Chip Pickering

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Chairman, I want to take this opportunity first to thank the Chairman, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Combest), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), for their leadership on the underlying legislation, the farm bill, which is greatly needed to stabilize and secure the farm economy as we go forward over the next decade. The amendment that I have before us today is very simple. In December 2000, the FDA made a unilateral decision to allow the Vietnamese to label basafish as catfish. Now, this is equivalent to allowing water buffalo to be imported into this country under the label of beef. Since that time we have seen false, deceptive, and misleading labeling of this product. For example, we have cajun delight catfish, we have delta fresh farm raised catfish, and I can tell my colleagues that we do not have these fish raised in the Mississippi Delta. It is misleading. The tragedy is that we have allowed a situation to occur which is hurting an industry born a generation ago in Mississippi and Louisiana and Arkansas and across the southeast that has given the catfish the good name and the good flavor it has. This industry has created a vital and important contribution to my State's economy. We need to do everything that we can to make sure that our trade practices and labeling are fair. This amendment will do that and will require the labeling of the Vietnamese import to be basa, as it should be. Mr. Chairman, I want to recognize and thank my colleagues, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry), the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows), and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross), who are joining with me. I also want to thank the chairman for his work with me in this effort.

Mr. PICKERING. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. PICKERING. I thank the chairman.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be withdrawn as cosponsor from H. Con. Res. 144.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 4 today. This legislation is the first step in the development of a comprehensive national energy strategy. Included in H.R. 4 is an amendment I offered at the full committee markup to have the Department of Energy conduct a study and review of the Federal Energy Savings Performance Contract Program. This program is an existing and innovative program that provides Federal agencies the opportunity to fund the installation of necessary energy efficiency measures. As the single largest consumer of energy, our Federal government facilities offer a significant opportunity to help us meet one of our national energy goals--increased efficiency. Our experience has shown that many of these government facilities have aging and energy inefficient equipment that require modernization in order to allow them to operate at peak efficiency. We have learned over the past 10 years in the implementation of this program, like so many other government programs, that ``one size does not fit all.'' I believe that there are barriers and obstacles in current law and regulations, including some unnecessary red tape that prevents some Federal agencies from participating in the program. If flexibility is increased, this program could be used more effectively by Federal agencies. It is important that we take a look at the program, determine what barriers or obstacles exist, and implement appropriate changes. This provision provides for a 6-month review, report to Congress, and requires the Department to implement appropriate changes to increase program flexibility and effectiveness. As part of this report and review, it is our intention that the Department of Energy will consult with outside parties that have experience participating and working within the program as well as other Federal agencies. I am hopeful that the end result of this effort will keep us on the road to increasing our nation's energy efficiency, and that the Federal government will indeed be a large contributor to this effort.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2540, the Veterans Benefit Act. Today we have 250,000 veterans in Mississippi; 54,000 are World War II veterans, 77,000 are Vietnam veterans, 39,000 served in Korea, and 33,000 are Gulf War vets. This bill provides them compensation benefits and COLA. It recognizes the 33,000 Gulf War veterans and gives them an extension of the presumptive period to recognize the mysterious illnesses that they returned with, and provides them we hope with the care they have so richly earned. It provides for a great new pilot program to provide information, as the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker) mentioned, a voice-to-voice, a person-to-person providing the care they need to get the care they deserve. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his leadership. He has been aggressive and assertive in representing veterans across this country and in my State of Mississippi. Secretary Principi has done a tremendous job. We are making progress because we know to recruit and retain the young people today in our military force, we must show the care and the commitment, the respect and the appreciation to the veterans who served yesterday. This bill, along with H.R. 1291, the Montgomery GI bill, is a significant step in the right direction, and for that I give great support and commendation to the committee and to the chairman and to the other Members and to this bill.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, Mississippi has lost one of its most treasured authors. We all mourn the passing of Eudora Welty and as Mississippians, we celebrate her accomplishments and her love of our state and its people. She is recognized around the world as a Pulitzer Prize winner and an ambassador for Mississippi by sharing her vivid descriptions of its people and places so that others might learn about our state through her writings. Ms. Welty won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for her work titled ``The Optimist's Daughter''. She was presented with numerous other honors and awards including the National Book Award for fiction in 1971, the National Medal for Literature 1980 Book Award, and the National Medal of Arts in 1987. She was the first living writer ever to be included in the prestigious Library of America series in 1999. Mr. Speaker, today we recognize and honor Ms. Welty for her outstanding literary achievements and awards. While we are all saddened by her death, we celebrate her life and her concern for the people of Mississippi and all of America. Her writing shows the care and concern she had for her fellow man. Ms. Eudora Welty will truly be missed by all of us.