Frank LoBiondo

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. McInnis).

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to recognize the achievements of a great man, who, through his impressive leadership skills and dedication to both his country and the United States Coast Guard, has forever raised the bar of excellence for those who must follow in his footsteps. July 21, 2000 marks the retirement of Lieutenant Commander Charles A. Schue, III, United States Coast Guard, as well as the Change of Command at the Coast Guard Loran Support Unit (LSU) in Wildwood, New Jersey. On July 21, 2000, Lieutenant Commander Schue will relinquish command of the unit he has so ably commanded for the last three years. He will then retire after more than 26 years of honorable and meritorious service with the United States Coast Guard. After attending Coast Guard Boot Camp in Cape May, New Jersey, Lieutenant Commander Schue quickly rose through the enlisted ranks to become a Commissioned Warrant Officer in just 10 years. His tours of duty with the Coast Guard took him across the nation and the world, from Southern New Jersey to Alaska, from Marcus Island, Japan, to Monterey, California, and then, appropriately, back to Southern New Jersey. While serving on Long Range Aids to Navigation (LORAN) transmitter and control stations, Lieutenant Commander Schue helped provide vital radionavigation services to the United States and Asia. Despite isolated tours of duty and numerous changes of duty stations, Lieutenant Commander Schue continued his professional growth and easily gained entrance to the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School. Not content to merely assume the trappings of being an officer, Lieutenant Commander Schue continued his professional growth, earning both a Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Management from Western New England College. Lieutenant Commander Schue's superior engineering and leadership skills were formally recognized when he was named the Coast Guard's Engineer of the Year for 1999. As Commanding Officer of the LSU, Lieutenant Commander Schue expertly led and motivated a team of office, enlisted, and civilian, and contractor personnel, which consistently produced results of the highest quality, as was highlighted when LSU received the Secretary of Transportation's Team Award for the Loran Consolidated Control System. Setting the standard for responsiveness, and using innovative engineering solutions despite the scarcity of parts and funding, he was instrumental in keeping 1960's and 1970's vintage Loran electronics equipment operational well beyond its planned lifecycle. The LSU's superb support of the $65.4 M North American Loran-C system resulted in a near 100 percent availability for this safety-of-life navigation system during his tour as the Commanding Officer. Upon his retirement, his award citation from the Commandant of the Coast Guard noted that ``Lieutenant Commander Schue was the driving force behind the Loran Support Unit solidifying its position as the international leader in the Loran-C systems technology'' and further stated that ``Lieutenant Commander Schue's ability, diligence, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.'' I wish to extend my appreciation to Lieutenant Commander Schue for his service to the United States of America and I wish him, his wife Lori and their two children, Ian and Tia a wonderful future.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me the opportunity and the honor today to welcome Dr. C. Frederick Horbach of Elmer, New Jersey, as our guest chaplain. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, Dr. Horbach has served at churches in Audubon, Elmer and Burlington, New Jersey. An educator, he recently retired after a 28-year tenure with the Cumberland County College where he taught courses in religion, art and philosophy. He is currently pastor of the Memorial Presbyterian Church in my hometown of Vineland, New Jersey. Having earned an A.B. degree from Elizabeth Town College, a master's of divinity degree from the Princeton Theological Seminary, a master's of sacred theology and a Ph.D. for his research in art and religion from Temple University, Dr. Horbach's knowledge and background in theology is vast. His parishioners, however, will tell you that his greatest attributes are the interest, compassion and dedication he brings to his work. I am pleased that he and members of his family are able to join us today and would like to thank the House for this opportunity to recognize his many achievements.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered by Mr. Roemer. After countless missed deadlines, technical glitches, cost overruns, and a lack of support from our so-called ``partners,'' it's time we face facts; the International Space Station program must end. The original estimate for the first space station put the cost of such an endeavor at $8 billion dollars. Congress ended up spending $11.4 billion and what it got was a failed program that offered little hardware, and no launch. Since this program did not work, Congress needed a new way to waste taxpayer dollars. So in 1993 this new program was called the International Space Station. NASA recently estimated the cost of building this station through completion, whenever that will be, at well over $26 billion. This estimate does not even include the billions of dollars a year it will take to maintain the station after that. What's more, our so-called ``partners,'' Japan, Canada, and 10 other countries, are only required to collectively spend $9 billion. It seems the partners of the International Space Station actually share little more than a name. Once again the United States is left holding the bag. On March 16, 2000, Mr. Allen Li, Associate Director, National Security and International Affairs Division of the Government Accounting Office gave testimony before the House Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics saying Russia is still not complying with the space station's safety requirements. His testimony states the Russian Control and Service Modules have not met NASA guidelines to protect the station from orbiting debris, yet NASA