John Mica

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to engage in a colloquy with the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means about the short line railroad incentives. The tax credits in H.R. 4520 will apply to expenditures for maintaining railroad tracks. Does this definition of qualified expenditures include signalization and grade crossing devices and protections?

Mr. MICA. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Chairman Thomas and the House Ways and Means Committee for bringing the American Jobs Creation Act to the floor. I thank him for his leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, and for his service to our Nation. There are many excellent provisions in the bill that will assist expanding businesses, creating jobs and providing tax relief and incentives. One section of this bill provides tax credits as important incentives for investing in our class 2 and 3 railroad infrastructure. Today, short line and regional railroads--such as the Florida East Coast Railroad and the Florida Central Railroad--move freight loads that otherwise would help to clog our region's highways. More than 10,000 American businesses--employing over 1 million Americans--depend on class 2 and 3 rail services. Across the country our roadbeds, bridges and related track structures must be upgraded to ensure that we can continue to move both people and freight, safely and cost- effectively. However, it is also important that we increase grade crossing protections and improve signalization as part of this effort to invest in our Nation's railroad infrastructure. The tax credits in H.R. 4520 will provide an important tool for increasing capacity on our railways and will help to increase jobs, lower transportation costs, consume less fuel, produce less pollution, and reduce highway congestion and accidents. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4520 defines qualified expenditures for maintaining railroad track to include roadbed, bridges and related track structures. It is my understanding that this definition includes signalization and grade crossing devices and protections. These tax incentives will help short line railroads improve our nation's rail infrastructure not only in my congressional district in Florida, but to all parts of our nation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the conference report.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 10. In fact, I think one of the most important parts of this legislation deals with aviation security. We have worked very hard over the past 2 years to try to come up with bipartisan solutions, things that really would make a difference. Many of those recommendations are contained in the 9/11 report. Now, the 9/11 report is not perfect. It is put together by 10 people, and it does have some flaws in it. I want to talk about, unfortunately, the adoption and anatomy of adopting one of those flaws in the Menendez substitute which weakens the provisions of H.R. 10. First of all, the Menendez substitute would strip vital provisions from H.R. 10. We have $60 million in mandatory funding for checkpoint explosive detection devices. Nothing is more important or no greater risk. Actually, there are two risks. One is someone walking through a 1950s metal detector technology, metal detectors we have at our airports, with explosives strapped to themselves, and those metal detectors will not detect that. We need to deploy them now. The Menendez amendment strips that. Second is biometric identification. We cannot tell today Mohammad Atta from Sam Hill. We need a biometric identification provision. We have a bipartisan provision, which the Menendez substitute drops from this bill. Another potential threat is shoulder-launched missile nonproliferation programs. We have worked hard in a bipartisan fashion to eliminate that threat, and we have a four-part, well-thought-out, well-reasoned approach to dealing with that threat. Again, the Menendez substitute weakens and destroys things that we have been working on. We have improvements in arming our pilots, one of the most effective protective measures, and secondary cockpit barriers. We paid attention to looking at those weaknesses. And also the Menendez substitute weakens international air marshal deployment. So, again, I rise in strong support of the provisions of H.R. 10. One of the things that I wanted to address tonight, and, unfortunately, it has even reached the presidential debates, to those uninformed candidates and some of my colleagues on this floor who continue to try to scare the traveling public to suggest that our air cargo carried in on a passenger aircraft is not screened and that we must take extreme measures and build a bureaucracy and march forward in different directions. As a result, they have put forward proposals that are not only unworkable, but would bring this Nation's economy to a grinding halt. In fact, the facts are that we have a risk-based system in place now. Is it flawless? No. The facts are that building a larger TSA bureaucracy is not going to solve the problem. In fact, it will make the problem worse. The facts are that scaring people and running around the country and saying ``the sky is falling'' is just wrong and irresponsible. Let us talk about the Menendez amendment and how it deals with hardened containers. Let me give you the anatomy of the development. Turn to page 393 of the report and see what the Commission recommended. Our committee has worked on these issues day and night, weekends, tirelessly, and our staff, since September 11, and even before that, on aviation security issues. The Commission recommends, ``The TSA should require that every passenger aircraft carrying cargo must deploy at least one hardened container to carry any suspect cargo.'' That is not our recommendation. We met with these folks. Who in their right mind would allow suspect cargo on an aircraft? We have provisions already that do not allow ``suspect cargo'' on an aircraft. They also put ``one hardened container.'' What a goofy idea. ``One hardened container.'' First of all, the current law that we have a definition of and we have used again to define what we want is ``blast resistant container.'' So they just copied a recommendation without actually having it make sense. Now, most of our aircraft that you fly on, a 737 that I fly on usually, an Airbus, regional jets that are our biggest proliferation of new aircraft, do not have aircraft containers. So what are we going to have to do, build one to put on there? They do not have containers. 