additional areas of increased cost which total $55 million as follows: $30 million additional cost growth for the loss of suppliers, technical complexities, et cetera; $25 million additional spares to reduce testing risks. We have scrutinized these additional costs carefully and have determined that they are necessary to keep the program on track. Failure to fund the additional cost growth could force the contractor to stop work on the program. Failure to fund the additional spares will likely lead to inefficient schedule disruptions that will increase costs further. The airborne laser already has a very tight schedule for a 2003 lethal demonstration against a theater missile. This is an important program required to protect our troops from weapons of mass destruction. I strongly encourage the Members to vote no on this amendment.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank very much the gentleman for yielding me this time. I must say it is very interesting to be taking up the supplemental and have on the Democratic side the bill actually chaired or being handled by my partner in the Subcommittee on Defense. It is very, very appropriate. There are two things that are appropriate about that: One is the fact that the vast percentage of the dollars within this supplemental involve our national security. And the other is that the ranking member, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), is sitting over there taking notes, careful notes, to make sure that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) and I do not get out of line too much. We very much appreciate the effort of the gentleman from Wisconsin to expedite the process today. I want to thank him personally for his work as well as my chairman.

Mr. LEWIS of California

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague yielding. I want my colleagues to know that the gentleman who chairs the subcommittee, the appropriate subcommittee in this policy arena, has been more than cooperative with those of us from California worried about the challenges that we face in the West. Indeed, he spent hours and hours trying to examine where in the Federal law we might make changes that would improve that condition. Finally he came to the conclusion that, outside of the FERC taking a temporary action to try to help California, that literally the flexibility was available already. The reality, as the chairman has said, is that over months now, and indeed years now, California has been headed towards a crisis that finally we are bearing the fruit of. I want the chairman to know how much we appreciate his cooperation, his efforts to help us. I want the body to know I very much appreciate the gentleman's efforts to try to cooperate with us, and in turn he has essentially sent the message, you have the flexibility at home; solve the problem at home where it started in the first place.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention the outstanding accomplishments three student historians who are protegees of retired teacher Irene Sorensen of Bishop, California. Working with Mrs. Sorensen on independent study assignments, eighth graders Lauren Pollini and Kristen Kamei, and 10th grader Patrick Koske-McBride won a place on the California team at the National History Day competition at the University of Maryland this week. The competition involved students from across the United States who submitted projects on this year's theme: ``Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.'' Lauren and Kristen qualified for the national competition by first winning California State History Day competitions at the county and state levels. Their exhibit, entitled ``An Education Frontier: Assimilation Through Education: An Owens Valley Paiute Experience,'' won the state junior group exhibit category. This is Lauren's second trip to the National History Day competition--she was a finalist last year in the Junior Historical Paper competition. This is also Patrick's second trip to National History Day. The Bishop Union High School student qualified for the national competition this year with a historical paper titled ``Genetics Genesis: How the Double Helix Transformed the World.'' He also wrote his project independently of his regular classroom work. The outstanding accomplishments of Lauren, Kristen and Patrick were undoubtedly guided by the leadership of her teacher, Mrs. Irene Sorensen. Irene is a past winner of the Richard Farrell Award from the National History Day as the 1996 Teacher of Merit. Irene retired last year month after 19 years of teaching at Home Street School and leading students to statewide and national recognition, but agreed this year to work with her former students on their projects. The town of Bishop, and Home Street School are 200 miles from the closest university library or other academic research facility. Yet under Irene's direction, Bishop students have won at the state level and qualified for National History Day nine times during the 13 years of History Day competition. Clearly, the dedication of teachers like Irene Sorensen make our public school system the finest in the world. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing Lauren Pollini, Kristen Kamei and Patrick Koske-McBride for their fine accomplishment. I'd also like to commend Irene Sorensen for her fine leadership and her devotion to such remarkable educational standards. Students like Lauren, Kristen and Patrick and instructors like Irene set a fine example for us all and it is only appropriate that the House pay tribute to them all today.