Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention today the fine work and outstanding public service of my very dear friend, June Wallin. June would have been recognized by a grateful community for her many years of volunteer service to the Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated with a tribute in her honor on Friday, June 25. Sadly, she passed away Monday night. June Wallin was active in local Republican Party politics for nearly 40 years. Over the years, she showed enormous dedication and gained the enduring respect of many people within the Republican Party. Many will feel the loss of her spirit and drive in our local party. June began her service as member of the San Bernardino County Central Committee in 1963, and served five times as its chairman. She joined the California Central Committee in 1965 and was awarded the Gold Key for service in 1984 and 1986. She was a delegate to every Republican convention from 1976 to 1992, and served as a California delegate to the Electoral College in 1988. For many people, June Wallin is the heart and soul of the party in San Bernardino County. June's work and commitment was particularly instrumental to the long- term success of the Federation of Republican Women, where she served as president at the local and state level, as well as on the national board of directors. Over the years, June has been widely recognized for her contributions to our local community. She was a charter member of the San Bernardino County Adult Correctional Advisory Council, chairman of the county's Commission on the Status of Women, chairman of the Domestic Violence Task Force and chairman of the local board for the Selective Service System. She was a Grand Juror, an election board trainer and a tutor in the literacy program. She has been active with the Upland First United Methodist Church and the Assistance League of Upland. Always remaining active, June strongly supported her husband, Ray Wallin, in his activities as a member of the Masons and Shrine. She put in more than 3,000 hours as a volunteer for the San Antonio Community Hospital Auxiliary. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in recognizing the tremendous contributions of this remarkable woman. June Wallin made a difference in the lives of so many people in our local community and I am grateful beyond words for her long and dedicated service.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention the fine achievement of Patrick Koske-McBride, an eighth grade student from Home Street Middle School in Bishop, CA. Patrick was a recent competitor in the National History Day Competition (June 13- 17) at the University of Maryland. The competition involved students from across the United States who submitted projects on this year's theme: ``Science, Technology, Invention in History'' Patrick qualified for the national competition by first winning California State History Day competitions at the county and state levels. His essay, ``Evolution, an Idea of Change: How Darwin's Theory of Evolution Impacted Our World,'' investigated Darwin's life, his writings and the impact those writings have had on science, religion and society. Patrick's outstanding accomplishments were undoubtedly guided by the leadership of his teacher, Mrs. Irene Sorenson. Irene is a past winner of the Richard Farrell Award from the National History Day as the 1996 Teacher of Merit. Also in 1995, 1996 and 1998, Irene has sent students to the national competition. Clearly, the dedication of young students like Patrick, and the guidance of teachers like Irene Sorenson, make our public school system the finest in the world. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing Patrick Koske-McBride for his fine accomplishment. To say the least, his fine work is admired by all of us. I'd also like to commend Irene Sorenson for her fine leadership and her devotion to such remarkable educational standards. Students like Patrick and instructors like Irene set a fine example for us all and it is only appropriate that the House pay tribute to them both today.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention today the fine work and outstanding contributions of Dr. Michael G. Weiss. Congregation Emanu El of San Bernardino, CA, will honor Dr. Weiss on June 5 as this year's recipient of the Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym Award for distinguished service to the congregation and community. He will be recognized at a dinner dance which will also commemorate the 108th anniversary of the chartering of the congregation. The Norman F. Feldheym Award was established to pay tribute to those members of Congregation Emanu El who have, in their own lives, reflected Rabbi Feldheym's qualities of love for and loyalty to the synagogue, service to the community, as well as evidencing personal traits of humility, loving kindness, care, and love. Dr. Weiss has been a particularly devoted leader of Congregation Emanu El through his 10- year