Gary Miller

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1654, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1999. I would like to thank the sponsors of this bill, the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), the gentleman from California (Mr. Brown), the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon), the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cook), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Nethercutt) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) for their leadership on this issue. As a member of the Committee on Science, I am especially pleased with H.R. 1654 because it will be the first reauthorization legislation for NASA spending since 1992. The administration has cut NASA's budget 6 years in a row, leaving the agency to do much more with much less. I commend NASA for rising to the occasion by streamlining and reforming its projects. However, this history of chipping away at NASA's budget is proving to be detrimental to our Nation's technological research and development. To reverse this trend, H.R. 1654 provides increased funding for NASA's programs critical to maintaining and advancing our leadership in space, science and technology through fiscal year 2002, for investing in science and technology today serves to create a better tomorrow for everyone. At the same time, H.R. 1654 continues to promote the fiscal discipline in our space programs. For example, this legislation fully funds NASA's request for the International Space Station and Space Shuttle operations but it prohibits funding for Trans-Hab as a replacement for the station's habitation module because of its higher cost. H.R. 1654 also redirects funding for the controversial, untested Triana satellite program, which would transmit new pictures of the Earth to the Internet, toward cutting-edge microgravity research that will be used to support human exploration and development of space enterprise. This is a far more useful investment than the $75 million plus Triana screen saver. A final attribute of this legislation is its commitment of NASA resources to science education. H.R. 1654 allots $20 million for the continuation of the highly successful National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. This program uses the assets of NASA for education and public service purposes. It has been a highly innovative leader in California, bringing together community-based alliances composed of educational institutions, industry and government to work together on projects which are both related to space and are of community importance. The student-mentor process involved in this program has shown significant results in workforce preparation and science literacy. Once again I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I am not here today to talk about the Book of Revelation or the end of time. I rise in strong support of H.R. 775, the Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act. I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Cramer), the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley) for their leadership on this issue. This bipartisan bill is our opportunity to provide critically needed protections for consumers and businesses to ensure that Y2K computer problems are addressed quickly and that precious resources are not squandered on needless litigation. To minimize the impact of the Y2K bug, American businesses are currently investing $600 billion and working diligently towards reprogramming and replacing their affected computer systems. Unfortunately there is no easy technological fix for this problem. Each computer must be meticulously fixed, tested and retested. Opportunistic individuals are only adding to an already almost insurmountable task by diverting attention and needed resources away from fixing the problem, with litigation. To date, over 80 Y2K lawsuits have been filed and there are 790 letters demanding new Y2K litigation. It is estimated that unrestrained litigation could cost $1.4 trillion. That would only serve to line the pockets of greedy opportunists at the expense of American jobs. H.R. 775 is a very reasonable approach to preventing an explosion of Y2K litigation. This bill favors remediation over litigation by encouraging parties to resolve their differences outside of the expensive court system through alternative dispute resolution. It also places the focus of Y2K problem solvers on a solution rather than fighting in court. At the same time H.R. 775 does not eliminate the normal legal options. Americans who suffer economic or physical injuries as a result of Y2K can still recover 100 percent of their actual damages. Many Y2K computer failures could occur weeks and months before January 1, 2000. That is why it is so important that we pass this legislation immediately and remove the legal obstacles that are preventing good faith efforts toward fixing the Y2K computer problem.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, as Teacher Appreciation Week draws to a close, I want to especially commend those teachers, in my district and throughout the country, who make the extra effort to bring history, math, English, science, and other subjects, alive. One example of that extra effort made by teachers throughout the country is Linda Stephenson, Bill Mulligan and Carols Lopez who have brought 42 students from Upland Junior High History Club in my district to learn about history and civics here in the Nation's Capital. They could have stayed back in California and taught from textbooks, but instead they made the effort to fly 3,000 miles with 42 junior high students to make the subject matter come alive. Those are the kinds of teachers you remember into adulthood. I commend those dedicated American teachers who make what they teach come alive for their students.