Bob Ney

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 115) to authorize the printing of copies of the publication entitled ``The United States Capitol'' as a Senate document.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary constituent, Shelly McPeck Kelly. Shelly was tragically killed in a plane crash with Commerce Secretary Ron Brown in 1996. Shelly McPeck Kelly was an outstanding citizen who devoted a lifetime to helping those in her community and country, and she has been missed by all those who knew her. Throughout her life, Shelly McPeck Kelly was a model citizen. She was loyal and devoted wife. As the proud parents of two children, she and her husband shared many wonderful memories. Shelly served faithfully in the United States Air Force as an airplane stewardess. Her hard work paid off by achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant. Shelly should also be commended for her service to the United States during the Bosnian Peacekeeping Operation. On August 15, 1998, Shelly will be remembered by her family and friends as they plant a tree in her memory. I ask my colleagues to join the residents of Eastern Ohio and myself in remembering Shelly McPeck Kelly's courage, loyalty and service to her country.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my support to the House Resolution that expresses the sense of Congress with respect to government discrimination in Germany based on religion or belief, particularly against United States citizens. Government discrimination against members of minority groups, including American citizens, solely because of their religious beliefs, is occurring in Germany at the federal, state and local level. All acts have been documented in the last five State Department Human Rights Reports, United Nations Reports, and the most recent reports of the State Department Advisory Committee on Human Rights. Despite attempts of our State Department to address the issue with the German government, it is only getting worse. Because of a strong grass roots movement in this country by people of faith who are committed to ending religious persecution, Congress is taking a strong step toward helping to end international religious persecution. The right for someone to practice their faith should not be infringed by government actions. Our country was founded on this principle, and we should stand up for this principle when we deal with other countries. Religious persecution is morally unacceptable. Government discrimination based on religious belief, especially when it impacts American citizens, should not be allowed to persist without comment. I support this resolution offered by Representative Matt Salmon and I urge other Members to do the same.

Mr. NEY

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

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

Mr. NEY. Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. I just want to congratulate the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) on this amendment. I think that the debate tonight is really getting off target. There has been talk about our States wanting to get more power in foreign affairs. That is how this debate has been steered. That is not what this is about. It is not about our States wanting foreign powers, this is about foreign powers wanting to take away our States' rights. It has been said tonight also, in the agreement we cannot find where in fact this interferes with our States' rights or our States' laws. That is not true, because when the WTO rules against our States and local laws, the Federal Government is obligated to pursue every measure, including bringing a legal challenge in Federal court to compel our local governments to repeal that law. That is the use of force to change our laws. This amendment simply prohibits any taxpayers' dollars to be used by the Federal Government in the legal battles against State and local laws. It was also mentioned when we have the ability to go to WTO, we do it. Ask the steel workers recently about Hamboo in Korea. They had to beg this government to try to do something, with thousands of signatures. We do not win when it comes to this issue for the working people. We only win if an amendment like this is passed. This amendment sends a message that the American people do not want to transfer power and responsibility from their elected representatives to unelected trade bureaucrats at the WTO in Geneva. Why do Members think fast track went down in this Chamber? Because the American people are sick and tired of giving up our States' rights. Our veterans did not go and fight and die so unelected bureaucrats decide for us in some foreign agreement what our laws are going to be in this country. It is time to wake up. I am deeply disturbed by the power these international trade organizations have acquired to change our laws. In order to protect American jobs, we need an amendment like this. This is simply fair to American workers, and it is fair to our States' rights. I urge support of the Kucinich amendment.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Oversight be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H.Res. 506) providing amounts for further expenses of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct in the second session of the One Hundred Fifth Congress, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I submit to the record that I was detained during the series of votes on amendments to H.R. 2183, the Bipartisan Campaign Integrity Act. If I was able to vote, I would have voted in the following manner: McIntosh amendment, yes; Horn amendment, no; Shaw amendment, yes; Kaptur amendment, no; Stearns amendment, no; Stearns amendment No. 49, yes. personal explanation

