Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Robert Krueger was born in Schenectady, New York on October 7, 1922; and Whereas, Robert Krueger married Arlene Whitbeck on October 25, 1947 and they have two children and two grandchildren; and Whereas, Robert Krueger served his country in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1946 in the Pacific Theater during World War II; and Whereas, Robert Krueger has exemplified a love of life, caring, and service for his family and neighbors; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Robert A. Krueger as he celebrates his 80th Birthday.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this resolution.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in May of this year, the Speaker and minority leader formed the Continuity of Congress Bipartisan Working Group to study government continuity issues. The working group is cochaired by House Policy Committee Chairman Christopher Cox and Democratic Caucus Chairman Martin Frost. I want to thank both gentlemen for their efforts on this very important piece of work, as well as all participants in the working group on both sides of the aisle and the cosponsors of this resolution. The purpose of the working group is to study ways to ensure that the U.S. House of Representatives continues to function in the event of a terrorist attack or other catastrophe that kills or incapacitates a large number of Members and, when appropriate, to make recommendations to the leadership on ways to resolve these issues. I know we do not really particularly want to talk about the demise of a lot of Members, but it is something that has to be spoken about on the floor in order to continue to have our energetic give and take of public debate in the freest body on planet Earth. That is why we are here. On September 26, 2002, Chairmen Cox and Frost, joined by all members of the working group as well as 98 other Members of the Congress, including Majority Whip Tom DeLay and Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, introduced this resolution calling upon States to study their existing special election statutes and procedures to ensure that if a large number of Members of Congress were unable to serve as a result of a catastrophic event, the States could quickly elect Members to their congressional delegations through expedited special elections. The problems the House would encounter in the face of such an attack are unique. In the Senate, Governors would quickly fill vacancies by appointment, but in the House it could take months, perhaps up to half a year, for some States to hold special elections to elect Members to their congressional delegations. Because article 1, section 4 of the Constitution prescribes that the States control the times, places and manner of holding elections, this resolution is a critically important step toward getting the States to focus on what would be their critical role in replenishing the Federal legislature by ensuring that special elections are held as quickly as possible. In conclusion, I want to thank our ranking member, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), and all the members of the Committee on House Administration. We have dealt with a series of more than unique issues that have affected the body of this floor and also affected the staff of the U.S. House and the other body in the sense of anthrax, how to deal with issues we never even really thought of before. I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland for the working relationship we have had on that and just say this is another piece and component, I think, to making sure that those who want to hurt us will not infringe upon our democracy. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) control the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Let me just say I appreciate the gentlewoman's motion to instruct. We are going to agree with the motion to instruct. In fact, I just want to present this in the correct way. We are speaking, as we are speaking, so, therefore, I am going to have to actually yield back the balance of my time so we can go on and get this product done. I am working with our colleague the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and the other members of the conference. We need a product. We want to have a product. We want something that works. We do not want an issue; none of us want that. We all want something that is going to help the American people. I appreciate the gentlewoman pushing in the correct way on this conference committee motion. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I hereby offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of J. Harvey Goodman upon the death of this outstanding person. J. Harvey Goodman was born May 25, 1912 and has lived in the St. Clairsville area since the 1940's. J. Harvey Goodman was chief executive officer of the Goodman realty firm . His contributions will continue to bless the community, including the St. Clairsville Council of Churches Food Pantry. Mr. Goodman will certainly be remembered by all those who knew him for his personal sacrifices of time and energy to his family, friends, and community. The understanding and kindness to which he gave to others will stand as a monument to a truly fine person. His life and love gave joy to all who knew him. I offer this token of profound sympathy to the family and friends of J. Harvey Goodman.