Buck McKeon

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I rise today as the proud sponsor of this legislation. This bill expresses the sense that Congress strongly supports shaken baby syndrome prevention and urges all Americans to educate themselves about shaken baby syndrome and the techniques to prevent it. First I would like to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, for his assistance in bringing this bill to the floor and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Platts) for managing the bill on the floor. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority whip, for his cosponsorship and his dedication to child advocacy. Also supporting this cause are the Shaken Baby Alliance, the Childrens Defense Fund, the National Childrens Alliance as well as many other children and family organizations. This cause was presented to me by one of my constituents, Joyce Edson. Joyce's son, James, was shaken by his licensed child care provider between March and April of 1998. As a result, James was sent to the emergency room with a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, bilateral retinal hemorrhages and a broken right femur. All of this and he was only 5 months old. While James survived this tragic period, he unfortunately has experienced periodic seizures up to 1 year after the abuse. James is still currently under the continual care of a pediatric neurologist and an ophthalmologist. The Edson family will not know about learning disabilities or behavioral problems until he enters a more structured environment such as kindergarten or the first grade. Madam Speaker, many other children are not as lucky as James. Each day, more than three children in the United States die from abuse and neglect. Furthermore, over 3,000 babies under the age of 1 are diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome annually while thousands more are misdiagnosed or go completely undetected. Madam Speaker, it saddens me that this situation even exists. However, I am hopeful with this resolution, Congress can increase the knowledge of and ultimately prevent this dreadful occurrence. Therefore, I urge all my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 59.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce an important resolution which urges the House of Representatives to support ``Increase the Peace Day'' events throughout the country. On April 20, 2000, on the one-year anniversary of the tragedy at Columbine High School, students, teachers, parents, and community leaders from Challenger Middle School in Lake Los Angeles, California hosted an ``Increase the Peace Day''. The program featured the formation of a human peace sign and a presentation by a former skinhead who turned his life around and now works with the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance. The highlight of the day was when the 650 students of Challenger signed an ``Increase the Peace Pledge'' in order to avoid any similar acts of school violence. Among the promises in the Pledge were to find a peaceful solution to conflicts, to not hit another person, to not threaten another person, to report all rumors of violence to an adult, to celebrate diversity, and to seek help when feeling lonely or confused. I was proud to join the other supporters of ``Increase the Peace Day'' and be a part of this incredible event. In fact, the event was so successful Challenger is having their ``Second Annual Increase the Peace Day'' on April 20, 2001. They are expecting over 2,000 participants this year. Additionally, they are sponsoring an essay-writing contest in which the winner will be flown to Washington, D.C. to share their ideas on ensuring school safety with national leaders. I would like to take a moment to recognize the outstanding efforts of teacher Bruce Galler, who came up with the original idea for ``Increase the Peace Day'' because he believes that something can be done. Through his efforts, Challenger Middle School students have promoted the ideals of peace in their school and throughout the community. As such, I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution and to encourage their local communities to institute a similar program.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to establish the last week in April as National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week. This cause was presented to me by one of my constituents, Joyce Edson. Joyce's son, James, was shaken by his licensed child care provider between March and April of 1998. As a result, James was sent to the emergency room with a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, bilateral retinal hemorrages and a broken right femur. He was only five months old. While James survived this tragic period, he unfortunately still experiences periodic seizures, and is under the continual care of a pediatric neurologist and opthamologist. Mr. Speaker, many other children are not so lucky. Each day, more than three children in the United States die from abuse and neglect. Furthermore, over 3,000 babies under the age of one are diagnosed with Shaken Baby Syndrome annually, while thousands more are misdiagnosed or go completely undetected. Mr. Speaker, it saddens me that this situation even exists. However, I am hopeful with the designation of National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week, Congress can increase the knowledge of and ultimately prevent this dreadful occurrence.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 2789.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2789, a bill to establish the Congressional Recognition for Excellence in Arts, or ``Create,'' awards. Mr. Speaker, S. 2789 passed the Senate on Saturday by unanimous consent. The Senate bill, S. 2789, establishes awards for schools that include the arts in their regular curriculum and is identical to a bill I introduced, H.R. 5554. Many studies have shown that there is a strong relationship between arts education to brain development, student achievement, career potential, and other quality-of-life issues. For example, arts activity has been shown to lower the likelihood of delinquent behavior. The National Dropout Prevention Center reported that school arts classes and activities encourage attendance and achievement of at-risk high school students. S. 2789 establishes within the current Congressional Award Act a Congressional Recognition for Excellence in Arts and Education awards board, made up of nine members, four members from the House of Representatives, and four from the Senate, plus the director of the board who shall serve as a nonvoting member. Additionally, an advisory board shall be established to assist and advise the congressional board with respect to its duties and shall consist of 15 members from among recommendations received from outside arts organizations. Membership on the advisory board shall represent a balance of artistic and education professionals and must include at least one representative who teaches in each of the four disciplines of music, theater, visual arts, and dance. By recognizing the importance of arts instruction and granting them an award from this body, it is our hope that arts classes in schools will be as common as English or math. Finally, I am pleased that Senator Cochran worked with me on strengthening the role of arts educators on the advisory board. Their strong participation is vital for this program. In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to join the other body and support this important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2789) to amend the Congressional Award Act to establish a Congressional Recognition for Excellence in Arts Education Board.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), my good friend, and tell him that I also appreciate the opportunity of working together on this bill with him. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers; but I do have some thanks I would like to give at this time, to Karen Weiss, my legislative director; Jo Marie St. Martin, our legal counsel; Rich Stombres with the majority staff; Alex Nock with the minority staff; and Kirk Boyle with the majority leader's office, for their great help in bringing this bill to this point.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, family and friends recently said their final goodbyes to 101-year-old Paul T. Veluzat, one of the last of the American cowboys. He leaves behind a great legacy. Paul's travels as a cowboy and a shrewd businessman began on Dec. 6, 1898, when he was born in Summershade, KY. At age 17 he went to work in a shipyard, then made his way to Texas where he joined the Texas Rangers. Paul was one of the first people to board the German submarine that sank the Lusitania, an event that precipitated the United States' entry into World War I. Paul's love of horses led him back and forth to Mexico, where he rode with the revolutionary, Francisco ``Pancho'' Villa. He eventually came to California where he worked as a bodyguard to industrialist J. Paul Getty and evangelist Aimee Semple MacPherson. He became a devout Christian--something his family and friends said was one of the most important aspects of his life. He purchased real estate throughout the Los Angeles area, including a ranch he called the ``Diamond B'' in Saugus where he ran cattle, and raised racehorses. Paul's passion for horses was as strong as his passion for filmmaking. The Veluzat family owns Melody Ranch, home to over 750 ``B'' western movies as well as other notable films and television shows such as the beloved Gunsmoke. ``Last Man Standing'' starring Bruce Willis was recently filmed there. Paul was very successful. He and his first wife, Opal, were simple and down to earth, they were astute in business and had unquestionable integrity. Paul's word was his bond. Ninety percent of his business was conducted by a handshake or over the phone. Paul's true success was measured by his deep spirituality and the love and respect he gained from his family and his many friends. He will be remembered as a generous man who was liked by all. Paul Veluzat is survived by Rosa, his wife of 14 years, his sons, Rene, Andre and Renaud, four grandchildren, Shantel Hudson, Daniel, Paul and Marcel Veluzat, three great-grandchildren and many, many friends.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to another good friend of Ron's and a member of the California delegation (Mr. Doolittle).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg), a colleague of Mr. Packard's on the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), a colleague of Ron Packard's on the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Riverside, California (Mr. Calvert), another of Ron's good friends and neighbors.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to another strong member of our delegation, the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).