said this risk was ``acceptable.'' NASA is still reviewing other safety concerns including excessive noise levels and outright operational failure. Where billions of dollars are concerned and, more importantly, human life, is any risk acceptable? My greatest fear is that NASA is ignoring quality standards in a futile attempt to justify this albatross. It is for these reasons I fully support Mr. Roemer's amendment to the Veterans Administration-Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill for FY 2001. This amendment transfers the $2.115 billion appropriated to the International Space Station and places it in the National Science Foundation and in other valuable NASA programs. Additional money will go towards paying down the national debt. Mr. Chairman, enough is enough. Congress has already dumped too much into this space station, to no benefit. I believe we should give America's taxpayers a break by canceling the International Space Station.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I regret I was attending a family funeral today and unable to be present for the following rollcall votes, 183, 184 and 185. Had I been here I would have voted ``yea'' on all three votes.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, April 11, 2000, marked the centennial anniversary of the United States Navy Submarine Force. To commemorate this unique event, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the thousands of sailors who have gallantly served our nation as members of this elite group. April 11, 1900 ushered in the birth of this outstanding American Naval Force, which has proven its undeniable worth through every major military endeavor our country has asked the Navy to address. In World War II alone, the Navy Submarine Force scored the most complete victory of any force in any theater of war by destroying 1,314 ships between 1939 and 1945. Out of 16,000 submariners, the force lost 375 officers and 3,131 enlisted men in fifty-two submarines, the lowest casualty rate of any combatant submarine service on any side in the conflict. Now capable of firing missiles from a vertical launch system, the Navy's Los Angeles class SSNs have proven very useful in the more restricted spaces of modern littoral war at sea. Submarine launched Tomahawks have proven extraordinarily effective in a variety of combat operations starting with Desert Storm. With a drastically reduced force, submariners still manage to conduct both independent tactical and strategic patrols, as well as renewed joint operations with carrier battle groups. Without a doubt, the United States Navy Submarine force continues to be one of the most valuable components to our nation's well-being and security. Thank you for your tireless effort, dedication, and contribution to America's continued prosperity and happy anniversary.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of this legislation. I most importantly want to thank all of my colleagues for joining in to recognize an issue that has impact on so many in our society that have been made vulnerable by dishonest marketing practices. I want to especially thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) for his leadership. The hearing that we had earlier this year really served to focus and highlight on the problem. I want to thank the gentleman from Philadelphia (Mr. Fattah) for his efforts, the gentleman from California (Mr. Condit) for gaining so many cosponsors on the other side, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), and of course the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) for all of his help in this area. When I first went to senior centers and asked how many had received some of these mailings, it was unbelievable the stories that took place, and each one of our districts can have examples of seniors who have fallen prey and unfortunately in many cases have lost their life savings to these unfortunate marketing practices. This bill will send a very strong message. We are acting for the people of the United States of America who really deserve our help, the seniors of America. I thank everyone.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, let me take a moment to first thank my colleague from New York (Mr. McHUGH) for his leadership with the subcommittee and particularly on this issue. The hearing that was held really focused in on the problem, I think, in a very specific way and it allowed us to convince many of our colleagues of the importance of this issue. I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the chairman of the full committee, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) for their help, and my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Condit), for his help in garnering votes from the other side and support from the other side. Mr. Speaker, thousands, if not millions, of Americans will receive some sweepstakes mailing today. Most people disregard these mailings as the marketing ploy that they are. Unfortunately, there are a small percentage of consumers who will open the package with excitement and carefully return the enclosures, often with a payment, in the hope of becoming America's latest millionaire. Most likely to be impacted by these fraudulent and misleading mailings are some of the most vulnerable in our society, our senior citizens. Sadly, these vulnerable consumers are not being duped merely into entering a hopeless contest. They are, in fact, encouraged to purchase goods from these sweepstakes companies in the thought that these purchases will give them a better chance of winning a huge sum of money. For seniors, most of whom are on a fixed income, this frivolous spending in the hope of winning untold riches is having an especially detrimental effect. There are stories that abound of life savings being lost, of seniors whose lives are devastated because they feel that they have had an opportunity to gain an advantage in a sweepstakes that was never there from the beginning. My legislation will prohibit many tactics sweepstakes company use to prey on our most vulnerable consumers. Misleading language such as ``we would feel better if we were giving the prize to a customer'' leads people to believe