Gary Miller

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United States Army Special Forces and honor a great American hero and ``Father of the Green Berets,'' Colonel Aaron Bank. Perhaps more than ever, our generation appreciates the unique and vital mission of the U.S. Special Forces. They are the elite, unconventional warfare arm of the United States military and our Nation is at a place in history where our greatest threat is from the unpredictable foes they are trained to fight. In a time when many of us have fears and doubts about the vulnerability of our Nation to future attacks, we can continue to have hope in the shield provided to us by the Special Forces. In valor, courage, and fidelity, the Special Forces are the world's finest fighting force and I am thankful that they are in the business of protecting the United States of America and its citizens. Due to the covert nature of many of their missions, both the measure of their sacrifice and their contribution to freedom here and abroad may never be known. However, today, I hope all Americans will join me in celebrating their 50th anniversary and thanking them for giving more to this country than could ever be repaid and perhaps, could ever be measured. I wish to especially extend my appreciation to Colonel Aaron Bank, the founder and first commander of the Special Forces. As an operative in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II, he led his team on missions to hunt down high-raking Nazi leaders, search for missing allied prisoners in Indochina and lead a counter-intelligence cell in Germany. It was clear there was a place for such operations using highly trained unconventional forces. So, when the OSS was disbanded after World War II, Colonel Bank began working to convince the U.S. Army to adopt a permanent unconventional warfare force. After tireless efforts, the U.S. Army launched its first Special Forces unit, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) with Colonel Bank, appropriately, as its first commander. Since then, the U.S. Army Special Forces has spawned special operations units from the other military branches such as the Navy SEALS, Air Force Combat Controllers, and the Marines' Force Recon. We have Colonel Bank to thank for emphasizing the strategic and tactical importance of such units, which he modeled in designing, implementing and commanding the Army's first Special Forces unit. In passing H. Con. Res. 364, Congress not only recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Special Forces, but also acknowledges the invaluable contribution of a great American and outstanding soldier, Colonel Aaron Bank. At age ninety-nine, he is a living legend and I consider it an honor and privilege to participate in recognizing both his contribution and the legacy of his vision and foresight, the United States Special Forces. My most sincere gratitude goes out to Colonel Bank and his fellow Green Berets as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Army Special Forces.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Supervisor Don Knabe, who was first elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in November of 1996. He ran unopposed for his second term and was re-elected in March of 2000. Don is the first chief-of-staff ever elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. A community leader for 30 years, Don is noted for his attention to detail and ability to see the overall big picture. The strength of his grassroots support and considerable experience in local government have made him a highly regarded voice, not only at home in the fourth district, but in both Sacramento and Washington, DC. Don is currently the chairman of the Southern California Regional Airport Authority and also represents the County of Los Angeles on the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink), the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, and the Large Urban County Caucus of the National Association of Counties (NACo). He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). In addition to various other appointments and commissions, Don is an executive board member of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and a member of the Asian Business League and L.A. Care Board of Governors. Before joining the U.S. Navy as a young man, Don earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Shortly after receiving his honorable discharge, he moved west to California, where he met his wife, Julie, and settled in the city of Cerritos. Don spent 2 years as a member of the Cerritos Planning Commission before being elected to the Cerritos City Council in 1980. He served as a councilman for 8 years, including two terms as mayor, and was a leader in the development and implementation of the city's General Plan during a time of unprecedented economic expansion. Today, Cerritos is regarded as a national model of sensible growth. Don Knabe has truly exemplified every aspect of what it entails to serve the diverse needs of the district's two million constituents. Thank you, Don, for your hard work and willingness to make such an outstanding difference in the lives of many Americans.