Alan Mollohan

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, I just want to clarify for the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) who just spoke. He has alluded a couple times to this money coming out of salary accounts and programmatic accounts. I can understand his mistake. This money comes out of the expense side and it comes out of items like travel and on the administrative side pencils, paper, office supplies. It does not come out of salaries, any salaries, and will not result in any programmatic diminution. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle) who represents steel industries. (Mr. DOYLE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Alexander J. Sabol for his distinguished career and retirement from the United States Naval Reserve. Captain Alexander J. Sabol was born in Stuebenville, OH, on December 14, 1952. He was raised in the steel town of Weirton, WV, and graduated from Weir Senior High School in 1970. In December 1974, he graduated from West Liberty State College, WV, with a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a speciality in marketing. Captain Sabol entered the Navy through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program at Pensacola, FL, in August 1974 and was commissioned an ensign on April 1975. He was assigned to training squadrons VT-1, VT-2, HT-8, and HT-18 at NAS Whiting Field, FL, from March 1975 to July 1976 and earned his wings and was designated a naval aviator in July 1976. Captain Sabol served his first tour as a T-28B/C instructor pilot and ground safety officer from August 1976 to September 1978. In September 1984, he transferred to HM-12, NAS Norfolk, VA, as a pilot under instruction to qualify in the RH-53D, Sea Scallion helicopter to conduct missions in Airborne Mine Countermeasures. From April 1979 through February 1981, he served his first Fleet tour with HM-16, NAS Norfolk, VA performing duties as communications officer and avionics/ weapons officer. He then transferred to shore duty in February 1981 to HM-12, NAS Norfolk, VA, and served as a RH-53D instructor pilot, assistant operations officer, RH-53D NATOPS officer, RH-53D model manager, COMNAVAIRLANT RH-53D NATOPS evaluator, and assistant maintenance officer until October 1985. He also served in a temporary duty status as the HM class desk to COMHELTACWING ONE, NAS Norfolk, VA, from April 1984 until November 1984. Captain Sabol joined the Naval Reserve and was selected for the Training and Administration of the Reserves Program in October 1985 where he was assigned to the Naval Air Reserve Norfolk, VA, as the HM program manager and the naval air coordinator for the establishment of HM-18. In September 1986, he was assigned to HM-18 as operations officer, security officer, and RH-53D NATOPS officer. He then transferred to COMHELWINGRES, NAS North Island, CA as the first HM class desk, COMNAVAIRESFOR RH-53D NATOPS evaluator, and the Naval Air Reserve coordinator for the establishment of HM-19 from November 1987 to June 1989. He then was assigned as the officer-in-charge of HM-18, Norfolk, VA, from June 1989 to July 1991. From July 1991 to December 1993, he served as the executive officer and later as the commanding officer of HM-19, NAS Alameda, CA. He then attended the Naval War College, Newport, RI, from December 1993 until March 1995 and received a master of arts degree in national security and strategy and policy. He then received orders to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, Director of Naval Reserves in the Pentagon, Washington, DC, from March 1987 to November 1996 serving as the Manpower Branch head and then late as the Director, Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Mobilization. In November 1996, he was assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs in the Materiel and Facilities Deputate as the Director of Materiel. Among his awards and decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal with one star, Navy Commendation Medal with one star, Navy Achievement Medal, navy Unit Commendation with one star, Meritorious Unit Commendation with two stars, Battle ``E'' ribbon with two ``E''s, Navy Expeditionary Medal with one star, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one star, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze Hour Glass. He was appointed to the rank of captain on 01 August 1996. Captain Sabol resides in Centerville, VA, with his wife Anne, also of Weirton, WV, and their two children, Bryon (19) and Alexis (16).