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit this open letter on behalf of many associations and federations from the state of Ohio: We respectfully and urgently request you to reject efforts to accept the United Nations treaty signed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and further revised in Kyoto, Japan that deals with greenhouse gas emissions. Acceptance of this treaty would bind the U.S. to restrict fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and petroleum) use which together provide 80% of America's energy, while exempting 2.5 billion people in foreign countries from these reductions. These reductions will greatly force up the price of coal, natural gas, gasoline and electricity. Ohioans' cost for each of these necessities could rise by roughly 50% by 2010. The result will be anti-family; as families are forced to pay much more for the basic necessity of electricity, anti- farm; as the cost of farming and supplies soar, anti-jobs; as 56,000 Ohio-based jobs are lost, many going to the exempted foreign countries. All of this will devastate Americans and Ohioans in particular. Economic estimates suggest by the year 2010, Ohioans will pay $350 more for every man, woman and child in our state. This means we will together annually pay $3.8 billion dollars more to heat our homes, run a business, or care for our loved ones. This will be especially harsh and unfair to Ohio seniors, the poor and others. Global warming warrants thoughtful study but it does not make sense to strangle 80% of America's energy foundation while over half the world's population is exempted for this treaty's reach. Ohioans deserve better than this. Please don't force Ohio families, seniors, those on the edge of poverty, our farmers and businesses to be saddled with this United Nations treaty. Joel Hastings, Director of Local Affairs, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Columbus--192,000 members; Kelly McGivern, Director of Environment and Health Care Policy, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Columbus--5,000 members; John C. Mahaney, Jr., President, Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Columbus--3,000+ members; Alon Apel, Director of Government Affairs, Ohio Pharmacists Association, Dublin--4,000 members; Tom King, Executive Vice President, Ohio Trucking Association, Columbus-- 1,000 members; Sherry Weisgarber, Managing Director, Ohio Aggregates Association, Columbus--197 members; Ruth Ann Wilson, Executive Secretary, Ohio Assoc. of Meat Processors, Delaware--500 members; Gary A. Murdock, President, Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association, Hilliard--1,000 members; Roger P. Jones, President, Ohio Ready Mixed, Concrete Association, Columbus--210 members companies; Michael H. Cochran, Executive Director, Ohio Twp Assoc., Columbus--8,600 members; Holly Saelens, Director--Public Policy Services, The Ohio Manufacturers' Association, Columbus; Sheila Adams, President/CEO, Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati--700 members; Bernard Shoemaker, President (Master), Ohio State Grange, Columbus--17,000 members; Bryan Bucklew, Director-Governmental Affairs, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Dayton--3,350 members; C. Clark Street, Executive Vice President, Ohio Contractors Association, Columbus--585 members; James H. Lee, Executive Director, Ohio Forestry Association, Columbus; Susie Calhoon, Executive Director, Ohio Soybean Council, Columbus--1,500 members; Jack Heavenridge, Executive Vice President, Ohio Poultry Association, Columbus--200 members David M. Kelly, General Manager, Ohio Potato Growers Association; Tim Williams, Executive Vice President, Ohio Manufactured Housing Association, Dublin--500 members; David L. Kahler, Executive Vice President/CEO, Ohio Equipment Distributors Association, Dublin, 121 members/2,420 employees; Michael L. Wagner, Executive Director, Ohio Corn Growers Association, Marion--1,800 members; Jim Silvania, Executive Director, Ohio Association Security & Investigative Services, Columbus--33,000 members; John R. Langhirt, President, Mid-Ohio Electric Co., Columbus; Carmine J. Torio, Executive Vice President, Home Builders Association of Great Akron, 750 member Companies, 10,0000 employees; Robert D. Horne, President, United Steel Workers of America, Local 5L--Akron, 175 members; Daniel L. Neff, Executive Director, Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association, Cambridge, serves a 10 county area; Judy R. Bastian, President, Ohio Glass Association, Cleveland--250 members; Roger Tedrick, Secretary/ Treasurer, Ohio Dairy Farmers Federation, Gahanna-- 1,000 members; Robert T. Lambert, Executive Vice President, Ohio Auto and Truck Recyclers Association, Columbus; Donald L. Buckley, President/Secretary, Midwest Dairy Foods Association, Inc., Columbus--52 companies; Amira F. Gohara, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Medical College of Ohio at Toledo, Toledo-- 3,400 members; Peggy J. Smith, Executive Director, Ohio Chemical Council, Columbus--100 members; Patricia R. Cooksey, President, True Blue Patriots, Cincinnati-- 10,000 members; Thomas L. Hart, Executive Director, The Building Industry Association of Central Ohio, Columbus--1,226 members; Richard Greenwalt, Camp Secretary, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War- McClellen Camp, No. 91--Alliance; Joseph Divito, Financial Secretary & Treasurer, Iron Workers Local Union No. 172, Columbus--723 members; Sue Yang, Program Coordinator, International Community Empowerment Project