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding Marine Corps Officer, Major Stewart H. Holmes, who served with distinction and dedication for two and a half years for the Secretary of the Navy, Commandant of the Marine Corps and under the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (FM&C) as the Marine Corps Appropriations Liaison Officer in the Appropriations Matters Office. It is a privilege for me to recognize his many outstanding achievements and commend him for the superb service he has provided to the United States Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy, the Congress, and our nation. During his tenure in the Appropriations Matters Office, which began in December of 1998, Major Holmes has provided members of the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense as well as our professional and associate staffs with timely and accurate support regarding Marine Corps plans, programs and budget decisions. His valuable contributions have enabled the Defense Subcommittee and the Marine Corps to strengthen its close working relationship and to ensure the most modem, well-trained and well-equipped marine forces attainable for our nation's defense. Mr. Speaker, Stewart Holmes and his wife Deborah have made many sacrifices during his marine career, and his distinguished service has exemplified the Marine motto ``Semper Fidelis.'' As they depart the Appropriations Matters Office to embark on yet another great Marine adventure, I call upon colleagues to wish them both every success.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding Marine Corps Officer, Major Stewart H. Holmes, who served with distinction and dedication for two and a half years for the Secretary of the Navy, Commandant of the Marine Corps and under the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (FM&C) as the Marine Corps Appropriations Liaison Officer in the Appropriations Matters Office. It is a privilege for me to recognize his many outstanding achievements and commend him for the superb service he has provided to the United States Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy, the Congress, and our nation. During his tenure in the Appropriations Matters Office, which began in December of 1998, Major Holmes has provided members of the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense as well as our professional and associate staffs with timely and accurate support regarding Marine Corps plans, programs and budget decisions. His valuable contributions have enabled the Defense Subcommittee and the Marine Corps to strengthen its close working relationship and to ensure the most modern, well-trained and well-equipped marine forces attainable for our nation's defense. Mr. Speaker, Stewart Holmes and his wife Deborah have made many sacrifices during his marine career, and his distinguished service has exemplified the Marine motto ``Semper Fidelis.'' As they depart the Appropriations Matters Office to embark on yet another great Marine adventure, I call upon colleagues to wish them both every success.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to pay tribute to the 30-year-public service career of Michael V. Finley, the superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. After providing leadership in parks ranging from Yosemite in California to the Everglades in Florida. Superintendent Finley will retire in June for a new career in private industry. Starting with his first ranger position at Big Bend National Park, Michael Finley has worked a rich and varied career helping keep America's National Park system beautiful and educational for our citizens and visitors from around the world. He actually began his life in our parks in 1965 as a seasonal fire control aide, working throughout the West for the next six years. Over the years, Michael Finley has developed an expertise in inter- governmental relations, working with state and local governments and on Native American issues. He has directed legislative efforts, research projects, law enforcement operations, museums and cultural facilities, engineering and maintenance programs and oversight of mining and mineral uses in the parks. He has worked extensively with the media and public interest groups, and is an international expert on conservation efforts. His awards have included the National Park Service Superior Performance Award, the Department of Interior's Meritorious Service Award, and national recognition for public service by conservation groups. Californians have been among those who have most benefited from Superintendent Finley's expertise. He was a ranger in Pinnacles National Monument and Redwood National Park, as well as ranger and superintendent of Yosemite from 1989-1994. He also served as a federal liaison and trainer in the development of seven state parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. He was also superintendent of Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland and as associate regional director for 13 parks in the Alaska region. Before taking over as Yellowstone superintendent in 1994, he was acting associate director of operations for the park service. In his role as chief of the crown jewel of American parks, Superintendent Finley has successfully managed a staff of 800 and a budget of $25 million. He helped create the Yellowstone Park Foundation to solicit private support for the world's first national park, and set Yellowstone on a course that will preserve its natural heritage, while providing the best possible experience for the 3 million people who visit each year. Mr. Speaker, Michael Finley is leaving the park service to become president of the Turner Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia, one of the most dynamic philanthropic organizations in the nation. Please join me in thanking him for his years of service to our nation's parks, and wishing him and his wife, Lillie, continued success in their new endeavors.