Richard Neal

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch), a worthy successor to McCormick and O'Neill, newly elected here from South Boston.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, an editorial from the Hartford Courant on May 14 said: ``Guess who will wind up picking up the tab as a result of Stanley's tax avoidance? Other American taxpayers, of course.'' The New York Times on May 13 wrote: ``Even in the best of times, it is outrageous for companies to engage in offshore shenanigans to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Doing so after the Enron scandal, in dire fiscal times and when the Nation is at war is unconscionable.'' How about the Houston Chronicle on May 9 which stated: ``American companies that have no headquarters, no employees or operations in foreign tax havens should not be able to lower their taxes by acquiring an island post office box. Basic fairness to American companies that remain incorporated in America is at stake.'' How about the Springfield Union News editorial on May 7: ``When a U.S.-based corporation decides to reincorporate, basing its operations in, say, the Cayman Islands when the company has little more than a mailbox there, it can legally avoid millions of dollars in taxes, there will come no better moment than this one as an opportunity to right a wrong. We look forward to a floor vote on this matter.'' How about Paul Krugman writing in the New York Times: ``Flying the flag of convenience and seeking rewards.'' Or columnist Jeff Brown in the Philadelphia Inquirer: ``Yet Stanley won't have to pay its fair share for the good life and safe business climate that we have created for all of them. It shouldn't be allowed to get away with this.'' And one might ask, will it play in Peoria? Let us try the editorial from the Peoria Journal Star as well: ``Tax policy of this sort is outrageously offensive, if not masochistic. It penalizes businesses that have ethically and responsibly done their part and rewards those that do not.'' Mr. Speaker, we would like a vote on our side on the question of these companies moving to Bermuda in this time of war. We want an opportunity to voice to the American people the concerns that they have expressed to us through a vote in this Chamber to stop corporate expatriation.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. We have a request for $48 billion more for national defense which the President is going to largely get, $38 billion more for homeland security, and these corporations are moving to Bermuda rather than joining in with the rest of the American family and paying their share. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. They won't give us a vote in this institution on this measure, the Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act. This is the way we have to do it. I will assure the folks on the other side of the aisle this is the way we are going to continue to do it until we get an up-or-down vote on this question. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Maloney) who has been a leader on this issue. He knows it firsthand and indeed has been a passionate critic of what these corporations are doing in an effort to scheme to avoid taxes.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, the previous speaker is quite correct. He did use the word welfare. It occurred to me that you will not catch that bunch that are currently moving to Bermuda sleeping on the grates when they get there. You can bet on that. The point that we raised earlier is this is merely a discussion of the issue, but we want, as Democrats, to have a substantive debate about these companies that are moving to Bermuda to avoid taxes, and who better to speak about it than the distinguished gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) to whom I yield 3 minutes.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), who has been a leader on this issue and question as well. (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to agree with what the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller) said a couple of moments ago, that this measure did indeed pass through the Committee on Ways and Means on a unanimous vote. So for the purpose of this moment, I think that we are really discussing the benefits of this legislation for the American citizenry. What we should be debating, as opposed to just discussing here, is how we are going to pay for this tax relief. I am a supporter of the measure that is in front of us, and indeed the Committee on Ways and Means voted for it as well. But what we are not voting on here today, Mr. Speaker, and what we should be voting on here today, and what we have been prohibited from voting on for the last few weeks is a way to ensure that while providing for this tax relief that we do not steal from the Social Security and Medicare trust funds. That is what this House has to have a debate about, not simply a discussion. Last week, the Republican leadership in the House withdrew consideration of this very important legislation, in my judgment, to protect a certain group that has been characterized as being financial traitors. We wanted to pay for this legislation, because we agree with the merit of what has been offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller), by implementing provisions of H.R. 3884, the Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act, a bill authored by myself