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, let me tell my colleagues who is most impacted by the shrinking power of Pell grants: community colleges, junior colleges and the students they serve. In California, our community college system has 106 campuses, 71 districts and serves 1.5 million students. That is the largest system in the country, dedicated to serving students with incomes below those students who attend our large University of California and California State University systems. They are the ones on the margin who are most impacted by any fee increase or any loss in buying power from the Pell grant. The Pell grant was created to serve as the foundation of need-based student aid, and it is the single most important program for low-income students served by community colleges. More and more students are benefiting from Pell grants. In 1973, 176,000 students received Pell grants. Under this resolution, almost 4 million students will receive a Pell grant next year. Unfortunately, its purchase power has declined by 25 percent over the past 20 years. The President's last budget actually cut current appropriation levels by $250 million in order to fund his new education programs. The most disturbing part is that if the President did not propose cutting the actual appropriations, we would already be funding a $3,325 grant. Maybe it is the nature of politics to loudly speak in favor of a program when it is new but then take money from it when it is not so new anymore to get credit for creating a new program. All this resolution does is say that we will appropriately fund the programs that work, instead of taking money from them to create new programs. This resolution does not propose cutting any other program. Unlike the President's budget, we do not propose to cut the Pell grant Program appropriation, Impact Aid, Title VI block grants, or the other programs that are clearly not priorities of the President. It does not say we should not fund other education programs that do work. It does not aim to pit one group against another. It simply says our highest priority for higher education funding should be the Pell Grant and Campus-Based Aid Programs, which have a proven success record. If my colleagues do not believe that the Pell grant and Campus-Based Aid Programs work and should be our highest priority, then I urge them to vote ``no'' on this resolution. But I would urge my colleagues to support this program. It supports those low-income students who mostly need our help. I urge my colleagues to: support existing programs before rushing to fund a new fad; support those lower income students who benefit from the Pell Grant Program, and support community colleges and colleges in your communities. I urge my colleagues to support this common sense resolution.

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California

Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on this sad occasion to commemorate someone very dear to me, my father-in-law, Robert Lawrence Rumsey. Robert passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 85 on January 28, 1999 at his home in Glendora, California. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Evelyn Rumsey; his sister Dorothy Lawrence; his three daughters and two sons-in-law, Charles and Judy Nichols of Huntington Beach; Loretta Rojas of Pomona; my wife, Cathy, and me. He will be deeply missed by his seven grandchildren, six great- grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild. Robert was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1913 to Silas and Nellie Rumsey. When he was five years old, he moved to Los Angeles, California. In 1930, Robert graduated from Manual Arts High School and soon thereafter moved to Detroit, Michigan where he met his beautiful wife Evelyn. The two were married on August 21, 1934. Robert then attended the Ford Motor Company Trade School and graduated with honors. He proceeded to become a master Tool and Die Maker and Mold Maker. In 1941, Robert and Evelyn moved to Southern California and in 1947 began building their home in Glendora. For many years, Robert worked for United Engravers in Los Angeles. Services were held on Monday, February 1, 1999 at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora, California. You will be greatly missed.