Steven LaTourette

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller), the author of House Concurrent Resolution 56.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I again commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller) for introducing this important resolution. I also want to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), chairman of the full Committee on Government Reform and Oversight; the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization; as well as the ranking members of the full committee and subcommittee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) and our good friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis). I urge all Members to support this resolution.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1801) to designate the United States courthouse located at 501 West 10th Street in Fort Worth, Texas, as the ``Eldon B. Mahon United States Courthouse''.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would first like to notice, Madam Speaker, that H.R. 1801 was discharged from committee consideration and expeditiously brought to the floor for immediate consideration. Although not the normal process, in the interest of time, the committee will occasionally discharge consideration, as it has in this case. H.R. 1801 designates the United States Courthouse located at 501 West 10th Street in Fort Worth, Texas, as the Eldon B. Mahon United States courthouse. Judge Mahon was born in 1918 and attended public schools in Loraine, Texas. He earned his bachelor degree from McMurry University and law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. During the Second World War, Judge Mahon served in the United States Air Force, enlisting as a private and being discharged at the rank of captain after serving active duty in the South Pacific with the Fifth Bomber Command. Before being appointed the United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas in 1972, by President Richard Nixon, Judge Mahon clerked for the Supreme Court of Texas, served as Mitchell County Attorney, Texas District Attorney, District Judge for the 32nd Judicial District of Texas, vice president of an electrical service corporation, maintained an active private law practice from 1968 until 1972, and served as the United States District Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. He is also an active member of many professional associations and foundations. Judge Mahon was responsible for overseeing and monitoring desegregation of the Fort Worth Independent School District. Judge Mahon took senior status in 1989, after serving on the Federal bench for more than 28 years. This is a fitting way to honor such a distinguished public servant. I support the bill and urge my colleagues to join in their support. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), the author of this legislation.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) for bringing this important legislation before the body; and I want to thank the chairman of our full committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), for helping us discharge it. And nothing happens important in the subcommittee without the help and counsel of the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello), and I thank him for his help as well; and I urge Members to support the bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 495) to designate the Federal building located in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, as the ``Ron de Lugo Federal Building''.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 495 designates the Federal building in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas of the United States Virgin Islands as the ``Ron de Lugo Federal Building.'' Ron de Lugo was born in Englewood, New Jersey in 1930. He attended school in Saints Peter and Paul School in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and Colegio San Jose, Puerto Rico. Delegate de Lugo ably served in the United States Army as a program director and announcer for the Armed Forces Radio Service from 1948 until 1950. Following his military service, Delegate de Lugo continued working radio at WSTA St. Thomas and WIVI St. Croix. In 1956, he served as senator for the Virgin Islands, a position he held for 8 years; during which time he served as minority leader and member of the Democratic National Committee. In 1968, Delegate de Lugo was named the Virgin Islands' representative to the United States Congress. While serving as representative to the Congress, Ron de Lugo successfully educated his colleagues about the people of the Virgin Islands. In 1973, Delegate de Lugo was elected to serve in the 93rd Congress before running for governor. He later returned to Congress in January 1981 when he was officially elected delegate to the 97th Congress from the Virgin Islands, a position he held until the conclusion of his career in 1995, when he did not seek reelection. Delegate de Lugo served on the Committee of Public Works and Transportation and as vice chairman on the Aviation Subcommittee. I wholeheartedly support this piece of legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very special constituent, Barbara J. Smith, on the occasion of her receipt of the Ohio Women's Bar Association's Justice Alice Robie Resnick Award of Distinction. This award is the OWBA's highest award for professional excellence and is bestowed annually on a deserving attorney who exhibits leadership in the areas of advancing the status and interests of women and in improving the legal profession in the state of Ohio. It gives me great pleasure to wish Ms. Smith my warmest congratulations on this truly special occasion. Barbara Smith is currently a shareholder of McDonald, Hopkins, Burke & Haber Co., L.P.A. in Cleveland. She attended Old Dominion College (B.A., 1968); Pepperdine University (M.B.A. 1974, magna cum laude); and Case Western Reserve University (J.D. 1977, magna cum laude). She is a former President of the OWB (1994-1995) and is one of its original members. The OWBA was initially formed in 1991 and is the only statewide bar association within Ohio solely dedicated toward advancing the interests of women attorneys while encouraging networking and the creation of a statewide mentor program for women attorneys. The 2001- 2002 membership year celebrates the OWBA's 10th Anniversary. Barb has also served as President of the Cleveland Bar Association. At the time she served, she was only the third female president in its 125-year history. At the same time, Ms. Smith has been active in the community on issues affecting women and minorities, including Ohio Attorney's Assault on Domestic Violence, a Charter Fellow and member of the Cleveland Bar Foundation Board of Trustees and a member of The Federated Church--Multi-racial, Multi-cultural Task Force. Ms. Smith has been recognized for excellence in her legal work including Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who in America and The Best Lawyers in America for Health Law. On May 21, 2001, OWBA President Helen Mac Murray will be presenting Ms. Smith with the Ohio Women's Bar Association's Justice Alice Robie Resnick Award of Distinction at its Annual Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. It gives me great pleasure to rise today, Mr. Speaker, and join the OWBA in congratulating Barbara Smith and wishing her continued success.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 74) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 20th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time just to make the following observation. Mr. Speaker, in conjunction with this event that occurs on the Capitol Grounds, the police agencies from all over the country will also gather and have a parade beginning on New Jersey Avenue and going to the Police Memorial which is directly across from the National Building Museum. Mr. Speaker, I would say to my colleagues, if they have not been to that parade, they should go. It is a sight to see. There are bagpipers from all across the country. Mr. Speaker, the United States Congress authorized the minting of a coin which was sold nationwide, and the proceeds of that coin were used to keep up the National Police Memorial in Washington, D.C.; and there is nothing that will ever compare with the strains of Amazing Grace from so many bagpipes in honor of the men and women who have perished creating the thin blue line. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 74 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 20th Annual Peace Officers' Memorial service on May 15, 2001, or on such date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Rules and the Committee on Administration jointly designate. The resolution authorizes the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police Board, and the National Fraternal Order of Police, the sponsor of the event, to negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying out the event in complete compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The Capitol Hill Police will be the hosting law enforcement agency. The event will be free of charge and open to the public. This service will honor the many Federal, State and local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2000. This is a fitting tribute to the men and women who have given their lives in the performance of their duties. Mr. Speaker, I support the measure and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 74, the measure just considered by the House.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 39.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a measure called the ``Voting Equipment Modernization Act of 2001'' (VEMA) that will create a special tax ``checkoff'' segment on income tax returns so Americans can direct $1 to $2 of their tax dollars to help defray the cost of replacing antiquated voting machines across the country. Mr. Speaker, the temporary election modernization checkoff on income tax forms will be separate from the current checkoff for the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. As with the presidential election checkoff, the voting equipment modernization checkoff will not increase a taxpayer's tax bill. Those filing individual tax returns would be able to contribute $1 and those filing jointly could contribute $2. More than 120 million individual income tax returns are filed each year. The idea for a temporary election modernization checkoff came from a constituent of mine in Mentor, OH, who was embarrassed by events surrounding the November election and the accuracy of voting equipment across the country. In my home State of Ohio, 60 of the State's 88 counties use punch-card ballots similar to those used in Florida. Mr. Speaker, right now we have a patchwork quilt of aging voting systems across the country and if the November election taught us anything it is that the patchwork quilt is a frayed mess. We have lottery machines that are far more modern and accurate than our current voting machines and that is just wrong. My bill, the Voting Equipment Modernization Act of 2001, will establish a temporary checkoff on income tax returns that would allow taxpayers to designate $1 to $2 to the Federal Election Commission, which would then distribute funds to newly created Election Administration Improvement Funds in each State. The funding level for each State will be based on population derived from Census figures. I believe Americans want modern voting equipment and know that State and local governments are not capable of bearing the enormous costs of replacing antiquated equipment. The cost of replacing voting equipment in each of the country's 191,000 voting precincts is estimated to cost at least $4 billion and some estimates have voting modernization costs exceeding $8 billion. The current presidential tax checkoff has had mixed results, but I believe Americans will respond favorably to an opportunity to help defray the costs of new voting equipment if it will ensure accurate election results. Using Census figures as a guide, if 12 percent of Ohio taxpayers opted for the checkoff, it would amount to $1.35 million in revenue that could be used to update voting equipment and pay to train poll workers. Participation in the checkoff to help pay for presidential elections has fallen since it was first initiated in 1972, and studies show that only 12.5 percent of Americans checked the box on their 1997 returns. The remainder left the box blank or checked ``NO.'' Through 1999, about $1.2 billion had been designed for presidential elections. I blame the low participation for the presidential checkoff on two factors: The public's unwillingness to help pay for increasingly hostile presidential elections, and widespread misunderstanding that checking off the box increases one's tax bill. It is my belief that folks will be willing to do a tax checkoff if it will ensure that their vote will be counted and counted accurately. I think when folks realize this won't negatively impact their tax refund or tax bill, they will be willing to check the box. Secretaries of State across the Nation agree that voting machines need to be modernized but they realize the costs will be enormous. The voting modernization checkoff will be a temporary measure to generate funds, and will only appear on tax return forms as long as there is a need to pay for new voting machines. Mr. Speaker, States will be able to use money generated by the checkoff to purchase and maintain modern voting equipment, and educate and train those using the new voting equipment, including those working the polls on election day. Decisions about specific equipment and training would be left up to the States. Also, Puerto Rico will be excluded from this plan because it does not pay Federal taxes. Mr. Speaker, I believe VEMA offers a simple, common-sense solution to a problem that must be remedied as soon as possible so we can restore accuracy and integrity to our voting system. I urge my colleagues to support the Voting Equipment Modernization Act of 2001.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 558) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 504 West Hamilton Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as the ``Edward N. Cahn Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting day for this subcommittee and the full committee. I think this Congress already has passed 10 pieces of legislation and this will be the second and third piece of legislation that has come out of this hard-working subcommittee and the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, headed by the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar). I also, on a personal note, am excited about the opportunity that presents itself in this Congress to work with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello). Unlike some matters we may take up in the 107th Congress, the work of this subcommittee will be bipartisan, nonpartisan, and will help with the business of building America. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 558 designates the Federal building and United States courthouse in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as the Edward N. Cahn Federal building and United States courthouse. Judge Cahn was born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Allentown, High School. He went on to attend Lehigh University, graduating magna cum laude in 1955. In addition to winning a high school basketball championship with Allentown High, Judge Cahn was the first Lehigh University basketball player to score 1,000 points during his collegiate career. After graduating from Yale Law School, Judge Cahn returned to the Lehigh Valley. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves until 1964 and in the private practice of law until 1974. In 1975, President Ford appointed Edward Cahn to Pennsylvania's Eastern District Federal Court; and for 23 years Judge Cahn fairly and expeditiously administered the law from the Federal bench in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He is the only judge in the third circuit to work out of the Allentown courthouse. In 1993, Judge Cahn was appointed the court's chief judge until his retirement in December of 1998. This is a fitting honor to an exceptional jurist and a local Lehigh Valley hero. I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to do so as well. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Allentown, Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey). (Mr. TOOMEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 558 and H.R. 621.

Mr. LaTOURETTE

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.