and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Maloney). Knowing that this House would vote overwhelmingly to stop the exodus of American corporations to tax havens, the leadership of this House opted to impose procedural barriers to preclude our amendment. Mr. Speaker, once again the New York Times highlighted yesterday morning on its front page what precisely is happening. The leadership in this institution continues to procrastinate. Our constituents around the country want Congress to act now to stop these corporations from shelving their patriotism to save a few bucks. And as we discovered yesterday, not only to save what they have claimed to be money for the shareholders, but we have now discovered what will happen to the salaries of the executives once they leave. It is unconscionable to have this occur at the same time when we could be taking a vigorous and measured response to end it. The Neal-Maloney Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act would immediately and permanently shut down the exodus of American corporations to tax havens, and end benefits for those who set up shell headquarters in island countries to avoid U.S. corporate income taxes. Again, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller) is right. Hardworking American families are entitled to tax relief, but I am sure these families do not want to burden their children by placing our Social Security and Medicare trust funds and our budget at risk. Let us pay up front for the Marriage Penalty Relief Act. Let us stop the procedural games and pass the Neal-Maloney bill to stop the corporate expatriates. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me today to pay tribute to a landmark in the western Massachusetts community as it celebrates its centennial celebration this year. Since 1902, Chmura's Bakery has provided the folks in Indian Orchard, Ludlow, and a variety of surrounding villages and towns with the highest quality, handmade baked goods. Started by John Chmura a century ago, the bakery has for years served the community not only as its baker of rye bread, danish, and other Polish and Portuguese delicacies, but also as a central hub of conversation and community activity. In the early days, Chmura's Bakery distinguished itself from others with its quality food and by bringing its baked goods directly to the community. In fact, Chmura's logo today reflects back to a day gone by, as it adorns the horse-drawn delivery carriage that made daily delivery runs throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Chmura's bakery continued for years to be run as a family-owned business. The Chmuras are known throughout western Massachusetts not only as successful business people, but also as dedicated and committed public servants. The Chmura family has served in many capacities as community leaders. In 1988, the Chmuras sold their bakery to a group of owners which include Joe Anselmo, the operating owner who for years worked at and operated the bakery; Yvette Anselmo, Joe's wife; Fred and Kelley Salvador; Antonio and Maria Salvador; Horacio and Linda Salvador; Julio and Vera Rodrigues; and Gus and Maria Zina. In 1989, Chmura's II, as it is affectionately referred to, opened its doors in Palmer, Massachusetts, and it too has been an extremely successful undertaking. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to recognize and congratulate before the U.S. Congress Chmura's bakery on its 100th anniversary. On Wednesday, May 22, at the Gremio Lusitano Club in Ludlow, there will be a celebration to mark this momentous occasion. Sadly, I anticipate that due to the Washington voting schedule I will be unable to attend this event. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to all of the folks at Chmura's. As John Chmura's Polish ancestors would say, I wish Chmura's Bakery ``Stolat''--or 100 more years of success.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, today on the House floor we should be considering much-needed marriage penalty relief. However, yesterday the Republican leadership withdrew consideration of the Marriage Penalty Tax Relief Act in order to protect financial traitors. Democrats only wanted to pay for this tax relief by implementing the provisions of H.R. 3884, the Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act, a bill authored by myself and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Maloney). Fearing that this House would vote overwhelmingly to stop the exodus of American corporations to tax havens, the leadership dropped the Marriage Penalty Tax Relief Act altogether. While House leaders procrastinate, our constituents around the country want Congress to act. Last week commonsense folks out in Peoria at the Journal Star wrote, ``Americans should be outraged, and so should Congress, which should move quickly to pass pending legislation outlawing the dodge.'' I guess the message was not heard here yesterday in this House. As Congress does nothing, the exodus of two more corporations who voted this week to reincorporate in tax havens at the expense of honest corporations and hard-working Americans continues. Stop the delay, and close the floodgate to these corporate expatriates by passing the Neal- Maloney Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Republican bill. My home state of Massachusetts has operated a successful welfare program, utilizing a waiver in order to focus mandatory work activities on families without major barriers to