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in proud support of both the rule and H.R. 7. I want to commend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall), who is an example to all of us, and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts). They are the best of this institution. I want to say that in my home State of Mississippi we have the proud distinction of being the most charitable State in the Nation, the most generous. And because of the faith-based initiative, we have had an effort that has brought our christian community together with the Jewish community, with Muslims, with black, with white, people of all ages to organize in support of this initiative, because we know in Mississippi, just as we know across this country, that for the addict, for the alcoholic, for the struggling family, for the hungry, for the prisoner, for those troubled, faith heals, faith renews, faith gives the hope that this country needs. Our President has called on us to remove the hindrances, to remove the hostility to the faith-based approaches so that there can be neutrality between the secular and the religious in healing our land. It is to remove the discrimination that we now have against the faith- based solutions. I believe this approach can help heal our land, can bring our people together. It is happening in my own State of Mississippi; it is happening all across this land. I believe this is the right way at the right time to stand with organizations from the Salvation Army to Catholic Charities, to Evangelical Christians, to groups that represent the full breadth of this land and the greatest traditions of our faith. Our founders knew that faith needed to guide us to give us the political prosperity and the peace and the reconciliation and the renewal. May we rise to the occasion today and pass this great and good legislation.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich), denying the Food and Drug Administration's scientific experts the funding necessary to review the application of transgenic fish. I oppose this amendment because it does not give the FDA, the experts in this field, the power to make informed decisions about the safety of transgenic fish. Congress does not possess the depth of scientific knowledge needed to determine the safety of transgenic fish. We should go forward with the review. There is also already a comprehensive regulatory process at FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine to evaluate any risk associated with transgenic species. Now, the fundamental flaw also in the Kucinich amendment is that it is not restricted just to transgenic salmon, but applies more broadly to transgenic fish. For example, the amendment would severely hamper ongoing research efforts, including catfish research. Catfish is the Nation's largest aquaculture sector, providing over $500 million in revenue to farms covering over 190,000 acres in 13 States and is extremely important to my home State of Mississippi. Also, research on transgenic catfish is targeted to the development of disease-resistant stocks and novel veterinary medicine. This research is vital because catfish farmers can identify disease and, once identified, can remove the single greatest barrier to improved farm production and human health. Mr. Chairman, U.S. agriculture producers and consumers have benefited greatly from advances in transgenic technology and in plant sciences. These new tools allow farmers to produce better products, while reducing chemical use, which provides a tremendous benefit to our environment. In addition, biotechnology holds the keys to eliminating world hunger and wiping out global poverty. While this technology has not been used widely in animal production, the promise for results similar to those that we have seen within the realm of plant science is evident. Let me just close real quickly by saying, oppose the Kucinich amendment. Stand for sound science. Do not stick our heads in the mud. This is a great technology that will make species stronger, healthier and better.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for the farmers of my home State of Mississippi and for this legislation. Could we do more? Yes. Should we do more? I hope by the end of the day, by the time this Senate takes this up and it goes to the President, that there will be more. In terms of real dollars, Mississippi farmers are facing their 4th year of prices that have not been this low since the Great Depression. I look forward to working with the committee and the chairman to look at ways in the farm bill that we can have long-term solutions to crises that come up, not only in our commodities and crops, but for farmers who are in other areas, such as poultry. We need to find ways so that if we do have an energy crisis or spike that we can meet those needs, whether through grants or loans, so that they too can manage their farm income in a way that is predictable and gives them certainty. We need to help our farmers avoid the bankruptcies that we are seeing today in places across my district and in the Southeast. As we continue to get the emergency assistance and the long-term care, I look forward to working, as chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Waterfowl Task Force, in getting the conservation titles of the farm bill in order for the good it does both for our environment and for our farmers.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Madam Speaker, I rise with great pride to support H.R. 1291, the 21st Century Montgomery GI Bill. It is a great honor for me to follow G.V. Sonny Montgomery, who represented the Third District of Mississippi, the legislation which bears his name and which is an embodiment of his commitment and his legacy to our Nation's Armed Services, the military, and to our veterans. What does it mean for Mississippi? In the Third District we have 4,763 members of the Army-Air Force National Guard throughout the district; 1,410 active duty Air Force at Columbus Air Force Base; 1,646 active duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel at Meridian, Mississippi. It means that they will have the opportunity to get an education, to better their lives, to have a higher standard of living and quality of life for their children and for their families. At Mississippi State University, if they choose to attend there, today 55 percent of their tuition is covered. Under this legislation, 87 percent of their tuition and costs will be covered. One hundred twenty student veterans are now enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi. Today, 51 percent of their costs of covered under this legislation. Three years from today, 83 percent of their costs will be covered. Four hundred sixty students are enrolled there today. At the University of Mississippi, 55 percent of the costs are covered today. Eighty-seven percent will be covered in the future, and over 100 students will benefit. Madam Speaker, it is time for the next generation to step up to the plate and follow the leaders of the World War II generation, to show our commitment to the Armed Services. For the men and women of the 21st century who are willing to commit to serve their country, we need to make sure we can recruit and retain and give them the educational opportunities and benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill. For that reason, I have great pride in supporting this good and noble effort.