service as a member of the board of directors as well as treasurer, vice president, and, from 1996-98, president of the congregation. Over the years, Dr. Weiss has been a tremendous inspiration to others through his love for Judaism and his commitment and devotion to the synagogue. Dr. Weiss is also a widely recognized and highly respected member of the faculty of the Department of Psychology at California State University at San Bernardino. He is a psychotherapist in private practice as well as a consultant to numerous mental health facilities throughout the Inland Empire. A prolific author, Dr. Weiss has conducted research and written extensively on parenting, sexual awareness, and foster parenting. Dr. Weiss has also given generously of his time to numerous civic and community-based organizations including Mothers Against Sexual Abuse, San Bernardino Child Advocacy Program, the Children's Network of San Bernardino County, and the Center for Counseling and Parenting. In addition, he has been particularly active as an educator before numerous civic, religious, and professional groups at the local and national level. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing the tremendous contributions of Dr. Michael Weiss as he is presented with the Rabbi Norman F. Feldheyman Award. Dr. Weiss, along with his wife, Ellen, and children, Emily and Zachary, provide an outstanding example of faith and family. It is especially appropriate that this honor is being bestowed at a ceremony also marking the 108th anniversary of the founding of Congregation Emnau El.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate the gentleman from Florida yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise first to express my deep appreciation to both the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking member. They have shepherded this bill through a very difficult process and I must say they reflected the will of the House in an especially effective manner as we dealt with the other body. As has been described here, this bill has been merged with the earlier emergency bill that passed the House. There has been a good deal of concern about additions placed on that original bill. I must say first and foremost that the chairman and the ranking member worked very hard to play a role in eliminating the most egregious of those problems from the other body. In the meantime, they provided a very important leadership role in making sure that our efforts, especially relative to Kosovo, remain very, very clean. As these items dealing with funding for national defense left the House, they return to the House--a clean product. This bill is committed to funding our effort in Kosovo. While it does not provide all the funding that I might have called for and as was reflected in the work of the initial bill that passed the House, it remained a clean bill; and it demonstrates our commitment to making sure that our men and women who are in harm's way are adequately supported in that effort. We do have within the Kosovo part of this package a total of almost $11 billion worth of funding for defense purposes, an amount that is in excess of that which the President requested, but an amount that is very apparent is needed by our military for our national defense. As we move into the months ahead, none of us can predict what the cost might be. But this bill is a reflection of the fact that the House wants to make sure that adequate funding is present no matter how long the war itself may extend itself. Beyond the President's request, there are a number of critical items that are necessary and that have been provided for in this bill. To illustrate that to some extent, above and beyond the President's basic requests, we have added $4.74 billion to address critical shortfalls in a number of areas that include items like munitions, where there is $250 million to replace munitions that have been used and are in short supply; rapid response procurements in the amounts of $300 million; and operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $2.35 billion. The O&M funding includes needed funds for spare parts and depot maintenance, items that are critical to our forces being able to carry out their mission. I must say, Mr. Speaker, one of the messages we are sending here to our troops that is especially important involves the advanced funding of pay adjustments for the troops. That essentially tells them in clear terms that the House is not only supporting their effort in Kosovo, but intends to continue to support their service for the country as long as it might continue in the months and the years ahead. That portion of the bill, Mr. Speaker, came to us with great support and cooperation of the authorizing committee, and I want to thank those members of the Armed Services Committee who also provided us with their assistance throughout this process. In closing, I strongly urge all members, on both sides of the aisle, to support this bipartisan, essential bill.