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes. Madam Speaker, this resolution and what the President is trying to do is an attempt to help people. The best thing you can do to help people in this country is enable them to help themselves. I remember when I was a boy, I moved to California when I was a year old from Arkansas, and at that point in time I lived in South Whittier, which was the district of my good friend from the Democrat side, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano). At that time it was a bunch of immigrants. It was ``Arkies'' and ``Okies''; and we had one thing in common, we were poor. My dad left my mother when I was 6 months old and I was raised by my grandparents. We lived in a poor community, but it was our home; and in that home we established pride, and with that pride grew equity. Today that community is still a community of poor people, but now they are from Mexico and Latin America; but they still have the same thing in common that I did with my neighbors at that time: we were poor. Homeownership means a lot. What can we do? We need to make sure that the States understand how important it is that we provide opportunity for people through homeownership. I applaud the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank). The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) looks at this issue, and he understands that section 8 vouchers are great because they help people that need help; but we have never found a unit that has been built with a section 8 voucher. In order to make sure that people have a place to live, we have to make sure that there is an affordable housing stock that is a level above a section 8 voucher, and that is for people to move out of section 8 homes into affordable homes. With that comes equity, and with that comes a future, and with that comes prosperity for their children and their future. We need to do everything we can in this country to focus the light on what the problem is. In many cases the problem is government. We need to focus on that issue fervently. The President and the chairman of HUD, Secretary Martinez, are doing what they need to to look at issues and say how can we fast track the process where people can get permits to build houses. How do we eliminate a lot of the restrictions and red tape and regulations? How do we tackle the Endangered Species Act? I have seen projects in my district that took 5 years to process, where they finally got entitled through the county, only to find because of a lawsuit that the Federal Government placed a mandate over that they now own rat habitat. After 5 years, the project ended up having a designation of ``habitat for a rat.'' I really believe that people are more important than rats. Yes, we need to be concerned about the environment, but there was a time in this country when we used to swat flies and poison rats. Now we set aside habitat for those little critters. The problem is, it is not a federally owned habitat; the habitat is owned by private property owners, and that is wrong. We need to resolve the problems in this country, we need to provide opportunity for people to buy homes, and we need to deal with the new homes properly. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H. Con. Res. 415 recognizes National Homeownership Month. First, I would like to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), chairman of the Committee on Financial Services, for his interest in this issue. The chairman looks for ways to get involved in housing issues. His willingness to look at new ideas and focus on long- term solutions is really encouraging to the rest of the members of this committee. The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), the ranking member on the Democratic side, has been very encouraging and also forthright in looking to issues and ways to resolve the housing crisis in this country. Homeownership is the American dream. I introduced this resolution because I feel so strongly about homeownership. This country is home to people of many different origins; but everyone seems to have the same dream, to own their own home. This dream means many things to many people, independence, financial security, geographic stability, the ability to accumulate personal wealth, a place to raise a family, a prized possession to decorate and improve, or simply a place to go after a long day of work and find peace. As a homebuilder for over 30 years, I enjoyed watching many people achieve this dream. You could always see the excitement and anticipation in the face of a new homebuyer. I believe very strongly in the dream of homeownership, and I was pleased to see President Bush recognize it by proclaiming June 2002 National Homeownership Month. I look forward to working with him and HUD Secretary Mel Martinez to further the goal of this proclamation. The role of the Federal Government in homeownership: when I first started my business, I had an old van that used more oil than gas and every tool I had was in a cardboard box in the back of it. It was a small company and I grew that company over the years. But with each passing year, I saw the impact of government on the housing industry and with each year came more government laws and regulations making it harder to build a home. The red tape kept increasing costs, which in business you have to pass on to the consumer. Homes kept getting more expensive. During National Homeownership Month, I think it is very important that we talk about how the government is impacting home prices. Last month, a 27 percent tariff was placed on Canadian softwood lumber, which will be used to frame homes. This will increase the cost of a new home by at least $1,500. Although we have a very similar species of wood that is native to the Pacific Northwest, Federal logging restrictions have reduced