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, as you know, there are many components to our transportation infrastructure upon which we all rely heavily. However, in many cities and towns across this great nation, the increased need for transportation infrastructure has caused some of our modes of transportation to conflict with the general function of the other. Throughout history as the United States expanded, much of the growth could be attributed to the rail lines. The railroad was the vital economic link for many communities. Therefore the railroads were often the focal point of many downtowns. Today, with an increased use in automobiles for surface transportation purposes, these rail lines have become quite problematic. However, this is no fault of the railroad. Railroads in this country still meet vital needs for both cargo and passenger transport. Many rail lines have divided downtown areas in half, while providing virtually no service to the downtown area. There are multiple dangers incurred when this happens. Rail disruptions like this have cut off essential services such as police, fire, ambulance and other medical services. Fatal accidents are occurring along improperly marked and located crossings. Also, many areas have been hampered economically by a rail line that has bisected a downtown area. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the railroads for their heavy investment in maintaining their lines. Again, these conflicts are no fault of the railroad, but have developed from changes that have erupted more rapidly than the railroads can adjust. In many cases, the road/rail conflict should not be corrected by cutting off or modifying a roadway. The best solution often is to relocate the railroad. My bill, the Community Rail Line Relocation Assistance Act would provide for this relocation. There are many situations in Mississippi where the railroads need to be moved. I am sure that this is true in many of your states, too. Railroads have the right of way and have no legal obligation to move. Therefore, my bill provides for a much needed solution. The railroads want to help solve these problems and foster good community relations with these towns that they serve. The Association of American Railroads and the Short Line and Regional Railroad Association support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, my bill would authorize grants to fund rail relocation projects that mitigate the adverse effects of rail traffic on safety, vehicle traffic flow, or economic development; involving the vertical or lateral relocation of the rail line in lieu of the closing of a grade crossing or the relocation of a road; and provide at least as much benefit over the economic life of the project as the cost of the project. The Department of Transportation would fund 90 percent of the cost of these rail line relocation projects out of the general fund of the Treasury. The state or local government would be required to pay the remaining 10 percent, but would be allowed to cover this cost through appropriate in-kind contributions or dedicated private contributions. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to evaluate the needs of the communities in their states in relation to the location of rail lines and join me in cosponsoring this legislation.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to bring attention to a problem faced by livestock and food animal producers, animal and pet owners, zoo and wildlife biologists, and the animals themselves, which unfortunately goes largely unnoticed except by those who are directly affected. There currently exists a severe shortage of approved animal drugs for use in minor animal species. These minor animal species include those animals other than cattle, horses, chickens, turkeys, dogs, and cats. In addition, there exists a similar shortage of pharmaceutical medicines for major animal species for diseases that occur infrequently or which occur only in limited geographic areas. Due to the lack of availability of these minor use drugs, millions of animals go either untreated for illnesses or treatment is delayed. This results not only in unnecessary animal suffering but may threaten human health as well. Because of limited market opportunity, low profit margins, and enormous capital investment required, it is generally not economically feasible for drug manufacturers to pursue research and development and then approval for medicines used in treating minor species and infrequent conditions and diseases. In addition to the animals themselves, without access to these necessary minor use drugs, farmers and ranchers also suffer. An unhealthy animal that is left untreated can spread disease through an entire stock of its fellow specie resulting in severe economic losses and hardships to agriculture producers. For example, Mr. Speaker, sheep ranchers lost nearly $45 million worth of livestock alone in 1999. The sheep industry estimates that if it had access to effective and necessary minor use medicines, grower reproduction costs for these animals would be cut by upwards of 15%. In addition, feedlot deaths would be reduced 1-2% adding approximately $8 million of revenue to the industry. The catfish industry, a top agriculture sector in my home state of Mississippi which generates enormous economic opportunities for our people, especially within the Mississippi Delta, estimates its losses at $60 million per year attributable to minor diseases for which drugs are not available. The U.S. aquaculture industry overall, including food as well as ornamental fish, produces and raises over 800 different species. Unfortunately, the industry has only five drugs approved for use in treating aquaculture diseases. The result is tremendous economic hardship and animal suffering within the industry. Mr. Speaker, joined with my colleagues, Mr. Combest of Texas, Mr. Pombo of California, Mr. Otter of Idaho, Mr. Simpson of Idaho, and Ms. Thurman of Florida, I resolve to correct this unfortunate situation by introducing the Minor Animal Species Health Act of 2001. This legislation will allow companies the opportunity to develop and approve minor use drugs which are of vital interest to a large number of animal industries. Our legislation incorporates the major proposals of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine to increase the availability of drugs for minor animal species and rare diseases in all animals. The Animal Drug Availability Act of 1996 required the Food and Drug Administration to provide Congress with a report, describing administrative and legislative proposals to improve and enhance the animal drug approval process for minor uses and minor species of new animal drugs. This report by FDA, delivered to Congress in December of 1998, laid out nine proposals. Eight of the FDA's proposals required statutory changes. The bill I am introducing today reflects the changes called for in the Agency's minor species/minor use report. The Act creates incentives for animal drug manufacturers to invest in product development and obtain FDA marketing approvals. Furthermore, it creates a program very similar to the successful Human Orphan Drug Program that has, over the past twenty years, dramatically increased the availability of drugs to treat rare human diseases. Mr. Speaker, besides providing benefits to livestock producers and animal owners, this measure will develop incentives and sanctioning programs for the pharmaceutical industry while maintaining and ensuring public health. The Minor Animal Species Health Act of 2001 is supported by the Food and Drug Administration, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Animal Health Institute, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and virtually every organization representing all genres of minor animal species. This is vital legislation which is desperately needed now. The Act will alleviate much animal suffering, it will promote the health and well-being of minor animal species while protecting and promoting human health, it will benefit pets and improve the emotional security of their owners, benefit various endangered species of aquatic species, and will reduce economic risks and hardships to farmers and ranchers. This is common-sense legislation which will benefit millions of Americans from farmers and ranchers to pet owners. I call on all my colleagues in the House to support the Minor Animal Species Health Act of 2001.