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues today are point out, the latest trade figures are in and they confirm what we feared but also what we expected. They confirm, Mr. Speaker, that the steel dumping crisis is not over. In fact, just the opposite, they confirm that our American steel companies and our American steel families remain in grave danger. It turns out that the recent drop in imports was not the start of a trend, it was only our trading partners catching their breath and then pumping up their March shipments by 25 percent. That includes a 39 percent increase from Japan and a 54 percent increase from Brazil, two of the main targets of complaints filed by our U.S. steelmakers. It is clear that these countries are not very impressed with America's resolve to enforce our trade laws. What about our steelmakers? How are imports affecting them? Thanks to imports, LTV is reporting a first quarter loss of $29 million; Bethlehem a loss of $26 million, and in my district, Weirton Steel is reporting a loss of almost $28 million, the worst in 6 years. Seven hundred Weirton Steel employees remain out of work, putting a terrible strain on communities all along the upper Ohio Valley. Mr. Speaker, our trading partners do not care about our communities. They do not care about our families. They do not even care about following our trade laws. But this Congress and this administration must care, because when the playing field is level, we can compete with anyone on Earth. This Congress must come full circle and pass tough trade legislation, and this administration must use every tool at its disposal to enforce basic, fair, trade laws. I repeat, Mr. Speaker, the crisis is not over. We cannot afford to act like it is.

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Mr. Dominic Dragisich of Weirton, West Virginia, for his award-winning entry in the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Voice of Democracy Contest. His script is entitled ``My Service to America.'' I submit for the Record the text of his entry, and commend the VFW for making the Voice of Democracy scholarship program available to students across our Nation. My Service to America ``Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.'' With these words during his Inaugural address in 1961, President John F. Kennedy challenged every citizen to serve America. Today, the world is a very different place. The changes that have occurred since those words were spoken are phenomenal. Yet, the changes that lie ahead will be greater. Therefore, his challenge to serve America is even more timely today. I can best serve America by preparing myself to meet the challenges that face us. We must retain those values and institutions that have made America great, but we must be willing to change and accept new ideas that meet the challenges of the information age. The ability to adapt to change will determine our success. To survive we must adapt, to adapt we must change. Today, being a teenager and a high school student is no easy task. We live in a high tech information based society where we are bombarded by negative influences on a daily basis. ``What's wrong with this young generation'' seems to be the question of the day--everyday. It's the same question that has been asked throughout history, and I believe the answer remains the same--NOTHING is wrong. I believe my generation is ready, willing, and able to serve America, just as well as those who preceded us. I know I am. For me, it may be a little easier because of the foundation laid by my family. My ancestors immigrated to America in search of freedom and a better life. They brought with them a tradition of hard work, discipline, strong family values, and spirituality. I am fortunate that my parents passed them on to me. They challenged me to grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. They gave me a value system founded upon high moral and ethical standards. By example, they showed me that we have a responsibility to give something back to our communities, especially to those less fortunate. I can serve America by following their example and by passing it on to others. Today, America still represents hope throughout the world. Where there is repression, persecution, poverty, or a lack of human rights, America continues to be a symbol of freedom and liberty. I can serve America by helping to preserve those ideals and share them with others. I can also serve America by setting a positive example for my peers to follow and by helping them when needed. America faces enormous challenges in our global economy. I can help her meet those challenges by pursuing academic excellence and by refining my leadership skills. My parents stressed the importance of academics and the powerful role that knowledge will play in the future. They planted the seeds of leadership within me and nurtured their growth. It is now my responsibility to further develop them. We must always remember that many people are quick to follow; therefore, leadership is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. It requires creativity, imagination, courage, decisiveness, and confidence. Leaders must have the courage to make decisions based on what is right. Leaders must be assertive but patient. They must be skilled listeners and effective mediators. They must be confident but not arrogant. Finally, they must be able to accept responsibility, acknowledge their faults, admit their mistakes, and learn from them. I can serve America by developing these skills and by accepting a leadership role in her future. However, to preserve the future, we must never forget those who gave us the America we have today. President Kennedy's Inaugural Address also contained the following words: ``Since America was founded, each generation has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans, who answered the call to serve, surround the globe.'' One day the torch will be passed to my generation. We too will proclaim our loyalty. We will be ready to serve. However, we will retain our readiness only if we continue to honor and respect those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live to serve America and perpetuate the ideals she represents.

