Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, let me say to my colleague that I not only appreciate his work on the authorizing committee, but also on the subcommittee he chairs and has these serious responsibilities of which we speak. I want to assure the gentleman that I intend to work closely with him, as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), following our debate today as we go to conference, as well as in the years ahead.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Porter) from the Committee on Appropriations for purposes of a colloquy.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Dickey).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield what time he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton). (Mr. SAXTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, for the benefit of the Members of the House, I would like my colleagues to know that the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) and I have worked very, very closely on this question. The gentleman took the time to bring professional people along with him to my office. We spent considerable time discussing the program that involves the C-130J, particularly the facility that operates in Marietta, Georgia. That exchange caused our subcommittee to look very closely at that recommendation, a recommendation that had not come originally from the Air Force itself. It is with his leadership that the C-130J is a part of this package, and I very much appreciate the Member's contribution in that regard.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I would like to say to the gentleman that because of his hard work and the work of his colleagues, it is not our intention to go any further at this time than a pause relative to the F-22 program, and we do intend to look very closely at the program as we go forward to conference with the Senate. I would emphasize to the gentleman from Georgia that the $1.2 billion in research and development for the F-22 remains in the bill, and it is our intention to see that that R&D will go forward.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman is again correct.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will yield, the gentleman is correct.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I very much appreciate my colleague's comments, and with that, for general debate purposes, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of the full committee.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the remainder of the bill, through page 138, line 23, be considered as read, printed in the Record, and open to amendment at any point.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to my colleague, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen). (Mr. HANSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) so that he might distribute that time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise first to ask the membership for their support for this very important bill. It involves the national defense of our country. In doing so, Mr. Chairman, I would like to express my personal appreciation to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have been not just cooperative, but who have been truly professional in the best possible sense in presenting their viewpoints regarding a number of items that are very important and will consider as we go forward with the debate. Most particularly I would like to express my appreciation to my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) who is the chairman of the full committee. He essentially was my trainer as I assumed this job, for he chaired the committee before I did. He has always reflected the best of professionalism in the work of the Committee on Appropriations, and I want him to know that I intend in the future to emulate him every step of the way if I have the chance to be here as long as he will be here. I want to express our appreciation for his fine leadership. To my colleague on the other side of the aisle, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) who has been my partner in this process every step of the way, he can move a bill in the most expeditious fashion of any Member I know of in the House. Because of that I welcome him to this discussion today. Mr. Chairman, I have the pleasure today of brining to the floor the fiscal year 2000 Defense appropriations bill. This important legislation will, for the first time in 15 years, provide a real increase in spending for our Nation's Armed Forces. Congress has made it clear that as we enter the new millennium, we must do everything possible to ensure that we remain the strongest country on Earth. With this bill, we are setting a course that will make America so strong that other countries of the world will realize there are better pathways to economic opportunity than war. I must say at the outset that the new chairman of this subcommittee is deeply indebted to the former chairman, Bill Young--who now leads the full committee. I am deeply grateful for his leadership and his strong support of this bill. I would also like to express my deep respect and gratitude to my ranking member and trusted friend, Jack Murtha. Jack has been more than a colleague--he has been a partner in putting together a bill addressing some of the most urgent needs of our military. Jack, I salute you and I thank you. Mr. Chairman, this legislation provides $267.9 billion in new discretionary spending authority for FY 2000. It meets all budget authority and outlay limits set in the subcommittee's 302(b) allocation. This bill provides $17.4 billion more than appropriated in FY 1999 and is $4.6 billion above the administration's FY 2000 budget request. Let me take a few minutes to outline some of the highlights of this bill: This legislation provides $72 billion to meet the most critical personnel needs of our military. One of our top priorities has been to improve the training, benefits, and quality of life to ensure that the armed services retain their most valuable asset--the men and women who serve their country in uniform. There are presently 2.25 million men and women serving in our Armed Forces, Reserves, and National Guard. These personnel, as well our colleagues, will be pleased to know that this bill funds a 4.8-percent pay raise for our troops. This pay increase will help alleviate the struggle some of our military families face to make ends meet. We are convinced we must do more to attract highly qualified individuals and reward them for making a career out of service to their fellow Americans. With all of the services falling short on recruiting goals. and commanders warning they need even more troops, it is imperative that the Congress and the Pentagon make this one of our top budget priorities for years to come. We added $592 million in this bill over the administration's budget request to enhance recruiting, retention, and quality of life initiatives for all services, and bonuses for Air Force pilots who sustained America's status as a superpower during the recent Kosovo engagement. With this bill, Congress is making a commitment to our men and women in uniform saying in essence, ``We intend to support you as you go forward with a great career and promising future serving our country in the armed services.'' The bill provides $93.7 billion for operations and maintenance needs, including $1.8 billion for contingency operations in Asia and Bosnia. My colleagues should also know that this bill contains on funding for peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo. The bill also includes $37.2 billion for R&D including $3.9 billion for our Nation's ballistic missile defense. Defense health is funded at $11 billion. Some $484 million is provided for Defense medical research including $175 million for breast cancer research and $75 million for prostate research. Finally, this package includes $53 billion for