the supply below demand, so builders need to import it. The Endangered Species Act is often interpreted to give rats, frogs and plants more rights than people. In some parts of the country, in my district, specifically, in southern California, the heavy burden of Federal, State and local mandates is creating a generation of people who cannot afford to live in the community where they work and grew up. I call these people the new homeless. Exactly who are the new homeless? In my district it might be a couple whose husband might be a firefighter and the wife is a teacher. They have a good job and they make a good living, but their combined income does not qualify them to buy a median-priced home in Southern California. This is a national problem also occurring in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado and Oregon, among other places. The new homeless either end up renting, postponing the American dream of homeownership, or they commute, sometimes hours, until they find a community they can afford to live in. Although they may be homeowners, the only time they really spend in their home is the 8 hours they spend in bed. Most of the other 16 hours of the day are spent working and commuting to and from work. I would encourage my colleagues to talk to their D.C. staff to see if you have any of the new homeless individuals in your offices. One of my legislative assistants has been looking for a condo since January. In that time, she has been outbid by $40,000 on an 854 square-foot condo that is $40,000 above the asking price and lost out on another opportunity to bid because she got to the property on a Sunday morning the day after it had gone on the market, and it was already under contract. She is almost priced out of the marketplace in the area and about ready to move to a cheaper part of the country. My legislative director and his wife bought a home in Sperryville, Virginia, which is about 2 hours from here. In both cases, the dream of homeownership is becoming a question of affordability and quality of life. Although nationally homeownership is at an all-time high of 67.8 percent, there are pockets in this country where that statistic is significantly lower, and H. Con. Res. 415 states that improving opportunities for homeownership requires the commitment and the cooperation of all levels of government, Federal, State and local. I hope that National Homeownership Month will encourage that. The Federal Commitment to Improving Homeownership: I feel strongly about this issue because homeownership is the key to personal wealth in our country. When someone buys a home, they purchase an asset which will grow over time; and as equity accumulates, so does personal wealth. The role of the Federal Government should be to help individuals and families move into homeownership so they would have the ability to achieve personal wealth. I am so pleased that President Bush has announced his aggressive agenda to expand homeownership opportunities to at least 5.5 million families before the end of the decade. The Federal Government has a long history of supporting housing programs. FHA allows people to become homeowners with as little as 3 percent for a down payment. The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is working on a program that will help some of the new homeless achieve the dream of homeownership. They have teamed up with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to offer loans to about 300 middle-income families. What is unique is how they define middle income, because in San Francisco that includes families making about $100,000 a year. While there are also great programs helping specific groups of people, I agree with President Bush, we can and must do more to expand homeownership opportunity to all people in this country. Long-term solutions: when most people talk about housing, they tend to focus on the low-income end of the spectrum. While I agree that assisting this group is important, I firmly believe that until we address the new homeless and begin creating a move-up market for the low-income individuals, we will not resolve our affordability entry level housing crisis. The Federal Government supports a lot of great programs such as section 8 rental vouchers, which target low- and moderate-income families. But now these programs are starting to experience inefficiencies because there is no move-up market for the people in the section 8 housing to move out to. Programs like section 8 rental vouchers are crucial to moving families off welfare and can meet the needs of families who experience an emergency such as a job loss or death of a spouse. However, they should not be considered long-term solutions. Because we do not have a move-up market for a section 8 voucher family, they get stuck relying on government. If they make too much money and no longer qualify for the voucher, they cannot afford to move into their current community; and because they continue to tie up the voucher, other families who need assistance are stuck on waiting lists. In some areas such as Los Angeles, families are waiting years to get a voucher. This problem is compounded by the lack of housing supply because landlords can charge much higher rents, usually to the new homeless families who can pay the rent, but then cannot save for the down payment. There is no real incentive to be part of the section 8 voucher program. Fifty-nine percent of Los Angeles section 8 voucher recipients cannot find a place where they can use the