that a purchase enhances the chances of winning, when it really does not. My bill takes significant steps to prevent vulnerable members of our society from being harmed by predatory sweepstakes companies. The key provision of H.R. 170 requires that certain clear and easy- to-read honesty disclosures be included in each sweepstakes mailing. First, each mailing must include language stating that purchase is not necessary to win a prize, nor does it enhance the chances of winning a prize. It additionally requires other important information such as the odds of winning the grand prize to be displayed prominently in the mailing. The bill would further crack down on cashier's checks and government document look-alikes, which obviously confuse many seniors and have to lead us to conclude it was the intention to mislead and confuse seniors. So in conclusion, I want to thank all of my colleagues who worked so hard on this. I think we have a chance to make a real difference today with those in our society who have been the recipients of tactics that all of us wish we could change. We can change that today with this legislation. Again, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 170.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Roemer amendments, and I would like to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) again for being tenacious with this particular issue. We have heard an awful lot of debate about the pros and cons of whether we should move forward with the space station. The reality is, if we had ideal budget numbers, if we had all the money available to us that we wanted for seniors and veterans and for education and environment, and a whole host of other issues that we deal with, then very possibly if we had all of that money, then we could put money towards this. But we do not. We have limited resources, and if we look at the reality and the facts of the space station, of the numerous missed deadlines; if we look at what the original cost estimates were: $8 billion, a lot of money when that was first brought up, and when we look at where it is now, $100 billion, that should speak volumes to us. If we look at the space station as what scientists are saying about it, and we have many scientists who are saying that this is not a good idea and we should not move forward. If we look at what NASA may have to be doing to other very successful programs like Voyager and the Mars mission and space shuttles, and many of my colleagues are talking about the benefits that we derive right here on Earth from many of NASA's projects, and I agree with that, and I am as proud as anyone in this House with the accomplishments that we have had with our space programs. Those same accomplishments can be made without the space station. Those dollars, those billions of dollars, $80 more billion that will have to be spent on this is money that should be redirected. If we look carefully and we understand what we are committing ourselves to in the long run, we will understand that the Roemer amendments make sense. The Roemer amendments made sense last year and the year before, and I supported them very proudly. I think they make even more sense this year. So once again, I will ask my colleagues to say that enough is enough, to look at where we are and where we need to go and to understand that the right thing to do is to support the Roemer amendments.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for his support.

Mr. LoBIONDO. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very straightforward. It allows the Coast Guard to purchase six PC-170 coastal patrol boats, adding funding to the Coast Guard budget already approved by the full committee. Mr. Chairman, the Coast Guard's ability to effect drug interdiction is tied to this amendment. The Coast Guard with this amendment will bring six fast, highly maneuverable vessels to the front lines of the drug war in roughly 1 year's time. With the intensity that we hear of drugs coming into this country, Mr. Chairman, this is an opportunity for my colleagues to be able to do something about it. We all want to talk, every Member of Congress, about how tough we are on drugs. We all talk about how the Coast Guard is the front line of drug interdiction. We all talk about how important it is to give them the resources. Mr. Chairman, this is an opportunity to give the Coast Guard the resources they need. I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) and I also want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) and all the members of the committee for their help with this particular amendment. I urge full support of the amendment.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 171, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Reauthorization Act. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the chair of the subcommittee, and the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the chair of the full Committee on Resources, for their help and cooperation in bringing this important legislation to the floor. H.R. 171 would extend the authorization of the Trail to provide an additional $4 million over 5 years to complete the work that was begun in 1988. This extension is needed to complete a number of projects such as interpretive exhibits, wayside signs and other visitor-related services. Simply put, enaction of H.R. 171 will prevent the Coastal Heritage Trail from being caught in an unfinished, ``work in progress'' condition. Legislation establishing the Trail was passed by Congress in 1988, thanks to the leadership of Senator Bill Bradley. Its original intent was to unify New Jersey's many scenic points of interest along the State's Atlantic Ocean, Delaware River and Delaware Bay shorelines. These points of interest include a wealth of environmental, historic, maritime and recreational sites found along New Jersey's coastlines, ranging from Perth Amboy to the north, Deepwater to the west, and Cape May in the extreme southern tip of the State. The Trail's area includes two National Wildlife Refuges, four tributaries of a Wild and Scenic River system, a Civil War fort and national cemetery, several lighthouses, historic homes, and several other sites