Mr. LEWIS of California

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time. Let me just say that I did not intend to speak on this amendment, but in a former life I chaired the subcommittee that funded veterans' programs in the country. I also serve on another committee that addresses questions like the FBI. I have a penchant for appreciating the work that is done at the subcommittee level, where people take seriously the business of listening to the pros and cons of very special programs and making judgments about spending levels that are a reflection expert testimony. We made major adjustments downward in that first subcommittee. Half of the savings in the last few years came from those efforts. But in the meantime we listened to the people who were directly affected and, because of a lack of that in an amendment that cuts across the board, I am afraid I must rise and urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' against this amendment. This amendment will put special limits on next year's process that do not fairly reflect the work of the subcommittees and committees. So I urge our Members to recognize that the work really gets done around this place in authorizing as well as appropriation subcommittees, and that is where it appropriately should take place.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I am very happy to discuss this with my colleague, for there are a number of Members on both sides of the aisle who have expressed a great interest in this area. Indeed, it is my view that the American public are themselves focusing at this moment on refugees by way of television cameras that are depicting this picture, which is the worst of the fallout from the Milosevic effort here of ethnic cleansing. Indeed, already the Air Force has spent $25 million for one refugee camp. There is little doubt that there is much more to be done. As we go forward I am sure the committee, as well as the body, will do everything they can to be responsive to the gentleman's interests; and I appreciate him bringing the matter to our attention.

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Let me respond first by expressing my deep appreciation to the gentlewoman for the professional way she is not just handling this matter, but the effective service she always provides in the authorization committee connected with our work. I would be pleased to look into this matter, and I appreciate the gentlewoman bringing it to my attention. As the gentlewoman may know, I was previously the chair of the Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, and I continue to serve on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, so I am very much aware of and concerned about our signal intelligence shortfalls. In light of the current conflict in the Balkans and the requirements it has imposed, I do agree that a further review of this matter is appropriate at this time, and I would look forward to working with the gentlewoman between now and conference.

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

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate the gentleman's contribution. I would add to that that there is adequate oversight provided for in the process by the committees that deal with this professionally day in and day out.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate my colleague yielding, and appreciate his calmly-made point that is fundamental: The House has had this vote. That is why the Committee on Appropriations rejected another vote out of hand in committee. This is a money bill that deals with delivering funds needed for the troops. Let us not put those in jeopardy, for we have already had the other vote. I appreciate my colleague making that very important point.

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. I appreciate the chairman being flexible here in terms of yielding. I think he made a very important point at the beginning that needs to be repeated. That is, we already had a vote on this amendment. There is an authorizing committee that is alive and going forward, but it does not interfere with the appropriations process. This bill needs to move forward quickly. We do not need to be threatened with a veto. It is unnecessary at this time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I would first like to thank the gentleman for yielding me the time, and to express my deep appreciation to my chairman for the job he has done in this bill. I must say, in spite of the protest of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), I would like to express my appreciation to him as well for a very cooperative effort on this bill. The fact is that in terms of dollar amounts both sides are relatively very close to each other, largely because we all recognize that there is urgency in moving this bill forward; that the dollars that are involved are a reflection of the President's views. Mr. Chairman, the two sides are really not that far apart on the dollar amounts that we are discussing here today. There are differences in the policy. But before going further, let me express my deep appreciation for my colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Jack Murtha), the ranking member of my subcommittee, who from the very beginning has cooperated with us in developing the defense portion of this $12.9 billion package. There is not a Member of the House who is more concerned about the men and women who are potentially in harm's way that we are attempting to respond to by way of this supplemental. In developing this bill, we have consulted and worked very