737s have a container. Think of how goofy this is. A 737, I am told, has 30 containers, so which container are we going to make blast resistant and allow suspicious cargo in violation of our current rules that do not even allow that? We are going to do ``eenie, meenie, minie, moe, in which one would the explosive cargo go?'' And I am pleased that the gentle-lady from California, Ms. Millender- McDonald, whose district includes the manufacturer of these containers, supported the testing proposal when it was unanimously approved by the Transportation Committee. TSA is currently drafting new, comprehensive standards for air cargo security, which should be finalized in the next several weeks. TSA has in place risk based, layered air cargo security system. These directives include key components on the Known Shipper Program, the Indirect Air Carrier Program, the Freight Assessment Program and other increased oversight initiatives. In addition, the airline industry has taken steps to upgrade their extensive ``known shipper'' program, which is currently the basis for air cargo screening procedures. Right now we have a risk-based security system that targets high-risk shipments for additional screening, and combines layers of security along the supply chain. Contrary to rhetoric, the Department of Homeland Security pre-screens 100 percent of all cargo that comes into the United States and conducts 100 percent inspections of high-risk shipments. Rushing ahead without carefully considering all the risks and all the implications of security mandates would be destructive to ongoing efforts and have far-reaching and damaging implications. The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) has warned that some mandates could ``damage their efforts to provide security in the aviation environment and ensure the smooth flow of legitimate goods and people.'' DHS has also warned that due to ``significant technology limitations,'' ``. . . there is no practical way to achieve 100 percent manual screening and inspection of all air cargo.'' Only with technology can we effectively screen air cargo. Why do we not have that technology--I ask Senator Patty Murray who in 2002 diverted R&D funds. Therefore, given the lack of technology for screening air cargo, any mandate to screen 100 percent of cargo on passenger aircraft would require actual physical inspection of each piece of cargo placed aboard a passenger aircraft. Now I know that my colleagues from the other side of the aisle would like this approach, because then we could hire thousands more screeners to do this work. According to the IG manual screening for weapons and explosives is the least effective means of detection. This type of requirement would grind the transportation of air cargo to a virtual halt, or it would also result in a situation where passenger carriers would be denied the ability to transport cargo and guarantees the final nail in the bankruptcy coffin of our ailing major airlines. Just as important, communities who rely on air cargo to receive much needed supplies, medicines, food, mail, and other necessities of life will be left high and dry. We've spent $10 billion dollars since 9/11--just for passenger screening. And $6 billion of that on labor-costs alone--48,000 Federal screeners. All for a screening system that the DHS Inspector General reports fails to detect the most dangerous items most of the time. We let the Fear-mongers push an unworkable deadline for baggage screening. Consequently, in our haste, we've wasted billions on ineffective, labor-intensive stand-alone and ineffective manual trace systems. If we had done it right in the first place, we would already have highly effective and highly efficient systems for passengers, baggage and cargo. You would think that we would have learned from our mistakes--and not react in a knee jerk fashion. We need to be smarter about where we place our scarce and limited resources. We must find the proper balance between enhancing air cargo security while ensuring that the flow of air commerce is not disrupted. The Department of Homeland Security is doing all it can to find additional ways to enhance air cargo screening while technology catches up. TSA budgeted about $55 million for fiscal year 2004 for research and development projects to enhance air cargo security. Projects being funded include a pre-screening system to identify high-risk cargo, and technology and equipment to screen containerized air cargo and mail. TSA also budgeted an additional $45 million in fiscal year 2004 for key initiatives in air cargo security oversight, including known shipper enhancements, canine explosives detection and 100 additional cargo inspectors. And, both the House and the other body have allocated $75 million in research and development funds for air cargo security in fiscal year 2005. Clearly air cargo security is being given much attention by both the Congress and the Administration. Bottom line, the Department of Homeland Security is the proper entity to lead this effort and Congress should refrain from micro-managing this process.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, this morning, it is my distinct pleasure and really and truly an honor to welcome father John J. Ryan to the United States House of Representatives. Father Ryan is the pastor of St. Brendan Roman Catholic Church in Ormond Beach, Florida, which is part of my district. He is a member of the presbyterate of the Diocese of Orlando and has served as a priest for 30 years. Originally from New Jersey, Father Ryan has spent the majority of his priesthood ministering in the Orlando diocese. Father Ryan has been a forerunner in the civic and ecumenical communities. In 2001, he gathered over 2,000 people of various faiths to mark the first anniversary of September 11. In this service, he assembled Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox religious leaders at his parish as well as representatives of every part of the civic community, from mayors, police chiefs, fire chiefs and every branch of the military service. Father Ryan is no stranger to bringing together people of every race and every religion to share their common bond as members of the human society. He embodies the perfect blend of civic pride and religious faith. Mr. Speaker, the Congress of the United States is privileged and honored today by the visit of a humble and great man, Father John J. Ryan of Ormond Beach, Florida.