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.S. 1480, the ``Water Resources Development Act.'' The bill authorizes $4.2 billion for projects and programs of the Army Corps of Engineers civil works program. It responds to pressing water infrastructure priorities, policy initiatives to update existing water resources programs,and opportunities to restore, protect, and enhance the aquatic environment. Specifically, H.R. 1480 authorizes 95 new water resources projects, modifies 66 existing authorized projects, and authorizes the Corps. to conduct 26 studies to address a variety of water resources problems and opportunities. The bill, Madam Chairman, is extremely important to my district, especially to the Chino Dairy Preserve in California. The bill calls upon the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the heads of other Federal agencies, to provide technical assistance to State and local agencies in the study, design, and implementation of measures for flood damage reduction and environmental restoration and protection in the Santa Ana River Watershed, with particular emphasis on structural and nonstructural measures in the vicinity of the Chino Dairy Preserve. H.R. 1480 also calls upon the Secretary to conduct a feasibility study to determine the most cost-effective plan for flood damage reduction an environmental restoration and protection in the vicinity of the Chino Dairy Preserve, Santa Ana River Watershed, Orange County, and San Bernardino County, California. I wish to extend my deep appreciation for the leadership shown by Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member Oberstar, Subcommittee Chairman Boehlert and Ranking Member Borski in drafting this important piece of legislation. I ask my colleagues to vote for H.R. 1480.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, yesterday afternoon, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to make it to the House floor to vote in favor of H.R. 1184, The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Authorization Act of 1999 (rollcall vote No. 95). That is why I rise today to publicly submit my support for this important piece of legislation. H.R. 1184 will do volumes to help prevent property damage and save lives that result from future earthquakes in the United States--with the ultimate goal of actually predicting seismic activity. The more we understand this natural phenomena, the more we can structure safety mechanisms to keep our communities safe during earthquakes. I am very pleased that H.R. 1184 passed by such a large margin yesterday. Once again, I regret that I could not be here to lend my additional support. I look forward to witnessing the many scientific advances and future successes which will result from this legislation.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 95, I attempted to return from lunch to vote; however, there was an accident and I arrived one minute after the vote was taken. This was unavoidable and beyond my control. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 15 outstanding students from my district who have been recognized as ``National AP Scholars.'' This is no small accomplishment. Out of 635,000 students who took Advanced Placement (AP) exams last year, only 1,451 of them have earned the distinction of being named a ``National AP Scholar.'' That puts them in the top .2 percent of all high school students taking Advanced Placement exams. I am proud that such a large group of the students who have earned this national distinction live in the 41st Congressional District. David M. Kallemeyn from the City of Upland, Von P. Fernandes from the City of Chino Hills, Fred J. Freeman from the City of Yorba Linda, Matthew G. Lee from the City of Yorba Linda, Don Wang from the City of Upland, Jacqueline T. Kung from the City of Yorba Linda, Adam S. Feffer from the City of Upland, William A. Therien from the City of Upland, Vijaya K. Reddy from the City of Chino Hills, Nicholas G. Genesta from the City of Pomona, Omri M. Ceren from the City of Ontario, Gilpeter M. Layugan from the City of Pomona, Jeremy N. Wong from the City of Rowland Heights, Christopher Lau from the City of Diamond Bar and Brinda Balakrishnan from the City of Upland are ``National AP Scholars.'' I know that their families and their teachers are proud of their academic accomplishments and their hard work.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of House Joint Resolution 37, the ``Tax Limitation Amendment.'' The question is--How hard should it be for government to take someone else's hard-earned money? We know it is very easy for government to spend the money it has taken, but how hard should it be to take an American worker's money? I think it should be very difficult. We should be absolutely sure before allowing the government to take money someone else has earned by their hard work and sweat. I do not know if a two-thirds vote of Congress should be enough to take an American worker's money, but I strongly support it as a minimum requirement. Just look at the growth of Federal taxes: Families paid just 5 percent of income in Federal taxes in 1934. Today, the average family pays over 20 percent of its income in Federal taxes; That is the highest peacetime rate ever and the highest overall rate since WW II; 18 of the last 19 Democrat controlled Congresses passed tax hikes, including the $241 billion hike in 1993; Just during the Clinton Administration taxes have grown by over 54 percent, from $1.154 trillion in 1993 to $1.784 trillion in 1999; State and local income taxes are increasing at the same time so that Federal, State, and local taxation is a record 32 percent of national income. The Founding Fathers created a Republic, instead of a pure Democracy, to protect citizens' basic rights from the ``Tyranny of the Majority.'' I believe it is a basic right to keep what you have earned, and I believe it should take more than 51 percent of Congress to take money from 100 percent of Americans. I encourage each of my colleagues to support the ``Tax Limitation Amendment.''