voucher use the voucher. To truly address the housing problem in our country, we need a real solution, not a Band-aid. We need policies which encourage the private sector to provide the housing that is needed; and this is something that the Federal, State, and local governments must really take on, and take on in a serious manner. I am pleased with President Bush that he has recognized this problem and has a plan to expand home ownership opportunities by working with the private sector to overcome the obstacles facing the new homeless as well as low- and moderate-income families. I am anxious to learn more about his proposal and do everything I can to produce a bill that will implement it. In conclusion, National Home Ownership Month is exciting. It has created a forum for us to start addressing issues that impact homeownership. I encourage my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 415 and take time this month to talk to the public housing authorities, Realtors, lenders, and especially perspective homebuyers in their districts to learn about the issues affecting homeownership. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 415) recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the United States.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Susan Peters as she retires from over 37 years of educating children of elementary grade levels one through three. Susan has taught at Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Diamond Bar, California for 30 years and has been in the Pomona Unified School District for 33 years. She has even had the rare opportunity to teach the children of former students. Formerly, her first four years were in the State of Michigan. In her years at Neil Armstrong, she took the lead role in organizing the school library and bringing it into the 21st century. Susan, with her team teacher Toby Kahan, has instituted the AR reading program and set it up on computers for the entire school. She has always been available to serve on many different committees, both school and district-wide. Susan holds a Masters Degree in Education specializing in reading. Susan's departure will be a great loss to her school and to the children she teaches. She has stated that from the time she was a small child she knew that she was to be a teacher, and she succeeded in that dream. This is a great and very dedicated educator whom I congratulate for her years of outstanding commitment to our children as she goes into retirement.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I would like to commend Chairmen Oxley and Bereuter for their leadership in crafting a very reasonable bill, and I rise in support of H.R. 2871. California is the fifth largest economy in the world, but it benefits from the strategic role of the Export-Import Bank. During fiscal years 1996 to 2000, 722 companies from California benefited from the assistance; 225 communities benefited; total value of exports were $8.3 billion; and 120,403 jobs were sustained. Most importantly, regardless of the rhetoric we have heard on the floor today, 72 percent of the transactions assisted small businesses; and that is most important, for small businesses are the engine that keeps this economy moving. Far too often when we talk about numbers and figures, we do not apply it to a name and a face. Services provided by the Export-Import Bank to small businesses are overlooked, really; and that is a big issue today. But there are a lot of success stories, including ZMG Enterprises in Walnut, California, owned by Mr. Joe Gomez. ZMG Enterprises is a long- standing user of the bank's short-term, multibuyer insurance policy to cover the sale of nearly $11 million in annual sales of canned vegetables, fruits and table sauces, primarily to Mexico. For a small company, a family-owned business, $11 million is a lot of revenue to generate for a company. Mexico has traditionally been a COD country. This insurance policy backed by the bank enables Mr. Gomez to offer short-term credit to Mexican supermarkets so that the grocers can purchase more of his product in a single sale and there are reasonable guarantees. There is no money being lost. It is benefiting entrepreneurs in this country, specifically in California, the State and the district I represent. This is a good bill. I would encourage any individuals who have questions to take time to read the bill before they listen to some of the rhetoric on this floor.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of H.R. 2941, the Brownfield Development Enhancement Act of 2001, is to provide communities with new options when it comes to financing brownfields redevelopment projects. The best way to explain this bill is to begin by describing how the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's section 108 loan program and the Brownfields Economic Development Initiative, or BEDI, grant programs work. If a local community wishes to pursue cleanup and redevelopment funds from HUD, first, they must apply for a section 108 loan. In order to secure this loan, they must put up a portion of their Community Development block grant money as collateral. After obtaining the section 108 loan, cities may then apply for a BEDI grant. Unfortunately, many cities are extremely hesitant to tie up their CDBO funds as loan collateral. Further, some States actually prohibit their cities from doing this. Because these cities are locked out of the section 108 loan program, they are locked out of the BEDI grant application