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to engage with the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations in this colloquy. First of all, I want to take a moment and commend the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young) and the Committee on Appropriations for bringing this supplemental appropriation to the floor. I thank him for his leadership in the House of Representatives and for his service to our State and our Nation in this difficult time. As some of my colleagues may know, central Florida is the fern capital of the United States. Unfortunately, the nursery and fern industry suffered the second largest amount of agricultural damage from recent hurricanes, just behind citrus. The United States Department of Agriculture staff estimates that 65 percent of the industry's total acreage in central Florida has been totally lost. In addition to $32 million in infrastructure losses, the industry has suffered crop losses of $76 million. Worse, it takes some 7 years to reestablish crops in natural shade, and the long-term loss is estimated at $235 million. Mr. Chairman, the total economic impact from hurricanes on the fern industry, the lifeblood of this central part of our State, is $342 million. It is my understanding that by adding an additional $90 million to section 32 funds, the USDA will be able to ensure that they will have adequate funds to make payments to producers in Florida, including those in the fern industry. I would ask the gentleman from Florida if this is his understanding as well.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. On October 4 , 1904, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune opened the Daytona Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls in Daytona Beach with 5 pupils, $1.50 in capital and an unwavering faith in God. Today, that initial investment has grown into a diverse student body of nearly 3,000, an annual budget of $50 million and an endowment of $26 million. Today, the Bethune-Cookman College Board of Trustees is comprised of national corporate leaders, educators and religious leaders. In 1923 the school begun by Dr. Bethune merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida and 1 year later it became affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Today Bethune-Cookman College enjoys and flourishes in its relationship with the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. In 1931 the school evolved into a junior college and became known as it is today, Bethune-Cookman College. In its 100-year history the College has had only four presidents: Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune; Dr. James E. Colston; Dr. Richard V. Moore, Sr.; and Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Sr. In this 100th year since its founding, Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed has been appointed by the Board of Trustees to lead Bethune-Cookman College into its second century as the fifth overall and the second female to serve as president. During this century of service Bethune-Cookman College has earned and maintained institutional and programmatic accreditation. Such adherence to high standards has earned Bethune-Cookman College a world-wide reputation for academic excellence and compassionate service. Bethune-Cookman College now matriculates students in 37 major areas through six academic schools: business, education, humanities, nursing, science and mathematics, and social sciences. In its 63-year service as a 4-year baccalaureate-degree-granting liberal arts college, more than 12,000 students have graduated to assume leadership roles in their communities and in the global workplace. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Florida's 7th Congressional District, I am pleased to honor Bethune-Cookman College on the occasion of Centennial Founder's Day. Today, I join many others in congratulating Bethune-Cookman College on its 100th year since the founding of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune's vision that has become a great legacy for all of us to share.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the people of the great State of Florida, as we all have seen during the past days, have endured one of the deadliest and most overwhelming hurricane seasons in history. This past weekend, Hurricane Jeanne ravaged Florida's Atlantic coast and became the fourth storm to hammer my State in 6 weeks. For the fourth time, thousands of Floridians were forced into shelters to outlast another powerful hurricane. They lost power, they lost possessions, and they emerged to salvage a few belongings from their damaged homes. Those Floridians stood in lines waiting for meals, ice; and now they have begun the difficult task to repair their damaged or destroyed homes, to save and put together, find their belongings, all while tolerating Florida's most difficult heat. But worse than all these inconveniences the storms brought, unfortunately, many Floridians again learned that another storm had taken some of their family, some of their friends, and some of their neighbors. We extend our deepest sympathy to all those who lost their loved ones in these natural tragedies. The chronology of the Sunshine State's August and September goes like this, and it is an unbelievable scenario: first, Hurricane Charley pounded Florida's southwest coast with nearly 150-mile-an-hour winds on Friday, August 13. It caused approximately some $7 billion in damage. Then on September 4, Hurricane Frances punished practically the entire