work. Through this, we have succeeded in moving most of these families into employment. The current caseload is barely half of what it was before state welfare reform began. Despite this success, three-quarters of those remaining are families with serious barriers to employment, including a disability or the need to care for a disabled child. Massachusetts and other states need the ability to decide what is the approximate mix of services and activities in order to move welfare families from poverty to self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, this bill reduces state discretion. Further, I believe this bill falls short in helping teen mothers break the cycle of welfare and poverty. While only 6 percent of the caseload in my home state of Massachusetts consists of teen parents, historically about 50 percent of welfare mothers started parenting as teenagers. While the 1996 law set strong goals for teen parents, this bill fails to make some modest improvements which would help these families break out of welfare dependency. I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill and support the Democratic alternative.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I want to call attention this morning to Bermuda, and the practice of American companies reincorporating to a foreign country to avoid paying U.S. income taxes, which is inconsistent with American corporate citizenship, patriotism, and unfair to those individuals and businesses who pay their fair share in taxes. To address this problem of corporate inversions, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Maloney) and I have introduced H.R. 3884, the Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act. This legislation currently has 50 bipartisan cosponsors, and support for it continues to grow as Members and citizens alike become aware of what is happening. Senator Baucus and Senator Grassley have also introduced similar legislation and the Treasury Department acknowledges it has become a huge problem. Mr. Speaker, since H.R. 3884 was introduced on March 6, a number of companies such as the all-American Stanley Tools Company of New Britain, Connecticut, have filed to reincorporate overseas. So, they just get a phony address and they avoid paying corporate income taxes that the rest of their competitors all have to pay. The impetus for my support of this issue did not come from the AFL- CIO; it came from the competitors of these corporate expatriates who are saying, ``If we paid, they ought to pay.'' In this time, with the country feeling so good in the aftermath of September 11 by our patriotic response, everybody should do their part. Bermuda ought not to be an address for these companies; America should.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity today to laud the efforts of one of the finest international organizations in our nation: the YMCA. The YMCA was founded in England and was based on an openness which transcended class lines. In its 150 years, the YMCA of the USA has come to include men, women and children regardless of race, religion or nationality. The United States of America today has over 2,400 YMCAs which serve nearly 18 million people. The YMCA of the USA is involved in promoting healthy behaviors in youngsters, teaching them how to become positive members of society. Although each YMCA is different in its approach to serving the needs of its members, they all help make their communities stronger. The YMCA of Springfield, Massachusetts was founded on May 3, 1852, after J.R. Hixon issued a call for a meeting at the Old First Church on Court Square. Henry Morris, a prominent judge from the area, was elected the first president. Springfield's YMCA is noteworthy for being the workplace of Mr. James Naismith. In 1891, Mr. Naismith was charged with the physical education of a number of rambunctious young men. As the boys were not interested in the typical winter time activities, Mr. Naismith invented a new game to be played indoors. Mr. Naismith posted 13 rules at class one day and created the sport of basketball. The invention of basketball is an example of the creative thinking that is the hallmark of the YMCA. The staff members roaming the halls of Ys throughout the country are a dedicated group focused on character development and social service. Today's YMCA in Springfield continues to serve human needs in the city by providing quality programs that promote lifelong personal growth and the balanced development of spirit, mind and body. I would like to thank Steve Clay, the President, and his staff for their tireless dedication and commitment to the community. Congratulations to the YMCA on 150 years of service to the community.