process as well. H.R. 2941 offers a fundamental change to the status quo by delinking the BEDI grant program from the section 108 loan program. Additionally, this bill also creates a pilot program for a revolving loan pool. As a result, cities will have new options, they can proceed, as under current law, by applying for a section 108 loan, to be secured by a portion of their CDBO funds, and then apply for a BEDI grant; cities can simply apply for a BEDI grant; cities can apply for pilot program funds; or any combination of the above which best meets their project needs. Before I continue, I would like to thank HUD Secretary Mel Martinez and his staff for their assistance and insight on this program. I also appreciate the support I received from the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), the chairman of the Committee on Financial Services, and the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Roukema), the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. In addition, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), who has worked tirelessly on this issue since H.R. 2941 was introduced.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, our military uses students loan repayment to recruit for shortages in critical military occupational specialties such as the Medical Corps. If you are on active duty, tuition assistance is not taxed as income. If you have been honorably discharged and received education assistance through the GI bill, it is not taxed as income. However, if the military needs to recruit an individual for an occupation specialty that is needed, the student loan repayment is taxed as income. For example, if the military pay is $24,000 per year and he or she receives $20,000 that year to pay a student loan, they are taxed at an income level of $44,000 and the tax payment has to come out of a $24,000 salary. This is wrong. Support H.R. 4555 to correct this.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I would like to acknowledge the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for his efforts on H.R. 2871, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act. Mr. Chairman, in my opinion, many government programs do not work. However, that is not the case with the Export-Import Bank. Specifically, the Export-Import Bank benefits California. During the fiscal years 1996 to 2000, 722 California companies benefitted, 225 communities benefitted. The value of exports was $8.5 billion from California and there were 120,403 jobs sustained. Some try to make you believe this only benefits large businesses but that is not the fact. 72 percent of the transactions benefitted small businesses and those are nice figures but let us put a face on those figures. ZMG Enterprises in Walnut, California owned by Mr. Joe Gomez is a longstanding user of the bank's short term multi-buyer insurance policy to cover to sale of nearly $11 million in annual sales of canned vegetables, fruits and table sauces, primarily to Mexico. Mexico has benefitted on this and we have because our products are going there. Mexico has been a traditional COD country, and the insurance policy backed by the bank enables Mr. Gomez to offer short-term credit to Mexican supermarkets so the grocers can purchase more of his products in a single sale. That benefits small businesses. And there is an old saying that I really believe in and it boils down to the simple fact that when you help small businesses, you help American.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, on April 23, a terrible train accident occurred in my district in Placentia, California. Tragically 2 people lost their lives while hundreds of others were injured. I rise today not to add commentary to the unfortunate accident, but rather to recognize the goodwill and altruism that is very much a part of America in a post-September 11 world. Mr. Speaker, the fire, police and ambulance services, along with the local hospitals, all reacted swiftly to the accident. There were bystanders who rushed to the scene to offer aid and comfort to those who were hurt. One of those bystanders, a convenience store owner, rushed to the scene with cases of bottled water. Another grabbed a first aid kit from her car and rushed to help. Employees from a local telephone company brought dozens of cell phones to the emergency center so people could call their loved ones. Despite the tragedy of the situation, average Americans rose to the occasion to help strangers and friends alike. Mr. Speaker, if there is anyone who wonders what makes an American an American, they need only look at the simple acts of kindness and charity that citizens everywhere engage in when something terrible happens. America is the same today as it was in the wake of September 11. It is strong and will remain so regardless of whatever hardships are thrown our way.