Buck McKeon

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today we are taking up H.R. 914, which the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Kildee] and I introduced, and which was reported by the Committee on Education and the Workforce by voice vote. H.R. 914 makes a technical correction to the student right-to-know provisions of the Higher Education Act. The student right-to-know provisions of the Higher Education Act require institutions of higher education to report graduation rates for their student body. These statistics are compiled for the student body at large and for student athletes as well. Unfortunately, a change made in the fiscal year 1996 omnibus appropriations bill resulted in these rates being calculated at different points in time during the academic year. Rates for the student body at large are calculated as of June 30, while rates for student athletes are calculated as of August 30. As a result of this mistake, institutions will be required to keep two sets of records for calculating and reporting graduation rates. This amendment corrects the problem by conforming the section of the Higher Education Act dealing with the reporting date for student athletes to the section of the Higher Education Act that requires preparation of graduation rates for all students. This amendment will set August 31 as the uniform reporting date, which allows institutions to more accurately reflect the manner in which they collect the data on graduation rates, and eliminates the burdensome task of preparing two distinct sets of graduation rates. The amendment is drafted to allow institutions to comply with the revised dates immediately, as it is our understanding that a majority of institutions wish to use the revised date, and we encourage them to do so. However, we do not want to penalize those institutions that, for whatever reason, could not immediately comply with the date change. For this reason, the effective date for mandatory compliance with this amendment begins on July 1, 1998. This should allow sufficient time for all institutions to make any system changes necessary to comply with the date change. The higher education community requested our assistance in conforming the reporting dates for graduation rates, with the concurrence of the Department of Education. The technical correction has no budget impact. I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan for his cooperation in moving ahead with this technical correction, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 914. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 914) to make certain technical corrections in the Higher Education Act of 1965 relating to graduation data disclosures, as amended.