closely with not just the members of our subcommittee, but the members of the authorizing committee, as well as the military commanders in the field. My colleagues, this is a clean bill. It contains no special projects. As I would react to the comments of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) regarding the pay provision of this bill, the $1.84 billion that are involved, we did not provide authorizing language because we were working very closely with the authorizers, who feel that is a centerpart of their own legislation. Indeed, their willingness to continue to work cooperatively with us in the months ahead are very important to both the committees, the authorizers as well as the appropriators, who are concerned about this matter. I would like to be very specific about one fact: That is, the vote today will send a very, very clear message to Slobodan Milosevic, who is watching our actions on the floor today. Our saying clearly that we intend to support our troops as long as they have to serve in this region and are faced with this challenge is very, very important, and Milosevic is watching the Members today. Beyond that, I would like to say to my colleagues, it is very important that while we may disagree on policy, that we come together in the final analysis on this vote. Nothing could be worse than to see sizeable numbers walk away from this very, very important bill. In the final analysis, I am convinced that there will be solid support for the $11.24 billion of this bill that is reflected in the defense portions of the bill. Like a number of my colleagues, I have had the opportunity to spend many hours at the White House in recent weeks in briefings with the Commander in Chief and his national security team. If there was one message I heard from the President last week, it was this: ``Provide the additional funds if you must, but--and this is very important--do not slow this package down.'' My colleagues, we must act and act now. Allow me to take just a minute to outline a few of the details of this $12.9 billion emergency spending package. The bill has four parts--the largest of which is within the Defense Subcommittee's jurisdiction. For these activities, we have included $11.24 billion which is $5.8 billion above the President's request. The increases are all in areas of identified shortages (spare parts, depot maintenance, training and op tempo funding shortfalls, and base operation costs). I could go on . . . and on about this package and our effort in Kosovo. In the interest of time and moving this bill forward, I want to simply urge my colleagues to support our military, send a strong signal to our troops in the field, and support this supplemental. In closing, I would like to thank the following people on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee staff, Chairman Young's staff, as well as my own personal staff, for their valuable assistance with this bill: Kevin Roper, Greg Dahlberg, Doug Gregory, Tina Jonas, Alicia Jones, Paul Juola, David Kilian, Jenny Mummert, Steve Nixon, David Norquist, Betsy Phillips, Trish Ryan, Greg Walters, Sherry Young, Harry Glenn, Brian Mabry, Arlene Willis, Leitia White, Grady Bourn, Julie Hooks, and Dave LesStrang. Mr. Chairman, as we go forward with amendments later, there will be plenty of time for discussions regarding the detail. But between now and then, it is very important that the Members recognize that the entire public is watching our response and our expression of support or lack of support for our troops as they work in harm's way.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I cannot help but respond to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) when she talks about the vote last week, in which a broad cross-section of the membership did address that policy by saying that they disagreed fundamentally with the way this whole effort has been structured by the administration and out of their frustration wanted to express that concern. Today is an entirely different debate, however. Today we are talking about sending a message to Milosevic by way of the House in a bipartisan, almost nonpartisan way, supporting funding of considerable amount to the troops who are in harm's way. The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) has pointed to the fact that, by way of his amendment, he is attempting to touch on the reality that we have a Kosovo problem and we have a budget problem, but fails to discuss very clearly the fact that we also have a military crisis on our hands, where we are spread too thin across the world, attempting to preserve the foundations for freedom. And in the meantime, it is because of a lack of long-term policy that we find ourselves in a situation where we are critically low on munitions. In the area of readiness, for example, that the gentleman from Wisconsin did not really want us to discuss very much today, this amendment cuts by two-thirds the funding we added in the bill for critical, high-priority readiness items, a $1.9 billion cut. It cuts money for spare parts and maintenance, for military training and for base operations. For example, it cuts nearly $1.5 billion from spare parts and depot maintenance accounts, essential funding needed to keep our equipment available in top condition. Let me tell my colleagues what the problem is here. For the past 8 years, the mission-capable rate of our front-line Air Force and Navy aircraft has been steadily dropping. It has gotten so bad that on any given day one out of every four U.S. Air Force aircraft is rated not mission capable. The Navy's numbers