Ed Pastor

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Madam Speaker, this morning, as I was walking onto the floor, you reminded us that if we were going to speak on the floor that we could not wear any button that communicated a message. I bring that to your attention because I ask what the rule is that, in the past, we have had Members speak on the floor while wearing such buttons. In particular, yesterday I saw a number of Members that were wearing a button that communicated 90 percent. And this morning I was hoping to wear a button, but I was reminded by you that I could not. The question is, what is the rule on wearing buttons on the floor while we speak, especially buttons that communicate a message?

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Julian Claudio Nabozny, a McDonald's owner/operator beloved and celebrated for his services to the Phoenix, Arizona community, which I proudly represent. For his tireless generosity, Mr. Nabozny has just been honored by the National Restaurant Association as Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year. Mr. Nabozny has made his South Phoenix restaurant a veritable community center for the Hispanic neighborhood. His beneficent acts are numerous and varied. These are some highlights. For the past five years, Mr. Nabozny has hosted Thanksgiving Day celebrations for as many as 3,000 residents. He distributes free McDonald's food, gifts, turkeys, and fruit baskets and provides for entertainment, including the beloved Ronald McDonald. Throughout the year, the restaurant sponsors fund-raising nights for a local school. Mr. Nabozny donates 10 percent of the evening's sales and tickets to popular events for the PTA to raffle off. He also provides a school reading program with over 8,000 hamburger certificates a year to use as learning incentives for children. Two years ago, Mr. Nabozny brought a mobile mammograph unit to the restaurant to offer free cancer screening exams. Hundreds of economically disadvantaged women received these vital tests, many for the first time. This spring, Mr. Nabozny initiated and sponsored a pioneering partnership to educate the community on current immigration laws and related government services. Through the program, over 1,200 individuals received free confidential consultations with attorneys and other qualified volunteers, and many others received assistance through a handout developed specifically to address common concerns and needs. These services will be again extended this fall. For the past three years, Mr. Nabozny has served as chair of the Phoenix area Hispanic American College Education Resources (HACER) program, a partnership between the Ronald McDonald House Charities, its local affiliate, McDonald's owner/operators, and restaurants owned by the corporation. Mr. Nabozny has also personally donated scholarships to deserving minority high school students in the Phoenix area. Mr. Nabozny comes from a family and belongs to a franchise system that believe in giving back. His dedication to this principle has justly earned him the Restaurant Association's award and a special place in the heart and history of the Phoenix community.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to the man behind one of the largest home building operations in America, Mr. Ed Robson. As he prepares to make his 70th birthday on September 21st, I'd like to share the history of this outstanding American and Arizonan with my colleagues. Known as the man behind Robson Communities, Ed grew up in a middle class home environment in Boston, Mass. Although he knew the value of a good education, his love for sports and adventure was greater. After graduating in 1954 with a degree in business and banking from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Ed played hockey for Team U.S.A. and was an alternate member of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. After leaving the hockey team, Robson joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned as a naval aviator at Pensacola. He served for five years as a helicopter pilot and attained the rank of Captain before leaving the Marines. Ed began his impressive career as a home builder in 1960, when he decided to pursue real estate and joined Coldwell Banker in Arizona as a real estate agent. He quickly became a broker for one of their offices. He left Coldwell Banker in 1962 and joined the Del Webb Corporation, which is his chief competitor today. As Director of Corporate Sales for the Del Webb Corporation, Robson gained immeasurable experience in all areas of the construction business. In 1965, Robson decided to leave Webb to test his expertise and budding entrepreneurial spirit with his own real estate projects. With two other Webb employees, Robson marketed resort home sites in Bullhead City, Arizona, and then developed the Pinewood Golf Community in Flagstaff, Arizona. The success of these projects enabled Robson to acquire farmland in 1972, which became Sun Lakes. Robson's competitive drive and business acumen carried him through some tough periods including the energy crisis and recession. Today, Sun Lakes is a 3,500-acre community with more than 14,000 residents. Robson also markets and develops three other active adult communities in Arizona and recently announced expansion plans in Texas. Robson Communities and its affiliated companies employ more than 