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to pay tribute to my good friend Rabbi Hillel Cohn, who for the past 38 years has been a remarkable community leader, and a spiritual guiding force for thousands of members of Congregation Emanu El in San Bernardino County, California. After nearly four decades as leader of this congregation, Rabbi Cohn is retiring this week. Just a few weeks ago, Rabbi Cohn was present on this House floor to deliver our morning prayer. His message was a reflection of the central philosophy in his spiritual and community life: ``Let America pursue justice in our enforcement of laws, in our forms of punishment, in our methods of choosing our leaders, in our allocation of precious resources, in our expectations of other nations, and in our daily relations with one another.'' Throughout his career in San Bernardino County, Rabbi Cohn has served as a community conscience and a voice of unity for people of all races, religions and cultures. He was the founding chairman of the San Bernardino Human Relations Commission, and was selected in 1996 as one of 5,500 ``community heroes'' across the country who carried the Olympics Torch. Rabbi Cohn's community involvement ranges from president of the county Mental Health Association and Family Service Agency, to serving on the bio-ethics committees of many local hospitals. He is a national leader in his faith, currently serving as treasurer of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and serves on a team that counsels other rabbis. Many of his sermons have been published in ``American Rabbi,'' and he has edited national books on rabbinical contracts and retirement. I began my community service career on the local school board about the time that Rabbi Cohn became the spiritual leader in Congregation Emanu El. It was clear even then that he would be a force to bring all of the people of our community together. Throughout his career, his integrity and reputation for conciliation have shown through, and I am grateful for his wise counsel on many matters. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in thanking Rabbi Cohn for his years of service and leadership, and to wish him and his wife Rita good luck in their future endeavors. I am sure they will be active members of our community for many years to come.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, when a major earthquake hits our communities in California, one of the first things firefighters and police must do is make sure local hospitals are ready to handle injuries. Falling walls, buckling roads, flaming gas-main breaks--the aftermath of an earthquake can quickly turn an entire hospital into an emergency room. Imagine, then, what a disaster it would be if one of the buildings destroyed in an earthquake is the only hospital for 100 miles around. This is the prospect faced by many residents in remote rural areas in California, like the Mojave Desert in my district. It is a chilling thought, and it is something that we must not allow to happen. The California Legislature has mandated that it will not happen. By 2008, all hospitals in the state must be retrofitted or rebuilt to ensure they will remain standing in a major quake. This is an admirable goal and an absolute necessity. But it is also so expensive that small rural hospitals and major urban medical centers are worried they cannot afford the upgrade. To help avoid this, my colleague Mike Thompson and I have introduced the Earthquake Loss Reduction Act of 2001. It would begin the process of investing in mitigation rather than paying tens of billions of dollars in disaster relief for every natural disaster that occurs in this country. In support of this measure, I would urge my colleagues to consider the following information provided to me by the California Healthcare Association: History of Hospital Seismic Mandate The state of California in 1994 enacted sweeping legislation mandating stringent new hospital building seismic standards (SB 1953, Chapter 740, Statutes of 1994). The legislation was approved in the wake of the January 1994 Northridge earthquake, which caused 23 hospitals to suspend some or all of their services and resulted in more than $3 billion in hospital-related damages. No patient who was hospitalized during the Northridge earthquake died as a result of the tremor. No patient in any California hospital has died as a result of a building's structural failure due to an earthquake since 1971. The seismic mandate requires all hospital buildings in the state to comply with more stringent seismic-safety mandates by specified deadlines--(1) by 2002, major non-structural The specific regulations for this statute were not finalized until 1997, and the cost of the mandate was not fully understood until engineers thoroughly evaluated all of the state's hospital buildings as required by Jan. 1, 2001. Thorough hospital building evaluation reports were submitted by hospitals throughout the state by Jan. 1, 2001. These reports were made public by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) on March 28, 2001. Based on the evaluation reports, 78 percent of the hospitals in California have at least one building that is at risk of collapse during a major earthquake. Impact of Legislation There are approximately 2,700 general acute-care inpatient hospital buildings (at approximately 470 hospitals) that are required to meet the mandates of the seismic law. The seismic mandates enacted by the Legislature in 1994 did not provide any financial assistance to hospitals to help defray the costs of these upgrades. The state's seismic law is an ``unfunded mandate'' on hospitals. The current ``hard construction'' cost estimate to comply with the requirements of the state's seismic law is $24 billion. This cost is equivalent to the total undepreciated assets of all of California's hospitals. Additionally, hospitals will face significant additional costs including the cost of financing, land