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, first let me compliment the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the distinguished member of the Committee on Appropriations, for his real leadership in fighting for America's steelworkers and for our American steel industry. What a commendable job he has done. Mr. Speaker, the steelworkers of the Ohio valley are frustrated. They are fed up and they are just about to lose faith in their government's promise to uphold its basic trade laws. Our trading partners have shown a shocking disregard of those laws, and that has created a genuine crisis in this country. Those of us from steel districts have been working for months to put this issue on the agenda of the administration and the Congress of the United States. We have done so because this is not just a local issue, this is not just a regional issue, this is, in every sense, a national issue. The distinguished chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means alluded to this legislation as presenting trade barriers. I have high esteem for him, however, I disagree. This legislation is not about setting up trade barriers, it is about fighting unfair trade practices. It is about trying to prevent our trading partners from cheating; about preventing our trading partners from dumping, dumping thousands of tons of steel on our domestic market. Preventing dumping, Mr. Speaker, the selling of foreign steel in this country at a cost below the cost of producing that steel in the foreign country. This legislation is about creating a level playing field. We recognize that we are operating in an international economy. We welcome it. We also recognize that, for that international economy to work for us, our foreign partners must play fair. They are not. We have lost, by conservative estimates, 8,000 steelworker jobs last year and that trend continues because of dumping. If we do not act, Mr. Speaker, we risk losing our domestic steel industry. And so, I respectfully ask my colleagues to support this legislation. First, let me compliment Mr. Visclosky, a distinguished member of the Appropriations Committee, for his real leadership in fighting for America's steel workers and for America's steel industry. Mr. Speaker, the steelworkers of the Ohio Valley are frustrated. They're fed up. And they've just about lost faith in their Government's promise to uphold its basic trade laws. Our trading partners have shown a shocking disregard for those laws. And that has created a genuine crisis. Those of us from steel districts have been working for months to put this issue on the agenda of the administration and the Congress. We've done so because this is not just a local issue. This is not just a regional issue. This is, in every sense, a national issue. This is not about setting up ``trade barriers'', it's about fighting unfair ``trade practices.'' It's about trying to prevent our trading partners from cheating-- about preventing our trading partners from dumping, dumping thousands of tons of steel in our domestic market. It's about preventing dumping--the selling of foreign steel in this country, at a cost below the cost of producing that steel in that foreign country. This legislation is about creating a level playing field. We recognize that we are operating in an international economy. We also recognize that for that international economy to work for us, our foreign partners must play fair. They are not. We have lost, by conservative estimates, 8,000 steel worker jobs last year, and the trend continues because of dumping. If we don't act, we risk letting foreign nations run American steel out of business. And that would put our Nation in an extremely vulnerable position--economically vulnerable--with massive loss of jobs and widespread bankruptcies--undermining an industry--the steel industry, the health of which is essential to our national security. So I would say to my colleagues that even if you don't have a single steelworker in your district, it's vitally important that you support this bill. I would like to compliment Mr. Regula and Mr. Visclosky for sponsoring this legislation. And I urge my colleagues to do what's fair, to do what's right, and vote for this bill.

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago the Ohio Valley made itself heard here in the Nation's Capital. Thousands of steel workers and their families woke before dawn on a cold damp January day. They came from Weirton, they came from Wheeling, from all across the tri-state area. They jammed into dozens of buses for a 6 hour ride to Washington. When they got here, they rallied long and hard on the steps of this Capitol. Then they marched down Pennsylvania Avenue and rallied long and hard at the White House. Then they jammed back into their buses to get home before morning came again, and many of them lost a day's pay in the process. So why did they do it? They did it, Mr. Speaker, because our steel communities are in a state of pure crisis. We have been overtaken by illegal imports, and we cannot take it any more. Every hour another American steel worker loses his or her job. Every hour another American family wonders when and if they will ever see another paycheck. And what is worst of all is that they have not done a single thing wrong. In fact, Mr. Speaker, they have done everything right. For years the American steel workers have sacrificed, our American steel companies have made huge investments. They did it all in the name of efficiency, to achieve productivity standards unheard of, and now they are the world's best producers. But that means nothing if our so-called partners do not play by the same rules. It means nothing if Japan and Russia and Korea can dump steel in our markets whenever they want. That is not fair trade, Mr. Speaker. That is not even free trade. It's foolish trade, and it is, in fact, absolute folly for this Congress and this administration to sit and watch as the American steel industry is destroyed by unfair foreign imports. Our steel industry is at the breaking point, Mr. Speaker. There's no time left for tough talk; there is only time for tough action. Today the Steel Caucus is introducing tough legislation. I commend my good friends: the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) for their leadership on this issue. I am proud to cosponsor the bills that are being brought before the Congress. I urge my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to make this legislation the very first priority in the 106th Congress. I urge them to stand up for steel.