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 1376. Our American soldiers are far away from home, fighting for our interests. They are giving up time with their families, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and other special days. If they have to give up all the ``good'' days, the least we can do is postpone one ``bad'' day for them. American soldiers in combat zones should not have to worry about tax day. H.R. 1376 gives our soldiers in combat, or in hazardous duty areas, tax benefits. They will not have to pay taxes on hazardous duty combat pay. They will not have to file tax returns until 180 days after they come back. God forbid this should happen, but if one of our soldiers dies, their survivors will not have to pay estate taxes or the soldier's income taxes. They will not have to pay income taxes on income earned in a combat zone. They will not have to pay the 3 percent federal phone tax, which none of us should have to pay. We all worry about today--tax day. We all dread filling out or taxes and seeing how much of our hard earned money goes out of our pockets and to the government. Our soldiers have enough to worry about without having to worry about taxes. When I think of Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone and Specialist Steven Gonzalez, who are now prisoners of war being held in a hostile European country, it puts this all in perspective. It is absurd to think of those three sitting there having to worry about tax day. Please support H.R. 1376--It is the least we can do.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor seven young women in my district who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. The Gold Award requires the greatest achievement in career exploration, service to other people, and acquisition of skills. This award is a strong reflection of these youngsters' ability to set goals, to put value into action, to plan, and to relate to the needs of the community. I wish to recognize Cheryl Seto of Troop 286 in Placentia, CA. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to congratulate and thank Karin Carlson, Director of Program Services for the Girl Scout Council of Orange County for notifying of their achievements. On behalf of the people of the 41st Congressional District of California, let me say that we are all proud of you.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference report on the budget. When we compare this to where we started with the President's budget, we have come leagues from where we started. I have listened to some of the rhetoric, and obviously many have been beamed up who really look at the facts and figures. We do protect Social Security. The President wanted to spend Social Security money on his programs. We provide for Medicare in this budget. The President did nothing for Medicare. In fact, he stifled reforms. We provide for tax relief. The President wanted to raise taxes. We are keeping the budget caps. The President wants to break budget caps to spend more money. In the past year, all we have heard is the rhetoric from the other side of the aisle about saving Social Security, yet they have done nothing to do that. Where is the rhetoric now? Where is the reform? Or was it just politics as partisans present it. This side of the aisle and the budget we have before us saves 100 percent of Social Security money, $137 billion this year alone aside for Social Security over 10 years. It sets aside $1.8 trillion. The President's budget saves 62 percent, spent $58 billion this year alone, and over 10 years only set $1.3 trillion aside. Medicare has been provided for in this budget. My colleagues talk about chopping the cherry tree down. The President chopped down $11.9 billion over 5 years out of Medicare. We cut through this process $778 billion in taxes on the American people over 10 years. The President wanted to raise taxes by $172 billion over 10 years. This is what the Congressional Research Service has to say about the Senate and House budget resolution before us. I will quote them, ``The committee report calls for maintaining the discretionary spending caps, cutting taxes, increasing spending for defense and education.'' I will quote again, ``increasing spending for defense and education, and restricting the uses of Social Security surpluses.'' We have come a long way from where we started, and I wish this could be a bipartisan support. I encourage an ``aye'' vote. 038

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor seven young women in my district who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. The Gold Award requires the greatest achievement in career exploration, service to other people, and acquisition of skills. This award is a strong reflection of these youngsters' ability to set goals, to put value into action, to plan, and to relate to the needs of the community. I wish to recognize Leslie Ellingson of Troop 286 in Placentia, CA. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to congratulate and thank Karin Carlson, Director of Program Services for the Girl Scout Council of Orange County for notifying of their achievements. On behalf of the people of the 41st Congressional District of California, let me say that we are all proud of you.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor seven young women in my district who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. The Gold Award requires the greatest achievement in career exploration, service to other people, and acquisition of skills. This award is a strong reflection of these youngsters' ability to set goals, to put value into action, to plan, and to relate to the needs of the community. I wish to recognize Teresa Jackson of Troop 1325 in Anaheim, CA. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to congratulate and thank Karin Carlson, Director of Program Services for the Girl Scout Council of Orange County for notifying of their achievements. On behalf of the people of the 41st Congressional District of California, let me say that we are all proud of you.