Scott McInnis

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, this evening I would like to talk about the President's appointment for the Surgeon General of the United States of America. I think it is absolutely crucial that the Surgeon General be somebody who has a great deal of credibility, and I think that credibility is going to be the issue in this nomination. As many of us know, the last Surgeon General of the United States, Joycelyn Elders, drew a lot of focus off what I think are main health care issues of this country by some of the positions that she took. Those positions apparently she felt would move this country forward in its progress on health care to the average American. But it did not do that. What it did do instead was draw attention to the issue of abortion or to the issue of sex education and draw attention away from the important issues like health care in rural America, like immunization for children throughout America, like prenatal programs throughout America. Well, I am concerned now with the new appointment or the new nomination that the President has made that this country is headed down the same path. It comes back to the issue of credibility. pro-life, the focus of the Surgeon General for this country and of that nomination process needs to be on credibility. How is the credibility going so far with this nomination? Mr. Foster and the people supporting this nomination sent information to Senator Nancy Kassebaum, who is the chairwoman of the committee which will handle this nomination, saying that Dr. Foster was only involved in one abortion, and, in fact, that abortion involved saving the life of the mother, hardly objectionable in some circles, in some other circles, maybe, but just maybe. But just one abortion. Then within hours, there is a revision of that statement. Now Dr. Foster comes out and says, Well, not exactly one abortion, but less than 12 abortions, and not all to save the life of the mother, but mostly to save the life of the mother. And now if you read your news reports this evening, a new press conference, press release, comes out. It seems Dr. Foster served on a panel in 1978 under which testimony was taken from a Dr. Foster, and he was the only Dr. Foster on that panel where that Dr. Foster boasts or talks of performing up to 700 abortions. What is the truth, Dr. Foster? President Clinton said, if, and he is referring to Dr. Foster, he has done what he said he has done, the abortion issue should not be a disqualification. Well, Mr. President, has he done what he said he has done? He did not do one abortion. He did less than 12. And if the evidence shows 1 more abortion than 12, then the issue should leave abortion and go immediately to the center focus of credibility. Why do I stand up here today in front of you talking about that issue? Because, doggone it, folks, we have got a lot of people in rural America that need a Surgeon General that will address the health care issues of this country. We need a Surgeon General who is going to focus on health care issues and not this abortion issue. The abortion issue cannot continue to be the focus of the Surgeon General's office with the kind of health crisis we have in every State in this country. If the Surgeon General nominee is not telling the truth, if, in fact, it has now gone over 12, he has an obligation to the United States of America to step forward and announce the withdrawal of his nomination. If the President of this country determines that his nominee for Surgeon General has, in fact, been less than straightforward, has, in fact, performed more of these procedures than he admits to, then it is the President's obligation not to stand by his nominee, but to stand by the country and say, ``Your credibility has now been damaged to the extent by credible evidence, by the way, that it cannot be repaired. You must then step down as my nominee.'' Mr. President, do us a favor. If your nominee is not being straight with us, dump him, and move on to somebody who is qualified to do this job, and whom the No. 1 question that is asked of him will not pertain to their credibility.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Col. William F. Gabella, who recently received his Master of Law (LLM) in Air and Space Law from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Mr. Speaker, as Colonel Gabella receives his degree, I would like to join his colleagues, family, and friends throughout the community of Canon City in congratulating him. Colonel Gabella is an individual whom I greatly admire and respect, and I am pleased to salute him on this important occasion. This amazing accomplishment was arrived at by hard work and great intelligence. Colonel Gabella is a credit to Colorado and I'm proud to say he resides in my congressional district. My best wishes to Colonel Gabella and his family. He has made all who know him proud.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Alan Nelms for being named Vocational Teacher of the Year by the Colorado Vocational Association. Alan is a marketing teacher at South High School in Pueblo, CO. Alan has been recognized for his innovative approach to teaching. Bringing more academics into his marketing classes, the development of business partnerships and job placement programs for his students, Mr. Nelms has exhibited the type of individual we need teaching our children. His approach to teaching is innovative, refreshing, and continually changing with the demands of the workplace. Alan's future curriculum includes such ideas as, establishing business internships for teachers so they can learn more about the workplace and improve the School-to-Work Program. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in congratulating Alan Nelms on his award. I know all of us thank Alan for his dedication, professionalism, and selfless service to his students.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I also express appreciation to the gentleman from Florida for allowing me to speak this morning for a couple of minutes. First of all, this is exciting. This is very refreshing. We have got a rule now that is going to allow us to discuss for 3 days the line- item veto. Last year I can remember what we got allowed to us by the other side, a total of 3 hours. We get 3 days now. That is the difference. That is the beauty of this rule. So I commend the chairman of the Committee on Rules, and I commend the committee on both sides of the aisle for allowing this kind of rule so that we can have the discussions that are necessary. Second of all, let us talk about the merits of the line-item veto. Take a look at the defense budget. No President in the history of this country has been allowed, because of the defense necessary for this country, to veto the defense budget. So what happens, that is the obvious place to put in pork, to tuck it away. The Congressional Research Service estimates that $50 billion worth of nondefense-related appropriations have been stuffed into the defense budget because no President would dare veto that appropriation. Now with the line-item veto, that game is over, folks. Let us give it to the President, whether the President is Democrat or Republican, let us stop the games. Let us get into budget management. Finally, in regards to the comment that this is not a balance of power when we allow the President to have a line-item veto, as the Republican bill does. Of course, it is a balance of power. The veto is a basic part of our Constitution. It is a basic part of the procedure. And there is a balance in there in that it can be overridden with two thirds. It is not different than any other veto. I strongly support the Republican version. Again, I commend the chairman of the Committee on Rules for allowing us 3 days of debate on the line-item veto. No more ``three hours and you're out.''