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

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 H.R. 914.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today Mr. Kildee and I have introduced a technical amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965. The amendment makes a technical correction to the student right to know provisions of the Higher Education Act. The student right to know provisions of the Higher Education Act require institutions of higher education to report graduation rates for their student body. These statistics are compiled for the student body at large and for student athletes as well. A change made in the fiscal year 1996 omnibus appropriations bill resulted in these rates being calculated at different points in time during the academic year. As a result of this oversight, institutions will be required to keep two sets of records for calculating and reporting graduation rates. The amendment corrects the problem by conforming the section of the Higher Education Act dealing with the reporting date for student athletes to the section of the Higher Education Act that requires preparation of graduation rates for all students. This amendment will first, allow institutions to more accurately reflect the manner in which institutions collect the data on graduation rates, and second, eliminate the burdensome task of preparing two distinct sets of graduation rates. I urge all Members to support this technical amendment that simplifies record keeping requirements for institutions of higher education.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, the residents of California's 25th Congressional District recently recognized the passing of one of their dedicated and loyal citizens, Mr. Paul Clarke. Consultant, radio newsman, media expert, husband, son, father, and grandfather, Mr. Clarke embodied the voice and vision of the residents of the San Fernando Valley. Remembered in Washington as the chief of staff of Congresswoman Bobbi Fielder, whom he later married, southern Californians came to know him as a man with a firm grasp on the pulse of the valley. Instrumental in Washington to furthering a variety of issues important to the San Fernando Valley, Mr. Clarke became known as a talented political campaign consultant with an innate understanding of his community. Honest and forthright, Paul Clarke was an invaluable source of information for reporters and the news industry throughout southern California. We will miss Paul Clarke's sense of humor, wit, intelligence, and friendship. Our prayers go out to our former colleague, Bobbi Fielder, as well as to all of Mr. Clarke's family. May the Lord bless and keep him well. In our hearts and thoughts, he remains.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today Mr. Goodling, Mr. Clay, Mr. Kildee and I have introduced a bill to extend the Higher Education Act of 1965. As we are just beginning the review process, the bill we are introducing today does not establish new policy or direction for Federal student aid. The final bill we plan on completing this year will focus on three main principles: making college affordable; simplifying the student aid system; and improving academic quality for students. The Higher Education Act is a complex piece of legislation. Our proposals for changing Federal student aid policy will be formulated only after open and bipartisan discussions with the Administration, the higher education community, students, parents and our colleagues in the 105th Congress. In today's information based economy, the importance of obtaining a quality postsecondary education is at an all-time high. Parents across the country have recognized the importance of sending their children to college and they strive to ensure that their children will enjoy a better life. It is in this area of higher education that the Federal Government can have a very significant impact. The fact is that the combination of Federal grant and loan aid for fiscal year 1997 is expected to exceed $37 billion dollars. This is good news for higher education in this country. Unfortunately, the cost of a college education has increased at about twice the rate of inflation since the early 1980's, making a college education one of the most costly investments facing American families today. That is why our review of the Higher Education Act and Federal student aid policy will focus on strengthening opportunities for students to obtain an affordable, high quality postsecondary education. The law enacted by this Congress which establishes new and continues old Federal student aid policies will take us through the year 2004. It will significantly impact the lives of millions of students and their families, as well as the future of this country. I look forward to working with all my colleagues as we undertake this review.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the bill, and I commend the gentleman from Alaska [Mr. Young] and the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen] for their leadership in bringing it to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the conference report on the Omnibus Parks and Public Land Management Act. This legislation is important for numerous reasons; many of which impact California. For example, this conference report creates a public-private Presidio Trust to manage hundreds of historical buildings which cover more than 1,400 scenic acres at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. Both residents of my district and throughout the State of California have visited this site and enjoyed its beauty. With passage of this bill, that will continue to happen for years to come. Additionally, this conference report also contains a provision which I have worked hard for in behalf of my constituents in the Santa Clarita Valley. I have included language which protects a pristine canyon contained in the Angeles National Forest. For many years, some have wanted to destroy this beautiful treasure by constructing a 190- million ton landfill. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to announce today that the Omnibus Parks bill will preserve and protect Elsmere Canyon and prevent its destruction; not only for the residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, but for all residents of southern California. I urge an ``aye'' vote on this historic, environmental legislation. It truly reflects a commitment to preserve our natural resources both today and in the future.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this conference report and commend the gentleman from Texas, Chairman Smith, for his great leadership in bringing this bill to the floor. As legislators we work on an endless number of issues, but today we are addressing one of our Nation's most critical, that of protecting our borders. H.R. 2202 not only secures our borders with the addition of 5,000 new Border Patrol agents, it also streamlines the deportation of criminal aliens, protects American jobs and holds individuals responsible to support immigrants that they sponsor, and, finally, eases the tax burdens on all Americans. It is no longer possible to ignore the magnitude of the illegal immigration problem. These reforms will go a long way toward restoring reason, integrity, and fairness to our immigration policy and to controlling our borders. Through the adoption of this conference report, the 104th Congress achieves another commonsense change for a better America.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4134. This legislation allows each State to decide whether it should provide a public education to illegal immigrant children. Just because the Federal Government has failed in its duty to secure our borders, States should not be required to spend limited State resources on education benefits for illegal immigrants. For example, in my home State of California, taxpayers shoulder a $2 billion burden to provide an education to nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants. Further, California's children struggle to learn in overcrowded classrooms with a limited number of teachers and few resources. In short, H.R. 4134 restores a fundamental State right to establish its own education policy and removes one of the most costly unfunded mandates of the Federal Government. Again, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 4134.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Klug].

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

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I want to take this time to thank the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Clay], ranking Member of the full committee, for his leadership and support in helping bring this bill to the floor, even though there were problems that have been discussed. I think he is to be commended for that. I appreciate it on a personal note. Madam Speaker, I would like to urge a strong ``yes'' vote for this bill.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Tom Davis. (Mr. DAVIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Cunningham], a good friend who is chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth, and Families, and has responsibility for the library portion of the bill. [Mr. CUNNINGHAM asked and was given permission to add extraneous materials.)