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to recognize June, 2002, as National Safety Month in an effort to promote awareness and education in safety matters not only in Western and Central Massachusetts, but across the entire United States of America. The National Safety Council, founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress in 1953, designated June as National Safety Month in the hopes that if Americans spend a month practicing safety, the increased attention will continue throughout the year and decrease the number of unintentional injuries and deaths. In 2000, over 97,000 people suffered unintentional-injury deaths. Motor vehicle crashes alone accounted for 43,000 deaths, while another 51,500 people died in the home or community. Unintentional injuries are the fifth leading cause of death in America, and the leading cause of death for Americans under 45. Yet even with improvements in safety and technology that have created a safer environment for Americans, the unintentional-injury death toll remains unacceptably high. The Safety Council of Western Massachusetts, under the direction of Jeanette P. Jez, has endeavored to train people in the prevention of accidents, as well as the formulation and application of safety and health policies, since its inception in 1917. Celebrating their 85th anniversary this year, they identified six focus areas for the coming year: Driving Safety, Home, Community and Environmental Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Workplace Safety. We can all agree that these important concerns should be a priority in our day-to-day lives. With the summer season approaching, a time when unintentional-injury deaths traditionally increase, American citizens deserve a solution to nationwide safety and health threats. Mr. Speaker, in this 7th year of National Safety Month, let us build on the efforts of the past six years. Let us devote our time and energy to preventing unnecessary accidents and deaths. And let us help Americans build and nurture an environment that values safety above all else.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate National Park Week. This special commemoration was first proclaimed in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush and has become an annual celebration of the National Park Service. This week is an opportunity to celebrate what the National Park Service is all about by educating the public about the great work performed by park rangers, resource specialists, scientists, managers and all the other important employees that make the National Park Service special. In conjunction with National Park Week, Mr. Speaker, we also celebrate this week, the many volunteers at our National Parks. These volunteers in parks, or VIP's, play a crucial role in helping Park Service staff with their duties. I am proud to recognize the park volunteers in my own district, Mr. Speaker. These volunteers at the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor are making a difference. Whether helping guide a canoe trip down the Blackstone river or assisting with a historic village tour, these volunteers make important contributions to the success of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor. America's democratic experiment shines through in the 24 cities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that make up the Blackstone River Valley. It is a quilt of America's past, present and future that tells the story of America's progression from an agrarian society to an advanced industrial powerhouse. The National Park Service provides a great and honorable service by preserving the vestiges of this rich past. Mr. Speaker, let us celebrate this week, the important and enjoyable role that our National Parks play in our lives as well as the dedication and hard work of their employees and volunteers. These individuals reflect America's commitment to its National Parks and thus deserve our full appreciation.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) very much for yielding me the time. The previous speaker from Ohio said we are asked to reconfirm what we had done last spring. That is astounding in light of the fact that we are also asked since 9-11 to spend $4 billion more on defense, $38 billion more on homeland security, and protect tax cuts. For him to say that we are only doing what we did last spring, as though nothing happened on 9-11, just do what we did last spring, is astounding. Here we are on the heels of the annual tax filing season to once again to say to the American people we appreciate your contributions for military defense, for homeland security, for health care for elderly and the poor and our veterans, and to also argue on behalf of fiscal discipline. Last year, Congress learned quickly these cuts in tax would lead to big deficits. Trillions of dollars in surplus overnight vanished, and the American taxpayer wondered what happened to that money. The Republican amendment today is fraudulent and everybody knows it. They are playing a game of three card monty. When they are in charge, they will always draw the tax cut card, but when the average middle- income taxpayer is involved, they will find simply they are going to pay the bill. No matter how many times they play, middle-income taxpayers will get stuck with alternative minimum tax, and this bill does nothing about it. The Bush administration indicated that because of the alternative minimum tax we will see a massive increase in the number of affected families reaching 39 million by 2012, a full one-third of taxpayers with a liability. At the beginning of this week, Mr. Speaker, Republican leaders and the Treasury Department held press conferences to talk about how badly the current Tax Code needs to be simplified; and by the end of this week, we are voting to eliminate any possibility of getting it done, and we are being pushed into further debt. We heard speeches years ago against fiscal discipline. One leader in the Republican Party said we are having a fiscal Armageddon. Another one said what a disaster. We had 8 years of unparalleled economic prosperity before this Administration. Vote against this fraudulent measure and for fiscal integrity.