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor seven young women in my district who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. The Gold Award requires the greatest achievement in career exploration, service to other people, and acquisition of skills. This award is a strong reflection of these youngsters' ability to set goals, to put value into action, to plan, and to relate to the needs of the community. I wish to recognize Gina Casanova of Troop 439 in Brea, CA. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to congratulate and thank Karin Carlson, Director of Program Services for the Girl Scout Council of Orange County for notifying me of their achievements. On behalf of the people of the 41st Congressional District of California, let me say that we are all proud of you.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor seven young women in my district who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. The Gold Award requires the greatest achievement in career exploration, service to other people, and acquisition of skills. This award is a strong reflection of these youngsters' ability to set goals, to put value into action, to plan, and to relate to the needs of the community. I wish to recognize Lizette Brown of Troop 286 in Placentia, CA. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to congratulate and thank Karin Carlson, Director of Program Services for the Girl Scout Council of Orange County for notifying me of their achievements. On behalf of the people of the 41st Congressional District of California, let me say that we are all proud of you.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor seven young women in my district who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. The Gold Award requires the greatest achievement in career exploration, service to other people, and acquisition of skills. This award is a strong reflection of these youngsters' ability to set goals, to put value into action, to plan, and to relate to the needs of the community. I wish to recognize Marcie Kasper of Troop 330 in Yorba Linda, CA. Mr. Speaker, I also wish to congratulate and thank Karin Carlson, Director of Program Services for the Girl Scout Council of Orange County for notifying of their achievements. On behalf of the people of the 41st Congressional District of California, let me say that we are all proud of you.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, it is interesting listening to the debate on this side of the aisle. Some have said we need to continue our course and others say we need to have a bipartisan agreement on the budget resolution, and I wish that were possible. However, this side of the aisle balanced the budget. The President wants to increase taxes, wants to spend more money. We fought in the past to continue the concept of welfare reform. The President vetoed welfare reform twice before finally deciding to follow our lead. We are keeping the budget caps. The President wants to break the budget caps. For the last year, all I have heard from this side of the aisle is, we need to save Social Security. Where is all the rhetoric now? Obviously one of the Members from the other side got his wish and some of my colleagues were beamed up. All we have talked about is talk. This side of the aisle wants to set 100 percent aside for Social Security this year alone, $137 billion, and over 10 years $1.8 trillion. The President wants to save 62 percent and spend this year alone $58 billion on his programs, and over 10 years wants to set only $1.3 trillion aside, compared to our $1.8 trillion. We provide for Medicare in our budget. The President cuts $11.9 billion over 5 years out of Medicare. This side of the aisle believes working men and women should have a tax cut. The President proposed raising taxes $172 billion over 10 years. We provided $22 billion for elementary, secondary and vocational education. That is $1.2 billion more than the President proposes. I wish we could come to a bipartisan agreement.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, as a member of the Committee on the Budget, I rise to support House Concurrent Resolution 68. Our budget plan is the first ever to lock up 100 percent of social security payroll taxes and interest for the future. This is historic because over 10 years the Federal budget has been taking social security funds to pay for other spending programs. In the year 2000, the GOP sets aside $137 billion, that is 100 percent of social security monies, for social security. The President pledges 62 percent of that, that is $85 billion, and $52 billion of social security money spent for other programs. Between the years 2000 and 2009, we set aside $1.8 trillion for social security and Medicare. The President's budget sets aside $1.3 trillion for social security, and earmarks about $345 billion for Medicare. That is $1.645 trillion, over $100 billion less than our budget. No matter how we add it up, $137 billion is more than $85 billion. No matter how we add it up, $1.8 trillion is more than $1.645 trillion. Two plus two does equal four. Some on the other side who are using projections on the President's budget will save over 15 years, compared to our budget, over 10 years. That, as the saying goes, two plus two does equal five. No matter how you look at it, we are saving more for social security and Medicare than the President's budget saves over 10 years. The President is not only missing-in-action on Medicare reform, he cuts Medicare by $11.9 billion. He is using a very strange strategy for claiming the high ground on Medicare. One, he cuts billions from Medicare. Two, he saves less than Republicans for Medicare. Three, he single-handedly stops bipartisan Medicare reform from the Medicare Commission. Four, he leaves us with the status quo. Five, he then claims to be the champion of Medicare. If we look at the facts, we know that the Committee on the Budget resolution does more to protect social security and Medicare than the President has ever done. Also, anyone who votes for the President's budget is doing nothing short of stealing from social security and cutting Medicare. I urge all my colleagues to vote for the GOP budget.