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, just in response to my dear friend from Florida, let me just say that this maybe is a different version of the bill than she has seen. Of the 41 programs on the list that we have in this bill, four of them did receive a total of $8.8 million in fiscal year 1995. However, in 1996 the administration did not request any funds for these four programs nor were funds requested for fiscal year 1997, and none were provided. So there is no funding for any of the programs that we have cut. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hastert] who has been very supportive in getting this bill to the floor.

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Gunderson], a strong supportive member of the committee. (Mr. GUNDERSON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1720) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the cessation of Federal sponsorship of two Government-sponsored enterprises, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1720.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, I rise to urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 2988, which corrects a regulation in the Clean Air Act that unnecessarily delays the implementation of traffic signal synchronization projects. This issue was brought to my attention last year by the city of Lancaster, CA, which is in my congressional district. The city had proposed a straightforward traffic signal synchronization project that would improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the community. The city had hoped to implement this project in a timely manner. However, because of an EPA rule governing the implementation of these projects in air quality nonattainment areas, a regional emissions analysis of the project was required. The city became frustrated when it learned that it could take more than a year for the responsible local agency to perform the required analysis, and contacted my office for assistance. As written, H.R. 2988 would allow synchronization projects to be implemented before undergoing a regional emissions analysis to determine whether the project conforms to a State or Federal air quality implementation plan. The signal synchronization project would still be subject to the traditional review process that exists for determining the air quality implications of the project. This is a fair, nonpartisan bill that deserves our support, and I would like to thank my friends from Virginia, Chairman Bliley, the gentleman from Colorado, Chairman Schaefer, and my friend from California, Mr. Waxman, for their support in moving this legislation forward. I especially want to note that when I discussed this legislation with the correction's day task force earlier this year, Mr. Waxman volunteered his help in addressing this issue, and I have valued his involvement in bringing this bill before us today. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, today, the House will consider House Resolution 470 which deals with the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act. The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act signed into law by President Bush required colleges and universities throughout the United States to provide their students information on campus crime statistics and school policies related to campus security. This was a first step in providing students necessary information if they were to protect themselves from becoming victims of campus crime. During the course of a hearing held in June by the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training and Life-Long Learning which I chair, some concerns were raised that colleges and universities were not accurately reporting crime statistics. In addition, several witnesses did not believe that the Department of Education considered the enforcement of the Campus Security Act a priority. Since that June hearing, I have been in contact with Secretary Riley with respect to enforcement of the Campus Security Act. The resolution before the House today, puts our support on the record for the actions we insist Secretary Riley take with respect to improving and ensuring compliance with the Campus Security Act. We intend to keep a close watch on this issue. I think that we all agree that it is imperative that colleges and universities comply with the Campus Security Act if we are going to accomplish our goal of protecting students. I would also like to submit for the Record a letter received from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators [IACLEA] in support of House Resolution 470. International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, Hartford, CT, July 30, 1996. Hon. William Goodling, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Goodling: It is my pleasure to write to express support for House Resolution 470 on behalf of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators and current IACLEA President Yvon McNicoll of the University of Ottawa. IACLEA exists to promote the common interest in, and public education concerning, the administration of law enforcement programs including the operation and development of life safety and property safety programs on college and university campuses. It has long been the position of our Association that statistical information developed from campus law enforcement records and crime reports should be made available to the members of the community, and that an awareness of criminal incidents which are occurring will enable community members to take appropriate precautions to avoid becoming victims themselves. Although not perfect, the provisions of section 485(f) of the Higher Education of 1965 with respect to compiling and disseminating campus crime statistics and security policies represent a reasonable prescription for the framework of a program of safety awareness at postsecondary institutions. Many college and university security awareness programs go well beyond the minimum provisions established by statute, but there is undoubtedly room for improvement in some quarters. An active program of compliance monitoring on the part of the US Department of Education should lead to better information exchange regarding the intent of the statute and the identification of approaches which could serve as models for institutions whose campus security programs may benefit from enhancement. IACLEA would be pleased to assist in this endeavor in any possible. Sincerely, Douglas F. Tuttle, Immediate Past President, IACLEA.