procurement. While this bill reaffirms our commitment to a strong national defense, it also reestablishes the important oversight role of the Congress in ensuring that tax dollars are spent both efficiently and effectively. To that end, the bill recommends cuts of more than $3.7 billion in over 280 line items. The most notable item--and one that has received a great deal of attention as of late--is the bipartisan decision to reduce spending on the F-22 program by $1.8 billion in the next fiscal year. This funding, requested by the Air Force, would procure the first six F-22 aircraft. With the broad, bipartisan support of the Speaker, Minority Leader Gephardt, Chairman Young, and Ranking Member Obey, the full committee endorsed the proposal to declare a ``pause'' in the procurement of these aircraft. While many in the Air Force may question the decision, some of the most prodefense Members of the House are sending an important message. The Air Force has such tremendous needs in so many other areas--air tankers, airlift transports, aerial reconnaissance--that we believe it is imperative for the Air Force to reassess its priorities. It is important to note that the funding that would have gone for procurement of six F-22's--some $1.8 billion--is being redirected to a wide range of other priorities, including the purchase of eight F-15 fighters, five F-16 fighters, and eight KC-130J Air tanker planes. Additional funds will be used for technological improvements to help our current fighter fleet maintain its air superiority. Mr. Chairman, in closing, let me say this: It is my view that we have had too many years of reductions in national defense spending. It's time we realize that if America is going to lead for peace and freedom in the world into the next century, we've got to do some with budgets that are strong and reflect our national priorities. This legislation is a positive step in that direction and I strongly encourage its passage today. To say the least, a great deal of time and energy went into producing this legislation. It literally would not have been possible without the work of some of the finest professional staff on the Hill. I particularly want to thank the following people: Doug Gregory, Tina Jonas, Alicia Jones, Paul Juola, David Kilian, Jenny Mummert, Steven Nixon, David Norquist, Betsy Phillips, Trish Ryan, Greg Walters, and Sherry Young of the subcommittee staff, Also Gregory Dahlberg of the minority staff, and Arlene Willis, Jim Specht, Julie Hooks, Grady Bourn, and David LesStrang on my office staff. I want to especially note the dedication and tireless effort of both Kevin Roper and Letitia White, who have literally committed the last several months of their lives to this effort. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH22JY99.000 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH22JY99.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH22JY99.002 Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations may have until midnight, Friday, July 23, 1999 to file a privileged report on a bill making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations may have until midnight, Friday, July 23, 1999 to file a privileged report on a bill making appropriations for the government of the District of Columbia and other activities chargeable, in whole or in part, against the revenues of said District for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill (H.R. 2561) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes, and that I be permitted to include tabular and extraneous material.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during consideration of the bill (H.R. 2561) in the Committee of the Whole that, one, all debate time on amendment No. 4 offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) and the amendments thereto be limited to 60 minutes, equally divided between the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) and myself; and two, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) be allowed to withdraw the amendment prior to action thereupon.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, as my colleague indicated, we are going to schedule another time for a memorial service on the floor, rather than do that at this moment. I know Members want to think through all of their feelings about our colleague and I, frankly, want to make sure that Marta has an opportunity to share these moments with us. So we will work with the Speaker and the leadership to make sure an appropriate time is selected and go forward from there.

Mr. LEWIS of California

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding to me, and I appreciate the words of our colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), on behalf of George Brown. I wish to announce to the Members that in the days ahead we will be reserving an appropriate time for a memorial discussion on the floor recognizing the many, many years of service of our colleague George Brown, and in turn we will be continuing to communicate closely with his family in order to get information to the Members regarding memorial services that are appropriate in California. Those notifications will come to Members very soon. Further than that, Mr. Speaker, I would urge that we adjourn today in George Brown's memory by way of the full membership of the House.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 66, the Route 66 Preservation Act. Mr. Chairman, Route 66 is the premier historic trail of the automobile age. The automobile has changed America forever and Route 66 played a large role in this revolution of mobility. Route 66 ran over 2,000 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, linking the east and the west in our great Nation more closely than ever before. Barstow, California, in my own 40th District, is an original stop on the crossroads of opportunity known as Route 66. In fact, Route 66 traces a path through my District all the way from Needles on the Colorado River to San Bernardino, California. Route 66 served as the crossroads of opportunity for the great flow of traffic across the broad middle of our Nation and into America's land of promise, California. This legislation before us today will ensure that the contributions of Route 66 to American history will not be forgotten. Mr. Chairman, I urge all my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 66 and vote to preserve the cultural resources of historic Route 66.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, most of my friends know that I had the privilege of spending a decade of my life in Sacramento while serving as a member of the State legislature between 1968 and 1978. During that time, Sacramento virtually became, for Arlene and myself, our second home. The moment I heard of this horrid act, I could not help but immediately call my brother-in-law, who is a part of the Jewish community in Sacramento, Bill Brodovsky, and share our own concern about this expression of violence in our society. It is very, very clear that the fringe elements who are involved in this kind of vicious act are a very small number in our society. They reflect those people who are motivated by fear. We cannot allow the worst in our society to dominate any piece of our society. So I want to express my deep appreciation to the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) for the effort they put together here in a bipartisan, nonpartisan sense to make sure that the Congress' voice, this Hall of Freedom's voice, is heard clearly. Beyond that, Mr. Speaker, the reaction in Sacramento is so impressive. The best of the community has come forth, of all faiths. People of all backgrounds who believe in that community are coming together in a level of unity we have not seen for years. It is a reflection of the best of America, a credit to Sacramento, and indeed, it is a credit to those who represent Sacramento here in the House.