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hall], pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. McINNIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon], the chairman of the committee on Rules.

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate those comments, but I should say in closing that I have complete confidence in the chairman of the Committee on Rules and his decision on how the rules should be open. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule.

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add a point. I appreciate the concern of the gentleman from Missouri. I must add since 1989, 10 natural resources bills have been killed on suspension. This is my first opportunity to get up here and present a rule like this, and I appreciate the fact that the chairman of the Committee on Rules has allocated an open rule. One, it offers protection and certainly the elements of being offered that the chairman of the committee has talked about. But it is also an opportunity for those of us who like these open rules to get an opportunity to participate in this process, to participate. So while I appreciate the gentleman's concern, I wanted to make those points. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Volkmer].

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 52 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 52 is a very simple resolution. It is an open rule providing for 1 hour of general debate. After general debate, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the 5-minute rule. The rule provides one motion to recommit. The open rule demonstrates that the new majority intends to honor its commitment to have a more fair and open legislative process, providing the House with an opportunity to review the bills, debate them, and yes, if necessary, to amend them. The legislation is noncontroversial. It was reported out of the Committee on Resources by a vote of 40 to 0 and is identical to H.R. 4746, which passed in the House during the 103d Congress by voice vote. It settles a longstanding dispute between the local residents of Anaktuvuk Pass and the Park Service over the use of all terrain vehicles [ATV] for access to subsistence resources. the Park Service contended that the ATV's injured the landscape. Both sides of this issue have reached an agreement on the lands which may be agreement the parties have reached. Without congressional approval, the agreement will become null and void. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule, and the underlying legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Molly Merry on the occasion of her being named Colorado Teacher of the Year. Her positive contributions on behalf of educating children have enabled her to win this award. Molly is responsible for designing, planning, and teaching an alternative education program known as the Madison Exploratory School, located in Canon City. The curriculum at the school is designed for students who have not reached their full potential in traditional classrooms. Her lesson plan's increase the amount of time spent with hands-on projects to bolster traditional lessons. When Madison Exploratory School opened 2 years ago, there were 30 fifth-grade students. The program has been such a success, in large part due to Molly Merry's work, that it has been expanded to include 82 students in grades fourth through sixth. Molly's ability to identify problems, build children's self-esteem and provide an encouraging voice make her the logical choice to receive Colorado's Teacher of the Year Award. Molly Merry has not only met the criteria needed to win this award, but she has exceeded those expectations. Her dedication, professionalism, and selfless service to her students has not gone unnoticed. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my home State of Colorado, I respectfully ask that my fellow colleagues join me in saluting Molly Merry, Colorado's teacher of the year.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an outstanding Coloradan, Mr. Bud Gates, on the occasion of his being awarded the Colorado Counties Inc. 1994 Distinguished Service Award. county commissioner who has been a positive influence and an active member of the community to receive this award. Bud Gates is no exception. His innovative approach to solving problems and important work in the community have made him a logical choice to be named this years Distinguished Service Award recipient. Bud has been an Eagle County Commissioner for 8 years and chairman of the board for 3 years. His work in the community has been extensive. He's been on the Eagle Valley Planning Commission, the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service Committee, the Conservation Board of Appeals, the Eagle County School Board, and the Agriculture Soil Conservation District Board. He also has been president of the Derby Mesa Irrigation Co., the Burns Hole Livestock Association, and the Eagle County Farm Bureau. His commitment to the community extends outside his public life. Bud has been a 4-H leader and still actively supports the program. He has also been a classroom assistant at the Eagle Valley and Gypsum Elementary Schools, and works as a mediator in social services cases involving kids with family problems. Bud Gates has not only met the criteria needed to win the Colorado Counties Award, but he has exceeded the expectations associated with this award. His dedication, professionalism, and selfless service to the people of Eagle County has not gone unnoticed. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in marking this occasion and saluting Bud Gates for his years of devotion to the people of Eagle County.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, the Administration has in recent months claimed several foreign policy victories. However, American taxpayers should recognize that one of these victories, the recent accord between the United States and Communist North Korea, may prove extremely costly. The Administration has hailed the agreement as the beginning of the end of a perilous nuclear crisis. But, the nuclear crisis appears far from over since North Korea is not required to dismantle all its nuclear facilities for at least 10 years. The Administration has played down the concessions the United States must provide to North Korea within this ``gentlemen's agreement''. Additionally, the Administration appears to have slighted the traditionally close United States coordination with our democratic and reliable ally, South Korea. Under the agreement, which was signed on October 21, the United States will organize a consortium including South Korea and Japan to supply North Korea with two light-water reactors. These reactors are less useful for bomb-making than the North's existing technology. In return, North Korea will freeze its nuclear program and promise to open its nuclear sites eventually to inspection. A serious flaw is that the accord allows North Korea to postpone United Nation's ``special inspections'' of its nuclear sites until one of the light-water reactors is nearly in place, a process that will take at least 5 years--and probably longer. These inspections are necessary to determine whether Pyongyang has extracted weapons-grade plutonium for its spent-fuel stock. We should take into account, though, that in the last two years, Pyongyang has concluded nuclear agreements with both the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Seoul that it has failed to fulfill. The Administration offered North Korea economic and political benefits and granted the North up to 10 years, or longer, to fulfill pledges it has already refused to honor. While these light-water reactors are being assembled, a process that will take a decade or more, the United States-led consortium will provide North Korea with free crude oil as an alternative energy source, gradually reduce trade barriers, work toward exchanging diplomatic missions and provide a negative security assurance. Both Tokyo and Seoul officially welcomed the agreement. However, the accord is drawing fire from South Korea's opposition Democratic party (DP) as well as from conservatives with the majority party, the Democratic Liberal Party (DLP). The DP is decrying the cost to Seoul of two light-water reactors, estimated as high as $4 billion, and the requirement to pay for the crude oil that is supposed to serve as North Korea's alternative energy supply. Conservative members of the DLP similarly oppose the high price tag and the generous delays offered to the North. There is growing popular South Korean sentiment that North Korea has outmaneuvered Washington and marginalized the South's input into this issue. This agreement may jeopardize an alliance that has been very close and productive for many years. I believe we must move to reaffirm the importance of close United States coordination with the South Korean Government. The Administration should take steps to guarantee that the implementation of the agreement is linked to substantive progress in the reconciliation of North and South Korea. To that end, the Administration should develop specific timetables for achieving measures which will reduce tensions between North and South Korea. For example, specific timetables should be developed for the prompt dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear processing facility. Timetables for the establishment of liaison offices between North and South Korea should be developed. Mutual nuclear facility inspections between North and South Korea should be initiated. Furthermore, the Administration should develop timetables for the establishment of a North-South joint military to discuss steps to reduce tensions between North and South Korea. The Administration should immediately appoint a presidential envoy to deal directly with the real leadership in Pyongyang. This presidential envoy should be respected and experienced in negotiating with Koreans. One of the envoy's first actions should be to call on the North to resume substantive, high-level talks with Seoul immediately Today, I, along with my colleagues Representatives Kim (CA) and Solomon (NY), have introduced a concurrent resolution which outlines several steps I think the Administration should take to strengthen the United States-North Korea Agreed Framework. Likewise, Senators Murkowski, Simon, Robb and Helms have introduced identical legislation in the other body. I urge my colleagues in the House to join me by cosponsoring this very important concurrent resolution. By taking these steps, the agreement between the United States and the heavily armed North Korean regime may ultimately be a success.