Candice Miller

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I also want to thank the gentleman from Colorado for his work on House Resolution 622. It is a great piece of legislation, and I urge its adoption.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4227 to extend the alternative minimum tax relief to our Nation's middle class and working families. This legislation will ensure that almost 8 million Americans are not going to be subject to unfair higher taxes. It is interesting because just last week, I listened to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. About 100 of them actually voted against the marriage penalty relief. They said that offering this Nation's working families relief from a tax on marriage was inconsequential because these families would be subject to AMT. H.R. 4227 is a pro-growth, and most importantly, pro-family piece of legislation that will help us fix this problem. Mr. Speaker, as has been mentioned already several times today, the original intent of AMT provisions in our Nation's Tax Code were designed to prevent high-income taxpayers from using tax deductions, from using write-offs, as well as loopholes from avoiding paying their fair share of taxes. But under the leadership of the Democratic Party prior to 1995 and their obstructive politics since then, the AMT will continue to force hard working middle class families to pay more than their fair share unless something is done. H.R. 4227 at least offers a temporary fix to this problem until Congress can develop a permanent solution. I commend President Bush and the majority party in Congress for implementing an economic growth package that has all of the economic indices on a positive trend line. Consumer confidence in our economy is on the rise because thanks to the leadership of President Bush, more Americans are able to keep more of their hard-earned money. The President and the Republican majority trust and believe in the American people. By extending relief from the AMT, we can make sure that taxpayers are not paying more than their fair share and they can have money in their pocket to help expand our economy even further. Mr. Speaker, this House is faced with an important decision today, one that will affect up to 8 million working families. I support this legislation because I support those families. I urge my colleagues to make the right decision and vote to pass this.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4181, which will end the marriage penalty once and for all. It is time to put this debate to rest, and it is time to abolish this Nation's anti-family tax policies. When we pass this legislation, this House is making a statement that we as lawmakers will not stand for a Tax Code that punishes married couples. To place an additional tax burden on married couples simply because they are married is crazy. The Federal Government cannot be passing tax laws which are designed to drive people apart rather than bringing families together. It is counterintuitive. Unfortunately, many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle say, well, who cares. After all, they say, the government needs more money, and we should be the ones to decide who to redistribute the wealth to based on our concept of what is good. Mr. Speaker, I believe the Federal Government should have tax policy that has three fundamental caveats: it needs to be pro-growth; it needs to be pro-opportunity; and, most importantly, it needs to be pro- family. Social engineering has been practiced by the other party, and it has had very negative results on our society. Mr. Speaker, this House must pass H.R. 4181 to ensure that the marriage penalty relief is made permanent. The majority in this House has been an advocate for families by passing needed tax relief for hard-working families, expanding the child tax credit. Passage of this bill shows that this House is committed to this Nation's families. A fall-back to the old fashioned and anti-family tax policies that this Nation faced prior to President Bush taking office is unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to support our Nation's families and to support H.R. 4181. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill, and I will be very proud to go back home and tell my constituents that this House is working for them and for their families. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4181.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on issues important to our States it is reasonable to have an expectation that a leader will speak on the issues with clarity, so that people will know where that leader actually stands. On an issue which is vitally important to my home State of Michigan as well as every State in the Great Lakes Basin, Senator John Kerry has been less than clear. The issue is the potential for diversion of the Great Lakes. Recently the Democratic presidential nominee was asked by the Detroit Free Press where he stood on this issue and he responded: ``It is a delicate balancing act that needs to focus on national priorities.'' What does that mean? The next day his supporters said he really did not mean what he said. For the State of Michigan, the Great Lakes State, as well as States like New York and Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, those of us who recognize what a magnificent natural resource the Great Lakes are and what they mean to us, we need to look very closely at what Senator Kerry has in mind for us, even if this is another issue that he wants to flip-flop on. We cannot take the risk.