Mr. McKEON. I yield to the gentleman from San Diego, California (Mr. Cunningham).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca), another golfer, a Member from the other side of the aisle, and also a neighbor and friend of Ron's.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from Long Beach, California (Mr. Horn).

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from San Diego, California (Mr. Hunter), another good friend.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield to another good friend of Mr. Packard's, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), who served with him on the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from Orange County, California (Mr. Cox), one of the leaders of our California delegation.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, the leader of our California delegation, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), has given me the honor of putting together a night to honor the gentleman from California (Mr. Packard), one of our colleagues who is leaving the House, retiring at the end of this session. We wanted to take a little time to talk a little bit of his accomplishments while here in the Congress. First of all, we will hear from our leader, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis). I yield to him such time as he desires.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, this has been a very enjoyable evening. I think there have been many great things said about a very great man. Years ago, in 1982, my father-in-law, in one of his visits, said that he had been asked to help a great man in his Congressional District to run a write-in campaign for Congress. That man was Ron Packard. Whenever my father-in-law would visit, he would tell us stories of what they were doing and how they were preparing for the campaign. I knew not much about the Congress and knew nothing about running a campaign for Congress, and so I was not as impressed as I should have been. Now, having run a campaign and been elected to Congress, I know that it is impossible to win on a write-in. I wish my father-in-law were still alive, and I could tell him how great a job I think he did in helping elect such a great man as Ron Packard to Congress. Ron is in stature shorter than I am, but he is a man that I always look up to. There have been a couple of stories told about how tight he is with a penny or a dime. I think that if one knew his background one would understand why the story told about how he was raised with 16 brothers and sisters and how every penny, every dime counted I think is really important. It is reflected in one story that I have heard Ron tell that I think shows how important money was to him and to his family as they were growing up. His family had a .22 and a shotgun, and it was very expensive for them. It was hard for them to buy ammunition. But he tells of a story one time that he and his brother went out hunting ducks, and they had to wait till the ducks got in a line because they had to get as many as they could with one shot. The one brother shot as many as he could when they got in line with the .22. Then, as the rest of the ducks took off, the second brother shot with the shotgun. Then they went around and gathered up all the ducks. They got 23 with one .22 shell and one shotgun shell. The meat was important. The feathers were important for their pillows and their quilts. They used every bit of those 23 ducks. Life was not easy for them in Meridian, Idaho. But they did great things with their lives. We have heard lots of stories about Ron and his family. I know some of his brothers. I know what great people they are. There are so many things that we can learn from this great man. He and I are from the same faith, and we believe the words of a prophet that lived many years ago that said, ``whatever you achieve outside the home is not as important as what you achieve within the home.'' Ron has done a great thing both within and without the home, but he has never forgotten his family. Now, as he retires, he is going back to live in San Diego by other members of his family. We will miss him here but know that he will continue to do great things as he has throughout his life. I am very fortunate to call this great man a friend.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my special order today.