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate the time that was yielded to me by my friend, the gentleman from California. I used to be the majority leader in the Colorado State Legislature, and in that position, we always enjoyed the opportunity to have both Democrats and Republicans amend bills, as we continued to have debate on them on the House floor. When I first came to the U.S. Congress, I was stunned to see that through the Committee on Rules many people, such as myself who were elected to represent States in this country, were prohibited from having debate or prohibited from having amendments on the House floor. Well, times they are a-changing. Now the first contract item that comes onto the House floor is going to come on with an open rule. This issue, unfunded mandates, will certainly have many different types of amendments from Republicans and Democrats, but the issue here that the American people should recognize is that times have changed, and for the first time in a long time, we will have an open debate and a recorded vote for the American people.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, due to travel delays, I was not present to vote for S. 2. As a cosponsor of the Congressional Accountability Act in this session, as well as the 103d, I would have clearly voted in support of this legislation, as I did with H.R. 1, on January 5, 1995.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Walter Bergman on being named to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. I can think of nobody more deserving of such an honor as Walter Bergman. I would like to share with my colleagues Mr. Bergman's numerous accomplishments which have enabled him to join that elite group of athletes in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Walter Bergman was born on June 11, 1920, in Denver, CO. It was in Denver that Walter's stellar athletic career began to blossom while attending Denver's North High School. While at North High School, Walter obtained what would become a long list of athletic accomplishments. They include being named all-city in basketball, all- State in basketball, and all-city in football. Walter was also instrumental in clinching North's only State Basketball Championship by making the winning basket. After high school, Bergman entered Colorado A&M on an athletic scholarship. He graduated 4 years later with a bachelor of science degree and 10 varsity letters: 3 in football, 3 in basketball, and 4 in baseball. In addition to varsity athletics, Walter was sophomore class president, on student council for 4 years, student body president, captain of the football team, member Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. Recruited by the Philadelphia Eagles, Bergman chose to serve his country instead. In 1942 Bergman joined the Marines and spent the next 4 years involved in several Marine operations in the Pacific, and received the Bronze Star along the way. Upon completing his military service and another stint at C.S.U. for his masters, Bergman moved to Durango, CO. At Durango, Bergman coached baseball and football at my alma mater, Fort Lewis College. Three years later, in 1950, he left Fort Lewis College for Mesa State College to coach football and baseball. During Mr. Bergman's 30-year coaching career at Mesa State College, he won 3 college conference championships in football and 20 conference championships in baseball, finishing second 3 times in the JUCO World Series. Walter Bergman's greatest contribution to Colorado is not only his athletic achievements, but his impact on the kids he coached. From Coach Bergman you learned discipline, devotion, education, and professionalism--all the qualities needed to be a successful part of our community and country. During his life, Mr. Bergman has been an outstanding citizen whose dedication and proficiency has allowed him to earn this prestigious award. It is work such as Walter Bergman's that inspires us all to achieve the best we can, and to promote these qualities in others. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me, Walter's wife Elinor, daughters Judy and Jane, and son Walter, Jr. in congratulating Walter F. Bergman on his award.

Mr. McINNIS

Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, you know, we are talking about today new management versus old management, and it is often tough for old management to get used to the new management ideas. So what you have to do on the old management side of the aisle, you have to take a look and say, ``How are we going to debate these rascals over there that want new management, that want accountability to the American people? How can we explain the fact we have allowed ghost voting, that we have had poor management for 40 years, allowed misleading budget information, allowed mostly closed rules, 70 percent last year? How can we explain to the American people there is no sunshine law in Congress? How can we explain these things so those rascals under the new management do not disclose the problems the American people recognized this last November?'' The way you do it is you bring in distraction. You do not talk about the positive elements of this rule, which are manyfold, elimination of committee staff, no more ghost voting, no more false budget numbers. You have got to bring in distraction. So let us talk about gifts. I guess if it was your rule change maybe we ought to talk about inherited money and see if we have the same kind of merits. Do not distract us. Work for improvement. Work for progress. Join the new management. announcement by the speaker