1,170 employees and have closed more than 12,500 homes. Father of five children and grandfather of 13, Robson still finds time to participate in community affairs. He was the 1993 Heart Ball Honoree Chairman and was instrumental in netting approximately $1 million for the American Heart Association. In 1994, he was the chairman for the Phoenix Boys and Girls Clubs and remains active on their Board of Directors. Robson also is or has been involved with a number of civic boards including Bank One, St. Luke's Foundation, United for Arizona and American Heart Association. Robson's extraordinary achievements have not gone unnoticed. Arizona State University named him ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' in 1994 and Ernst & Young named him the same in 1996. In 1998, Northwood University named Robson one of the ``Outstanding Business Leaders'' in the United States. He was also the recipient of the 1998 Ellis Island Medal of Honor whose past honorees have included Presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush. Also included in this list of honorees is Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Mickey Mantle and Barbara Walters. Robson's personal favorite achievement was his induction into his High School Hall of Fame in Arlington, Massachusetts. As you can see, Ed leads by example. He is truly an outstanding individual who deserves to be recognized. Therefore I ask you to please join me in wishing my friend Ed Robson a Happy 70th Birthday and continued success. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to the man behind one of the largest home building operations in America, Mr. Ed Robson. As he prepares to mark his 70th birthday on September 21, I'd like to share the history of this outstanding American and Arizonan with my colleagues. Known as the man behind Robson Communities, Ed grew up in a middle class home environment in Boston, Mass. Although he knew the value of a good education, his love for sports and adventure was even greater. After graduating in 1954 with a degree in business and banking from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Ed played hockey for Team U.S.A. and was an alternate member of the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. After leaving the hockey team, Robson joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned as a naval aviator at Pensacola. He served for five years as a helicopter pilot and attained the rank of Captain before leaving the Marines. Ed began his impressive career as a home builder in 1960, when he decided to pursue real estate and joined Coldwell Banker in Arizona as a real estate agent. He quickly became a broker for one of their offices. He left Coldwell Banker in 1962 and joined the Del Webb Corporation, which is his chief competitor today. As Director of Corporate Sales for the Del Webb Corporation, Robson gained immeasurable experience in all areas of the construction business. In 1965, Robson decided to leave Webb to test his expertise and budding entrepreneurial spirit with his own real estate projects. With two other Webb employees, Robson marketed resort homesites in Bullhead City, Ariz., and then developed the Pinewood Golf Community in Flagstaff, Ariz. The success of these projects enabled Robson to acquire farmland in 1972, which became Sun Lakes. Robson's competitive drive and business acumen carried him through some tough periods including the energy crisis and recession. Today, Sun Lakes is a 3,500-acre community with more than 14,000 residents. Robson also markets and develops three other active adult communities in Arizona and recently announced expansion plans in Texas. Robson Communities and its affiliated companies employ more than 1,170 employees and have closed more than 12,500 homes. Father of five children and grandfather of 13, Robson still finds time to participate in community affairs. He was the 1993 Heart Ball Honoree Chairman and was instrumental in netting approximately $1 million for the American Heart Association. In 1994, he was the chairman for the Phoenix Boys and Girls Clubs and remains active on their Board of Directors. Robson also is or has been involved with a number of civic boards including Bank One, St. Luke's Foundation, United for Arizona and American Heart Association. Robson's extraordinary achievements have not gone unnoticed. Arizona State University named him ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' in 1994 and Ernst & Young named him the same in 1996. In 1998, Northwood University named Robson one of the ``Outstanding Business Leaders'' in the United States. He was also the recipient of the 1998 Ellis Island Medal of Honor whose past honorees have included Presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Also included in this list of honorees is Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Mickey Mantle and Barbara Walters. Robson's personal favorite achievement was his induction into his High School Hall of Fame in Arlington, Mass. As you can see, Ed leads by example. He is truly an outstanding individual who deserves to be recognized. Therefore I ask you to please join me in wishing my friend Ed Robson a Happy 70th Birthday and continued success.