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the ``Tax Exemption for Military Student Loan Repayments Act.'' Today's military requires more high-tech skilled personnel than ever before and the military continues to have a dire need to recruit for its shortage of medical personnel. To fill these jobs known as military occupational specialists or MOSs, the Army, Navy and Air Force utilize student loan repayment programs to attract skilled recruits who have gained high-tech, medical, or other valuable skills, but may be hesitant to join the military because they have incurred substantial indebtedness to finish their college education. The military student loan repayment program remains popular among military officials because it targets a growing population of people with skills that the services can use. Unfortunately, these payments made towards student loan debt are considered taxable income although these payments are made directly to the student loan creditor, and the soldier, sailor, or airman never sees these payments reach their wallets. As a result, unless the military person requests additional funds to be withheld from their pay, they will in most cases owe a significant amount in taxes for each year repayments are made. Having to pay taxes on this important recruitment incentive reduces the effectiveness of the program, which is designed to attract highly skilled military personnel to fill critical military occupational specialities. Further, the taxation of these payments seems to place an overly burdensome tax on the pay of military personnel who must already contend with a 7.6% military to civilian gap in pay. To enhance these recruitment efforts and deliver tax relief to military personnel, the ``Tax Exemption for Military Student Loan Repayments Act'' will amend Section 134 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude the military's student loan repayment from taxable gross income. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleague to support this legislation, which will enhance the military's effort to recruit highly skilled personnel, deliver tax relief to our underpaid men and women in uniform, and make the military a more viable option for people who wish to serve their country but are weighted down by their student loan debt.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Richard Showler, a professional truck driver for Roadway Express, Inc. who recently logged over one million miles on the road without a preventable accident. To put Mr. Showler's accomplishment in perspective, a million miles is the equivalent of circling the earth's equator 38 times. That's quite a distance. Although a million miles is probably more than an entire family ever drives--or more than I would ever drive--what is particularly important and noteworthy about Mr. Showler's record is that he's managed to log all of those miles responsibly and attentively. Even more impressive, perhaps, is that Mr. Showler has driven the majority of these miles on what are arguably the most congested parts of Southern California's highway system. Indeed, anyone familiar with the gridlock and traffic that is characteristic of Southern California could attest to the difficulty of negotiating those roads in a car, much less a semi-truck with a full trailer of goods. In short, Mr. Showler is among the most distinguished and safe drivers out on the road today. Mr. Showler, a member of Local 952 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has been with Roadway for twenty-two years. Happily married, with a son, Mr. Showler resides in Yorba Linda, California. I have no doubt his family is proud of him. When he's not out on the road, Mr. Showler is an active long board surfer and helps coach his son's Little League games. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Showler's record of safety, and I hope my colleagues will join me in saluting his one million-mile driving safety achievement.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, on April 4, the postal service transmitted its ``Transformation Plan'' to Congress. I read through some of the report and was surprised that there was no mention of the fact that the postal service spent $55 million on general advertising in 2001. The report did, however, stress that the postal service needs more ``flexibility'' and cited ``increasing cost burdens'' and ``significant fixed costs'' as part of the problem. Now, why on earth is an organization who whines about ``burdens'' and ``fixed costs'' spending $55 million on brand promotion? Remember, this money was spent during the same year it lost more than $1 billion. Mr. Speaker, the $55 million the postal service spent on advertising for product lines which typically lose money could clearly have been spent more efficiently. For example, $55 million would have just about covered all of the postal service's tax liability on leased facilities last year. Even better, $55 million would have paid for more than two- thirds of the postal service employee wages in my district. Mr. Speaker, an agency which spends $55 million on a losing advertising campaign does not need ``flexibility.'' No, Mr. Speaker. What the postal service needs is some old fashioned ``accountability.''

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Intelligence Specialist Second Class Paul Eudaly. This week, IS2 Eudaly completes a two year assignment at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nevada. His next duty station assignment will be on the island of Diego Garcia located in the Indian Ocean. Since April 2000, IS2 Eudaly has served as the library night shift supervisor at NSAWC. He has performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Petty Officer Eudaly meticulously created the exercise QUIVER target/threat database, which was used to train over 500 naval personnel and 10 carrier air wings. He also volunteered to deploy onboard the USS CONSTELLATION for the Composite Training Unit Exercise, where he trained 30 additional intelligence personnel on QUIVER's application. IS2 Eudaly has also served as the lead enlisted intelligence instructor at NAS Fallon for air wing personnel