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the motion to instruct. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct.

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I have made the motion to instruct conferees on the Commerce, Justice, State appropriations bill. In order to make clear that on one this side of the aisle is interested in shutting down the government and to point out that there are several major legislative provisions being discussed in the context of the conference on this bill, they could, if not resolved to the satisfaction of the President, cause a government shutdown. I am confident that the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the most capable manager of this bill, does not intend in any way to cause such a shutdown. In fact, I have heard the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Livingston) and members of the Republican leadership in both Houses make similar statements. The purpose of taking the time of the House today is to simply point out some of the hurdles that exist in getting this bill into signable form. The Senate bill contained major new legislation addressing numerous legislative issues. There are other potential extraneous issues we have heard about which are currently not contained in either the House or the Senate bills. It may be that necessary solutions can be found on all of these issues so that the President can sign this bill. However, in several instances, the administration has indicated its strong opposition to these provisions and at the moment I am not aware of any direct negotiations with them which could lead to a solution of these difficulties. I do not make this motion myself to speak for or against any of these provisions. However, I am aware of strong opposition on the Democratic side to several of these matters. I have done it to make clear that this bill already has several difficult issues, such as census funding and funding for the Legal Services Corporation, that will be difficult to resolve. The bill also funds critical law enforcement and international security related matters that should continue without the interruption inherent in a government shutdown. So let us agree on this motion and get to conference and work out our differences so that a government shutdown can be avoided. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues today in tribute to a great legislator and friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joe McDade), of Pennsylvania's 10th District. As other speakers have noted, the service of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joe McDade) has impacted his country and his district in a very powerful way. His is a distinguished career, and it has earned the admiration of Members on both sides of the aisle. It is difficult in a few moments to give due credit to a Member's service in this House, and it becomes particularly impossible when that service spans almost four decades, and is so full of accomplishments. But I would like to note in particular our appreciation for the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade's) work on critical defense issues, for his leadership in addressing national energy problems, for his stewardship of historical, cultural, and environmental resources, for his success in stimulating small business development, for his efforts to improve housing in rural areas, emphasizing the needs of the elderly, the handicapped, and low-income families, and for his focus on parks and recreation. The record of the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade) is one of solid achievement, and it is a compliment to his constituents that they have faithfully recognized the value of his service. For those of us who had the pleasure of working with him, it is no mystery why he is so effective. It is because of his strong work ethic, his sharp intellect, and his gentlemanly manner. That last trait is what I will remember most about serving with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joe McDade). I will always admire how he shows kindness, without fail, to everyone around him. He is a model of congressional courtesy, and it is a joy to work with someone who is so good-natured, so polite, so decent in every situation. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joe McDade) is, in every respect, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, and will be greatly missed by us all. As we salute his service, we offer our warm wishes to him and his family, his lovely wife Sarah and their five children. We thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. McDade), and wish him our best always.

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, could we see a copy of the modified amendment?

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I ask the gentleman to give us a clarification of the McIntosh amendment. I do not believe that we have seen that.

Mr. MOLLOHAN. No, Mr. Speaker, I cannot. I understand the proposal, and I simply suggest to the gentleman that until Members who have an interest in this have an opportunity to review it, I cannot agree to the time limit as set forth in the UC. We could break that out and when we get down to it, I am sure we could work something out for Members who are interested in the amendment.

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. MOLLOHAN. I believe it is limited under the rule, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. MOLLOHAN

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan).

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to control the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Chairman, I have accepted the responsibility to manage this time technically in opposition to the Kolbe amendment. I am not in opposition to the Kolbe amendment, and if there is somebody now who would like to manage the time who is against the Kolbe amendment, I would certainly yield this time to them.

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver).

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. MOLLOHAN. Reserving the right to object, Mr. Chairman, just to clarify with the chairman that he is proposing that we do a unanimous consent request on the Hutchinson amendment now; roll that vote until after 8 p.m., giving Members a chance to go to this event; and then, in the meantime, do a unanimous consent with regard to as many other amendments as we can, and I know we have some concern about maybe one amendment on our side maybe not being included in that; and roll all those votes likewise until after 8 p.m. and then consider all votes. So Members could actually leave right now and not be concerned about votes until after 8 p.m.