A.S.I.A., Inc., Akron--50 families served; Rochelle Peoples, Director of Volunteers, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Akron, Akron--100 volunteer members; Carole Richards, President, Creative Education Institute, Chagrin Falls--50 people served; Mike P. Reilly, President-Elect, Cincinnati Master Plumbers Assoc., Cincinnati--80 contractors; W. Paul Kilway, Jr., M.D., Summit County Medical Society, Akron, 460 members; David L. Kahler, Executive Vice President/CEO, Ohio-Michigan Equipment Dealer Association, Dublin, 865 members/14,272 employees; Edward Tumulty, Regional Director, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Central Region Columbus; Russell K. Tippett, Dean, School of Natural Resources, Hocking College, Nelsonville; Randy Smith, Financial Secretary, Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastic and Allied Workers Local 7A, Tiffin--573 members; Margaret F. Planton, Mayor, City of Chillicothe, 270 employees; Bill Hueckel, President, Central Ohio Flower Growers, Delaware--100 members; Hal Mullins, President, Central Ohio Chapter, Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Columbus--106 member companies; James Tann, President, Brick Institute of America, Mid East Region, North Canton; Ronald L. Kolbash, President, Ohio Mining & Reclamation Association, Columbus, 121 member companies; Richard C. Hannon, Jr., Chairman of Legislative Committee, Board Member, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Carrollton--150 members; John Nave, Director, Associated Risk Managers of Ohio, Powell; Jim Frost, Secretary/Treasurer, Akron/Medina County Labor Council AFL-CIO, Akron--18,000 members.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).

Mr. NEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hutchinson).

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I commend the following article to my colleagues: The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum and East Ohio Gas will celebrate on May 21, 1998, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Preview Opening in celebration of the East Ohio Gas Centennial Exhibit titled ``A century of Service Built on Trust.'' This exhibit is a traveling exhibit prepared by the Ohio Historical Society and will be making its debut in the museum's new Keystone Exhibition Hall. This is an honor for both the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum and East Ohio Gas. I am extremely proud to represent both companies and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. I know this will prove to be very successful. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum and East Ohio Gas. The growth and economic opportunity they have brought to the Ohio Valley is to be commended. I wish both companies continued success and prosperity.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Major James William Reed who was a pilot in the Air Force and shot down on July 24, 1970. Until April of 1998, Major Reed was considered an MIA. Major Reed's family never gave up and worked very hard to find out exactly what happened to him. In 1991, the Air Force did a survey of the crash site and decided to do a complete excavation of the site. The findings concluded that Major Reed did die in the crash. Major James William Reed was an accomplished pilot and flew over 350 missions before his death. He was also a very kind and unselfish man that he displayed in many ways. Since Major Reed was single, he would volunteer to fly missions so that other men with families would not have to risk their life. Major James William Reed will be buried with full military honors that he is so deserving. The memorial service will be held on May 24, 1998 where Major Reed's family will finally be able to put him to rest. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Major James William Reed who gave so much to his family, friends and country.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Stephen Carletti, who passed away on February 8, 1998. Stephen gave his life in the line of duty, battling a fire. His life was dedicated to helping others. Stephen was a kind and caring individual. He never hesitated to lend a helping hand. Stephen was actively involved at the United Methodist Church. He was also a role model to youth groups and the local Boy Scouts. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to pay my last respects to a man who gave so much of himself to his country, his community and his family. Stephen will be missed by all whose lives he touched. I am honored to have represented him and proud to call him a constituent.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Kathryn Ann Mayfield, who passed away on October 26, 1997. Kathryn was a member of the Crooksville Fire Department and Emergency Squad. She was also an active member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church. Kathryn lost her life after helping others as she often did by fighting fires. Kathryn was a kind and caring individual. She will be sorely missed by her two sons, daughter and three grandchildren. She was a special person and it was apparent in every aspect of her life. Mr. Speaker, it is privilege for me to pay my last respects to a woman who gave so much of herself to her country, her community and her family. Kathryn will be missed by all whose lives she touched. I am honored to have represented her and proud to call her a constituent.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of David Thiesen, who passed away on February 8, 1998. David gave his life in the line of duty, battling a fire. His life was dedicated to helping others. David was a kind and caring individual. Those that knew him also knew that firefighting was in his blood. David was always around to lend a helping hand with a smile. He dedicated his life to the fire department. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to pay my last respects to a man who gave so much of himself to his country, his community and his family. David will be missed by all whose lives he touched. I am honored to have represented him and proud to call him a constituent.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I wish to call an important proclamation to the attention of my colleagues. Whereas, the USWA Local #1190 is observing its Workers Memorial Day Service; and, Whereas, the USWA Local #1190 has set aside this day to remember all steelworkers who have been laid to rest; and, Whereas, the USWA Local #1190 must be commended for their dedication to its members and their families; and, Whereas, the USWA Local #1190 has demonstrated a commitment to meet challenges with confidence and outstanding service; and, Whereas, I join with all citizens of Jefferson County, the members of USWA Local #1190 and the entire 18th Congressional District in observing the Workers Day Memorial Service on April 28, 1998.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise on behalf of the Members of the House of Representatives to honor the former Congressman Douglas Applegate. In a ceremony on April 17th, the name of the Steubenville Post Office will officially be changed to the Douglas Applegate Post Office. The Honorable James A. Traficant, Jr., of the 17th District of Ohio sponsored the legislation to name the post office, and it was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on November 19, 1997. Former Congressman Douglas Applegate has been a leader in his hometown of Steubenville, Ohio, since graduating from Steubenville High School and going onto a career in politics serving the citizens of Ohio in the Ohio House of Representatives and later in the Ohio Senate. Mr. Applegate was elected to Congress in 1976, and served diligently for eighteen years to improve senior citizens, veterans, labor and consumer issues. Douglas Applegate has proven his commitment to his community and to his country and he has worked continuously to make it a better place to live. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking the former Congressman Douglas Applegate for his thirty-three years of dedication as a public servant, and congratulating him. I wish him continued success, health and prosperity.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to rise today to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Edward and Jessie Freeman, Sr. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Edward and Jessie on their special day. What a remarkable accomplishment to be able to celebrate a marriage that has endured for so many years. The bond that brought them together has remained and grown over the years. May they always share the love and joy they feel today. In an era where marriages are too often short lived, it is wonderful to see a couple who have endured the trials and tribulations that can cause a marriage to fail. The love and commitment they have demonstrated should serve as an inspiration to couples everywhere. Mr. Speaker, what an achievement to be married for 50 years. It is an honor to represent a couple like the Freeman's. I am proud to call them my constituents.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on March 29, 1998, the Iranian government was quoted in considering the proposal to set up an American office at the Swiss embassy. The office would be held by an official from the U.S. Information Agency. In light of this possible ease of tension between the U.S. and Iran, I would like to submit an article from the Middle East Insight regarding the Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and the United States. Iran: The Inadequacy of Labels (By George A. Nader) This past December, I had the opportunity to attend and observe first-hand the 52-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit in Tehran. The summit clearly demonstrated both the failure of U.S. efforts to isolate Iran and the emergence of a strong and popular political leader. Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has not only emerged as a significant force within his own country but has inherited the leadership of the OIC--which represents the world's 1.2 billion Muslims--for the next three years. This is another indication that Iran--whether the United States is ready for it or not--has positioned itself as a leader of the Islamic world into the new millennium. The election of President Khatami in May 1997 was facilitated by a 70-percent landslide comprised in large part of the middle class, women, and young voters (half of Iran's 60-million population were not even born at the time of the Shah's overthrow in 1979). Notably, among Khatami's supporters was the group that took over the U.S. Embassy in November 1979 and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. One dramatic change clearly evident at the OIC summit was the absence of the old banners touting ``Death to America''. Instead, foreign visitors were warmly welcomed. When Iranians became aware that I had come from the United States to observe the summit, they responded positively and with great enthusiasm. Though some of the old rhetoric remains, it is fading, and few among the population take it seriously. Unfortunately, the dialogue among Western media analysts, political pundits and other so-called experts--both preceding and following the OIC summit--regarding the new status of President Khatami has been