recovery and combat search and rescue events. As the only enlisted instructor during the annual joint exercise Desert Rescue IX, he provided quality support and accurate mission briefs for participants from 42 different commands. As the NSAWC Division Training Petty Officer, his mentoring and innovative training methods have resulted in 100 percent passing and a 73 percent advancement rate during the last examination cycle. He has been a great mentor to the junior enlisted personnel and has taken time to help many of the new sailors adjust to their duties at NSAWC. Petty Officer Eudaly's professionalism and devotion to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Mr. Speaker, IS2 Eudaly is a model, sailor and the U.S. Navy needs more young men and women like him. Therefore, I ask that this 107th Congress join me in sincerely wishing IS2 Eudaly ``fair winds and following seas'' as he moves to his next duty assignment.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, my colleagues should be ashamed of themselves, trying to scare the American people on Social Security, making them believe they are not going to get a check. The gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), the minority leader, came to the floor and he said, ``We should be talking about another budget.'' The problem is my colleagues do not have a budget. He does not have a budget. Last week in the markup in Committee on the Budget all my colleagues presented were 40 amendments. Had we accepted the 40 amendments, we would have spent $225 billion more than we are spending. Yet my colleagues accuse us of wasting Social Security moneys. He said, ``It shows deficits as far as the eyes can see. We have squandered $4.5 trillion surplus, gone in the flash of an eye.'' My colleagues like CBO numbers. So let us see what they say. We should have had a $283 billion surplus this year, but because of a recession and a bad economy we are down $197 billion. Because of 9/11 spending, we are down $54 billion, and yes, we gave the American people, hardworking families, $40 billion of their own money to keep, to prosper their own families. That is minus $9 billion. He said, ``Our prescription program is paltry.'' Actions speak louder than words. Where is my colleagues' prescription drug program? They have none. At the same time he comes out and he says, by saying it is paltry, he wants us to spend more money, but my colleagues accuse us of spending the Social Security Trust Fund. Then he gave this sweet story about his mother, and she said what if I do not get my Social Security check next month or next year, what will I do, implying that somehow people are not going to get their Social Security check. That is criminal. This self-righteous hypocrisy on this floor is outlandish.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the small roofing contracting companies who have donated labor, funds and supplies to rebuild over an acre of the Pentagon's roof. On September 11, the Pentagon experienced severe structural damage when terrorists flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the building. The massive fire caused by thousands of gallons of jet fuel destroyed over 40,000 square feet of the slate roof. At the urging of Northern Virginia Roofing, a contracting company owned by a husband and wife team in Falls Church, Virginia, the National Roofing Contractors Association negotiated an agreement with the Department of Defense to give the Pentagon a new roof. To date, nearly $400,000 in cash and supplies has been raised by small roofing contracting companies who felt compelled to defeat the terrorists in their own special way.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to and honor the accomplishments of William R. Mills, Jr., of Yorba Linda, California. Bill graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a degree in engineering in 1959, and earned his masters degree in civil engineering from Loyola University in Los Angeles in 1976. Bill spent seventeen years with the engineering firm, Planning Research, before breaking off to become an independent water consultant. For the past fourteen years he has presided over the Orange County Water District as its General Manager. Bill is a Diplomate for the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, and Fellow for the American Society of Civil Engineers. Bill is world renowned for the ``Water Factory 21'' water filtration system used to purify water used in irrigation in Southern California. This groundwater renovation reservoir provides about 75 percent of the water for the area's 2 million citizens. He has helped promote this technology as far away as Saudi Arabia and has effectively demonstrated this technology to be main stream in the water industry. Bill's accolades include being named Water Leader of the Year in 1992, Outstanding Member of the WateReuse Association of California in 1994, and the Orange County Engineer of the Year in 1996. He earned the Outstanding Member of the American Desalting Association in 1994 and was later awarded their Presidential Award for Distinguished Service in 1996. Bill's work also earned him the Leadership in Engineering award for Water Resources from the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering in 1999. Perhaps Bill's greatest accomplishment, though, is his family. Bill and his wife have reared three fine sons who have rewarded him with his greatest pleasure. Bill looks forward to retirement most so that he can begin to enjoy time with his three grandchildren. I would like to thank Bill for his dedicated service to Southern California and his progressive leadership in addressing the area's tremendous water concerns. I wish him the best in his retirement.