Mr. NEAL

Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize in the Congress today Alberta Sebolt George, President of Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, who is retiring later this year after more than thirty years of service to the museum. I have worked closely with Alberta over the years, and can personally attest to the fact that the in-coming president of the Village has a tough act to follow. Alberta Sebolt George began working at Old Sturbridge Village in the early seventies. In her tenure at the village, she has greatly increased the educational role the museum has played in the community. Alberta Sebolt George, a former teacher herself, has worked diligently to develop programs in the state geared to helping students learn through collaborative programs between their schools and the museum. In 1993, Alberta Sebolt George was named Chief Executive Officer of the Old Sturbridge Village Museum. She has been honored by many for her service to the museum community as a whole. Most recently, however, she has been recognized with the American Association of Museums Distinguished Service Award, which will be formally presented this May in Texas. Alberta's accomplishments are many. The list of positions she holds in addition to that of President at the Village is long. She holds a Presidential appointment to the National Museum Service Board and is currently on the Visiting Committees at Longwood Gardens. She is a Corporator of the Worcester Art Museum. She has served as President of the New England Museum Association, as Vice Chairman of the Board of the American Association of Museums, Senior Associate for the Getty Museum Management Institute, Chair of the Worcester County Convention and Visitor Bureau, President of the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies, has chaired the local school committee and has written extensively on learning and managing in museums. Ms. George's contributions have been recognized repeatedly through the numerous awards and honors she has received. In 1999, she was awarded the Distinguished Alunmi Award for Professional Service from the University of Massachusetts where she earned her bachelor's degree. The American Association of Museums honored her with their Educator Award for Excellence, and the New England History Teachers gave her their Kidger Award for outstanding teaching. I have worked closely with Alberta in her leadership position at Old Sturbridge Village. Together we have had success in targeting federal resources to the Village so that the museum's collection can be shared over the Internet in an on-line learning program. I wish Alberta much joy and health in her retirement with her husband Al George. I am sure that between her gardening and her travel that her retirement years will be as fruitful and productive as her long and distinguished career has been. Best wishes to you, Alberta, on your retirement.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, is known worldwide as the birthplace of basketball. It is also where the new Basketball Hall of Fame is being constructed on the historic banks of the Connecticut River. And today, it is the home of the Division I State basketball champions, the Cathedral High School Panthers. On Saturday night in the Worcester Centrum, Cathedral defeated Brookline by a score of 75 to 71 to capture their first State crown. Led by coach Gene Eggleston, the Panthers are now the third team from western Massachusetts to earn this coveted State athletics title. In addition, the boys' basketball team has now won four of the six last western Massachusetts championships. Mr. Speaker, their accomplishments speak for themselves. As a former teacher at Cathedral, I know the importance the school places on education and athletics, and the great job that the Sisters of St. Joseph do. They should take great pride in the character demonstrated by the boys' basketball team on and off the court this weekend when they earned the right to be called the very best team in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Congratulations on a great season to the Cathedral High School Boys' Basketball State Champions.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, perhaps the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. McInnis) would merge his bill with my bill. We are only 5 percent different.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) for yielding time to me and certainly acknowledge some of the questions that have been raised by a former constituent of mine, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte). But I want to call attention to this issue. The gentleman from Colorado (Mr. McInnis) is sitting on the floor, as well. I know that he has filed similar legislation to the bill that I filed last week. Let me, if I can, Mr. Chairman, outline the nexus of this problem. Last week the Defense Department announced that the U.S. was sending military advisers to Yemen, the Philippines, and Georgia, in the former USSR. This is going to be expensive, but we acknowledge it is a necessary defensive action. And as we prosecute this war on terrorism, Mr. Chairman, one U.S. corporation next week will vote on whether or not to leave the United States solely to avoid U.S. income taxes, taxes which our constituents and I will have to pay more of to fund this war against evil. Today I am urging the Members to support a commonsense amendment telling these corporate expatriates, these financial deceivers, that they should not enjoy special legal protections. This amendment is based on bipartisan legislation that surely at some point is going to see the light of day and make it to the floor of this House. But, Mr. Chairman, one accountant, a very aggressive accountant, I might add, advised her clients just 3 months ago to sneak out of the United States; just leave in the dark of night to avoid paying American income taxes. The Treasury Department just stated 2 weeks ago: ``We are seeing a marked increase in the size and frequency of these transactions.'' For a mere $27,000, a corporate expatriate can rent a post office box offshore and avoid $40 million in Federal income taxes. If individuals were doing this, the American people would be outraged. As our Senate colleague from Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Finance Committee, said last week, it is a slap in the face to individual taxpayers who bear the brunt of the total Federal tax burden when the business community buys into these deals. Support this amendment today denying a liability windfall to these corporations that shelve the Stars and Stripes to simply save on the bottom line.