John Larson

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois for her insightful comments and for her continued diligent work in this area on behalf of all of our citizens, but especially for all women across this great country of ours. Mr. Speaker, speaking of a leader on those issues, we are also most fortunate to have the gentlewoman from California with us here this evening who also has done an outstanding job in the caucus and on committee in terms of focusing on the needs of women and children and families all across this great country of ours. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, that is an excellent point, and the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick) made it earlier as well when she stated quite succinctly and clearly, Social Security was never intended to be in and of itself the retirement vehicle. It was, as she pointed out, the third leg of a three-legged stool, having pensions, which we know are under stressed everywhere; personal savings, where it is so difficult for people to save; but the thing that people could count on. The reason that it came into existence was to provide, as the gentlewoman has pointed out, an absolute guarantee, the full faith and credit of the United States of America standing behind its commitment to its citizens. It is as simple and as fundamental as that and more eloquently stated by our citizens and the young women who have come to forums and hearings and town hall meetings like the gentlewoman's all across this country.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. This is confusing to some of our citizens. The gentleman from Michigan is an expert on this. He has served on the committee. Why does this transfer have to take place? Seniors are asking about this. Some have said, this is like taking a credit card of your own and trying to go out and purchase stock with your credit card in the hope that the stock's returns will exceed both the interest you are paying on that credit card. This is hard to understand for a generation that has relied on Social Security as a guarantee. What actually happens?

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. So this privatization plan will lead to a cut of more than 40 percent in benefits. We heard the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) say earlier that it does not even solve the gap or the supposed problem that the gentleman from Arizona was alluding to. Is that correct?

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. When the gentleman says the privatization proposal, this is the so-called plan that perhaps the President may submit to us?

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. So these forums that the President is conducting are not open to the public, that you have to be invited by the President's people? Carl Rove?

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege this evening to be able to address a vital subject to all of America, that of preserving and strengthening Social Security. Many of us have had the opportunity over the break to go back to our districts and hold public forums and hearings and town hall meetings, and the input that we received from our citizens has been extraordinary and insightful. This evening, we will be joined by distinguished members of our caucus, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), and hopefully others who will be joining us as well as we seek to report back to America about what is going on. We are most fortunate to have the man who has followed in the footsteps of the dearly departed Bob Matsui who was a champion on Social Security. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin) is the leading expert in our caucus and on the Committee on Ways and Means in matters of Social Security and has held these forums and hearings not only in his State but has been on shows and appeared all across this great Nation. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order today.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 26 to honor and pay tribute to the valiant efforts of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II, who defended the freedom of the United States and the World while breaking down the racial barriers of the U.S. military. In the midst of World War II, the U.S. Army Air Corps began a program to expand the role of African Americans in the military. In July 1941, 13 men started the first aviation cadet class at Tuskegee Army Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. After 9 months of vigorous flight training, five men successfully completed the program and graduated from the Tuskegee Flying School. These five airmen included Captain Lemuel R. Custis of my home State of Connecticut, who went on to become one of the first members of the 99th Fighter Squadron. The United States sent the 99th Fighter Squadron to North Africa and later Europe, where the Tuskegee Airmen proved to be valuable to the Allied Forces. By the end of the war, 992 men had graduated from pilot training at Tuskegee, of which, 450 were assigned to combat oversea. In total, the Tuskegee Airmen of the 99th, 100th, 301st and 302nd Fighter Squadrons distinguished themselves with 1,578 missions. The 332nd earned a Presidential Unit Citation for ``outstanding courage, aggressiveness, and combat technique'' while escorting heavy bombers over Germany. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me today in honoring the outstanding record of the Tuskegee Airmen who proudly defended our Nation and paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military. Their achievements and bravery represent the best qualities of America, and we all owe them our appreciation for their valiant contribution to this county.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to draw awareness to a bill I will reintroduce to address concerns that have been expressed about political organizations referred to as ``527s''. 527s are named after a section of the Internal Revenue Code that specifies the tax treatment accorded political organizations and tax- exempt organizations which make political expenditures. Under Section 527, all political organizations are tax-exempt for purposes of federal tax law. Starting this month, new rules will require more 527s to register with the FEC. 527s whose only purpose is to support or oppose a Federal candidate may only do so with ``hard money''. Citizens who give to the hard money accounts of these 527s will be under the same contribution limits as if they were giving to Members of Congress. 