William Lipinski

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. I remember it very, very well. No question about it.

Mr. LIPINSKI. No question about it, no question about it.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Fantastic.

Mr. LIPINSKI. Certainly, and to me the No. 1 issue in last November's election was the fear, the concern, the insecurity that the American middle class has on their shrinking standard of living, not only for themselves, but for their family, for their youngsters, and here with NAFTA, with GATT, and now this $40 billion bailout, we are not only shipping out middle-class jobs, we are also now putting an additional burden on the middle class to subsidize another country. To return to my prepared remarks, under NAFTA United States imports from Mexico have been increasing at a rate faster than United States exports to Mexico. This distinction is important because in order to create jobs, U.S. exports must be expanding faster than imports. This is not happening. Under NAFTA the peso's value has dropped fantastically. This represents a dramatic wage cut for Mexican workers. Consequently United States exports to Mexico will slow while Mexico's exports to the United States will rise, wiping out what little trade advantage we had. Under NAFTA, Mexico is experiencing a severe financial crisis, and the American taxpayer is being asked to foot the bill. I say, ``Enough is enough.'' The Clinton administration wants to provide 40 billion in loan guarantees to help Mexico. But as reported in yesterday's Washington Post, this multibillion-dollar bailout will only help United States speculators, those who have invested money in Mexican stocks and bonds and not contributed to Mexico's long-term economic stability. Any way you look at it, taxpayers are being forced to prop up the pesco and assume the financial risk of the investors. Mr. Speaker, it is not their risk to take. We should be offering support for our citizens, but instead our Government chooses to help every other group except the American working man and woman. Last week I joined my colleagues, two of which are here tonight, in introducing legislation to pull the United States out of NAFTA. Given the current circumstances, such action is indeed timely and long overdue. During the debate on NAFTA, supporters promised jobs and economic growth. I and others, however, warned that NAFTA would only hurt our trade position and cause an increase in the loss of American jobs. After a year of [[Page H388]] NAFTA, I think today's reality speaks for itself. Mr. Speaker, repealing NAFTA is essential if we are to restore justice to the working people of America. This issue, to me, is an enormously important issue and goes right to the heart of the stability of this Nation, not only the middle class, but everyone in this Nation. We have to produce jobs in this country for all our citizens. We have to come up with what is a dirty word around here quite often, but a national industrial policy. We have to have Government, management, labor, the universities, working together to develop an economic strategy to put our people to work. If we do not, there is going to come a day when they are not going to be able to purchase these products from Mexico, from Japan, from Germany. This economy is going to go down the drain, and numerous other economies are going to go down the drain. I am really very thankful for the opportunity to participate in this special order tonight, and both of you have my totally complete support in this effort to try to rebuild the American middle class and to try to create jobs in this Nation.

Mr. LIPINSKI. I thank the gentlewoman for those very kind words and for the time that she is yielding to me in this special order. It is always a pleasure also to be associated with the gentleman from Vermont [Mr. Sanders] because certainly no one fights harder for the American working man than he does. Mr. Speaker, it appears that the North American Free-Trade Agreement is anything but free. Let us look at the facts. Under NAFTA, thousands of Americans have been put out of work. Under NAFTA, the Sara Lee Corp. intends to cut 8,000 jobs during the next several months and move their operations to Mexico. Under NAFTA, Honda, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota, and Samsung all announced plans to build new or expanded production facilities in Mexico, not here in the United States of America Under NAFTA, United States automobile makers exported approximately 22,000 vehicles to Mexico. The United States however, imported 221,000 from Mexico, a huge imbalance in Mexico's favor. I ask, ``Can you imagine the jobs that would have been created here amongst the United States Auto Workers if the 221,000 vehicles that were manufactured in Mexico had been manufactured here in the United States?''