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, in the 6 months since the devastating attacks of September 11, we have seen some of the most heart-warming images of our American family pulling together to support one another. While Congress grapples with the tough decisions on how to pay for this war against terrorist and enhanced homeland security and other pressing national priorities, one member of the American family is losing its commitment. I quote, ``Maybe patriotism needs to take a back seat to improve our earnings.'' Mr. Speaker, these were the disturbing words of one aggressive accountant a mere 3 months ago urging her corporate clients to sneak out of the U.S. in the dark of night to avoid paying income tax. For a mere $27,000 to rent a post office box offshore, one U.S. corporation has avoided $40 million a year in corporate income taxes. If these were individuals doing this, the American taxpayers would be outraged. Mr. Speaker, join me in shutting down this loophole exploited by corporate expatriates before one more American company decides to shelve the Stars and Stripes to save some money on the bottom line by avoiding corporate income tax.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise before the House today. On January 18, 2002, Western Massachusetts lost one of its most cherished and influential citizens. Mr. William B. Moge of West Springfield passed away at the age of 93. Bill Moge was one of a kind. A graduate of Springfield Technical High, he began a coaching career in the late 1930s which lasted until his retirement in 1984. His accomplishments in football, baseball and basketball earned him recognition by the Massachusetts High School Coaches Hall of Fame in all three sports. After his last football game, in 1983, the field at Szot Park in Chicopee, Massachusetts was named after him. His alma mater, Providence College, inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1984. However, Bill Moge was far more than a coach. He was a guidance counselor at Chicopee High School. He was a motivator and a disciplinarian. As a result of his teaching, his players have excelled in all walks of life, from professional sports to politics. If you talked with his players today, they wouldn't mention xs and os or game strategies. They would tell you that Coach Moge instilled confidence in each and every one of them. He taught his players how to succeed in life, not just sports. His legacy will live on forever in the players who became coaches and who have passed on his lessons to their own players. The importance of people like Bill Moge cannot be overstated. He left a positive and indelible mark on Chicopee High School, its students and its athletes. The Western Massachusetts community will sorely miss him. Mr. Speaker, allow me to extend my sympathy to the family of Bill Moge, his six children, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, today I am reminded of the disappointment that Charlie Brown feels on Valentine's Day when that cute little redhead did not give him a valentine. Many of us had great hopes that we could simply take up relief for unemployed workers, a bill which passed the Senate unanimously last week; but just like Charlie Brown, we keep checking the mailbox and unfortunately come away again filled with disappointment. The Republican bill today is composed mainly of some old, worn-out tax items that have been around for a long time. It reflects the tired philosophy of trickle-down economics, take care of the large and powerful corporations and eventually the rest will trickle down to us. But it is wrong to hold this bill hostage to temporary tax relief for the unemployed who, but for the sake of this debate, will find themselves on the outside looking in again for a few more weeks. The disappointment I feel today is not in the same league with the disappointment that many hard-working Americans are going to feel, however. By slapping on a $150 billion tax cut in the dead of night, the leadership has ensured that this bill will not reach the President's desk this weekend. Two million Americans are approaching or already have exhausted their unemployment benefits and cannot be assured that any relief is in sight. That disappointment is one that I hoped the Congress would not be delivering on this Valentine's Day. Reject the bill in front of us. Let us go back to work. Pass a simple, clean extension of benefits for the unemployed and their families who depend upon them and today who depend upon us.

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts

Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for a long 45 seconds. The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis), my friend, raised the question earlier why did somebody sign the discharge petition. It is the first one I have signed in 14 years in this House, and I was number 218, precisely for the purpose of giving the American people a full and fair discussion about campaign finance. Everybody knows what has happened in this institution. It is no secret that the Republican leadership is opposed to campaign finance. Enron has cast a new day around here. This debate appears to be complicated. The task ahead of us is really quite simple. The time is now to adopt this legislation. This part of our campaign finance season in this House is known for one thing: It is search and destroy with soft money. It is not to enlighten. It is to eviscerate the public debate. Mr. Chairman, I would suggest now that we take down the ``For Sale'' sign that hangs over this wonderful old House and pass Shays-Meehan. We need to move forward with this campaign finance bill.