simplistic and misleading. The notion that we are currently witnessing a `struggle for the soul of Iran' or that `moderates and conservatives' are battling for supremacy in Iranian political circles fails to recognize the complex interplay between various personalities and factions within Iranian society. The question posed in the West of whether the moderates or radicals are now on top assumes a paradigm of political dynamics in Iran which is simply false. Iranian political culture today is more subtle, multi-faceted and intricately interwoven than many seem to realize. When asked in a January 6, 1998, CNN interview about the supposed factions in Iran, President Khatami responded that ``terms such as conservative, moderate and the like are more often meaningful in the West.'' Khatami enjoys the full blessing of both Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and former President Hashemi Rafsanjani. All three get along well, and their congenial relationship was obvious during the OIC summit. Both Khatami and Khamenei are clerics and descendants of the Prophet, and wish to strengthen the country's Islamic system of government. Their respective families are close. In fact, as a religious student in Mashad, Khamenei became a disciple of Khatami's father who was a highly respected ayatollah. Similarly, both Khatami and Khamenei are products of Iranian society and were educated exclusively in Iran; Khatami studied religion in Qom and philosophy in Isfahan. President Khatami's perceived overtures to the United States have been mistakenly contrasted with comments by Khamenei. Khatami has prompted much speculation concerning Iranian relations with the United States during both his December press conference after the OIC summit in which referred to a ``thoughtful dialogue with the American people'' and his January 6 CNN interview in which he called for cultural exchanges between the two countries. After his December press conference, Khamenei--who has opposed any improvement in U.S.-Iranian bilateral relations--expressed satisfaction with Khatami's address. When Khatami says he wants dialogue with the United States, he means with the American people and not the government. When Khamenei says that America is bad, he means the government and not the people. We in the West are looking for dichotomy and division. But both Khatami and Khamenei have said that none of their comments contradicts the other's. Khatami proposes cultural exchange as a means of building bridges between civilizations, but has ruled out--at least for now--any direct dialogue with the U.S. government and stated that there is no need for political ties. Equally important, Khatami has never called into question the core belief of the Iranian political system that the supreme spiritual leader should be selected by a group of clerics-- and not ``elected by the people''--to be the representative of God in the temporal order. The Islamic Revolution has reached an advanced phase in its development. In this stage, much consideration is being given to defining Iran's relationship with the Arab world and the West. This is a new beginning for Iran and thus it may not be very helpful to take its ideological pulse too quickly or frequently. It may also be helpful to remember that, while the Islamic Revolution dates back only 19 years, its Persian underpinnings stretch back to the dawn of civilization. In 1992, in an earlier stage of the Revolution, Khatami was driven from his position as minister of culture because he relaxed press and media censorship rules. In 1997, these same forces supported his candidacy for president. Khatami's agenda did not change in the intervening years, but the Islamic Revolution did progress. This is also demonstrated by the fact that his entire government was endorsed by the Islamic establishment--a virtually unprecedented phenomenon. Iran's revolution has moved into a more advanced stage, with multiple forces coexisting within a common framework. Acknowledging this reality is important for the opening of a dialogue between the United States and Iran. If Washington is sincere in its desire to open up lines of communication, then the Clinton administration must reach out to the whole political spectrum in Iran and not just to specific elements. This may be a slow and excruciatingly deliberate process, but in the end it is the only one that can bear fruit. There are two things Washington can do to move this process forward. First, it can tone down its belligerent rhetoric (as President Clinton has recently begun to do); harsh rhetoric only tends to alienate. In addition, the United States should revisit the issue of frozen Iranian assets seized after the 1979 American Embassy takeover. This may make it easier for the Iranians to address U.S. concerns regarding weapons of mass destruction and support for international terrorism. The United States may be the only remaining superpower, but it still must be very careful when dealing with Iran. Western ideological paradigms, on which we rely so heavily to understand political dynamics overseas, are predated by 4,000 years of Persian culture. The application of superficial political labels will neither illuminate nor elucidate Iran's complex decision-making matrix.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I commend the following article to my colleagues: Whereas, Iran has announced its twenty-one member delegation, which includes eleven wrestlers that will compete at the 1998 World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling on the Campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater on April 4-5, 1998; and, Whereas, this annual freestyle dual meet championships is behind only the World Championships and Olympics in importance; and, Whereas, the Iranian lineup includes Gholam Reza Mohammadi, Bahman Tayebi-Kermani, Ali Reza Dabier, Abbas Haji Kenari, Massoud jamshidi, Majied Khodaee, P. Dorostkar, Ali Reza Heydari, Davoud Ghanbari, Abbas Jadidi, and Ali Reza Rezaie; and, Whereas, the tournament marks Iran's first competition in the United States since the 1996 Olympic Games; and, Whereas, in February, the United States participated in the Takhti Cup wrestling tournament in Iran, the first U.S. team of any sport to compete in Iran in almost twenty years; and, Whereas, I join the citizens of Southeastern Ohio, with distinct please, in honoring the Iranian wrestling team for their participation in the 1998 World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Very briefly, Madam Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment. The Government Performance and Results Act encourages greater efficiency and effectiveness. A lot of the points have been stressed. This is an amendment that accepts the Fed operations in regards to monetary policy. I just want to commend my colleague. This is a very good accountability amendment for the House. I want to praise her for her work on it and urge everyone to support it.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. I thank the chairman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, let me go over a few, I think, important points of what occurred through the task force. I want to commend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) for his integrity and thoroughness on the issue, and also the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), the chairman, and all members of the task force for going through the entire process. But the task force found evidence of over 700 illegal voters. Now 124 of those were illegal absentees, according to the Orange County Registrar, because of the procedure. But also in the area of noncitizens, 600 noncitizens, based on matching of INS and voter lists, in fact voted in this election. Now that is two-thirds of the entire total margin of victory. I know we cannot say who they would have voted for. I fully realize that. I do not know who those people would have voted for. But I think it has got to be pointed out that in fact these 600 voters existed in this election. Now as far as the evidence of over 1,700 more illegal registrations, there is evidence that there were 1,700 more. They did not vote but they could have in any election throughout California or anywhere else; if in fact illegal voters exist, they can vote. Now the task force, I think this is important, confirmed that 60 percent of Hermandad's registration was illegal. That bothers me because Hermandad Nacional Mexicana registered 1,160 persons. Sixty percent were not properly registered, they were illegal. And that means that taxpayers across this country also, because there were taxpayers' dollars involved with this group, paid for that. Now I do not think that is a good use of any taxpayers' dollars across this country. I think the conclusion is the system for detouring voter fraud is flawed. I just want to say something about the attack on voters' rights. This is not an attack on voters' rights. This is standing up as the United States House of Representatives, in a United States congressional election, and supporting voters rights. All we ask is that those voters be citizens. And under the California law, they were not citizens. So the final conclusion of this task force, I think, points out that it is not about who won or lost, but it is about the American people, who become very, very apathetic in voting across the country. And American people know that the United States House looked into illegal voters and that after this we follow up together on a bipartisan basis to ensure that the best elections are held in any State and in any district across the country. The bottom line of this is that there has been a lot of things said and people's emotions. If we listen to our voice mail, threats run both sides I guess. But I think that the significant point to this is that at the end of the day, when Bob Dornan came to us and said that there were illegal voters, Bob Dornan was right, there were illegal voters, 600 noncitizens in that election. But the other thing that Bob Dornan did with his tenacity, and I know nobody likes these types of hearings, it is not pleasant for anybody, but it does point out that in fact we have flawed elections in the country, elections, the election process, that we have to correct if we expect voters to have confidence in the United States congressional elections or in elections all the way down through the courthouse level across this country.

Mr. NEY

Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I commend the following article to my colleagues. Helen Wright of Zanesville, OH will be retiring on December 19, after 10 years of employment from the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority. Ms. Wright served as the secretary of the Port Authority where she displayed much commitment and devotion to the region. An achievement of this magnitude requires a great deal of hard work and dedication. Ms. Wright has diligently served mid-eastern Ohio for 10 years and deserves to be commended. It is precisely people like her that makes our community a better place to live and grow. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Helen Wright for her service to the Zanesville-Muskingum Port Authority. I wish her continued health, success, and prosperity in her retirement. Congratulations Ms. Wright.