State as it moved in a very slow fashion across the entire peninsula during Labor Day weekend. Property damage from Frances is estimated to cost some $4 billion. Still reeling from the first two storms, Hurricane Ivan, nicknamed Ivan the Terrible, blasted Alabama and Florida's panhandle on Thursday, September 16. Ivan left behind an astonishing $10 billion worth of damage and cost for residents to sustain. Finally, and almost unbelievably, we had one final natural disaster this past weekend. Hurricane Jeanne claimed 6 lives and devastated huge parts of central Florida on Sunday. I am sure many people watched it as it followed the track of a previous hurricane. In Daytona Beach, an area that I represent, the storm washed out sea walls, destroyed beach ramps and scattered tons of debris everywhere. Of course, hard hit were the areas in Martin County and Stuart. Jeanne will cost affected communities another estimated $10 billion, and it knocked out power to more than 2 million residents. Amazingly, all four of these storms rank in the top ten most expensive hurricanes in American history. But these statistics of losses, while devastating for many families, businesses, farms, the tourism industry, our Florida workforce and others, are ultimately just numbers. The real tragedy of these storms is that they have killed some 79 people in Florida alone, not to mention the 1,500 estimated deaths in Haiti. Jeanne's fury killed six Floridians just this past weekend. These four storms constitute an absolute major tragedy, and our most sincere thoughts and our prayers remain with the individuals and families of those affected by the hurricanes. Mr. Speaker, the people of Florida have been through an exhausting month and a half. But amid the tragedy and loss, Floridians have responded with an absolute awe-inspiring support and resistance. Relief efforts have been massive. State officials have reported that relief workers and emergency responders have distributed more than 16 million meals, 9 million gallons of water and 60 million pounds of ice over the past 6 weeks. Everyone, and I do say everyone, from the Federal level, the State level and the local level, FEMA, the Florida Emergency Management Division, the National Guard, the American Red Cross, the Army Corps of Engineers and so many other government agencies, private groups and countless individuals have pitched in when residents needed help. Neighbors helped neighbors, hundreds of thousands of acts of kindness and help. The work continues as we speak. But this resolution tonight praises the help of all these selfless people. Mr. Speaker, it has been an exhausting end to the summer in Florida. Residents are tired and weary but are certainly not defeated. I commend tonight all Floridians in the wake of these four terrible hurricanes. I also want to take this opportunity to thank my good friend from Florida (Mr. Foley), whose district was hard hit, for offering House Resolution 784 on behalf of all of the Florida delegation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 784) commending the resiliency of the people of the State of Florida and the work of those individuals who have assisted with the recovery efforts after the devastation caused by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Ivan, as amended.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), the sponsor of House Resolution 784, commending the people of Florida.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. To conclude, Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), the author of this resolution, commending the people of Florida on their response, their attitude, their resilience in a time they have faced of unprecedented natural disasters. I again would close by saying that we owe a great deal of thanks to President Bush, who has responded first with a recommendation of $2 billion. Most recently with $7.1 billion in Federal assistance that will supplement insurance and other assistance from the private sector to people who have been seriously affected, who have lost their homes, their possessions, their businesses in this horrible series of natural disasters. I want to thank Jeb Bush. Rarely has any Governor responded with such commanding presence to assist his people than the Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush. Of course we all want to thank Federal, State, local volunteers, workers, and people who came from other States to assist us in our time of need, and neighbors who helped neighbors. We have lost a lot of things in Florida, but one thing we did not lose was our sense of humor. And I must close with we have a local columnist in the Orlando Sentinel. I believe this was ten things that he pointed out that Floridians learned from the hurricanes and disasters, and I will point out two of them. Again, Floridians did not lose their sense of humor, but ten things we learned. Two of them: One, we learned that no matter how great the hurricane-force winds, the political signs did not blow away. Also, and again I think it was Mike Thomas of the Sentinel, one of the things we learned, it is one's God- given right as a Floridian, when they have had a hurricane, to sit on their back porch by candlelight eating Chinese food in their underwear. And again one can only appreciate that if they are a Floridian and have had to go through a very traumatic time without power in a very hot time of the summer. So we have not lost our resilience. We have not lost our sense of humor. Finally, I will announce that Florida is open for business. Our tourist attractions are open and we welcome people. The best way people can help the people of Florida now is to, in fact, visit Florida, continue with their plans. While we have some areas that have been hard hit, a simple call will confirm that most of Florida, and particularly the tourist areas, are open for business. And people can help us, again, with economic recovery by not abandoning their plans to visit Florida. So with that, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support House Resolutions 784 by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley). Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have left?