527s will also not be able to finance their entire operation using ``soft money''. They will now have to use a mix of at least 50 percent hard money to pay for activates and expenses, raised using federal limits. This legislation goes a step farther to give the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Election Commission, and the American people a better understanding of 527 organizations by aiming to place them to the same type of reporting requirements as political action committees (PACs) and other political organizations. This bill will provide the American people with more information about who is donating to the political process and how that money is being spent. If we want to inspire and encourage more Americans to participate in the political process, we must make all aspects of the process accessible to them. This bill would make 527s more transparent through the four main components of this bill. First, any political organization that meets defined minimum financial requirements must disclose this information to the Department of the Treasury. Second, political organizations that raise, spend or intend to raise and spend over $25,000 in an election year will have to file disclosure reports with the IRS monthly. Previously, organizations in this category were only required to file quarterly. Third, organizations with less than $25,000 in receipts must file quarterly. Fourth, the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Election Commission must work together to improve the database disclosure system. The guidelines in my bill will bring to light political organizations' donors and demonstrate they have nothing to hide. Moreover, this information will help Americans to make more informed choices. I believe that efforts to restrict 527 organizations could raise First Amendment concerns and may merely result in their reconstitution as 501(c)4, 501(c)5 and 501(c)6 organizations, which have virtually no public disclosure requirements. I believe that it would be more beneficial to our political process to mandate greater transparency of 527s rather than attempting to shut them down or otherwise curtail their participation in the political process. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Hawaii seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 4 votes for President and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 4 votes for Vice President. Senator LOTT. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Idaho seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 4 votes for President and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 4 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the great State of Connecticut seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 7 votes for President and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 7 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Delaware seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 3 votes for President and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 3 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Iowa seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 7 votes for President and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 7 votes for Vice President. Senator LOTT. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Kansas seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 6 votes for President and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 6 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Maine seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 4 votes for President and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 4 votes for Vice President. Senator LOTT. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Maryland seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 10 votes for President and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 10 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Minnesota seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 9 votes for President, that John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 1 vote for President, and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 10 votes for Vice President. Senator LOTT. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Mississippi seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 6 votes for President, and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 6 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Nebraska seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 5 votes for President, and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 5 votes for Vice President. Senator LOTT. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Nevada seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 5 votes for President, and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 5 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of New Mexico seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 5 votes for President, and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 5 votes for Vice President. Senator LOTT. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of New York seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 31 votes for President, and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 31 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Oregon seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 7 votes for President, and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 7 votes for Vice President Senator LOTT. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 21 votes for President, and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 21 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Tennessee seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 11 votes for President, and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 11 votes for Vice President. Senator LOTT. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Texas seems to be quite proud in reflecting the regular form and authenticity, and it therefore appears that George W. Bush of that great State of Texas received 34 votes for President, and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 34 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the Commonwealth of Virginia seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 13 votes for President and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 13 votes for Vice President. Senator LOTT. Mr. President, the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Washington seems to be regular in form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that John F. Kerry of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts received 11 votes for President and John Edwards of the State of North Carolina received 11 votes for Vice President.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. President, you should be justifiably proud that the certificate of the electoral vote of the State of Wyoming seems to be in regular form and authentic, and it appears therefrom that George W. Bush of the State of Texas received 3 votes for President and Dick Cheney of the State of Wyoming received 3 votes for Vice President