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, many rural and inner city areas of the United States lack proper veterinary care within their communities. As a result, the health of both animals and humans in these areas is at risk. In many cases, veterinarians, upon graduating from a school of veterinary medicine, opt to practice in prosperous urban settings which often provide opportunities for higher standings of living. The result is a lack of animal health care professionals in hundreds of communities and rural regions. Rural areas of the United States are going through a unique transformation. Thousands of small-town, agrarian communities are literally vanishing. These agricultural communities are dependent upon livestock veterinarians to help ensure the well-being of their rural economies. Unfortunately, lower earning potential, long hours, unfavorable weather conditions, danger, and fewer farmers are making livestock veterinarians remarkably scarce in these agrarian communities. In the same respect, inner-city areas have also noticed a shortage of animal health care professionals within their communities. These areas are potential hotbeds for dangerous diseases carried by rodents and stray animals. These diseases can be easily transmitted to residents, particularly more highly-susceptible children. Veterinarians may often be the key in preventing the spread of such diseases in highly-populated, inner-city areas. In response to the growing number of under-served areas that are lacking animal health care professionals, I am introducing the ``Veterinary Health Enhancement Act for Under-served Areas'' to meet the health care needs of these communities. Under this proposal, veterinary students will be provided scholarships and tuition debt relief if they choose to choose to practice in under-served areas for an agreed upon period of time. The result of having veterinarians provide their services to these communities will improve animal health, will ensure that the risk of disease transfer from animals to humans is minimal, and will improve economic opportunities for agriculture producers who depend on livestock veterinarians. This is non-controversial legislation that will provide benefits to the entire country. I urge my colleagues to show their commitment to communities throughout their respective districts which lack proper veterinary care by lending their support for the ``Veterinary Health Enhancement Act for Under-Served Areas''.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Chairman, I was inadvertently detained and unable to vote on rollcall No. 129, expressing the sense of Congress that the Education Department, states, and school districts should work together to ensure that at least 95% of all federal education funds be spent directly to improve the academic achievement of children in the classroom. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 129.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to introduce the Wetlands Reserve Program Enhancement Act of 2001 in order to extend authority for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) authorized under the Farm Bill of 1996. The WRP is just the kind of non-regulatory, voluntary approach to conservation that works best for environmental protection and wildlife enhancement. Since its inception in 1996, the Wetlands Reserve Program has restored over one million acres of former wetlands to the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife species while providing financial relief to struggling farm families. The program has been so successful, in fact, that for every five farmers that wish to enroll in the WRP, only one is accepted. This clearly shows how popular the program is with farmers and wildlife enthusiasts. In my home state of Mississippi, the WRP has proven to be extremely popular with private landowners, and for good reason. With commodity prices being as low as they are, the program is a great benefit to Mississippi farmers who could not otherwise afford to stay on their land or pass it on to future generations. Across the country, thousands of landowners have discovered that the WRP is an attractive alternative to farming high-risk and high-cost crop land that is frequently at risk of flooding. The WRP provides the necessary, voluntary incentives to restore such areas to wetlands. The landowner, in turn, is free to use his or her WRP incentive payment to refinance debt, upgrade machinery, or to buy additional land to make their farming operations more profitable. This additional land enrolled in the program not only benefits farmers, but also wildlife and wildlife habitat. In the Mississippi Delta states, most WRP land is planted in high-quality hardwood trees that flood in the winter and provide critical habitat for waterfowl and other species. In fact, the WRP has become one of the largest and most successful wetland restoration programs ever attempted on private lands. The program is also restoring waterfowl breeding habitat in states like South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to name a few. It is restoring migration habitat across the United States including Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, and New York. Most of all, the WRP is restoring wintering habitat in such diverse states as California, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. As the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and a lifelong supporter of Ducks Unlimited, I recognize another wonderful benefit of the Wetlands Reserve Program. Like many states, the Great State of Mississippi honors a proud waterfowling tradition. Every day the WRP helps improve waterfowl populations and enhance wetlands habitat to create new opportunities for sportsmen and women to participate in the time-honored tradition of duck hunting. As the father of five young boys, I am blessed with the opportunity to pass the family tradition of waterfowling down to them. I savor the memories of early morning duck hunts that I had with my father and grandfather as a young boy. These opportunities taught me a deep respect for the outdoors and helped me to develop a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife. These are opportunities and values that I am passing down to my own sons, and providing waterfowl habitat through programs like the WRP help make it all possible. Mr. Speaker, my legislation authorizes up to 250,000 acres of marginal farm land to be enrolled in the WRP through 2005. It is exactly the kind of non-regulatory conservation program that landowners want and wildlife need as we begin our entrance into the next century. I urge my colleagues to join with me and the original cosponsors of the Wetlands Reserve Program Enhancement Act to ensure that this program remains a viable option to farmers, wildlife, and the environment.