are even worse. Thirty percent of its aircraft are nonmission capable. This problem, which is growing worse, affects many aspects of our readiness. Pilots cannot train adequately, and parts are cannibalized on the front lines. It is clear that we have problems across the board as it relates to readiness. Earlier today, I touched briefly on an item that my chairman mentioned as well. The gentleman from Wisconsin does speak to the pay question. Should we provide funding in this mechanism for assistance, additional pay to our men and women who are in harm's way? The answer is, absolutely yes. But it is intriguing to me that the ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations, who in the past has talked long and hard about the need to cooperate with our authorizing committees, continues himself in this case to say, we ought to be doing the authorizing here. Mr. Chairman, it is important for our colleagues to know that the authorizing committees have worked hand in hand with us and have done a fabulous job of making sure that their important work is held intact, while at the same time we deliver the pay to our troops that is so important to their effectiveness.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise with great hesitation in opposition to the amendment. Mr. Chairman, as I said at the outset, it is with great hesitation that I oppose my colleague's amendment for I know that his interest and concern are sincere. My concern is that I believe as we go forward with this measure we want to be very careful about the messages that we are sending from this well, that might be misinterpreted by Mr. Milosevic and his supporters. This amendment does not do what the sponsor alleges, in my view. Indeed, this amendment literally does nothing except perhaps create more bureaucracy. Let me explain. The President has submitted a budget regarding this war. As he has outlined his projections, I have a number of reservations that we have attempted to deal with as we have gone forward with this legislation. But, indeed, we have tried to be careful, to make sure that there is not misinterpretation of our intent. This amendment supposedly would take some $5.2 billion in the bill that we provided to pay for the cost of the Kosovo operation and apply it to other unspecified military readiness and munitions needs. But a close reading of the amendment reveals that all it does is require that before the $5.2 billion can be spent, the President must submit a budget request specifying a critical readiness or sustainability need, to include replacement of expended munitions. Frankly, during the time that we are carrying forward a war, we do not need to have a day-in and day-out exchange with the administration, but rather continue the oversight that the committee feels is its responsibility. The amendment does not say money cannot be spent on readiness needs or munitions related to Kosovo. It simply requires the President to submit a budget request for readiness needs for munitions, period. And as this is construed under the Budget Act, all he has to do is submit the request and the money is released. And what would the President do? He would ask that these funds be applied to Kosovo because the drain on dollars and munitions from this operation represents the most immediate readiness need that the Pentagon has. So what does the amendment do? Really it does nothing but perhaps send a message that we do not need to send. In a fundamental way, it does nothing except force the President to send up a budget request again, one that he has already asked for. If it does not restrict him in any fashion whatsoever, then what are we doing it for? Indeed, if anything, this amendment is harmful, as it simply creates a requirement for more paperwork which would potentially delay the release of monies that DOD needs, at the very time we want to be sending a message that we support our men and women who are in harm's way overseas. Regrettably, Mr. Chairman, I ask for a ``no'' vote on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the amendment. I would suggest to the gentleman that we may be comparing apples with oranges here. We have made some effort to talk with the gentleman's staff relative to the way reprogramming goes, but there seems to be a bit of a disconnect relative to what that process is really all about, and so I would like to take a few moments to discuss it here for the record. The amendment would delete from the bill a general provision, a section 201 which was requested by the Pentagon involving transfer authority. Section 201 of the bill provides for an increase in the funding transfer authority available to the Secretary of Defense as regards funds in fiscal year 1999 defense appropriations. It increases the existing transfer authority ceiling to $2.45 billion. This is really a technical provision. We customarily every year provide the Department with a $2 billion transfer authority. What this then does is provide the Secretary of Defense and the military services with the ability to propose the routine reprogramming of funds subject to prior congressional approval. Section 201 of the bill raises the existing transfer authority to $2.45 billion. The DOD needs this additional authority principally to accommodate the burden of several unanticipated reprogramming needs which we had to deal with earlier this year, relating to the war on drugs and the DOD response to Hurricane Mitch. But the important fact here is that this additional authority is not a blank check for the DOD to move around money. When the DOD wants to reprogram