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Colleen Gereg has been awarded the Rodney D. Hanson Memorial Scholarship for the 2002-03 academic year; and Whereas, Colleen Gereg is a senior at Ohio University Eastern majoring in education; and Whereas, Colleen Gereg should be commended for her dedication and hard work; and Whereas, Colleen Gereg has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to meeting challenges in juggling work and classes with enthusiasm and confidence; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Colleen Gereg for her outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Brian Gossett has been awarded the Rodney D. Hanson Memorial Scholarship for the 2002-03 academic year; and Whereas, Brian Gossett is a senior at Ohio University Eastern majoring in middle childhood education; and Whereas, Brian Gossett should be commended for his dedication and hard work; and Whereas, Brian Gossett has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to meeting challenges in juggling work and classes with enthusiasm and confidence; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Brian Gossett for his outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Eric Rouse is a professional teacher of American history and social studies at Swiss Hills Career Center; and Whereas, Eric Rouse has been awarded a James Madison Fellowship by the James Madison Fellowship Foundation in its tenth annual competition; and Whereas, Eric Rouse should be commended for reaching this milestone; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating Eric Rouse for his outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, 5 B's of Zanesville is successfully responding to Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and has been simultaneously expanding services and opportunities for employees; and Whereas, 5 B's amazing success story is due to the determination, sacrifice, vision, and hard work of the company's owner, Lee Biles, and employees; and Whereas, 5 B's has brought employment, investment, and progress to the Ohio valley; and Whereas, the founders and employees must be commended for their long hours and commitment to excellence, which has allowed 5 B's to succeed; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in celebrating 5 B's record of determination and exceptional service.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I stand tonight applauding the efforts of our colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas; and I stand to support this motion to instruct. As we like to say around here, work, work, and we mean it this time on this. It is a good thing to do. The Help America Vote Act could not be here if it were not for my colleague from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and all the other Members on both sides of the aisle that supported this measure. It is a crucial measure. It is important to every citizen in the United States, and the conference committee has to continue to communicate, communicate with the advocacy groups, local election officials, everybody who has this bill near and dear to their heart. I commend the gentlewoman from Texas, all of those who have worked so hard for this bill. We cannot lose this bill. We have to continue to work. I know we are running out of time, but I am sure that many minds can come together and can produce a product that we are going to be proud of long after we are not serving in this body. The Help America Vote Act is good for the Nation. I fully support the gentlewoman's motion to instruct. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. Mr. Speaker, this is an important motion to instruct. I appreciate the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for her insight and her input into this process. All of the speakers that participated tonight have added greatly to the process. This is an important measure. America needs it, and I appreciate this motion to instruct because it will give us an additional push and say this is the sense of the House. I urge all of my colleagues on this side of the aisle to support the motion to instruct. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, who has the right to close?

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, Gerald Benson became a citizen of the United States of America 25 years ago on November 8, 1977; and Whereas, Gerald Benson showed his responsible citizenship by also voting on the same November 8, 1977; and Whereas, Gerald Benson has demonstrated a commitment to his community of Cambridge, Ohio; and Whereas, Gerald Benson has worked hard to become an American success story; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in congratulating Gerald Benson on the 25th Anniversary of his being a United States of America Citizen.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, whereas, George Arnett is a professional truck driver for Roadway Express; and Whereas, George Arnett has successfully driven one million miles without a preventable accident; and Whereas, George Arnett should be commended for reaching this safety milestone; and Whereas, George Arnett has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the safety of our nation's highways; Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in honoring and congratulating George Arnett for his outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw).