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for being so kind in yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor), the chairman, for the manner in which he conducted business with the ranking member on the minority side of the subcommittee. He was very inclusive, and we were able to work out the differences as we proceeded with this bill and at conference had a very good bill. I also want to thank Ed Lombard, who was assisted by Kit Winter and Tom Martin, for the professionalism that was displayed in developing this bill. On the minority side, I would like to thank Mark Murray, who worked with my assistant, Eve Young. They provided countless hours of guidance and assistance to the minority. Mr. Speaker, when this bill started, it had a very bad allocation. There was a concern about the security, the safety of the House, of the Capitol. As we proceeded with this bill, it got better. At conference, we had restored many of the cuts that were initially in the bill. We were able to maintain security by providing enough money to have the required two policemen at every door. We were able to fund CRS to the level in which it would not have layoffs. We were able to give to the Members' accounts enough money so they could provide cost of living raises for their staff. We worked it out with the Senate, and the conference report was a very good one. As we were leaving the conference report, we asked the chairman what was going to happen to the bill and he, in his wisdom, said we do not know how many flies are going to be on this dog. That is how we left the conference. Well, Mr. Speaker, the conference is that today we are here and could have passed a legislative branch bill that would have served this House very well, but the leadership has decided to add the Treasury Postal bill and also the telephone excise tax bill. It will be with great reluctance that the minority side will probably not support this conference bill because of the manner in which the Treasury Postal bill was developed. So I will ask my colleagues on our side of the aisle that even though we have a very good legislative branch bill, the concerns of the Treasury Postal bill that has been tacked on to this bill gives enough concern in which we may not want to support it.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, we are very fortunate to be enjoying the prosperity and fiscal opportunities that come with a strong economy. Americans should be proud of the productive labor force and technological achievement that have led to current and projected budget surpluses. But we must not lose sight of the big picture and squander our opportunity to use current prosperity to safeguard our future. The tax cut we are debating today does not consider the big picture. This bill would reduce funds that could be used to strengthen the Social Security system for the benefit of our children and grandchildren. It would jeopardize our ability to extend the life of the Medicare trust fund and create a Medicare drug benefit that is long overdue. Whey would we do this at a time when my constituents in Arizona, and Americans across the country, have made it clear that strengthening Social Security and Medicare are among the highest legislative priorities for American families? Republicans have argued that this proposal benefits seniors by reducing their tax obligation. In fact, this bill is a break for only the top 16 percent of Social Security beneficiaries and a threat to the majority of seniors who favor a Medicare drug benefit. It is a threat to the future of younger generations, who already lack confidence in Congress's ability to ensure that Social Security will be there for them. This bill puts benefits for the wealthiest seniors before the needs of the most vulnerable Americans and puts short term political considerations before investment in our Nation's future. I cannot support this irresponsible legislation. I am tired of the Republican leadership wasting what little time we have on proposals to benefit the wealthiest Americans when there is so much important work left undone. Let us do the responsible thing. Let us focus first on reinforcing the social foundation on which this Nation's future security and prosperity will grow.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the gentleman from Utah (Chairman Hansen) and the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo), the ranking member; and the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young), the full committee chairman; and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the ranking member; for bringing this bill on the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation and ask that the House support the efforts of the entire Yuma community to designate the Yuma Crossing as a national heritage area. I want to assure this body that the entire area is united behind the principles of this legislation. More than 60 years before the European settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, and more than 80 years, before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado marched across southeastern Arizona in search of the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. To supply Coronado's expedition, Captain Hernando de Alarcon commanded three ships through the Gulf of California into the mouth of the Colorado River. The Spanish explorer Hernando de Alarcon became the first European to venture into what is now the southwest portions of the United States just below the confluence of the Colorado