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize a good friend from the Inland Empire, William J. Alexander. On February 13, 2002, Bill will be celebrating his 59th birthday. Mr. Alexander is currently Mayor for the City of Rancho Cucamonga, California and has able served on the Council since 1994. Bill is a graduate of Montclair High School and Chaffey College. Bill is a retired Fire Captain from the City of Ontario where he brought forth his services for more than 35 years. He is a member of the Foothill Fire Protection District Board of Directors and he has served as a member of the Public Safety Commission for Rancho Cucamonga. He is also a Certified Bomb Technician having graduated from the FBI Regional Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Mayor Alexander and his wife have six children and five granddaughters. He has been a resident of western San Bernardino County for more than 40 years. Bill enjoys spending time with his family and makes that a priority even with his demanding schedule. He loves the community that he serves and plans on seeking another four-year term. Happy 59th birthday, Bill.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I have here the National Taxpayer Advocate's Annual Report to Congress. As my colleagues well know, the National Taxpayer Advocate is an independent agent within the IRS that helps our constituents resolve their tax problems. It should interest Members of this body that the very agent within the IRS tasked with helping our constituents has suggested that we abolish the alternative minimum tax. As my colleagues well know, the AMT was the subject of considerable debate when this body voted to pass not one but two stimulus bills. As I recall, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle complained that eliminating the AMT would only help the wealthy. I ask my colleagues to consider that a mother of five who earned $45,000 in 2000 had to pay $1,850 in AMT alone. That is a lot of money. I find it disconcerting that Members of this body would oppose commonsense tax reform that would help the economy and really help their constituency. I do not take any word from anybody, and I do not expect Members to accept my words, Mr. Speaker, but read this report for yourself. Unless the opponents of the AMT are prepared to call the National Taxpayer Advocate the handmaiden of the wealthy, then I think it is time that we heed the Tax Advocate's recommendations and eliminate the AMT.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute and honor the accomplishments of Robert K. Krick of Fredericksburg, VA. Bob was raised in central California. He attended college there, and later earned a graduate degree at San Jose State University. Fascinated with military history--in particular the American Civil War in Virginia--he joined the National Park Service in 1966, hoping it would become a gateway to the sites he admired. After working at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Fort Necessity National Battlefield, he moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1972. Bob has been the Chief Historian at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park ever since. After nearly 30 years of work, his reputation is largely based on two things: his prolific career as a writer and his work as a battlefield preservationist. Bob's first published article appeared in 1973. Since then he has produced almost a dozen books, most of them devoted to the history of individuals and sites associated with the Civil War battles in the East. His published articles, book reviews, and related material number in the hundreds. He also has considerable experience and success as a Civil War battlefield preservationist. In the 1980's he was a co-founder and vice-president of the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites--a group that has evolved from an earnest local organization that met in its members' living rooms into a powerful national presence that saves thousands of battlefield acres annually. Bob has been especially active in protecting historic acreage around Fredericksburg, where the size of the national park increased significantly during his tenure, helping maintain the integrity of these hallowed battlefields and preserving our history for future generations. I recently had the distinct privilege of viewing the battlefield site in Fredericksburg with Bob. His insight and passion for his work left me captivated. His riveting stories of the small events that turned the tide and determined the final outcome of this battle left me feeling as if these events were actually unfolding before my eyes. It is this zest that Bob has brought to the Park Service for the last thirty years that will have an impact for generations to come. His legacy will be to have passed this knowledge and appreciation to scores of other Americans, who, in turn, will pass it along to their loved ones. Nearly one half of the country's Civil War battlefield parks presently have historians who learned their trade at Fredericksburg while Bob was the chief historian. In retirement his influence will carry on. The Park Service, and indeed our nation, will miss his service. I would like to wish my friend the very best upon his retirement from the National Park Service.