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 3863, the Student Debt Reduction Act. This legislation, which I cosponsored along with Chairman Goodling and other House colleagues, allows lenders or other interested parties to pay the origination fees charged to a student upon obtaining an unsubsidized Stafford loan. Currently, lenders are allowed to pay the origination fees on behalf of students who borrow subsidized Stafford loans. I was quite surprised to learn that the Higher Education Act, as interpreted by the Department of Education, did not provide the same benefit for students borrowing unsubsidized Stafford loans. I support this legislation for several reasons. Most importantly, it results in lower costs for students. At a time when students and parents everywhere are worrying about paying for college, every extra dollar becomes more and more important. It also specifically prohibits any discrimination on the part of lenders when offering programs that reduce a student's origination fees. Lastly, the bill results in increased competition among lender in the student loan program, at no increased cost to the Federal Government. This simple change to the Higher Education Act could mean a great deal to college students across the country. I urge all of my colleagues to support the Student Debt Reduction Act.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, a short time ago we lost one of the most valued Members of this body, Bill Emerson. Today the House has an opportunity to pay tribute to our friend and colleague. One of Bill Emerson's highest priorities during his tenure in this body was to ensure that our Nation's neediest citizens did not go hungry. One of his final efforts in this regard was to work with the gentlewoman from Missouri [Ms. Danner] to pass H.R. 2428, a bill which would give the Model Good Samaritan Food Donation Act the full force of Federal law. It was Congressman Emerson's strong belief that enactment of this legislation would increase donations of food to the needy. On July 12, 1996, this legislation, renamed the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act in his honor, passed the House of Representatives. The Senate completed action on H.R. 2428 prior to the August recess and has returned the bill to this body for final consideration. The gentleman from Pennsylvania, Chairman Goodling, has outlined the minor changes made to this legislation by the Senate. Mr. Speaker, we now have opportunity to approve this legislation and send it to the President. At the same time, we will be paying one final tribute to Bill Emerson. On behalf of Bill Emerson and the needy individuals who will benefit from enactment of this legislation, I urge my colleagues to give final approval to H.R. 2428.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3308, the Armed Forces Protection Act. The need for this legislation is apparent. From 1948 to 1982, there were eight instances where the United States participated in a mission where members of our military were placed under a foreign commander. In the 5 years since Desert Storm, however, there have been three instances: The 1992 U.N. Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia, the 1993 U.N. Humanitarian Force in Somalia, and the NATO Implementation Force in Bosnia. Because of the increasing number of these missions, this issue needs to be addressed. We have had many debates in this Chamber about the unfocused nature of these recent missions. H.R. 3308 clarifies the use of our own forces in these situations and seeks to avoid the intervention of our troops in areas where we do not have a clear national security interest. The President still maintains ample latitude in overseeing the deployment of U.S. troops under H.R. 3308. Finally, the Congressional Research Service has analyzed H.R. 3308 and determined that it is consistent with the powers of Congress in sections eight and nine under article one of the Constitution. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the bill.

Mr. McKEON

Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report for H.R. 3230, the National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation addresses several basic needs for our military including a 3 percent pay raise for military personnel and a cost of living adjustment and improved access to health care for military retirees. The bill also supports modernization initiatives and will improve the overall readiness of our Armed Forces. These points are increasingly significant as the threat of terrorism continues to rise. We must not forget that the men and women of our military face this threat every day, and it is our responsibility to ensure that our troops are trained and equipped accordingly. I realize that some individual Members may have reservations about this conference report, but I would respond by asking that we take a moment to think about the men and women who have volunteered for the difficult task of defending our Nation. They deserve our support today. I urge a yes vote.