River and the Gila River. There they made use of a geological formation in the lower Colorado, consisting of two massive granite outcroppings known to us today as Yuma Crossing. Alarcon's voyage is the first European discovery of the Colorado River, and the Crossing has become a natural bridge which played an important role in the western settlement of the United States. Father Eusebio Francisco Kino mapped supply routes to California through the Yuma Crossing, a route that would be used in many other expeditions and used by many colonists. Using the knowledge pioneered by Father Kino, more than 200 settlers and herds of livestock crossed the treacherous Colorado River using the Yuma Crossing. Anza, another famous Spanish explorer, crossed the Colorado at this point. He traveled westward to cross the desert to San Gabriel and then turned north and established the community of San Francisco in 1776. Kit Carson traveled the Yuma Crossing as he carried dispatches between California and New Mexico to report on the United States' successful military conquest of California in the war with Mexico in 1846. It was during the war with Mexico that Lieutenant Colonel Phillip St. George Cooke used the Yuma Crossing to establish the Gila Trail, that became a passageway used by California's gold seekers, by pioneers, by ranchers, farmers, and the military. Yuma Crossing quickly became a strategic military location following the Mexican war. Settlers and the Quechan Indians fought for the rights to hold ferry operations across the Colorado. In 1852, Fort Yuma was established to keep the peace between the settlers and the Quechans. In addition to its importance, Yuma has become a major port town and transportation hub. Steamboats were used to freight supplies, as well as stagecoach and camel caravans were used to transport supplies. But as Yuma grew, more sophisticated modes of transportation were demanded, the outgrowth of which resulted in the development of the Southern Pacific Railroad. With the establishment of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Yuma established itself as a major connecting point in the westward expansion of our country. Today, the city of Yuma has a population of 70,000 residents, the third largest city in Arizona. Along with its importance in the development of the West, there is a combination of arid desert landscapes, rugged mountains and wetlands that is the natural environment for this area which we want to preserve. Designating Yuma Crossing as a national heritage area will preserve Yuma's early heritage and highlight Yuma Crossing's importance to opening the American West to exploration and settlement. The designation will also serve to preserve and protect its vital wildlife habitats and wetland areas. Yuma Crossing is a vital link in our Nation's heritage, and it is for these reasons that I proudly introduce this legislation that will designate Yuma Crossing as a national heritage area. I urge the House to support preserving an important part of our Southwestern heritage.

Mr. PASTOR

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

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this motion to instruct instructs the conferees to fund the General Accounting Office, which is very important to the work of the Congress, at that amount. I would ask my colleagues to support this motion. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct conferees.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, with great regret, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4810. The regret is not only because I must oppose this bill, but because my friends on the other side of aisle are unwilling to enact true and meaningful reform that benefits all American citizens. Instead, we are being presented with proposed legislation that will assist couples making more than $75,000 a year at the expense of strengthening future financing of Social Security and Medicare and modernizing Medicare by including affordable prescription drug coverage. On the surface, this bill appears to be a blessing for all married couples but there will be millions of unhappy tax payers next April 15th when they learn that they will not benefit from the promises being made today. Who will benefit? Two-thirds of the actual benefits in this package will go to the 30% of married couples making more than $75,000 a year. Review of the bill by financial analysts indicate that the average tax cut for couples receiving more than $75,000 would be $994 a year, compared to a tax cut of only $149 for couples making less than $75,000 a year. Perhaps the most egregious flaw in this bill is that makes no modifcation to the Alternative Minimum Tax which places a floor on the total amount of deductions which couples may file for each year. By not adjusting that figure, many middle-class families with children will not receive a dime from the sham ``benefits'' contained in this bill. I believe that it is those very families with children who most deserve a marriage tax benefit. H.R. 4810 proposes to remove $50.7 billion over five years and $182.3 billion over ten years from the federal budget. We are already scrounging for funds in an effort to pay down the national debt and shore up the Social Security and Medicare funds. Where will this put us in ten years when today's middle-aged married couples are ready to retire?