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Doctor Jesse W. Austin, Sr., a constituent of mine who passed away on Monday, February 12, 2001, at his residence in Forest, Mississippi. Dr. Austin, affectionately known as ``Doctor Bill'', was 84 years of age at the time of his death and had been a practicing physician in the City of Forest and Scott County for more than 39 years. Doctor Bill was born in Osyka, Mississippi in 1916 but moved to Forest in 1924. He graduated from Forest High School in 1934, Mississippi State University in 1938, and Tulane Medical School in 1942. Shortly after graduating from Tulane, Doctor Bill entered the United States Army and served with the U.S. 3rd Army in Europe as a Battalion Surgeon. He participated in 5 major battles which began with the Normandy Invasion and ended in Yugoslavia on VE Day. Doctor Bill's service decorations included the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart. At the Battle of the Bulge, he was known as the ``Battling Surgeon.'' Upon returning from Service in 1945, Doctor Bill began his medical practice with his father, Doctor R.B. Austin, II. At that time, most patient care was done either at the patient's home or in the doctor's office. It was not unusual for Doctor Bill to spend most of his day making house calls and treating patients. He had a bedside manner with his patients that truly reflected his love and concern for their well- being. Because of his caring attitude, Doctor Bill endeared himself to all the residents of Forest and Scott County that lasted until his final day of life. During his medical career, Doctor Bill delivered more than 3500 babies, most of whom were born at home. Doctor Bill served as the first president of the Mississippi Chapter of the Battle of the Bulge Veterans. It was he who stepped forward in 1994 to provide the leadership to form the state's first Battle of the Bulge Veterans group and helped organize the inaugural meeting of the group in Forest. He was a member of the Forest United Methodist Church and was an ardent Mississippi State University supporter. He was also a member and past president of the Central Medical Society. Doctor Bill was active in civic affairs and he and his wife were honored as Forest's ``Citizens of the Year'' and named grand marshals of the Christmas Parade in 1984. Doctor David Lee, a medical colleague of Doctor Bill said that ``he was one of the best general practitioners I've known. He was one of the most dedicated doctor I've been associated with.'' Doctor Howard Clark, a physician from Morton, Mississippi said both Doctor Bill and his father were wonderful doctors stating, ``They were down-to-earth, ethical, people loving doctors.'' Sid Salter, editor of the Scott County Times said, ``Doctor Bill died as he lived--a well loved and respected man. He did not talk patriotism, he lived it. He did not talk of healing. He used his head, heart and hands to bring it about in his fellow man regardless of their race, creed, color, or economic status. He did not speak of his service to mankind. He simply rendered it day by day.'' Doctor Bill is survived by his wife Opal, daughters Sue Thigpen and Judy Webb, sons J. W. ``Ace'' Richard and Terry, their husband and wives, 14 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. Doctor Bill was a great man. He loved the Lord, his family, his friends, his country, his state, and by all means Forest and Scott County. He served others to the best of his ability. It is my honor to pay tribute and express my appreciation and that of the 3rd Congressional District of Mississippi for his life of service and contributions to the betterment of our nation and all mankind.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a bill today to help America's energy consumers by repealing an outdated law that serves as a barrier to competition for increased supply and transmission in today's troubled energy marketplace. This bill, which is identical to legislation introduced by Chairman Tauzin in the last Congress and very similar to legislation approved by the Senate Banking Committee in the last Congress, would repeal a New Deal Law, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA). I am pleased to be joined by Representative Towns, Representative Stearns and Chairman Tauzin in introducing this important bipartisan legislation. I will be working closely with these members as we seek to bring an end to this outdated policy which has outlived its usefulness and purpose. Chairman Tauzin has been the author of this legislation in the past and I am proud to take his mantle forward. In addition, Representative Stearns and Towns have long been involved in the fight to repeal PUHCA and I look forward to working with them and having their leadership on this effort. This legislation is a bipartisan initiative. The current Republican and previous Democratic Administrations have called for the repeal of PUHCA. Further, the bill would implement the recommendations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) made in 1995 following an extensive study by the SEC of the effects of this outdated law on the energy markets. Mr. Speaker, one of the factors that has contributed to the current California energy crisis and will stand in the way of any permanent solution is the structural and financial restraints imposed under PUHCA. PUHCA unnecessarily restricts the flow of capital into the troubled California market, which is inhibiting the development of new generation and transmission capacity. Repeal of PUHCA would eliminate these articial structural and financial barriers and could contribute tot he alleviation of California's energy problem and the Western regional energy problem. PUHCA is a law that has long outlived its usefulness. It imposes unnecessary costs on consumers and directly undermines the intent of recently enacted federal and state policies designed to bring more completion and capital to America's energy market. PUHCA was enacted in 1935 to address abuses arising out of pyramid corporate structures at a time when electric utility regulation was just starting at both the federal and state level. PUHCA's primary purpose was to simplify complex holding company structures and to limit inappropriate business practices. This purpose was accomplished in the 1950's and the SEC has recommended to Congress that PUHCA be repealed since 1981. Today, a significant number of electric and gas utility holding companies are required by PUHCA also delays or, in some cases, prevents registered companies from offering new products and services to their consumers. As a barrier to entry for gas and electric utilities in all states, PUHCA limits investment and