Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, while we are not the authorizing committee, I no longer reserve a point of order on the amendment.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order on the amendment.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, let me thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stabenow) for her kinds words. I look forward to resolving the issue as we go forward to the conference. Amendment Offered by Ms. DeLauro

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for bringing this issue to our attention. As a distinguished member of the Committee on Science, I appreciate the gentlewoman's commitment to research and development, as well as to education. I agree with the gentlewoman that the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program is a worthwhile program that deserves additional funding, and I want to assure the gentlewoman that I will take the advice of the gentlewoman and give serious consideration to it during the conference negotiations.

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

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

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate very much the distinguished majority leader yielding me the time. I think we all from time to time step back and wonder what is the view of the American people of this great Capitol and the work that is done in both bodies. Ofttimes the shrill voices displayed on C-Span dwell upon the negative, those things that divide us. Indeed, all too often we find ourselves in the well of the House exchanging dialogue that certainly is far from the picture that is being displayed at this moment. Is it not a tragedy that we have a circumstance where two of our very, very finest have given their lives on behalf of the country, as well as for us, and that such a tragedy in a different way causes us to pause and recognize that we are a family; that we work together, and all of us have much more in common than we have in difference. Indeed, the men and women who work in the Capitol, the Members of both bodies, come here in commitment to our country in a belief that by being here, we can make a difference in peoples' lives and strengthen our Nation. It is very, very important that we take away from this a lasting memory of this family that we all are a part of. Members of Congress, professional staff, police officers, support personnel, all of us are a part of a great American family. Tomorrow John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut will be honored in a ceremony befitting the finest of America's fallen leaders. I must say that my last picture of John Gibson reminded me of this in a special way. I was coming back from the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, walking towards the House floor for a vote, walking past the office of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), and John Gibson said, ``How are you doing, Congressman,'' as he always does; a reminder that we are in this together. Let us in the months ahead remember these two great heroes, and at the same time, have them remind us that our family is much, much more important than the differences we may have day in and day out.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Speaking for myself, I tell the gentlemen from Maine that we will carefully examine the GAO report and will take the GAO's recommendations in due consideration as we go through the conference.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I wanted to express my deep appreciation for not just the gentleman's commentary this evening but for the long history of his being supportive of these programs and understanding them perhaps better than anybody else in the House. The reality is that Space Station is not just a toy out in space. I have heard several of our colleagues this evening talk about how they support NASA, they support our probe in space, support our work in space. And yet the reality is that if man is going to be in space, we need to learn many of these things that we are learning by this process. It is not just a question of health, things that we learn from people being in zero gravity, et cetera. It is building things in space. Having men and women work in space. Indeed, if NASA is going to carry forward that Horizon project that is the dream of our people, that new horizon, it will not be done without an effective Space Station. The gentleman's work has been extremely helpful, and I wanted him to know I appreciate him.

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding to me. I want to just say to my colleagues as well as all who might be interested to this discussion, no one has made the contribution that the gentleman from Florida has regarding this effort. His consistent and intensive focus upon the future that we have in space and the work that involves the Station itself is very much appreciated, and he has made a very significant difference in the effectiveness, not just in our discussion, but also the rapidity of which we are moving forward in this program.

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding. I specifically wanted to respond to the gentlewoman from Texas as well. I appreciate both of your participation in this. The gentlewoman from Texas mentioned very briefly the international partnership that is involved here. We have not discussed that very much this evening, and I think certainly we should. The fact that our international partners in the European space agency are being so cooperative, the fact that we do have an ongoing relationship with Russia in spite of their economic difficulties in which they are putting the money that they are obligated to in the pipeline. The reality that this is now a world Space Station that provides our future hope for man's work in space, that has so much potential in terms of economic and medical and other kinds of breakthroughs, is a very important item, and I appreciate very much both of you participating in it.

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I do appreciate where my colleague is coming from. We have had this discussion a number of times on the floor, as the gentleman knows. And the gentleman certainly knows that our committee is doing everything we can to adequately fund those programs. But having said that, within this specific category the entire administration is supporting our position regarding this.

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

Mr. LEWIS of California. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin. (Mr. SENSENBRENNER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, again reclaiming my time, let me say that we have had this discussion on many an occasion. The last time we had a vote on this same proposal, admittedly that vote was on the authorization bill, the vote was 305 to 112 in favor of maintaining the station. The important point here is that I think my colleagues recognize that one of the reasons that this bill is so difficult, and that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stokes) and I work so hard to provide some balance in this bill, is because we have got a variety and mix of important Federal responsibilities within this package. The question of VA medical care is a very, very critical part of this bill. Our housing programs are a very important part of the bill. EPA is. But also NASA's work happens to be a part of our bill. And for someone to suggest that one way or another we are going to juxtapose our vital work in space versus housing programs is not only not fair, it is a reflection of a lack of understanding of the significance of the work of this subcommittee. There is not any doubt that Space Station is fundamental to our future work in space. And, indeed, if we find ourselves at one point or another faltering on Station, then NASA, in my judgment, will all but disappear from being the agency that we now consider it to be. Its budget will shrink dramatically and our role in space will be radically impacted. I think it is important for my colleagues, those who are especially mindful today of the role and importance of the United States human space flight program, I think it is important for them to focus upon the sad news that we received yesterday of the death of Alan Shepard, the first American in space. On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard was launched into space aboard a converted missile which had an imperfect success record in a capsule that had never been tested with a human occupant, with many, many questions about what the impact of space flight would be on human beings. It was this Nation's first step in human space flight. Alan Shepard was welcomed back from his brief 15-minute suborbital flight 115 miles into the Florida sky and 302 miles downrange, and as a true American hero he was welcomed back. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for space, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, Exceptional Service Medal and numerous other medals and awards. His death is a great loss to the Nation and I join with all of those who mourn his passing and celebrate his life, but indeed there is little question that America is most interested and supportive of man's role in space. Fundamental to that role in space is the work that we are about Space Station. Indeed, to step back from that at this point in time would really be a great disservice, not just to our country but to the world's interest as well as our future in space.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I can tell that the gentleman is not interested.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I would first like to inquire of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer), we have had this debate on a number of occasions, as the gentleman knows. If people do appear restless, it is not just the hour, but it is we have heard the argument so many times. Mr. Chairman, I would inquire of the gentleman whether he is in a mood to consider some time limitation on this amendment.

Mr. LEWIS of California. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for bringing this very important matter to the VA-HUD appropriation subcommittee's attention. I agree that the present heat crisis threatens both the lives and livelihoods of a great many of our citizens. FEMA has pledged to reduce loss of life and property and has promised to protect our Nation's critical infrastructure from all types of hazards. We will do everything within our power to work with you until a viable solution is available for everyone. I want the gentlewoman to know that it is my intention to work very closely with her and with FEMA on this matter.

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

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

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