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris). (Ms. HARRIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5027) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 411 Midway Avenue in Mascotte, Florida, as the ``Specialist Eric Ramirez Post Office''.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5027.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5027 pays tribute to the life of a fallen United States hero. Specialist Eric Ulysses Ramirez paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this great Nation. Tonight, the House of Representatives remembers his devoted service. Specialist Eric Ulysses Ramirez was a model citizen, a husband and a father. He was a sheriff's deputy, and he also served as a National Guardsman. In February of 2003, Specialist Ramirez and his Guard unit were activated to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tragically, on February 12 of this year, just 42 days before his tour of duty in Iraq would have been completed, Iraqi insurgents killed Eric in an attack. Eric Ramirez was to have returned from Iraq in March with the 670th Military Police Company. Eric is survived by his wife, Tracy Bensen-Ramirez, by his young daughter, Isis, and a brand new son, Chase. Last December, Eric was given permission to leave Iraq and return to Florida for his son's, Chase's, birth. Mr. Speaker, this Post Office at 411 Midway Avenue in Mascotte, Florida, which is Eric's hometown, will be an exceedingly deserved and appropriate commemoration of his life. Eric loved his family. He loved his hometown. He loved this country so much that he fought and struggled and gave his life to defend them. I strongly urge all Members to join me and also the distinguished gentlewoman from my home State of Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) to support this legislation that will create the Specialist Eric Ramirez Post Office. Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) for her efforts and sponsorship of H.R. 5027. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I will conclude, yielding myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, tonight we rise to recognize Eric Ramirez who was lost in service to this Nation. First, I want to thank again the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite) for bringing this naming of this Post Office Building before the House of Representatives and recognizing one who, again, gave his life in service to this Nation. It was just one week ago, Mr. Speaker, right below the level where you stand tonight, when we heard the Prime Minister of Iraq Allawi tell us that 1 million Iraqis were murdered or missing, his fellow countrymen, and that over 300,000 to date have been found slaughtered in mass graves. Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his fellow man, and here Eric Ramirez gave his life in service to this Nation so that, tonight, every American can enjoy the freedoms that they have, and the people that he never knew or never met have the potential to live in freedom and not see a tyrant continue to murder, to maim and slaughter the people of Iraq. So we give thanks tonight for the life of Eric Ramirez. We ask that God take him in his arms and all of those who served this Nation and lost their lives and their loved ones tonight in his care and remember them. So, again, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown- Waite) for remembering one American hero tonight, Eric Ramirez, and his family with this great honor. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 461) expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of life insurance, and recognizing and supporting National Life Insurance Awareness Month.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 461 stresses the importance of life insurance. Frankly, I believe the resolution's message is an important one to convey. According to the text of the resolution, nearly 50 million Americans do not carry life insurance policies. The implication for these families and their loved ones is clear and worrisome. These individuals run the risk of losing their assets in the event of an unexpected death. Mr. Speaker, a death in the family is one of the most agonizing things a family or individual can endure. Forfeiting one's assets can compound the horrible grief or, worse, wreck the financial standing of the deceased person's immediate family. Life insurance brings security to millions of Americans and helps families meet many of their short- and long-term financial needs and goals. I urge all Americans to incorporate life insurance into their personal financial portfolios. I understand hundreds of leading life insurance companies and organizations have designated September 2004 as Life Insurance Awareness Month. On behalf of the House of Representatives and our committee, I am pleased to support the goals and ideals of this commemoration. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), who is a leader in Congress in encouraging Americans to be prudent with their personal finances. Again, few things are more important for a person or family than effectively managing their financial resources. So I commend my colleague on her efforts to recognize, again, the importance of life insurance in our society. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert), a colleague of mine and author of this legislation and resolution.