growth opportunities on a nationwide basis in the gas and electric industries. PUHCA also unnecessarily restricts the flow of capital into all states thereby inhibiting the development of new transmission and generation capacity. PUHCA stands in the way of the efforts by our nation's utility industry to serve consumers in a more competitive manner. The counterproductive restricts that PUHCA places on the natural gas and electric power industries are based on historical assumptions that are no longer valid. The factors that existed when PUHCA was enacted in 1935 no longer exist today. Federal and state laws at that time were inadequate to protect consumers and investors 66 years ago. Today, federal and state regulations have become much more comprehensive and sensitive to market conditions. PUHCA, however, remains an economic drag on America's energy industry. Mr. Speaker, I first became aware of PUHCA's outdated restrictions when I served as an aide to Senator Lott on the Telecommunications Act of 1996. At the time, we were trying to modernize the Communications Act of 1934, another command and control New Deal legislation like PUHCA. PUHCA had to be amended to allow competition in our telecommunications industry. Today, we need to repeal the 1935 Act and replace it with one that makes sense in today's energy and capital markets. There exists no reason to retain this outdated regulation. The ability of State commissions to regulate holding company systems and, together with the development of regulation under the Federal Power Act of 1935 and the Natural Gas Act of 1938, have eliminated the regulatory ``gaps'' that existed in 1935 with respect to wholesale transactions in interstate commerce. The expanded ability of State commissions and the FERC to regulate inter-affiliate transactions have further rendered the 1935 Act unnecessary. In addition, important market power issues will continue to be reviewed by FERC, the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. This legislation would reform the regulation of utility holding companies by repealing the duplicative SEC-related provisions of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, while assuring that the SEC retains all of its non-PUHCA jurisdiction of securities and securities markets in order to protect investors. The bill would put gas and electric power companies on an equal competitive footing, allowing them to take advantage of market opportunities that benefit consumers, investors and utility companies. Registered companies will continue to be subject to the same government regulation intended to protect consumers and investors as that to which other industry participants are subject. SEC authority under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, Investment Advisers Act, and Trust Indenture Act will all remain in place. The State securities commissions will also have available to them the various State Blue-Sky laws. The bill will assure FERC access to those books, records, accounts, and other documents of holding companies, their affiliates and subsidiaries, which are relevant to costs incurred by a public utility company and which are necessary for the protection of consumers with respect to rates. In the new environment confronting the utility industry, PUHCA has become nothing more than a bottleneck that constrains the ability of our nation's natural gas and electric power industries to serve consumers. PUHCA is an anachronism that burdens utility systems with costs and restrictions that impair their competitiveness and prevent them from adapting to the new and more competitive environment. PUHCA is no longer a solution because the problems of the 1930's have been replaced by effective state and federal legislation and by the realities of today's marketplace. Simply put, America no longer can afford the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. It is time for Congress to act on the recommendations of the SEC and to enact this legislation.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my friend and constituent R.P. ``Bob'' Stringer who passed away on January 15, 2001, at Scott Regional Hospital in Morton, Mississippi. Bob, as he was affectionately called by his close friends and colleagues, was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Mary Cooper Stringer, who died on the same date as Bob, two years ago. Bob was a native of Noxubee County and lived in Forest, Mississippi, since 1960. He was a World War II veteran and was actively involved in veterans activities that enhanced and promoted esprit de corps among veteran organizations at the local, county, state, and national level. He was a member of the Forest Presbyterian Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion. He served as past county and district president of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. He was also a past post commander of the VFW. As if this was not enough to keep him busy, he was a board member of the MF&G Association and served on the Forest Board of Aldermen for sixteen years. My predecessor, former Congressman G.V. ``Sonny'' Montgomery, was a very close friend of Bob's and has been quoted as saying that ``Bob Stringer was really an All-American. He loved his family and country very much. He served in the Marine Corp at Iwo Jima and after the War he was very active in the VFW and the American Legion. He was proud of his community and served both the City of Forest and Scott County in a commendable manner. I have lost one of my closest friends.'' Bob is survived by daughters, Anne Stringer Land and Jean Stringer Ellis; sons, Robert P. Stringer, Jr., and John Walter Stringer; their husbands and wives, thirteen grandchildren, one great grandchild, and one brother, John. Bob was the originator of the G.V. ``Sonny'' Montgomery Annual Hunters Stew held in Forest and personally hosted it, along with members of the American Legion and VFW, for more than twenty-four years. He even continued this tradition after Congressman Montgomery stepped down from office in 1996 because he knew how much the community loved and respected ``Sonny.'' The legacy that I am sure Bob would want us to remember him by is his love for the Lord, his family, his friends, his country, his state, and by all means his love for the City of Forest and Scott County. Thus, it is an honor for me to express my appreciation, and that of all the citizens of the Third Congressional District, for his life of service and contributions to the betterment of our world.