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for his comments and his integrity and sincerity on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the gentlewoman from California's (Ms. Waters) motion to instruct, the one offered by the distinguished Member. I want to thank her for offering the motion. I believe that the conferees, Mr. Speaker, on the election reform bill are within sight of an agreement that will bring critically needed aid and assistance to improve elections in the United States, and I believe this motion to instruct will have a positive effect of reminding the conferees on both sides of the aisle that reasonable negotiations are critical to getting this conference report done in the very near future. It is not that we need reminding, but I think this helps. We simply cannot afford to deadlock this conference because either side makes unrealistic demands at the last minute. Let us talk for a minute about what both sides agree on, and I think it is important to note. We agree that we should authorize substantial sums of Federal dollars to modernize election systems in the next few years. We agree that obsolete voting systems like punch cards and lever machines should be replaced as rapidly as possible. We agree that voters in all States should have their rights protected by imposing basic requirements. We agree that those requirements should include guaranteed access to voting machines and ensure ballot access and secrecy for those who have a form of a disability. We agree that they should guarantee a voter's right to review his or her ballot to correct errors before that ballot is cast. We agree that they should guarantee a voter's right to provisional ballots so no voter is turned away from the polls in the United States. We agree that there should be an election assistance commission to help States comply with these requirements. We agree that there should be strong enforcement by the Department of Justice to ensure that these provisions are fully complied with as the law of the land. We agree there should be research and pilot programs to develop and to test new technologies to improve our voting systems. We also agree, Mr. Speaker, there should be programs to encourage both college and high school students across America to volunteer as poll workers or assistants where local election officials need them on a nonpartisan basis. We agree the rights of military and overseas voters should be protected and enhanced. In addition to taking steps to make it easier to vote, we have agreed that steps must be taken to make it harder to cheat. Leaders on both sides of the Capitol stand behind the antifraud provisions passed overwhelmingly by their prospective Houses. I am confident that these provisions to improve the integrity of our political process, along with the many other requirements we all agree upon should be imposed, will be included in a final package. There are some who doubt that agreement can be reached. They say judgments have been made by some and that a partisan issue for the 2002 elections may be more valuable than the improvements in the process that would be achieved by this bill, and shame on anybody on either seed of the aisle or anybody across the country that would want to politicize this. I believe the basic core of this institution on both sides of the aisle and the basic core of advocacy groups across the Nation want to produce a product, and I know the conferees also do. I reject the analysis that has been made that this will be held up because of an issue versus a product that is good for people. I know that we can set aside partisanship and get this bill passed, and we must. I want to take this opportunity to praise the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the ranking member on the Committee on House Administration. I want to also praise members of the conference committee, Senators Dodd, McConnell, Bond, Schumer, the input of the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), and on our side of the aisle, members of the Committee on House Administration that produced this product and other conferees, including the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) who has been extremely helpful. I want to say something about the process for a little bit. There was debate on a select committee which I did not think was a bad idea, it was agreed to mutually on a bipartisan basis, and after the give-and- take and public debate over the issue, the bill and the idea came to our committee, frankly, from the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) to have the Help America Vote Act. We diligently worked on it. Despite campaign finance reform, despite anthrax in the buildings, we continued to work on it. Why does it take so long? It is a complicated bill that is going to have good ramifications down the road, and it needed to be intensely worked on. It is a bill that I believe we can be proud of. Without the help and assistance of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), we would not be close to agreement; and I count on the gentleman's continued help and assistance to ensure that this bill is enacted before the end of the session. Throughout the discussions, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) has insisted that we focus on the top priorities, such as getting this bill done as soon as possible so States can start to plan for the 2004 elections. Both sides of the aisle understand the importance of getting money out to local and State officials as rapidly as possible without a time-consuming and burdensome Federal bureaucracy getting in the way. We understand that there is no single issue that can be allowed to prevent this bill from passing. We are continuing to communicate and talk. I also thank all of the groups who have encouraged and supported our efforts to get this bill passed, including the National Federation of the Blind, the National Association of Secretaries of State, the National Association of Counties, the National Association of Clerks and Recorders, the Election Center, and the advocacy groups that are out there with disabilities, civil rights and all of the other groups across this country that have had hearings and made input into the system. There is much work left to be done, and I know we are running out of time, but I believe we can meet that challenge. I look forward to being on the floor in the near future and enacting a bill with broad bipartisan support, a bill that makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat, a bill that would demonstrate to all Americans that this Congress can put aside partisanship and improve the election process for all of our citizens. There is a lot of talk across the country, and knowing the rules of the House, I will just say of things not going up and down the hallways and coming back here and there. Let me say on this particular issue, we want to make sure that all the bodies of the Congress work together and enact something that is going to be down the road for generations, something to be proud of and something which ensures integrity in our system. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Robert and Zema Householder are celebrating 70 years of marriage; and Whereas, Robert and Zema have demonstrated a firm commitment to each other; and Whereas, Robert and Zema must be commended for their loyalty and dedication to their family; and Whereas, Robert and Zema have proven, by their example, to be a model for all married couples; and Therefore, I join with the residents of the entire 18th Congressional District in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Householder as they celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary.