Butch Otter

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the amendment offered by my friend and colleague from Colorado, Mr. Hefley. Our simple amendment is a sensible response to the more than $109 billion deficit we will run next year. Reducing spending by one percent in the bill, we lower that number by $185 million and speed the return of balanced budgets. This amendment does not defund critical programs, but rather encourages federal bureaucrats to become more efficient. Asking federal agencies to get by with 99 cents on the dollar is fair when the American people will be stuck with more than $100 billion of debt to burden their children. Every family cuts back on expenditure when their budget is cut. If federal bureaucrats cannot do the same then they do not deserve the tax dollars of those families. This bill, as written, is $537 million over the President's request and more than 8 percent higher than last year. Passing the Hefley/Otter Amendment will still leave this bill more than 6.9 percent larger than last years bill and $352 million above the President's request. I appreciate the efforts of Chairman Istook and the entire Appropriations Committee in crafting this bill. They have worked diligently and responsibly under difficult circumstances. I urge them to join with me in supporting this Amendment.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the resolution introduced by my colleague, representative Bob Riley opposing the ruling of the 9th circuit court that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. This is just the kind of ridiculous decision we in the West have come to expect from the 9th Circuit. In an attempt to impose political correctness on society at the expense of freedom, these judges have ignored the real intent of the framers of the Constitution. The First Amendment says nothing about separating church and state. What it does is prohibit the government from establishing a state religion or laws prohibiting free exercise of religion. What's next? Are they going to declare U.S. currency unconstitutional because it bears the words ``In God We Trust?'' Religious freedom is the one common unifying quality that makes us a peace loving, God-fearing nation. We are all Americans, and the Pledge of Allegiance stands as a testament to the citizens of this Nation, and their commitment to each other as Americans.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained for rollcall vote 258 on H.R. 4598, the Homeland Security Information Sharing Act. Had I been present I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4846 offered by my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas). I also want to take the opportunity to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) for the accommodations he presented to my bill and for the great leadership he has shown in bringing this bill in such a timely manner to the floor. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4846 will authorize the U.S. Mint to purchase silver for the American Eagle Silver Bullion program, the most popular silver coin in the world. Since its inception in 1986, the American Eagle silver dollar has generated more than $200 million in deficit reduction for this Nation. The blanks on the American Eagle silver coins are made at the Sunshine Mint in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, employing more than 60 of my constituents. Idaho, Madam Speaker, is the premier silver mining region of the world, having produced more than 1.1 billion ounces throughout the mining region since the 1880s and employing more than 3,000 people statewide. Silver-related industries generate more than $800 million for Idaho and its economy every year. When the American Eagle program was established, the U.S. Mint depended upon the government's stockpile of silver; and, as has been already related, that stockpile has now been exhausted and the Mint needs to enter the market to purchase the silver it needs. Swift passage of legislation authorizing the Mint to purchase silver will prevent a shutdown of the American Eagle production and save jobs in Idaho, Nevada, and New York. The American Eagle coins bear the image of Liberty on the obverse and Eagle on the reverse. The strong sales of this coin around the world help spread the message of American freedom. By selling bullion coins, America provides freedom and hope for people in nations where economic freedom is now denied and where currencies are subject to the whims of the dictators. American Eagle bullion now allows people to invest in themselves, save for their futures, purchase a timely commodity whose value is unquestioned and indeed, Madam Speaker, create a storehouse of wealth for themselves. Passage of this bill will allow these sales to continue. I wish to thank Senators Reid and Crapo for the passage of the Senate version of this same language, and I especially want to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) for incorporating the language from my bill sponsored by myself, co-sponsored by the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) into the text of this bill. Their cooperation in this effort has been invaluable.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, joined by my colleagues, the gentleman from Idaho, (Mr. Simpson) and the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons), I introduced H.R. 4971, the Support of the American Silver Bullion Production Act. This bill will allow the U.S. Mint to continue its production of the American eagle silver dollar, the most popular silver coin in the world. The Sunshine Mint Company in my district produces the blanks for these coins, and employs 60 of my constituents. Idaho is the greatest silver producer in history, mining more than 1.1 billion ounces since 1884. Passage of this bill into law will allow us, number one, to meet the worldwide demand for bullion; number two, to continue to build on the $264 million that this program has contributed to the deficit reduction; and, finally, to preserve the connection between Idaho's Silver Valley and our Nation's coinage.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support the continued recognition of Amalgam as a safe and appropriate material to be used in dental fillings. Numerous studies conducted by a diverse assortment of health research organizations including the National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all confirm that the use of Amalgam in dental fillings is safe. With the costs of healthcare already soaring it is important to protect those treatments that have a proven track record of reliability and are cost effective for patients. Dentists have come to rely on the use of Amalgam as a harmless, dependable, and cost effective material with which to treat their patients and I believe the use of Amalgam should remain a viable option for dentists and their patients.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to place into the Record the thoughts of one of my constituents, Ginny McConnell of Troy, Idaho. Every Member of this House should take Ginny's comments to heart as we consider further curbs on the freedoms we enjoy. I am proud of Ginny McConnell and of the people of Idaho who continue to cherish the lessons our Founding Fathers taught us more than two centuries ago. Tough Decisions Have Hard Consequences (By Ginny McConnell) Recently, one of my students left a message on my voice mail to tell me she would be unable to come to class for the three days of oral presentations because one of her children was sick. Her group, now without her, had to scramble to cover her part of their report. I had allocated 25 points for the oral portion and 75 points for the written materials that would be handed in. When the student returned to class, I told her she would not get the 25 points for the oral report, since she was not there. She immediately went to the college director to complain that it was not fair that I should deny her those 25 points. This student was unclear on the concept that hard decisions mean that you can't have it both ways. Her choice to stay home with her sick child instead of finding someone to sit with him meant that she had to forfeit the points for the oral presentation. Possibly our advertising is at least partially at fault here, with its ``you can have it all'' mentality. But Patrick Henry understood the reality of difficult choices: ``Give me liberty or give me death.'' I thought of him when I heard a radio report that four out of five Americans said they would give up their rights for the government to make the country safe from terrorism. Possibly these people are like my student: they think they won't really have to give up anything, that they can keep their rights and be completely safe from terrorism. Patrick Henry knew better. This is a very hard choice to make, no doubt about it. But be very careful here, my friends. Don't be so quick to let the government direct your lives and suspend the Bill of Rights. Do those four out of five people think this will be a temporary situation? Do they think they are safe because they have nothing to hide from the government? Neither is true. To paraphrase John Steinbeck, the government is a monster and the monster must be fed. It will not be satisfied with just a little snack. And, even if terrorism should be completely eradicated, the government will be more reluctant to return those rights than a landlord with a large security deposit. You can kiss them goodbye. They are so easy to give up and so hard to get back. A right here, a right there . . . pretty soon the government has gobbled them all up. I realize the importance of feeling safe and secure in our country. But I also have come to realize that death is not the worst thing that can happen. If I have to give up my civil rights to the government, which always thinks it knows how to run my life better than I do, then stand me up next to Patrick Henry and shoot me. Were I to tolerate what four out of five Americans seem willing to do, a million ghosts in gray, in blue, in khaki, in olive drab and in camouflage would rise up and chastise me with, ``What do you think we died for? Now you've made it all for nothing.'' Yes, I know that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. And I will gladly put up with a search of my luggage at the airport and a presentation of my picture identification whenever. But that's a whole different ballgame from the FBI coming warrantless into my home and checking out my closets and my computer. We have ample evidence of certain governmental arms expanding their authority. Do those four out of five people honestly believe this will not happen in their new America? We have a duty to preserve the United States for the future. And if that means we give our lives for it today, well, that's the price of liberty. I think we're a little too concerned with our physical existence and not nearly enough about our philosophical existence. We should think long and hard about any powers we cede to the government--I should say, to those we have allowed to represent us. Sometimes we forget that we are the government. Let's not change that. As the late Jim Morrison said about life (and he would know), ``No one here gets out alive.'' Sometimes tough choices must be made, in which case we don't get the benefits of the road we didn't take. If you don't make your oral report, you don't get the points for it. If you give up your rights, you don't get to keep them.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the college baseball teams from Idaho's First Congressional District for winning the national championship and placing third at the recent NAIA World Series. The Lewis & Clark State College Warriors, led by veteran coach Ed Cheff, captured their 12th national title since 1984 on their own Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho, beating Oklahoma City 12-8 in the May 31 championship game. Meanwhile, the Coyotes from Albertson College in Caldwell, my alma mater, finished third in head coach Shawn Humberger's first World Series appearance. Only an Albertson College loss to Oklahoma City in the semifinals kept the title game from being an all-Idaho, all-First Congressional District affair. Lewis & Clark State College, which also happens to be the alma mater of my colleague, Mary Bono's spouse, finished with a 41-16 record, returning the national championship to Lewiston after a 1-year hiatus. Albertson College ended its season 42-20-1 as the Coyotes continue building a reputation as a national power. They won their first national title in 1998, were national runners-up in 1999, and placed fifth in 2000. I am proud of both programs' success and of the quality of education that these athletes receive at these public and private institutions.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of our subcommittee for yielding me time, and I also thank him for the leadership that he has shown in an effort to reduce not just the paperwork, but all the burdensome government regulations on all of our small businesses, and, in fact, on the private sector in general. We already know and we have heard many of the virtues and the merits that this H.R. 327 is going to provide for the private sector. I am hopeful, Mr. Speaker, that this is simply the first in an evolutionary process that we will have in reducing many more of the burdensome regulations not only on paperwork, but of the other rules and regulations that we have on the private sector, and especially the small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy recently issued a report called The Impact of Regulatory Costs on Small Firms. In this report it is stated, ``To comply with Federal regulations, Americans spent $843 billion in the year 2000. Had every household received a portion of that bill,'' every family received a proportional share of that bill, each household, it would have cost $8,164, each household. I submit, Mr. Speaker, that it did cost each and every one of those households $8,164. Of course, that is to be added to the $19,613 that the Federal revenuers already collect from each and every household. Why do I say that the households themselves had to pay $8,164 each? Because, Mr. Speaker, all you can do when you have a cost accruing from the government to a business and to a value-added product is pass that on to the customer. So we politicians sit down here and we pontificate about how we are not going to tax the people, we are not going to make the people obey the regulations, we are just going to make the businesses do it. And, quite frankly, businesses pay no taxes. Those that do go bankrupt. There is all kinds of lists of those. But who does pay the taxes are the taxpayers. They are the ones that pay the taxes, each and every one. You want to increase the price of Idaho french fries? Tomorrow morning I will guarantee all the french fry joints in this great Nation of ours you will see the price of french fries go up, because businesses have to collect those taxes. But it is the sleight of hand. It is the shadowy little area that we always deal in with rules and regulations and taxes in this Congress. Let us be honest with ourselves and let us tell these folks that not only are we giving the small businesses relief from the paperwork burden, but we are giving the taxpayers, the purchasers, the consumers, those who would consume the services and the value-added goods from our small businesses in this country, we are giving them the relief as well. I think you will see how much more competitive we can become in this world marketplace for all of our products with this bill. I would encourage all my colleagues to join the rest of us and pass H.R. 327.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Elaine Martin of Nampa, ID, on receiving the Small Business Advocate of the Year Award. Elaine was a struggling farmer in 1985 when she decided to enter the highway contracting business. With a $25,000 loan from her widowed mother she started a highway fencing company that, within a few years, became one of the largest guardrail companies in the western United States. Elaine's company, MarCon, now grosses over $8 million a year, and has grown from 5 employees to more than 26 full-time employees. Starting with no knowledge of highway contracting, she's had the courage to explore every aspect of the business, from working alongside her crews to fighting red tape on behalf of contractors and small businesses everywhere. Elaine Martin has been a tremendous success, and Idahoans are extremely proud of her and the well deserved recognition she's received.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Donnelly Head Start in Donnelly, Idaho. Recently, the Donnelly Head Start was chosen as the Small Site Idaho State Champion in ``Read With Me: The 2002 Reading is Fundamental Community Reading Challenge.'' In March, the Children at this site met personal reading goals, shared stories with other children and adults, visited the library, wrote book reviews and shared other literacy activities with members of the Donnelly Idaho Community. As breakthroughs continue being made in the medical, science, and technology fields it becomes increasingly important for America's youth to be well educated so they may build upon the successes and learn from the failures of previous generations. Literacy will always be the foundation of education that propels achievement. Organizations like Head Start and Reading is Fundamental have proved successful in providing children with an opportunity to get an advantage in leaming. But without the commitment of students and dedication of educators, like those at the Donnelly, Idaho Head Start, these efforts and the efforts of Congress to fund education will be lost. Again, I offer my congratulations to the students and educators at Donnelly, Idaho Head Start and reaffirm my commitment to providing Idahoans, and all American's with the very best educational opportunities.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for House Resolution 392 and my solidarity with the people of the Republic of Israel as they battle against terrorism. I also rise to thank Mr. DeLay for introducing this resolution, and the 52 members from both sides of the aisle that joined me in co-sponsoring this bill. Since September 11 the United States and Israel have been linked in the same battle, and have fought the same foe. The same forces of evil that struck New York and Washington have struck Israel almost every day for the last 2 years. The same people who wish to drive Israel into the sea wish to drive America from the Middle East. Some people wish to draw a line between the United States and Israel, and separate our causes. Nothing could be more misguided. Israel and the United States are democracies, and our unfree opponents envy us. Our religious freedom offends them, for they are free only to worship at the state's behest. Our two nation's freely trade with the world, and become wealthy, while they see the wealth of their lands stolen by their own corrupt leaders. And, in this crisis, we are strong and confident, while they know their cause is marching to what Ronald Reagan rightly called ``The dustbin of history''. I urge my colleagues to join with me in standing with Israel and supporting this resolution.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I spent last Monday, Earth Day, in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, with the mayor, Brian Davies, celebrating the announcement of their rural water project. The USDA Rural Development Agency and its Idaho director, Mike Fields, had provided a loan of $600,000 and a grant of $260,000 to the city. That money, coupled with $251,000 from the citizens themselves, and an additional $395,000 from the community development block grant from the State of Idaho, will assist Horseshoe Bend with upgrading their existing sewer treatment plant. This is an outstanding example of initiative and partnership formed for the development of a rural community's infrastructure. Far too often, Mr. Speaker, Federal agencies impede the needed cooperation through excessive regulation or unnecessary assertion of authority. Here is an example of a government agency recognizing a problem and then working with the community to find a solution. It is an encouraging example of government being a partner in finding a solution, rather than an impediment to the progress. I hope more agencies of the Federal Government will follow the example of the USDA Rural Development Program.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 384.

Mr. OTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time that I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider House Resolution 384 introduced by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook). I commend him for sponsoring this important resolution. This resolution honors the men and the women of the United States Secret Service New York field office for their extraordinary performance and commitment to service during and following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Madam Speaker, Building 7 of the World Trade Center housed a number of Federal Government offices, including the IRS, the EEOC, the Defense Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the New York field office of the United States Secret Service. The field office was destroyed on September 11 and, tragically, Master Special Officer Craig Miller lost his life when the building collapsed. Master Special Officer Miller was at the Marriott Hotel that morning when the hotel was evacuated. Master Special Officer Miller had a military background and extensive emergency medical training. It is believed that he went back into the towers to help the wounded. His courage in the face of danger was extraordinary and typifies the hundreds of men and women who put themselves in danger to help others on that horrific day. Master Special Officer Miller and his actions reflect a proud tradition of selfless service to our Nation by the United States Secret Service. Madam Speaker, our Nation will never forget the horror of September 11, but neither will we forget the heroism of so many on that terrible day. Today we recognize the commitment of the men and women of the Secret Service New York field office. Within 48 hours of attacks, this New York field office was fully operational. A remarkable achievement, Madam Speaker. The office was completely destroyed, but within two days it was up and running again and fighting the war on terrorism. The Electronic Crimes Task Force, a division of the New York field office, with the cooperation of the business community, restored wireless communications and computer network capabilities. The challenges, Madam Speaker, were only just beginning, for the President of the United States was to schedule a visit to that site. The United Nations General Assembly was weeks away from commencing its activities, and there were ongoing criminal investigations that needed to be continued. Madam Speaker, we honor the employees of the New York field office of the Secret Service today because of their integrity, their tireless energy, and their dedication in serving the citizens of the United States and of New York City. The Secret Service is currently occupying office space at the John Jay College and the Penn Station Post Office. They have earned our gratitude and whatever resources are necessary to continue their protective and criminal investigative missions. Madam Speaker, I ask all Members to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OTTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 384) honoring the men and women of the United States Secret Service New York field office for their extraordinary performance and commitment to service during and immediately following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Mr. OTTER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to thank my colleague from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for their kind remarks and for recounting the litany of heroic deeds of that tragic day in New York City. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Istook), who has brought this to our attention in the form of recognition and legislation.

Mr. OTTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume; and in closing, I would just like to reflect that the author of this legislation was one whose district had witnessed such a terrible disaster in the bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City, and so it echoes of the patriotism that we saw there and we saw again in New York City. I would like to thank my colleagues who have come down here today to honor the men and women of the Secret Service of the New York field office. After September 11, they worked tirelessly to reestablish the critical operations, as we have all heard, and undoubtedly that contributed to the safety and the continuation of this great Nation and equally important to the continuation of this great Republic. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join with those of us who have spoken in favor of this resolution on the floor in support of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 384, honoring the continuing service and commitment of the men and women assigned to the United States Secret Service, New York field office. On that horrible day on September 11th, the New York field office of the U.S. Secret Service located in 7 World Trade Center was destroyed as a result of the attacks. However, in the face of grave danger, the men and women of the Secret Service valiantly and selflessly assisted rescue workers at the scene in their efforts to save the thousands of people working in the World Trade Center complex. Our Nation witnessed the best and the worst of humanity that fateful day. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon our Nation to honor those heroes, be they here or departed. Accordingly, I urge my fellow colleagues to support this important measure.

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

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to place into the public record the views of my constituent, Michael Hayhurst of Boise, Idaho. Michael is a partner in the Boise office of Arthur Andersen and is deeply concerned for the future of his firm and the well being of his fellow employees and their families. I urge the Administration and others who are pursuing the wrongdoers in the Enron collapse to remember that all of their actions impact the innocent as well. It is my fervent hope that a just settlement can be found that will ensure that the guilty are adequately punished, retirees are protected, and innocent men and women can maintain their jobs and careers. Arthur Andersen, LLP, Boise, ID, March 15, 2002. U.S. Rep. Butch Otter, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear U.S. Representative Butch Otter: As one of your constituents, I would like you to consider the following: I am a partner of the Boise office of Arthur Andersen. I was admitted to the partnership on September 1, 2001 (last fall) and find it necessary to provide information to you about our Firm's current situation and myself. I was born and raised in Idaho. I grew up in American Falls--a town of 3,000 people, just west of Pocatello. As one would expect for an accountant, I was somewhat of a bookworm and did not participate much in the party scene in school. I was, however, able to maintain a 4.0 GPA (there was no extra credit for college prep courses at that time) and graduate as a co-valedictorian of the class of 1984. As an aside, I am also an Eagle Scout. I attended Idaho State University for my higher education and graduated in 1990 with a double major in accounting and finance. My college time was extended as I received a Rotary scholarship to study in Australia between my junior and senior year. Throughout college, I maintained a 3.93 GPA and attained the highest score in the state of Idaho on the CPA exam for individuals sitting for the exam the spring of 1990. I started my career with Arthur Andersen June 3, 1990. I was, and still am, very proud to be able to work with as fine of people as I have had the opportunity to work with over the last 11 years with Arthur Andersen. I also am very proud of the history and the culture of our firm. The coordinated attack on our name and our people by congress and the media does not do justice to, or represent the true side of my firm or the 85,000 outstanding individuals in my firm (28 thousand of whom are located in the United States). The rules we operate under have gotten increasingly complex since I started with the Firm. This includes both the accounting rules under which our clients are required to report financial information and the auditing rules and standards under which we attempt to provide reasonable assurance that those financial statements are materially correct. I will not bore you with the details, but I can assure you that I have spent and continue to spend a significant amount of my time staying up-to-date on these rules and that I come to work every day with nothing but the intention of doing what is right. I always strive to do the best job that I can, for my Firm, my clients and the users of their financial statements. Also over the last eleven years, I have become increasingly involved in the community of which I am a part. I am currently acting as the Treasurer of Fundsy, Inc., the Ore- Ida Council of Boy Scouts and the Boise River Festival. Not only do I commit a significant amount of time to these activities (much of which is during my workday and using Firm resources--our culture has always been to give back to our communities, which the Firm wholeheartedly supports with monetary and other resources for our people) but I also contribute monetarily to these and other civic causes in the community. After being with Anderson for one year, I met an R.N. working for St. Luke's RMC and we were married one year later. We now have two children. My oldest son is five and will be starting kindergarten next fall. He is in swimming lessons at the local Y and this spring and summer will participate in Y-Ball (basketball) and T-Ball. My youngest son is three and will begin preschool next fall. We just found out that our youngest son has amblyomiopia. He will now be wearing glasses and may have to patch his eye after the next visit to the optometrist. My wife still works as an R.N. and somehow finds time to keep all of the men in her life under some semblance of control. I am trying to put a face on Arthur Andersen for you, my representatives to our government, so that you understand that Andersen is made up of people. The abridged story above plays itself out 40 times, the number of professionals we have in our Boise office, locally and over 28 thousand times in communities across the United States. All of us are individuals at various stages in our careers. Over 99% of our professionals in the United States have never worked on, or had anything to do with, the Enron audit. As I signed my Partner Agreement on September 1. I have had to come to the realization that the loan I took out at that time to provide my capital contribution to the Firm will likely not be repaid from funds out of my capital account, I can live with that. What I cannot live with is the potential impact that the Department of Justice's position will have on my people in this office. This is not ``justice'' and has prompted me to write to you. I am an American and as we have all seen after the events of September 11, we can only be unjustly beaten down and pushed around so long before we find ourselves in a position of having to fight back. Our position is that we are not guilty, therefore we will not plead guilty. Also, we believe that a fair reading of the facts is summarized in the attached letter and our law firm's report on its investigation into the document destruction matter would lead anyone to the conclusion that this indictment, and the manner in which it is being pursued, is nothing but a gross abuse of power that is being orchestrated for political reasons. Normally, I would say, ``let the courts decide.'' However, the risk of enforcing a death sentence on over 86,000 careers (28,000 in the U.S.)--which has been amply pointed out in the media--without ever having the opportunity for this to reach a free hearing in trial, along with the fact that we have been completely forthcoming and cooperative throughout this process and that we have agreed to significant changes without the enforcement of criminal charges, makes this an unconscionable act by my government's officials. Please take the time to read the following information. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have or provide additional information if necessary. You may reach me at 208-387-4029. Thank you for your time. Very truly yours, Michael L. Hayhurst.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. 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. 101.

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider Senate Concurrent Resolution 101, a resolution introduced by my colleague, Senator Larry Craig from Idaho. This resolution is virtually identical to its House version, House Concurrent Resolution 363, introduced by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers). This resolution extends birthday wishes to Lionel Hampton, the undisputed ``King of the Vibraphone.'' Lionel Hampton, whose enduring contributions as an extraordinary musician and artistic achievements symbolize the impact that he has had on jazz and that jazz music has had on our culture. Happy birthday, Lionel Hampton. Mr. Speaker, Lionel Hampton has devoted his life to the love and the belief in jazz and music and education. Lionel Hampton has stated, ``Nothing is more important than doing something that you like, and that's jazz music. My heart and my soul are in jazz.'' Mr. Hampton was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 20, 1908. In the 1930s, Lionel Hampton's musical career hit its stride when he began playing with such musical luminaries as Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman. Lionel Hampton formed his own band in the early 1940s, writing top-of-the-chart sellers, including his signature tune, ``Flying Home.'' Lionel Hampton was the first black musician to perform for a Presidential inauguration, that of Harry S. Truman in 1949. In his lifetime, Mr. Speaker, Lionel Hampton has received numerous prestigious awards. These include the title of American Goodwill Ambassador bestowed on him by President Eisenhower and President Nixon, along with the Papal Medal from Pope Paul I. President George H.W. Bush appointed him to the Board of the Kennedy Center, and President Clinton awarded him the National Medal of Arts in 1992. Lionel Hampton branched out in his musical career by running his own publishing companies and his own record label. In the 1980s, Lionel Hampton founded the Lionel Hampton Development Corporation, which was responsible for building two multi-million-dollar apartment complexes in Harlem. In 1985, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival was launched at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. The festival has become a nationally acclaimed event, featuring 4 days of concerts, clinics, and student competitions. In 1987, the music school at the University of Idaho was named the Lionel Hampton School of Music, becoming the first musical school of a university to be named for a jazz musician. Lionel Hampton has stated that this event was the highlight of his distinguished career. I might also state, Mr. Speaker, that Lionel Hampton created more than just a school of music, because that institution today has become a cultural center for celebrating the diversities that we have in race, in creed, and in social life and also in music. We honor Lionel Hampton on his upcoming 94th birthday on April 20, because Lionel Hampton is, in the words of David Friesen, ``. . . a man that has truly been blessed, not only with the gift of playing music, but also the ability to communicate his love of music to so many.'' Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that the House recognize the dedicated and outstanding accomplishments of Lionel Hampton today. He improved the lives of all who have heard and been touched by his love for jazz and his musical talent. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.