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Dr. Howard D. Clark, a constituent of mine from Morton, Mississippi, for receiving the ``National Country Doctor of the Year'' award for the year 2000. This award is sponsored by Safe Care, Inc., a national physician association based in Irving, Texas. Dr. Clark was selected for this award from 501 nominees submitted from 41 states. Safe Care defines a ``country doctor'' as one who serves a community with a population of 25,000 or less. Morton's population is approximately 3,000 people. Dr. Clark, who has been practicing in Morton since 1965, is truly an ``old time family doctor'' who still makes house calls and knows his patients as people and friends, not strangers. Dr. Clark's philosophy has always been that if he was going to be someone's doctor, he was going to be it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the early days of his practice, he would make rounds at the hospital, work at his clinic all day, and then pick up his house calls for the nights, working as late as 10 p.m. each night. Dr. Clark, at the age of 73 shows no signs of slowing down his service as a physician. He sees an average of 60 patients a day, cares for about 20 more in the hospital, and 110 in the local nursing home. Twice a week he works the 12 hour night shift at the Scott Regional Hospital emergency room. Twice a month, he handles the 36 hour weekend shift at the emergency room. The commitment of Dr. Clark to the town of Morton, Scott County, and the surrounding area is legendary. In a letter to the ``Country Doctor of the Year'' nomination committee, Morton's Mayor Charles Steadman wrote that ``Dr. Clark has served the local high school as the Doc on the sidelines at all ball games at no charge, having missed only one game in 48 years because he was delivering a baby. In the past few years, he had heart surgery on a Tuesday and was at the game with the team the following Friday night.'' Michael Edwards, Administrator at Scott Regional Hospital wrote that in 1994, ``Dr. Clark had cervical surgery one Monday morning after making his morning hospital calls. He checked out of the hospital Tuesday morning and saw patients in his clinic on the way home. He saw patients daily in his clinic and in the hospital during his postoperative days. Not once, did I ever hear Dr. Clark complain.'' Dr. Clark's undergraduate degree is from Mississippi State University and his medical degree is from Tulane University. He and his wife, Jackie, together have 13 children, 22 grandchildren, and 12 great- grandchildren. Six of the children were born to Dr. Clark and his first wife, Mildred, who passed away 33 years ago. In the Morton area, Dr. Clark has delivered more than 4,500 babies. Sid Salter, Editor of the Scott County Times newspaper stated that ``Dr. Clark is most deserving of this award because of his generosity, stamina, bedside manner, dedication to community, and his medical ability.'' Further, he said that Dr. Clark has been the complete package in his county--serving his patients, his town, his country, his state and nation, and his fellow man faithfully and true for decades. Thus, it is an honor indeed for me to recognize and bring to the attention of Congress a fine Christian gentleman, my constituent from Morton, Mississippi, Dr. Howard D. Clark, the National Country Doctor of the Year. Congratulations Dr. Clark.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, today I come before the House of Representatives to honor the life of an outstanding American, and member of the United States Navy, Ensign Andrew Triplett, originally of Shuqualak, Mississippi. Ensign Triplett was among the 17 brave sailors who gave their lives for our country in the attack on the U.S.S. Cole, on Thursday, October 12, 2000. This attack also injured 33 other sailors in the harbor of Aden, Yemen. Andrew Triplett, noted for his quiet, shy nature, grew up near Willow Grove in Shuqualak, Mississippi, where he attended Reed Elementary School and in 1987 graduated from Noxubee High School in Macon, Mississippi. Upon his graduation Andrew Triplett enlisted in the Navy, where while serving his country he met his wife, Lorrie, a Detroit native. Just seven years ago, they began their family with the birth of their first daughter, Andrea, and three years later their second child Savannah Renee was born. Andrew and Lorrie lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia and were members of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Successfully moving up the ladder as an enlisted man, Andrew was accepted for Officers' Candidate School and received his commission as an officer in April, 1999. On the U.S.S. Cole, he was assigned to the engineering department, a job that he was said to love. Tragically, it was the engineering department that suffered the blast damage from the explosive in the harbor. For Ensign Andrew Triplett's thirteen years of service to the United States of America in the United States Navy, and for his life-long devotion as a son, husband, brother, father and citizen, I pay tribute. Ensign Triplett was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ree D. Triplett of Shuqualak, Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, Lorrie, and his two little girls, Andrea (age seven) and Savannah Renee (age four); his parents, Savannah and Ree Triplett of Shuqualak, Mississippi; and his two brothers, two former servicemen, Theotis Donald (Air Force) and Wayne (Marine Corps). Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in remembering this present day hero, Ensign Andrew Triplett. Our sincere prayers and thoughts are with the Triplett family at this difficult time, and the other families who lost loves ones on the U.S.S. Cole.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, whereas Mr. Prentiss Walker, a former citizen of Mize, Mississippi, dedicated many years of his life in working for the conservative Christian principles on which this nation was built; and Whereas, Mr. Walker sacrificed in working to build the Republican party in the South and especially Mississippi; and Whereas Mr. Walker believed so strongly in conservative Christian principles that he offered himself as a candidate for Congress of the United States and was elected in 1964 as the first Republican Congressman from Mississippi in over 100 years. Whereas Mr. Walker served his state and his nation in this office demonstrating his strong convictions by every vote he made and by leading others to join in his patriotic stand; and Whereas Mr. Walker was a true political pioneer in the state of Mississippi, making the way for many others to follow in his path of service in our nation's capitol; and Whereas Mr. Walker continued to lead in the development of the Mississippi Republican Party and leading the citizens of Mississippi to dedication to conservative Christian principles long after he left the Congress, be it therefore resolved: We express our deep appreciation to his wife Dimple and to his memory for his tireless service to the cause of returning our nation to the greatness it achieved by following the foundational beliefs on which our forefathers founded these United States of America.