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, further reserving my right to object, I want to take a moment to both thank and applaud the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) for his diligence in determining the need for and pursuing the necessary funding for the authority for the new Committee of Homeland Security. I think he has described amply the need and the necessity under which the circumstances arose and why this resolution is so important. Third, I wanted to just take a brief moment to reflect on the extraordinary efforts of the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) and the former ranking minority member, Jim Turner, who is no longer with us, who took a skeletal concept of a committee and have turned it into a robust working reality. I would like to extend my own deep sense of appreciation to former representative Jim Turner for his extraordinary leadership and contributions on national security issues and, in particular, homeland security during the 108th Congress. As the first ranking member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, he vigorously pursued oversight and legislation to enhance the security of the American people. His diligent and purposeful efforts have prompted the leadership of our country to move faster with a strong and smart sense of purpose to preserve and protect the security of our Nation. During the first 2 years of the Select Committee on Homeland Security's existence, his work resulted in a number of significant initiatives and related efforts that we pause and honor today. In particular, in April of last year former Representative Turner released a 90-page comprehensive plan to eliminate the threat of al Qaeda to the United States. The report, which includes over a hundred specific recommendations, sets forth a strategy to win the current war against al Qaeda and like-minded groups. Produced with the assistance of Democratic leadership and other committees, winning the war on terror reaffirms the commitment and need to prevail in the U.S. struggle against terrorism. The comprehensive plan played a large role in the introduction later in the 108th Congress of winning the War on Terror Act, H.R. 5291, designed to implement a series of initiatives and defeat terrorists and enemies. Mr. Turner's accomplishments and what he was able to do in conjunction with the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) serve as a standard for the way that committees should proceed in this area. I cannot commend him enough and will present further accolades attesting to the attributes of Mr. Turner and the outstanding job he did on behalf of the State of Texas and this great country of ours. His service was exemplary, and I think this body owes him a great deal of gratitude for the performance that he undertook, along with the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) on this committee, and to see this committee today come to fruition as a full standing committee I think is a tribute to both of their hard work and zeal. The gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) will continue on. Mr. Turner, of course, is no longer in this body but will long be remembered for his diligent effort, his straightforward manner, his gentleman-like way that he dealt with both sides of the issue and the manner in which he was able to bring these very important issues to the floor of this House to proceed in protecting this great Nation of ours from threat, from dangers abroad and here at home. Mr. Speaker, I want to say three things. First, I want to thank Chairman Ney for his diligence in determining the need for, and in pursuing the necessary funding authority for the new Committee on Homeland Security. Second, as the original co-sponsor of this resolution with Chairman Ney, I want to take a moment to ensure that Members understand its purpose. Although House rule X provides temporary interim funding for committees which existed in the 108th Congress, and which the House rules have recreated in the 109th Congress, this temporary interim funding provision only applies to committees which succeed themselves in the new Congress. The former Select Committee on Homeland Security no longer exists, and the House rules have created a new, permanent standing Committee on Homeland Security to take its place. Because of this change, and in the absence of this resolution, the new Committee on Homeland Security would not have resources to operate until the House adopts the Omnibus Committee Funding Resolution sometime in March. By adopting the resolution, the House puts the new select committee on essentially the same temporary funding basis as other committees. Third, I want to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary efforts of Chairman Cox, and Ranking Minority Member Jim Turner, who took the skeletal concept of a committee, and turned it into a robust, working reality. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my own deep sense of appreciation to Representative Jim Turner for his extraordinary leadership and contributions on national security issues and, in particular, homeland security during the 108th Congress. As the first ranking member of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, he vigorously pursued oversight and legislation to enhance the security of the American people. His diligent and purposeful efforts have prompted the leadership of our country to move faster, with a strong and smart sense of purpose, to preserve and protect the security of our nation. During the first 2 years of the Homeland Security Committee's existence, his work resulted in a number of significant initiatives and related efforts that I honor today. In particular: In April of last year, Representative Turner released a 90-page comprehensive plan to eliminate the threat of al-Qaeda to the United States. The report, which includes over 100 specific recommendations, sets forth a strategy to win the current war against al-Qaeda and like- minded groups. Produced with the assistance of the Democratic leadership of other committees, Winning the War on Terror reaffirms the commitment needed to prevail in the U.S. struggle against terrorism. The comprehensive plan played a large role in the introduction later in the 108th Congress of the Winning the War on Terror Act, H.R. 5291, designed to implement a series of initiatives to defeat our terrorist enemies. In February, 2004, Representative Turner, in concert with his Democratic colleagues on the Select Committee on Homeland Security, released a comprehensive report, entitled America at Risk: Closing the Security Gap, identifying the significant security gaps that continued to remain across the United States more than 2 years after the attacks of September 11. The comprehensive 135-page report identifies shortcomings in our homeland security efforts and recommends specific actions to ensure America is as safe as it needs to be from terrorist attack. An additional six oversight reports were subsequently issued on specific homeland security topics. In September 2004, Representative Turner released a comprehensive 130-page report, entitled Transforming the Southern Border: Providing Security and Prosperity in the Post-9/11 World, calling for the transformation of the U.S. Southern Border to enhance security and promote economic prosperity. The result of a 6-month oversight effort, which included visits to multiple U.S. border communities, the report highlights the many security gaps that exist on the southern border and offers policy recommendations to close them. The comprehensive report was followed later in the 108th Congress with the introduction of the Secure Borders Act, H.R. 5130, to strengthen U.S. border security. In addition to these efforts, Representative Turner, either alone or in concert with his Democratic colleagues, sponsored 12 homeland security legislative initiatives during the 108th Congress. Among other subjects, Representative Turner's efforts resulted in the introduction of the Prepare Act (H.R. 3158), containing unprecedented proposals to reform the U.S. first responder grant system by determining--for the first time--the essential capabilities needed to protect American communities; and the Rapid Cures Act (H.R. 4258), designed to develop a national plan to develop countermeasures to protect Americans against the threat of bioterrorism. Mr. Speaker, these are only a few examples of the extraordinary contributions made by Representative Turner to our national homeland security effort. His leadership within the Democratic Caucus, and as a Member of the House on national security matters, has set a heightened standard for all of us to emulate. On the day that we create the first- ever permanent Committee on Homeland Security, it is fitting that we remember and honor the service and dedication of Representative Jim Turner. Mr. Speaker, needless to say, as an original co-sponsor of this temporary funding resolution for the new Committee on Homeland Security, I urge each of my colleagues to support our country's continuing efforts to fight terrorism by voting in favor of this resolution.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) to explain the purpose of the resolution.