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Chairman, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this very, very important bill. This bill really reflects our willingness, I think, to think about what to do in regards to the United States House of Representatives if the unthinkable were to happen. We need to have a mechanism in place to ensure that our government remains strong, remains stable in the events of a catastrophic attack. Article I, Section 2 of our Constitution states that when vacancies happen in the representation of any State, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. Here the operative phrase is clearly ``elections.'' And so we know that our Founding Fathers intended for any Member of the United States House to only serve after being elected. And this House, the people's House, has fulfilled that intention, and I think this legislation will continue that tradition. Before coming to Congress, I was very honored to serve as Michigan's secretary of state with the principal responsibility of serving as the chief elections officer. So let me direct a few of my remarks to the actual mechanics of holding an election within the framework of this legislation. When we first proposed this bill, many of my former colleagues in the elections community expressed reservations over our original mandate for election to be held within 21 days. The bill we consider today has extended that deadline to 45 days. And the individuals who I rely on as expert within this field say that they could conduct an election certainly within that time frame. In regards to election administration functions such as programming, testing, hiring election workers and preparing polling places, most polling places are relatively stable, so much so that in most States they are actually listed on the voter identification cards. If tragedy required this legislation to be acted upon, we need to remember that the ballot would only contain names for a single office, which would dramatically ease printing, programming and testing. It should also be noted that since Congress has passed the Help America Vote Act, most States are embracing the election reform such as following the model in Michigan of a statewide computerized voter registration file which is constantly updated by local election clerks, motor vehicle departments as well, thereby allowing an up-to-date, clean file to be printed at any time and provide it to all the polling places. Also, all of the States are rapidly moving toward a uniform system of voting equipment. Michigan, for example, will soon have all of our 5,300 precincts using optical scan voting equipment, which would allow for the vendor to always have a camera-ready ballot, and then all you have to do is fill in the names of the candidates for Congress and go to print. These elections obviously would not take place in optimal conditions, but it has been my observation that elections officials will always rise to the occasion to complete the required work, especially in time of a national emergency. This legislation will ensure the integrity of the elections process. And while I recognize that there are various ideas about how we should approach the situation of mass vacancies, it is my personal belief that under no circumstances should we deviate from the direct election of Members of the people's House. Clearly it is incumbent upon us to find a solution to this issue which honors the wishes and the wisdom of our Founding Fathers that no individual will serve in this Chamber without being first elected by the people. This legislation, under the guidance of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney) is a remarkable achievement and certainly deserves bipartisan support. It has often been said that the price of freedom is being ever vigilant. The enemies of freedom will find that America is.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Senate Concurrent Resolution 97 recognizes the 91st annual meeting of the Garden Club of America. The resolution is timely because the Garden Club's annual meeting is here in Washington, D.C., this weekend from April 24 to 27. So what is the Garden Club of America? The club is a national nonprofit organization that promotes gardening activities and restores, improves, and protects the quality of numerous aspects of the environment. The club has more than 17,000 members in 195 local chapters across the Nation. We acknowledge the contributions of the Garden Club today because of their work to beautify so many of our Nation's communities. Twelve local clubs here in the District of Columbia and nearby Maryland will host the annual national meeting this weekend. This year's meeting theme is ``Capital Landscapes,'' and the distinguished honorary chair for the weekend is the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush. It has been 20 years since Washington has hosted a national meeting, and so it is appropriate that we celebrate the Garden Club's return to our Nation's Capital. I encourage all Members of the House to support Senate Concurrent Resolution 97. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. Con. Res. 97.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 97) recognizing the 91st annual meeting of the Garden Club of America.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I commend both the Senator from Maryland as well as the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) for their work to recognize the Garden Club of America prior to their annual meeting this weekend. I urge the House to adopt Senate Concurrent Resolution 97.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) and urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3855, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3855, which honors one of our Nation's greatest patriots and champions of freedom, General John Joseph Pershing. This legislation designates the U.S. Postal Service facility in Laclede, Missouri, as the General John J. Pershing Post Office. John Joseph Pershing was born on September 13, 1860, in Linn County, Missouri. As a teenager, Pershing became a teacher at a school for African American children in Laclede. While later teaching at Prairie Mound, he entered and won a competitive examination for an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, enrolling in 1882. Pershing was only average in his studies at West Point, but he excelled in leadership roles and displayed extraordinary soldierly qualities. Pershing held the highest possible rank in the Cadet Battalion each year; and in 1886 he was elected president of his class, and he graduated as senior cadet captain, the highest honor at West Point. Mr. Speaker, General Pershing worked his entire life to protect and preserve freedom. His nickname, Black Jack, dates from his service with the 10th Cavalry, a unit of the Buffalo Soldiers in Montana. It became a subtle accolade to both him and the Buffalo Soldiers he fought with and praised. Pershing took the nickname with pride as an honor to the soldiers that he fought with. He was concerned about the welfare of all soldiers, especially minorities; and as a result of his service in the 10th Cavalry, Pershing remained instrumental in coordinating minority organizations throughout his entire military career. Mr. Speaker, General Pershing was a man who consistently praised his soldiers and understood their commitments to freedom and to this great Nation. Despite his numerous awards and honors, General Pershing was a man of humility. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1906 over 862 senior officers. As a major general, Pershing was appointed commander of the American Expeditionary Forces following the U.S. declaration of war against Germany. The Regular Army at that time consisted of only 25,000 men, and there was no reserve core as we know it today. General Pershing literally organized an army from scratch. And within a year and a half, the national Army consisted of approximately 2.5 million men, a result of recruiting and training programs initiated by Pershing. These same programs stood as a model for the mobilization training plan of World War II. Following the Great War, General Pershing became chief of staff to the U.S. Army in 1921. Up until his death, he worked to ensure American forces were prepared in a changing global environment. He was truly ahead of his time as our Nation came to realize our importance on the global stage. Mr. Speaker, General Pershing's service to this country in World War I was so phenomenal that the 66th Congress revived the rank called the General of the Armies of the United States. General Pershing was appointed to that office on September 3, 1919. He accepted the appointment on September 8 of that year and retired with that rank on his birthday in 1924. General Pershing passed away on July 15, 1948, at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. He was a great American. He stands as an inspiration to all those who have served this great Nation in our Armed Forces. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Missouri for honoring General Pershing. This post office will stand as a testament to his dedication to freedom and as a permanent token of appreciation from a grateful Nation. I encourage all Members of the House to support H.R. 3855. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3855) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 607 Pershing Drive in Laclede, Missouri, as the ``General John J. Pershing Post Office''.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 4037. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson).

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I rise in support of H.R. 4037, which honors the life of Richard G. Wilson by naming this U.S. Postal Service processing and distribution facility in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, after him. Private First Class Wilson was an Army corpsman who served with gallantry during the Korean War. He distinguished himself by aiding wounded soldiers in harm's way outside Opari, Korea, in October of 1950. At the bottom of the valley near Opari, enemy forces engaged Private Wilson's company. As the U.S. forces suffered casualties, the unarmed Private Wilson charged into harsh combat to provide aid to his wounded company men, despite their protest. He treated several soldiers in the face of the merciless enemy attack. The company was forced to retreat, and Private Wilson's whereabouts were initially unknown. Two days later, a U.S. patrol found him lying next to one of the troops that he had helped during the firefight. Wilson had been shot several times. Private Wilson was posthumously awarded the Nation's highest military award for valor, the Congressional Medal of Honor, on June 21, 1951. The medal was presented to Wilson's widow Yvonna in a ceremony at the Pentagon that day. Mr. Speaker, this postal facility designation, introduced by the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson), will memorialize Richard Wilson's bravery and selflessness in his hometown of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. I understand that members of his family still live in Cape Girardeau, and I certainly hope this exceedingly deserved honor for Richard Wilson will be meaningful to them. Mr. Speaker, while heroes of today fight for freedom across the globe in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, it is always appropriate to recognize America's military heroes of yesterday. I strongly urge every Member of the House to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4037.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4037) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 475 Kell Farm Drive in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as the ``Richard G. Wilson Processing and Distribution Facility''.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 1822, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I rise today in support of H.R. 1822. This post office designation introduced by the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson), also a member of the committee, honors one of the earliest Korean American leaders of our Nation, Dosan Ahn Chang Ho. Each of the other 52 members of the California congressional delegation has also cosponsored the legislation, which I think in itself is worthy of mention. Ahn Chang Ho emigrated to San Francisco from Korea in 1902. After Japan colonized Korea in 1910, Ahn Chang Ho traveled around the world to pull together financial and political opposition to Japan's imperial rule in Korea, and that lasted until the end of World War II. In addition to fighting for Korean freedom, Ahn Chang Ho worked hard here in the United States to establish schools, social organizations, and job-training programs for Korean Americans in California. In 1932, the Japanese arrested Ahn Chang Ho in Shanghai, China, and accused him of a bombing incident in which he was not involved. He was taken to prison and ultimately died at a Korean hospital in 1938. Mr. Speaker, Dosan Ahn Chang Ho was an extremely important political leader and educator and a humanitarian for people in the United States and Korea at the beginning of the 20th century. Therefore, I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 1822. I commend the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) for her work. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1822) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3751 West 6th Street in Los Angeles, California, as the ``Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Post Office''.