acquisition, reconfiguring parking and revenues lost during seismic retrofitting or construction. California hospitals face mounting financial pressures. More than 60 percent of California's hospital--2 out of every 3--are currently losing money from operations. Nearly a third of the state's urban hospitals and more than 50 percent of rural and inner-city hospitals are losing money from all sources of income. Many hospitals--especially rural and inner-city facilities--may not be able to raise the necessary capital to comply with the state's seismic law. Those that can't will be forced to close their doors or significantly reduce their services. According to a December 2000 Standard & Poor's report, California's hospitals face ``. . . deteriorating credit quality and more limited access to capital'' than hospitals in other parts of the country. ``Given the volatility of the health care sector, access to capital through bond financing has been greatly reduced for all but the strongest credits. Bond insurers have retreated from the sector, limiting exposure to higher-rated credits and charging significantly higher fees.'' The seismic mandates do not account for the additional operating burdens faced by hospitals, including rising costs for pharmaceuticals and new technologies, and reduced reimbursement from government and insurance programs. Construction and retrofitting activities to meet the law's current deadlines are likely to diminish services to patients--including the uninsured--exacerbate personnel shortages, and result in dislocation of medical staff and employees. Because of the lengthy five- to six-year approval and construction processes required for hospital building projects, the issues surrounding compliance with the seismic law must be addressed this year.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding Naval Officer, Commander John C.P. Fristachi, who served with distinction and dedication for almost three years for the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations under the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (FM&C) as a Principle Assistant in the Appropriations Matters Office. It is a privilege for me to recognize his many outstanding achievements and commend him for the superb service he has provided to the Department of the Navy, the Congress, and our great Nation as a whole. During his tenure in the Appropriations Matters Office, which began in April of 1998, Commander Fristachi has provided members of the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense as well as our professional and associate staffs with timely and accurate support regarding Navy plans, programs and budget decisions. His valuable contributions have enabled the Defense Subcommittee and the Department of the Navy to strengthen its close working relationship and to ensure the most modern, well-trained and well-equipped naval forces attainable for the defense of our nation. Mr. Speaker, John Fristachi and his wife Betsy have made many sacrifices during his naval career. His distinguished service has exemplified honor, courage and commitment. As they depart the Appropriations Matters Office to embark on yet another great Navy adventure in the service of a grateful nation, I call upon my colleagues to wish them both every success and the traditional Navy send-off ``fair winds and following seas.''

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to pay tribute to Mr. Philip E. Coyle III, who recently left government service after six years as Director of Operational Test and Evaluation in the Department of Defense. Since he was confirmed in 1994, Mr. Coyle provided the leadership that sought to ensure that our men and women in uniform can feel confident in their safety while using the increasingly complex and deadly weapons systems being developed for the 21st Century. Before joining the Pentagon in 1994, Mr. Coyle spent 33 years in service at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, where he was involved in the nuclear weapons testing program. From 1981 to 1984, he was named Associate Director for Test, and from 1987-93 he served as Laboratory Associate Director and Deputy to the Laboratory Director. He was also Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs in the Department of Energy under President Carter. Since taking over the chief tester job, Mr. Coyle made a reputation for being pragmatic, balanced, knowledgeable, and candid. He has been called upon to effectively test jet fighters that can turn tighter, fly faster and be more stealthy than anything produced by this nation in the past. He has worked with the designers of our National Missile Defense program to devise tests that can gauge the success rate of a system that is often referred to as ``hitting a bullet with a bullet.'' And he has helped ensure that a myriad of other planes, ships and land vehicles operate as effectively and safely as possible, both during training and in actual engagements. The American military is the most advanced, strongest and best trained in history. Our soldiers, sailors, Marines and pilots are always ready to put their lives on the line to defend our nation and to protect freedom around the world. Their dedication and professionalism is respected and emulated by friend and foe alike. To a very great degree, their confidence in taking up the cause of freedom is based on their faith in the equipment we have provided them. And that faith is based on the knowledge that Mr. Coyle and his testers have done everything in their power to ensure that this equipment will respond when it is most needed. Mr. Speaker, Philip Coyle has been named the recipient of the ``Beyond the Headlines'' award by the Project on Government Oversight public interest group, honoring his years of public service behind the scenes. His dedication to the