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose union-only requirements for construction projects. Vice President Gore wants to have all Federal projects done by union construction firms. Also, the Los Angeles Unified School District, near my congressional district, is considering requiring all of their new construction to be done only by union companies. Union-only construction agreements may make political sense for some politicians, but they certainly do not make practical sense for our children in our schools. PLAs do not guarantee lower costs, higher performance standards, or eliminate red tape. The union-only contracts only guarantee that the four out of five construction workers not represented by a union cannot work on the project. It is un-American for our Government to say to someone who does not belong to a certain group or organization, ``You are not good enough to compete for Federal money based on merit.'' For those of us who agree that there should not be race-based discrimination, this is another form of discrimination. A person should not be denied a job because of his or her color. Neither should he or she be denied a job because they do not carry a union card. I hope that the Vice President and the Los Angeles Unified School District will not put politics above our children. I encourage both of them to support freedom in the bidding of construction projects.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the men and women of the Naval Reserve Association, and to congratulate them on the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Naval Reserve, celebrated on March 3, 1999. At the same time, I wish the Association's Spring National Conference to be held on the same day in San Diego, California, the best of success. The American people owe the 94,000-strong Naval Reserve a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they have made, both past and present. America's strength and position as the sole superpower in the world is the result of our dedication to our country's defense. Without the Naval Reserve's contribution, America would not have become the beacon of democracy it is today in the world. For that, I, along with the residents of the 41st Congressional District in California, thank them. I look forward to working with them and other members of the Naval Reserve Association on issues which affect all the men and women of our military.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of House Joint Resolution 32. I want to thank my fellow freshman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan) for his leadership on this issue. This bill is our opportunity to stand up and say our government will pay what it owes the people. We are committed to keeping the promise of Social Security. When our constituents look at their pay stubs, they see a large portion of their hard-earned money going to Social Security. Ninety-six percent of all workers pay 12.4 percent of payroll taxes. That is 148 million workers and their employers. Every one of those workers sees the exact dollar amount on the Social Security portion of their paychecks. In exchange for that money, they expect a certain amount of help in their retirement years. They expect that money to come back to them in later years. I repeat, they expect that money to come back to them in later years. They do not care about charts and graphs here in Washington, they just know that money is going out of their pockets and expect to have some of it come back. They have paid for Social Security, they have been promised the money will come back to them when they retire, and we are committed to making sure that promise is kept. I know that some changes, some of them possibly difficult changes, will have to be made to make Social Security solvent, but we need to keep our promise.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 18 outstanding high school seniors in my district who are finalists in the National Hispanic Recognition Program. These students are among 3,600 high school seniors in the Nation selected by the College Board for this honor. They come from the cities of Chino, Ontario, Pomona, Upland, Brea, Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Rowland Heights, and my home city of Diamond Bar. I know that their families and their respective communities are proud of their academic accomplishments and their hard work. As a representative of the 41st Congressional District in California, I can say we are also proud of them and wish them the best in their college careers. Mr. Speaker, I include their names for the Record. I am sure this is not the last time we will hear from these bright young students. The scholar finalists are: Arturo Nuno, Naomi Esquibel, Yolanda Robles, Tony Saucedo, Michelle Rodriguez, Henry Artiga, DeAnn Del Rio, Michelle Allis, Erin Freyermuth, Marissa Guerrero, Maria Sequeira, Meredith Garcia, Natalie Alvarado, Michael Espinoza, and Juan Jauregui. Honorable mention finalists include: Oscar Teran, Gabriel Bustos, and Nick Yanez.

Mr. GARY MILLER of California

Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 99, the FAA Short Term Extension Act. I wish to congratulate the full committee chairman, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Shuster), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the ranking member, the Subcommittee on Aviation chairman, the gentleman from Tennessee (Chairman Duncan) and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) in drafting this together on a bipartisan basis. This bill is extremely important to Ontario International Airport, located in my district. H.R. 99 reauthorizes funding for the Airport Improvement Program through September 31, 1999, and makes several minor changes to FAA programs. Specifically, the measure authorizes $2.3 billion for the Airport Improvement Program and $7.8 billion for FAA operations, facilities and equipment. The bill includes funding for airport improvements, air traffic control facilities and equipment, and the salaries and expenses of operating the FAA. Finally, H.R. 99 includes funds for new radars, computers and navigation equipment that are needed to modernize the air traffic control system and ensure that air travel remains safe. I ask my colleagues to pass this bill with their strong support.