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a special event in the State of Arizona, the Annual Profiles of Success Hispanic Leadership Awards presentation. This special event is Arizona's most prestigious Latin Awards event. The luncheon is held in conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month and coordinated by Valle del Sol, Inc., a community-based organization in Phoenix. This year marks the 10th anniversary for Profiles of Success. Award recipients are selected for their sustained service over a period of years. They are considered for significant time devoted to activities, services or issues beyond work or family responsibilities; challenges met by the nominee that were unusual; motivating others through personal commitment and/or exemplary performance; creativity in devising new and better ways of performing volunteer assignments or meeting the needs of the community; and leadership and betterment of the community through undertakings that have wide impact on a large number of people. In the last 10 years, Profiles of Success awards have been conferred in four categories upon the following individuals: Hall of Fame: Honorable Raul Castro, Maria Luisa Urquides, Adam Diaz, Bennie M. Gonzales, Dr. Maria Vega, Ruben Perez and Silvestre Herrera, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Exemplary Leadership: Toni-Maria Avila, Rosie Lopez, Dr. Eugene Marin, Clara Ruiz Engel, Roger C. Romero, Mary Rose Garrido Wilcox, Ernest Calderon, Jose L. Conchola, Dr. Elizabeth Valdez, Dr. Mary Jo Franco-French, Jaime Gutierrez, Dr. Santos Vega, Jose Cardenas, Tom Espinoza, Patricia Ruiz, Dr. J. Oscar Maynes, Jr., Tommy Nunez, Gloria G. Ybarra, Sandra Ferniza, Daniel Ortega, Jr., Art Othon, Patricia Escalante Garcia, Martin Sanmaniego, Tony Astorga, Eduardo Delci, Armando Flores, and Hilda Ortega-Rosales. Special Recognition: Margie Emmermann, Cesar E. Chavez, Silvestre Herrera, Eugene Brassard, Manuel ``Lito'' Pena, Jr., Raul Lopez, Jess Torres, and Lorraine Lee. Manuel Ortega Young Leaders Award: Marisa Calderon. This year's recipients are: Eduardo ``Lalo'' Guerrero for Hall of Fame; Norma Guerra, Joe Elias and Lucia Madrid for Exemplary Leadership; Isabel Gonzales for the Manuel Ortega Young Leaders Award; and John Valenzuela, a South Tucson police officer who lost his life in the line of duty, who is posthumously receiving Special Recognition. Each of the Profiles of Success recipients have stood out in the Latino community and demonstrated uncommon courage against tremendous odds. Words like dedication, integrity and compassion are synonymous with their names. Profiles of Success is the Latino community's opportunity to honor these champions. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Profiles of Success winners and extending them best wishes.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, with prescription drug expenses climbing ever higher, 75% of Medicare beneficiaries do not have dependable, comprehensive prescription drug coverage, and many American seniors are forced to decide between the purchase of medication and other necessities such as food or electricity. This situation is simply not acceptable in a nation as prosperous as ours. Congress must take action to restore the dignity of American seniors and ease the growing burden on American families. The time has come for an affordable, voluntary, and reliable Medicare prescription coverage plan. The need has never been greater and public support has never been stronger. I am deeply disappointed that the Republican leadership in Congress seems intent on squandering this opportunity for meaningful action by limiting floor consideration to a single Republican proposal which would do little to provide affordable drug coverage to seniors. While American seniors need the opportunity to purchase affordable drug coverage no matter where they live, the Republican proposal guarantees opportunities only to the insurance and drug industries it would subsidize, with no guarantee of affordable plans for all seniors. While American families want the peace of mind that comes from defined and dependable coverage, the Republicans have introduced a sham proposal that even the insurance companies it would rely on say will simply not work. While Americans seek universal relief from bearing the full burden of devastating prescription drug expenses, regardless of their health or income, the Republicans offer only a divisive political ploy. There is an alternative. The Democrats today have introduced a plan that offers the security, equity and universality of coverage that our seniors deserve. Rather than private, stand-alone drug coverage that is neither affordable or workable, the Democratic plan builds upon the strengths of the Medicare program, providing voluntary access to basic drug benefits to all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of their income, health status, or where they live. It is a plan that will truly help the Arizonans I represent, and a plan that I am proud to co- sponsor. I call on the Republican leadership to move beyond political maneuvering and allow for meaningful and comprehensive debate on this issue which affects all of our constituents. Seniors in my district, and across America, deserve the security of an affordable and defined Medicare drug benefit. It is time that Congress rise to the occasion, listen to what the American people are so clearly calling for, and make it happen.