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Department of Defense authorization bill. Let me first commend the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the ranking member. They are examples of what Members of Congress should be. This legislation is an example of what legislation should be. It goes a long ways in helping restore the promise made to our retirees to provide permanent health care benefits for our military retirees with no deductibles, no copays. We are moving to keep the promise. We are taking a very important step of providing a prescription drug benefit for all Medicare-eligible military retirees. We are increasing the pay by 3.7 percent. We are trying to target economic assistance to those young enlisted men and women, our soldiers and sailors who, many times, are still on food stamps. We are trying to help keep that from happening. It is a travesty that some of our men and women serving have to be on food stamps. But we are also doing important things in our firefighter legislation that will save lives and save properties in our rural communities, our small towns and our cities; the expansion of the G.V. Sonny Montgomery G.I. bill for educational opportunities; in my State expanding the authorization for the T-45s, the new trainer jets that will be at the Merridian Naval Air Station; the expansion of the National Guard Challenge Program to help troubled youth; the expansion of the Counterdrug Initiative, which is an important part of my State's contribution. This is good legislation. It is a good step. We are doing the right thing. I want to commend the committee for their good work.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as a cosponsor of H.R. 284, to support this measure, the ``Honor Guard for Veterans Empowerment Act.'' This bill does a tremendous service to the men and women who so honorably served our country to preserve the freedom and prosperity we enjoy today. There is no doubt that those women and men deserve to have an Honor Guard funeral on their burial day. The Honor Guard for Veterans Empowerment Act is a critical piece in fulfilling this countries obligation to our Veteran community. As the member who represents Congressman Sonny Montgomery's district I am proud to continue his legacy as a defender of our Veterans' rights. I believe this legislation continues the work he left in defending and honoring those who served this country in the time of greatest need. I strongly support the Defense Departments January 1st, 2000 decision, ensuring that all veterans desiring a military funeral will have the opportunity. This legislation makes that commitment viable. H.R. 284 responds to the 21% growth in request for an honor guard funeral. It is critical that we have the resources to provide the greatest generation with the honor they are due on the day they are laid to rest.

Mr. PICKERING

Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be on the floor this evening in support of my bill, H.R. 4503, the Historically Women's Public Colleges or Universities Historic Building Restoration and Preservation Act. I want to commend the gentleman from Utah (Chairman Hansen) for his commitment to women and minorities education and thank him for his work to see that this important authorization reaches the floor. I also thank the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) for his similar commitment and work. I would also like to address some of the concerns raised by the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), our friend on the other side, and talk about why this is so important as we go into the 21st century that we look to the institutions who educated and trained the women, beginning in my home State of Mississippi in 1884. If we look at the subset of the universities that we picked out, why should they receive priority? They are the oldest public women's colleges in the country. We may talk about the 78 other women's colleges, but these are the oldest of the women's colleges in the country. They happen to reside in my region. But if we are looking at historic preservation, it seems to me that we look at the oldest first, and that should receive the priority. If we are looking at continuing their mission into the 21st century, Mississippi University for Women has a great legacy, not only going back into the late 1800s, the 1900s; but today, in 2000, they received U.S. News and World Report's ranking of the best in the South as a liberal arts college. They are educating, not only women today and minorities, but also male students. If we are to continue the rich history and the legacy of what they have done over their history over their time and to continue the mission into the 21st century, then the buildings that house their students where the teachers train the students of tomorrow, we must preserve those buildings that house the places where we are now providing the education for women and minorities across the South. I introduced H.R. 4503 to advance what I think is the most important priority for funding in this Congress, and that is education. The bipartisan cosponsorship and support for this effort affirms the principle that if we are to continue to progress as a society, if we are to continue to lead the world in science, medicine, law and many other fields, we must educate all Americans. The historically women's public institutions, which are the subject of this bill, were founded in the United States between 1836 and 1908. This was a time when women, particularly poor women, were unable to attain a higher education in public schools; the opportunity simply did not exist. In recognition of this injustice and unfair circumstance for women, there was introduced into the United States Senate a resolution in the late 1800s which sought the establishment and endowment of schools of science and technics for the education of females in appropriate branches of science and the useful arts, upon a plan similar in its principles to that upon which agricultural and mechanical colleges have been aided by the United States. This need expressed in this resolution, introduced over 100 years ago, continues today. As I mentioned earlier, in my home State of Mississippi the State legislature worked and established the Mississippi Industrial Institute and College of Girls to provide for women, particularly those without the means, a public education which would empower them to lift themselves out of their circumstance. Over 100 years later, I know that the W, and the other colleges prioritized in this bill, continue to be crucial educational institutions for women, minorities, and all students. With buildings in some of these colleges and universities well over 150 years old still in use, their disrepair now endangers their ability to continue their critical role in educating women and minorities. Due to advanced age of these buildings, the upkeep costs are more than most budgets can allow. Since most of these universities were built in the early 1900s, most of today's basic needs are not provided for in their facilities. This Congress can and should reaffirm its commitment to the education of women, the underprivileged, and minorities. Education cannot take place without adequate facilities. We must, therefore, contribute to the rehabilitation of these facilities. Funding for restoration of these historic buildings, much as we did for the historically black colleges across our region, is and should be a sound investment. I want to thank again the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the subcommittee chairman, and all those who have cosponsored this legislation. It is the place where my mother received her education and where many of the women who were trained and educated in my home State who then became leaders and teachers and those who have raised the next generations of leaders have received their education. It is a special place for my family and for me, and I want to thank all those who have made this authorization possible.