tied to southern New Jersey's maritime history. In short, Mr. Speaker, the Coastal Heritage Trail incorporates the best of what New Jersey has to offer the rest of the Nation. More importantly, the completed Trail will stimulate the local economy in southern New Jersey by attracting tourists from the entire Delaware Valley region. And although the Second Congressional District is known for its seaside resort communities, there are a number of treasures in Salem, Cumberland and Cape May Counties that the Trail will tap into. One exciting aspect is its focus on maritime history. There is a rich story to be told about the industries once sustained by the Delaware Bay, such as whaling, shipbuilding, oystering and crabbing. While we often define our Nation's history through military or political milestones, the Trail will serve to remind visitors that maritime- dependent commerce was a major factor in the growth of the United States. In addition, ``eco-tourism'' along the Coastal Heritage Trail has proven to be a huge success. There is an abundant variety of natural habitats and species to be found on the Trail. During the springtime, for instance, visitors from Heislerville can watch the annual spectacle of thousands and thousands of horseshoe crabs returning to lay their eggs on the beach. Whale and dolphin watching have become extremely popular, and bird lovers from throughout the country, and in fact around the world, are realizing what southern New Jersey residents have known all along, that our region is unmatched for observing migratory birds, ospreys and bald eagles. Finally, let me point out to the Members of the House that the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail is a Federal, State and private partnership that works. The Trail has been supported by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, local community groups, nonprofit societies and corporate sources. Mr. Speaker, far from a new and costly government project, H.R. 171 represents the kind of program that Congress should be encouraging: preservation-minded with the potential for positive economic impact on local communities.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, voting for the articles of impeachment will be one of the most difficult votes I will cast in my career. I cannot think of anything more serious for myself and the nation. I have put more effort into this decision than any other I have made in elected office. I have spoken personally with hundreds of constituents, read mountains of correspondence, and carefully listened to legal arguments on both sides of the issue. The President has an obligation set out in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution to ``take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.'' The President is the Nation's chief law enforcement officer who appoints the Attorney General and nominates all federal judges including the Supreme Court. I cannot in good conscience allow the President to violate the law and his Constitutional duty without consequence. I have come to my decision after a long and careful consideration of the facts. These facts have not been disputed. There is clear and convincing evidence that the President broke the law. The laws he broke are serious enough to warrant impeachment. Specifically, the evidence demonstrates that the President committed perjury and perjury is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. If Congress chose to ignore the President's actions, we would set the dangerous precedent that some are above the law. But the truth is no one is above the law, and everyone has an obligation to uphold the law no matter how personally uncomfortable compliance might be. If the House ultimately decides to approve one or more impeachment articles, the Constitution charges the Senate with the responsibility to decide what proper action should be taken. I hope they act expeditiously and I will abide by their decision. This has been an extremely wearisome experience for the country and it is in everybody's best interest to bring closure soon.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, John Lapworth is the Cal Ripken of Postal Carriers. Lapworth who is a mail carrier in Cape May County in my district recently received the National Safety Council's Million Mile Club's Safe Driver Award. Lapworth, who works out of the Villas post office branch and lives in Rio Grande, has gone 35 years on the job without an accident or a road violation. He has not even been involved in accident that was not his fault. He estimates he has driven more than 250,000 miles since joining the Postal Service in 1964. He has traveled this vast distance without so much as a speeding ticket or a fender bender. John was honored recently at a breakfast with his coworkers where he received a trophy, a plaque, and a $500 check for his accomplishment. I want to commend John Lapworth for his achievement and for his dedication to safety in the workplace. In our fast-paced society where everyone seems to be in a hurry and terms like road rage are commonplace, John Lapworth's defensive driving and commitment to caution is refreshing.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, Shriver's Salt Water Taffy in Ocean City recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary. Shrivers has been making children and adults smile with its salt water taffy, fudge and other treats for a century from its location on the historic Ocean City boardwalk. Shriver's was founded by Mr. William Shriver in 1898. Before then he sold candy and ice cream from a cart on the boardwalk. The Shrivers tradition is now maintained by owners Hank Glaser and Virginia Berwick. Not long ago, Shrivers underwent a major renovation to restore its facility to resemble the original building. The restoration won local and statewide acclaim. Inside, Shrivers has retained many of its original fixtures and sports a candy museum featuring a collection of candy and ice cream molds, some over 100 years old. While the methods have changed over the years, Shrivers' sweet success can be traced to its sticks of wax paper-wrapped salt water taffy. A box of Shrivers salt water taffy is still as coveted as a gift to friends and family as it was when Shrivers first started boxing their candies. Shrivers no longer pulls their taffy by hand but instead relys on automatic pulling machines. Pulling salt water taffy stretches and aerates the candy making it chewable. It is during the pulling process that flavoring and coloring are added. Seventeen flavors fill a box of Shrivers salt water taffy, but visitors to the ``pick and mix'' table can find additional special flavors such as creamsicle, rum or sour cherry. I have not tried every flavor, but the ones I have tasted have been delicious. Shrivers has been a pillar in the community of Ocean City. I am proud of their century-old status and I hope their confections keep putting smiles on the faces of children at the Shore for generations to come.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. LoBIONDO. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage the chairman in a colloquy. As a member of the committee that authorizes U.S. Coast Guard operations, I am deeply concerned by the advanced age of the Coast Guard's vessels, aircraft and technology. This problem is beginning to hamper the Coast Guard's ability to conduct vital antidrug operations. As the gentleman well knows, Mr. Chairman, the Coast Guard is America's first line of defense on the high seas against drug lords and cartels that are bent on putting their deadly products in the hands of our Nation's children. It is the responsibility of Congress to ensure that the Coast Guard is equipped with the most advanced equipment to perform their counterdrug mission effectively. The Coast Guard has a modernization program called the Deepwater Capabilities Replacement project, which would overhaul all the Coast Guard's assets. Deepwater represents the 21st century Coast Guard. The Clinton administration sought to delay Deepwater through the establishment of a Presidential Advisory Council on Coast Guard roles and missions. I would like to thank the chairman for seeing through this delaying tactic and preventing this unnecessary and expensive commission from going forward. Instead, this bill provides for a smaller panel of former Coast Guard commandants and other officials not to exceed $1 million. My question, Mr. Chairman, relates to this provision. Can I get an assurance from the gentleman that the establishment and activities of the blue ribbon panel will not in any way prevent the Coast Guard's Deepwater modernization program from going forward?

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a United States Coast Guard officer who has made a difference in the lives of many people: Captain Terrance M. ``Casey'' Edwards, Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey. After twenty-eight years on active duty, Captain Edwards is beginning a well- earned retirement. I am proud to say that Captain Edwards embodies the finest principles of a commissioned officer, and reflects well on the Coast Guard spirit of Semper Paratus. He is a leader whose commitment and dedication has made the Cape May Training Center synonymous with excellence. I have no doubt that the men and women who graduated from the Training Center during his command are among the most well-trained and prepared in the ranks of the Coast Guard. Captain Edwards' decorations attest to his outstanding service. He is a three-time recipient of the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, a two- time recipient of the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. But there is more to Captain Edwards than just medals; there is a story of his maximum effort and considerable achievement. A 1970 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Captain Edwards' career has taken him from the Atlantic Ocean, aboard the USCGC Dauntless, to command of a LORAN station in Okinawa, where he helped maintain a homing signal for vessels traveling on the high seas of the Pacific. He has served with distinction as an attorney assigned to several Coast Guard legal billets, during which time, it should be noted, he represented clients before the United States Supreme Court. In recognition of his outstanding legal service, Captain Edwards was appointed to the Coast Guard Court of Military Review by the Secretary of Transportation, and also served as an appellate judge from May of 1992 to June of 1994. It can be rightly said that justice was indeed served by this fair and judicious man. Captain Edwards has also looked after the physical well being of Coast Guard personnel in his roles as President of the Coast Guard Formal Physical Evaluation Board and Chief of the Physical Disability Evaluation Division. Captain Edwards, on behalf of the many nervous recruits who left Cape May confidently ready to serve, on behalf of a community that will dearly miss your many positive contributions (and friendly smile), on behalf of the United States Congress, I wish you good luck in the future and calm seas ahead.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) for his work on this issue last year and again this year. I want to associate myself with the remarks that the gentleman from Vermont made about some of the aspects of this program that are so very important for my colleagues, for all of us to understand. These are programs that make a difference. These are programs that are making a difference to people whose lives in many cases are very, very dark and shadowy. They are senior citizens who are shut-ins, who do not have the ability to get out on their own. In many cases this is the only social contact they have for a whole day. This is the only time they receive a hot meal and someone to check on them. Mr. Chairman, I know that in my district I have taken the time to go out to see how some of these programs work firsthand, to actually be with volunteers who are delivering the meals. That is another aspect. In many cases there are volunteers who are giving of their own time to make a difference by participating in the program. So when we combine all of these factors together, that it is cost- effective, that for every dollar we spend we are saving three, to combine this with the fact that for a senior citizen who may have a problem there is a volunteer who is going to be, on a daily basis, giving a physical check, how do we measure these benefits? They are far beyond the $10 million that we are asking for. I am very appreciative that the gentleman from New Mexico (Chairman Skeen) has agreed to consider this amendment, and I thank my colleague from Vermont.