safety and success of those who defend our nation surely makes him deserving of such an award. I ask my colleagues to join me in similarly recognizing him as a valuable public servant, and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the achievements of Phillip Burg, a resident of Apple Valley, California, located in the heart of the 40th district. Phillip, a truck driver with Roadway Express for over twenty years, recently drove his two millionth mile. To put this in perspective, the average car driver would have to travel around the world eighty times to equal this milestone. And Philip has driven that distance without a preventable accident. Driving two million miles is an achievement in and of itself. Not having a single accident during that trek is extraordinary. A driver can travel 999,999 miles without an accident, then break a mirror on the way back to the terminal, and the count starts again at zero. Few in the trucking industry have the longevity and dedication to reach this milestone. Sixty-one years old, Phillip has seen it all: America's giant cities and small towns, open plains and towering mountains, farms that seem to go on forever and city skylines lit up against the stars. He's driven in every kind of weather imaginable in order to get the job done. These days, Phillip hauls everyday goods to Fresno, California and back five times a week, an average of 2,400 miles a week. The men and women of our nation's trucking industry bring us the goods we use in our everyday lives. Be it toys for children, cups for the dinner table, or frames for pictures of loved ones, America's truckers bring it to you. ``If you use it, we hauled it'' is a motto of truckers, and it couldn't be more true. Simply stated, Phillip and his colleagues keep America running. I applaud Phillip's dedication to his profession and his commitment to safety. I know I join his colleagues, his wife Melody, and his three children in congratulating him for his record of success.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to introduce to my colleagues an old friend, Hillel Cohn, who is about to retire as rabbi of Congregation Emanu El in San Bernardino, California. Not too long ago, in a community meeting, Rabbi Cohn approached me and said, ``Jerry, I understand we're going to have a wedding.'' Thereby he was announcing to me that, not too long after that, he was marrying two of my now young children, not so young children. Hillel is a UCLA graduate. He got his Ph.D. at the divinity school at Claremont College. He came to San Bernardino to lead this congregation in 1963. Our community has been blessed by his service. He has been involved in virtually every organization of any moment to San Bernardino, California, as well as the surrounding communities. His leadership indeed has had a huge impact, ranging from our commission that involves human affairs that attempts to provide balance and strength within our community. He has been a leader within the religious community, obviously, but most importantly he has used his extra time, that volunteer time, to touch every aspect of our life. His service upon his retirement will only increase, I am assured. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you my friend, Rabbi Hillel Cohn.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. President, today I recognize an outstanding civil servant, Mr. H. Lee Dixson, who has served with distinction for the past seven years for the Secretary of the Navy as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources under the Commandant of the Marine Corps and as the Fiscal Director of the Marine Corps. It is a privilege for me to recognize his many outstanding achievements in this capacity and to commend him for a career spanning more than 35 years of superb service to the Department of the Navy, the Congress, and our great Nation as a whole. During his tenure as Assistant Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources and as Fiscal Director, which began in March 1994, Mr. Dixson has provided Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, as well as our professional and personal staffs with timely and accurate support regarding United States Marine Corps plans, programs and budget decisions. His valuable contributions have enabled the committee, the Department of the Navy and the Marine Corps to strengthen their close working relationship and to ensure that the most modern, well-trained and well-equipped Marine forces are attained for the defense of our great Nation. Mr. President, Lee Dixson and his wife, Carolyn, have made many sacrifices during his career, and as they embark on the next great adventure beyond their beloved Marine Corps, I call upon my colleagues to wish him every success and to thank him for his long, distinguished and ever-faithful service to God, country and the Department of the Navy. Semper Fidelis.

Mr. LEWIS of California

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

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I certainly very much appreciate the consideration of my colleague. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I wanted to further say to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) that the job that Ronald Reagan did as President, my colleague has expressed almost the wonderment of that very well. But the thing that we must all remember is that the East-West confrontation is now a thing of the past, and indeed we are on a pathway for long-term opportunities for peace, not just for the United States but for the world; and if it were not for Ronald Reagan's leadership, I cannot say that we would be there today. So while I will be happy to yield to my colleague, I very much appreciate his commentary in working with us at this very serious time in his life congratulating him on his 90th birthday.