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Edward R. Madigan, former Secretary of Agriculture under President Bush and long time U.S. Representative from Illinois' 15th Congressional District. Although Mr. Madigan was undergoing aggressive anticancer treatment at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL, he died on December 7, 1994 from complications related to lung cancer. He was 58 years old. When Mr. Madigan was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972, he told a newspaper reporter that he had but one goal: ``I have the ambition to be an influential member of Congress and to use that influence to bring credit to myself and to help people.'' During his 18 year tenure in Congress, Mr. Madigan skillfully and more than adequately fulfilled his goal. He protected the interests of his constituents in rural Illinois through his ranking member status on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee significant role in amending the 1985 farm bill to ensure that it favored the free market approach instead of imposing production limits. He also helped craft the final compromise on the clean air legislation that encouraged the use of ethanol. As Mr. Madigan worked to best serve his constituents, he built a reputation with his congressional colleagues as an honest, charming, low-key consensus builder. He used his soft-spoken, behind-the-scenes style of compromise to get things done. He made a priority out of learning the first name of each Member of Congress so that each Member of Congress would then make it a priority to get to know him. Mr. Madigan's sincerity and dedication made him an influential member of the Republican Party and the Illinois delegation. I treasure the years I was able to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives with Mr. Madigan. I am also grateful that we were able to work closely as members of the Illinois delegation. Although we belonged to different political parties, we shared a strong commitment to the citizens of Illinois and of the United States. I offer my sincere condolences to his wife and three daughters. Mr. Madigan often mentioned how grateful he was for the support his family gave him. We will all miss Mr. Madigan but we always remember his remarkable contribution to the House of Representatives.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the NAFTA Withdrawal Act, legislation to pull the United States out of the North American Free-Trade Agreement [NAFTA]. When I cast my vote against NAFTA, I did so knowing full well the devastating impact such an agreement would have on U.S. workers. To date, because of NAFTA, over 8,000 American workers have lost their jobs. Since NAFTA took effect, United States imports from Mexico have been increasing at a rate faster than United States exports to Mexico. This distinction is important because in order to create jobs, United States exports must be expanding faster than imports. This imbalance between imports and exports has cut the United States trade surplus with Mexico down to little more than $1 billion. Likewise, from January through July of last year, United States automakers exported about 22,000 vehicles to Mexico. The United States, however, imported 221,000 from Mexico--an imbalance of 199,000 vehicles in Mexico's favor. Moreover, in the short-time since NAFTA passed, Honda, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota, and Samsung have all announced plans to build new or expanded production facilities in Mexico. In passing NAFTA, too many of my colleagues failed to see NAFTA for what it really was--a continuation of policies that have undermined the hard won benefits of our Nation's labor movement. Passage of the NAFTA Withdrawal Act is essential if we are to restore justice to the working people of America.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. John T. Stibich, former chief of detectives with the Chicago Police Department, who retired this month after 38 yeas of service. I would like to share with my colleagues Mr. Stibich's numerous accomplishments which made him an invaluable member of the Chicago Police Department. Mr. Stibich became a Chicago police officer after serving 4 years in the U.S. Navy. He started as a patrol officer in 1956 and was quickly promoted into the detective division. His strong leadership abilities and tremendous dedication earned him several promotions and prestigious positions throughout his years on the force. For example, he has served as commanding officer of area 1 Special Operations Group, commanding officer of area 4 Homicide/Sex Section, commander of the 20th district, Commander Detective Division area 3, deputy chief of Detective Division field group A, and the list goes on. For the past 3 years, Mr. Stibich has served as chief of detectives, coordinating all investigations and operations of the Detective Division for the city of Chicago. He was also responsible for the implementation of a $52 million budget and the supervision of over 1,000 sworn and civilian members of the Chicago Police Department. Mr. Stibich is a natural leader. He has always been a strong role model for rookie Chicago police officers. He has even instructed courses at the Chicago Police Academy. Mr. Stibich will be greatly missed by his colleagues in the Chicago Police Department. He will be equally missed by the city of Chicago. The city is extremely grateful for the service and protection Mr. Stibich has provided over the past 38 years. Mr. Stibich should be proud of the years of service he has dedicated to the community. I am sure that my colleagues would like to join me congratulating Mr. John T. Stibich for his exemplary service over the past 38 years. Because of the efforts of dedicated individuals who, like Mr. Stibich, place the safety and well-being of others above their own, our Nation is a better place to live. I thank him for a job well done.

Mr. LIPINSKI

Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Rose White, a prominent member of the Third Congressional District of Illinois, who celebrated her 80th birthday on December 9, 1994. I would like to share with my colleagues the notable accomplishments that have highlighted Mrs. White's life. Rose White was born of immigrant parents in Chicago, IL on December 9, 1914. Growing up as one of nine brothers and sisters during the Great Depression, Rose learned the value of hard work and family unity. She demonstrated her commitment to work and family during the Second World War when she juggled both a factory job and three young children while her husband fought the war overseas. After the war, in 1947, Rose and her husband became homeowners and settled with their four children in the Garfield Ridge community on the southwest side. In addition to being a model homemaker and mother, Rose has always been an active member of the Garfield Ridge community. Her membership in the Democratic Club of Garfield Ridge led to her career as a Judge for the Board of Elections at the 23d Ward, a position she has held for 35 years. Rose is also a member of other various community organizations. For example, Rose is a member of the Garfield Ridge Civic League and has held the offices of Treasurer and Membership Chairperson. She has served as treasurer of the Garfield Ridge Council of Organizations during her 10-year membership. She is a welcome member of the American Legion Auxiliary and local VFW. In the past she has served as an advisor to the Junior Auxiliary of the American Legion and was an active member of the Byrne and Kinzie Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. Plus, in her spare time, Rose relaxes with the Garfield Ridge Garden Club and volunteers at the Regional Veterans Administration Hospital. Rose has filled her 80 years of life with family, friends, hard work, dedication, and service to her country and community. She is a model citizen and deserves to be commended for her outstanding accomplishments. I am sure that my colleagues would like to join me in congratulating Mrs. Rose White on her 80th birthday and encourage her to continue in all her endeavors. With best wishes I hope that Rose's life continues to be an adventure and offers her many more pleasant memories.