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great appreciation and satisfaction that I am here today to speak on behalf of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act. As our friends from the law enforcement community gather in Washington to recognize National Peace Officers' Memorial Week, the House's consideration of a program to help protect the lives of those officers seems a fitting and timely tribute. To me the issue is rather simple: It is as equally ludicrous to put a police officer on the street without a firearm as it is to put that officer on the street without a vest. These men and women pledge to protect and defend our lives and property, and society's commitment back to their personal safety should and must be total. This bill is on the floor today because of the dedication of my colleague, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky). Without his commitment to this issue and the diligent efforts of Jeff Gerhardt of his staff, this initiative would not have happened. I have enjoyed working with the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) on this, and I thank him very much for his hard work. I also want to take the opportunity to thank Carlyle Thorsen from my staff, who has put countless hours in on moving this initiative forward as well. The legislation makes sense, a Federal matching grant program to help states and local governments buy bullet resistant vests for law enforcement officers. As Republicans, we speak often of refraining from micromanaging how states and localities spend Federal resources. However, the fact that close to 150,000 state and local law enforcement officers across the country do not have access to vests makes a powerful case that this bill represents a unique exception to such philosophical resistance. I am not surprised that our aggressive cosponsorship drive was so successful. Over 100 of our colleagues cosponsored it within the first week of introduction, and a total of 306 members signed on within just a few months. Getting that many cosponsors so early helped us make a convincing case for the bill, and I thank them for validating what the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) and I knew was a good idea and for being part of our effort. First among equals on that list of coequals was the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde), and he played no small part in the success of this measure. My thanks go out to the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) for his support as well. Let me also recognize the guidance and assistance of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum), chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime of the Committee on the Judiciary. The gentleman worked with us from day 1, offering suggestions of how we could improve the bill and holding a hearing for its consideration. Also of great assistance in shepherding this measure through the process was the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty) and Nicole Nason of the Subcommittee on Crime staff, and I thank them for their competence and accessibility. I am looking forward to working with the chairman of the subcommittee and his excellent staff in the future. Again, for me, this is about saving lives of our law enforcement officers on the street or in the prison yard. We in government are not the only ones who recognize and address this need. My efforts on a national level to provide officers with body armor are rooted in the great example set by private organizations in my own home district like Vest-A-Cop and Shield The Blue in southern New Jersey. States and localities should not have to choose between having enough officers on the street, funding necessary training programs for those officers, or purchasing bullet- or stab-resistant vests. The local law enforcement block grant program goes a long ways towards funding their priorities, and many localities are too small to receive funding. So I was surprised to learn that of 46 townships in my district that operate municipal police forces, only 12 received block grants. It is reassuring that this legislation will provide an additional option for small towns in both southern New Jersey and across America. I ask my colleagues to support the legislation.

Mr. LoBIONDO

Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, in a time when the evening news is characterized by conflict and turmoil, it is nice to come across the story of Brigantine Elementary School. Last year, Brigantine Elementary was named the kindest school in my home state of New Jersey. The school received the award after students were urged to perform acts of kindness every day during the month of October. The students responded by performing 50,000 good deeds. Some of these acts included helping parents or calling a sick relative. The month of May is Kindness Awareness Month in New Jersey. During this month, Brigantine Elementary's kindness program will be promoted as a model for other schools in the state. Brigantine Elementary's success is easily replicated. Their kindness program was developed as a means to reinforce basic values in their students. Administrator, teachers, and parents worked cooperatively to develop the kindness program to support a mission of developing good citizenship qualities in a rich multi cultural setting. Working on a ``Kindness is Contagious'' theme, the school set goals for each student, had students record their progress and encouraged parents to participate with their children. The work of these students profoundly demonstrates that each individual can make a difference. They have proven that kindness is indeed contagious as other schools in the state embrace the model of their program. I want to commend the work of the students, staff and parents at Brigantine Elementary. I am proud of the dedication they have shown to make their community a better place.