funds, any significant amount over $5 million for reprogramming, the Secretary must come back to the congressional committees. There are four committees that are involved, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. These committees must approve the proposed reprogramming, the people who deal with it day in and day out in a professional way. We do not want to bind the Department of Defense and make them totally paralyzed in an emergency circumstance, but we still want the Congress to have a chance to have oversight. I know some may believe this provision is somehow intended to give the administration additional authorities with respect to Kosovo. That is not the administration's intent, nor is it the committees' intent. This is really a technical fix. I cannot tell Members that the administration will not seek to use this additional authority for Kosovo. Indeed, they may have to. But, in the meantime, when we are in the middle of having troops in harm's way, we do not want to tie the hands of the people who are carrying out the war. The Congress is not going to be here every day of the week, and the reality is there is a requirement for the congressional committees in an appropriate way to review such transfers. I frankly would hope the gentleman would have faith in the committees' work and recognize that we are trying to deal with this in as professional a way as we can.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, there are three American soldiers who are celebrating freedom today. These young men have now been reunited with their families and are receiving needed medical care in Germany. America is very proud of Steven Gonzales, Andrew Ramirez, and Christopher Stone. Like so many others now in harm's way, they served at considerable risk to their own personal safety. They suffered physical harm at the hands of their captors, and they emerged from captivity with crisp salutes to their superior officers with their heads held high. As we celebrate their safety, let us not overlook one fact: These soldiers were released through the efforts of Reverend Jesse Jackson. While I will continue to support our troops in their actions abroad, I applaud any potential avenue for peace. Reverend Jackson is not our Secretary of State, but in recent days he has achieved diplomatically what had not before been possible. America, like these three young men, owes him our thanks.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the Congress of the imminent retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Mark L. Haaland, a truly outstanding soldier in the United States Army. His service to the nation has been perfectly honorable and faithful for 20 years. The story of Mark's service reflects the devotion to duty, family and nation that keeps America strong and free. The son of a military family, Mark graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point on June 6, 1979 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Armor. Upon completion of the Ranger and Armor Officer Basic courses, Mark flew to Germany to serve with the glorious 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. His bride, Toni, joined him a few months later. Mark served as a platoon leader, executive officer, and troop commander with this famous regiment, frequently deploying to the East- West German border areas to guard against communist aggression during the height of the Cold War. Mark and Toni returned from Germany in late 1984, to attend the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia followed by graduate school toward an MBA at Syracuse University. Upon completion of graduate school, Mark served as a comptroller at the Army's Training and Doctrine Command headquarters at Fort Monroe, Virginia. While serving at Training and Doctrine Command, Mark provided important analytical assistance with the Army's long-range strategic and program planning, and the command budget. During these quiet years between graduate school and serving as a junior comptroller, Mark and Toni started their family with the birth of Robyn in 1985 and Patrick in 1987. In 1988, Mark was selected for promotion to the rank of Major and attendance at the prestigious Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon graduation in 1990, Mark's next assignment took the Haaland's to the Army's Armor Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky, for duties with the 194th Separate Armored Brigade. Two months after their arrival in Kentucky, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. For the next year, Mark trained and assisted in the preparation of Army active and reserves units and soldiers for deployment to the Kuwait Theater of Operations. At the same time, Toni helped families and the communities of Fort Knox and Radcliff, Kentucky cope with the challenges of an Army at war far from home. During the war and for the following two years, Mark served as the Brigade operations officer for planning, then as a battalion/task force operations officer, and finally as the Brigade operations officer. Following his very rewarding three-year experience with the soldiers and families of the 194th Separate Armor Brigade, Mark was ordered to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. where he was assigned to the Army's Budget Office. Although somewhat hesitant about moving to the major metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., Mark, Toni, Robyn, and Patrick were glad to return to their home state, the Commonwealth of Virginia. Soon after the Haalands' arrival in the summer of 1993, the Army selected Mark