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3023 and I want to personally thank Chairman Young and Chairman Doolittle, and Ranking Member Miller and Ranking Member Dooley for there cooperation and persistence in moving this legislation so quickly. I also want to thank the Cities of Somerton, San Luis, and Yuma, the Cocopah Indian Nation, and the Bureau of Reclamation. Without the cooperation of all, we would not be considering this legislation today. H.R. 3023 is critical to the continued economic development of Yuma, Arizona. It is relatively simple legislation, but it is a tremendous and important step toward relieving congestion at one of the busiest border crossings in our nation. It would convey a portion of land, approximately 330 acres, to the Greater Yuma Port Authority for the construction and operation of an International Port of Entry. Since the early 1990s, the Port of Entry in Yuma County, Arizona began to experience serious delays, particularly with commercial traffic. The current Port is located directly in the heart of the City of San Luis, just south of downtown Yuma. Delays continued to grow over the years, with vehicles backing up on both sides of the border. Then, of course, with the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, the traffic has since become such that individuals are having to wait anywhere from two to four hours to make the crossing. This is particularly true in the case of commercial vehicles. Because of the serious impact these delays are having on commerce and the quality of life of the people in the region, I began working with the communities to develop some solution to this border crossing nightmare. H.R. 3023 would convey to the Greater Yuma Port Authority an area of land currently controlled by the Bureau of Reclamation just east of the City of San Luis, for the construction of a commercial Port of Entry. This land, of course, would be conveyed to the Greater Yuma Port Authority at ``fair market value.'' This bill, as passed by the Committee on Resources, has been carefully crafted by all parties involved over several months. The Cities of Yuma, Somerton, and San Luis, the County of Yuma, the Cocopah Indian Nation, and the Bureau of Reclamation all contributed to the final version of this legislation. Also, the Border Patrol and the State Department were consulted. After several very lengthy and detailed meetings, all parties involved agreed with the spirit and with the letter of this legislation. The Bureau of Reclamation had several suggested changes to the original version. These changes were primarily technical changes and the simple rearrangement of Sections and phrases to better fit the flow of the legislative intent. All of the Bureau of Reclamations suggested changes were accepted by myself and the representatives of the Greater Yuma Port Authority and were incorporated into this bill during the Subcommittee on Water and Power mark-up session. Mr. Speaker, this is a simple land transfer which have a significant impact on the lives of people of Yuma. It will ensure a much more timely and convenient crossing for individuals and for commercial enterprises. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3023. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I am not opposed, but I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 7 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer). (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the chairman for his comments. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PASTOR. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, let me engage in a colloquy with the chairman of the subcommittee. Mr. Chairman, I say to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor), last year during the debate on the 2000 Legislative appropriation bill, the Capitol Police were directed to look into the possibility of using American-made motorcycles in their security mission. Is it not true that they have recently advised us of the current status of this directive?

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, we support the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Defense.

Mr. PASTOR

Mr. PASTOR. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia.

Mr. PASTOR. Let me make another point, Mr. Speaker. When we adopted the budget it gave us an allocation for the Committee on Appropriations, on which my dear friend also serves. We have been involved in a number of the allocations, how they go up, they go down, because there are priorities that the majority may want. There are needs. Everybody is for reducing the debt. I think that is decided when we develop or adopt the budget. Once we adopt the allocation, there are debates in subcommittee, there are debates in committee, and then we have to go to the floor. Then we have to go to conference with the Senate. I believe what this amendment does is basically ties the gentleman's hands and my hands to be able to debate and determine priorities, and be able to buy 5 pounds of hamburger, but also spend some additional money that we may need for other purposes.