for promotion to lieutenant colonel and he pinned on his new rank in 1994. During his almost six years in Washington with the Department of the Army, Mark has served as the Army's budget analyst for counter-drug operations and has managed the nearly $9 billion budget and financial operations for the Army's operating forces. Most noteworthy, Mr. Speaker, during the past three years, Mark Haaland has supported the House and Senate Appropriations Committees as Deputy Chief of the Army's Congressional Budget Liaison Office. I am pleased to have had Lieutenant Colonel Mark Haaland serving in this position. His experience with our Army's operational units together with his comptroller experience has been of immeasurable importance toward ensuring that America's Army has been well represented on Capitol Hill. Mark's dedication to the Army and the Congress, technical competence, intellectual capacity, boundless energy, and irrepressible good humor have earned Mark the respect and admiration of the Members and staffs of both Chambers' appropriations committees. His contributions to our success over the years have been great and will be missed. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank this officer and his family for their service to our nation--truly a standard of duty, honor and country. And I wish for them all God`s blessings and success in the future.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention today the fine work and outstanding public service of thousands of Hispanic-Americans and particularly, the Philip Marmolejo Post 650, American Legion, in Redlands, CA. On May 15th, the Post will celebrate its 50th anniversary commemorating a distinguished record of contributions to our community, our state, and our nation. Hundreds of thousands of Hispanic-American citizens served honorably in our armed forces during World War II, facing the enemy with courage and exhibiting many brave and heroic actions in battle and the line of duty. In fact, 12 Hispanic-American soldiers were presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor by the U.S. Congress during World War II. Following the war, veterans of the allied effort organized the Philip Marmolejo Post 650, American Legion in Redlands. On June 22, 1949, the post opened to recognize the contributions of Hispanic-American serviceman in World War II, as well as advocate service-connected benefits and practice the ideals of patriotism and loyalty to country. Over the years, the Philip Marolejo Post 650, American Legion, and its members have been actively involved in numerous veterans, civic, and education activities at the local, regional, and state level. In fact, it has made a very real difference through providing scholarship programs, sponsoring youth athletic programs, and numerous other activities. As a result of these achievements, the Post has been recognized for its exemplary achievements at the local, state and national level. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues today in recognizing the fine contributions of Hispanic-Americans to our nation's history. I want to pay special tribute to the rich and distinguished history of the Philip Marmolejo Post 650, American Legion, for its years of contributions to our community and country. It is only appropriate that the House pay tribute to this record of service today.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention today the fine work and outstanding service of three wonderful and gifted young ladies from California's beautiful high desert. Heidi Cuyler, Amber Larrison and Sara Trudeau have made remarkable contributions to the Vista Campana Middle School in Apple Valley as 3-year members of the Associated Student Body (ASB). When Heidi, Amber and Sara decided to run for ASB 3 years ago, they were required to complete a rigorous process; the election, itself, is far from a popularity contest. Candidates must maintain a 3.0 grade point average, get letters of recommendation, write a statement explaining why they want to serve, and complete a personal interview. In addition, each candidate must give a speech in front of their peers before they are selected. For most students between the ages of 10 and 13, let alone many adults, this would seem like much too much work just to plan student activities at the school. Most remarkable is that Heidi, Amber and Sara completed this process three straight years and were successful. According to Patti Stueland, the activities Director at Vista Campana Middle School, ``They are my first and only officers up to this point to be a bulldog ASB Officer for all three years they have attended V.C.M.S.'' In the 3 years that they served, these young ladies helped create and develop school assemblies, noon-time activities, school dances, spirit rallies, staff appreciation days, sold dance tickets, served as tour guides for school visitors, and publicized school events through the school bulletin. In addition, they have presented student body activities to the Parent, Teacher, Student Organization, at monthly staff meetings, and school board meetings. In these, and many more activities, Heidi, Amber and Sara all demonstrated tremendous leadership skills through public speaking and working with the local community. As a result of the work of these students. Vista Campana Middle School is recognized for having one of the most outstanding student activity organizations in the high desert. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing the remarkable commitment and tremendous contributions of these three fine young ladies. Heidi Cuyler, Amber Larrison and Sara Trudeau have made a wonderful difference in the lives of those in their school and local community and it is only fitting that the House of Representatives recognize them today.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention today the fine work and outstanding public service of my very dear friend, Maggie Stewart. Maggie will be recognized by a grateful community for her many years of volunteer service to the San Bernardino County Republican Federation of Republican Women with a tree planting ceremony in her honor on Friday, April 30. Maggie Stewart has been actively involved in local Republican Party politics for over 40 years. During this time, she has successfully promoted candidates for every conceivable elective office including the school board, city council, well as many state and federal legislative offices. Over the years, she has shown enormous dedication and gained the enduring respect of many people within the Republican Party. Maggie began her service as a member of the Republican State Central Committee in 1954. Since that time--for over 45 years--she has served in every conceivable capacity with the California Republican Party including chairman of the San Bernardino County Republican Party. In my mind, no one has done more to advance the goals of the Party at the local level. Maggie's work and commitment has also been particularly instrumental to the long-term success of the San Bernardino County Federation of Republican Women. Over the years, Maggie has been widely recognized for her contributions to our local community. She has received numerous awards for her leadership roles by such varied groups as the Old Baldy Boy Scout Council, Ontario Lioness Club, Kiwanis Club of Upland, Soroptimist Club of Ontario, the West End Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Inland Empire Chapter of Public Relations Society of America, and the California State Assembly, among others. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in recognizing the tremendous contributions of this remarkable woman. Maggie Stewart has made a difference in the lives of so many people in our local community and I am grateful beyond words for her long and dedicated service. I want to wish Maggie and her husband of 52 years, Walter, much good health and happiness in the coming years. I remain confident that the tree planted in her honor will, like the Party she has guided for years, grow and prosper for many years to come.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention today the fine work and outstanding public service of my very good friend, Ed Hastey. Ed is looking forward to a full and productive retirement after serving the Bureau of Land Management, the State of California, and the nation for over 46 years. A fourth generation Californian and native of Pacific Grove, Ed attended Fresno State College and Monterey Peninsula College, and following his service in the military, graduated from the University of Washington in 1957. He joined BLM in 1957 after several years in the Army Airborne. Over the years, he served as the BLM's national budget officer, assistant director for administration, and as associate director in Washington, DC. He also served two stints as BLM's California State Director, the last stretching from 1982 to the present. During his tenure at the BLM, Ed spent most of his career directing the management of 16 million acres of public lands in California and Northern Nevada. In that time, he has worked under a dozen Secretaries of Interior. ``I once referred to Ed Hastey as `the viceroy of California,' and I truly believe no single individual has had a more positive impact on California's landscapes than Ed,'' said Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. ``He will be missed.'' Ed is widely credited with founding the California Biodiversity Council which draws together all Federal and State land management and environmental agencies with County Supervisors Associations from throughout the state to collaborate on ways to better manage California's diverse natural resources. Ed is especially proud of the land exchange and acquisition program that he directed in cooperation with the State of California and several private land conservancies that has ensured protection of many unique California landscapes. Several examples include the King Range National Conservation Area on the north coast, the Carrizo Plain in central California, the Santa Rosa Mountains in Southern California, and Cosummes Preserve in Sacramento County, and numerous other areas throughout the state. Ed was also instrumental in the recent acquisition of the Headwaters Forest in Humboldt County which the BLM will manage in partnership with the state. On a personal note, Ed has been a longtime friend and trusted advisor on important public land issues affecting my congressional district in southern California. We have, over the years, enjoyed many back country excursions together. I know that our friendship will continue and fully expect to spend many more days together exploring the vast and beautiful California wilderness. Mr. Speaker, few people in public life ever make the type of contributions made by my very good friend, Ed Hastey. As he begins his well-deserved retirement, Ed leaves many admirers in and out of government who respect him for his work, his fundamental sense of decency, and most importantly, his integrity. All of us wish Ed, his wife of 45 years, Joyce, and his family much happiness in the coming years. It is only appropriate that the House pay tribute to Ed Hastey today.