Rob Portman

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Chairman, I will not take 2 minutes, but I do want to stand here to support the legislation and what the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) and others have put together. It is a good bill. It is exactly the right approach to take in terms of trade because it is going to benefit the United States and sub- Saharan Africa. Many nations in sub-Saharan Africa are beginning to implement democratic reforms, Mr. Chairman, expand economic growth in ways that they can to try to bring greater prosperity and stabilize the region. For too long, in my view, we have relied simply on foreign assistance, and frankly, that is drying up as well, to help facilitate these changes. This is a much better approach. Through this legislation today we have got an opportunity to assist this changing region in a much better way, and that is through commerce. The legislation allows the U.S. to take a very positive role in encouraging an economic and political renaissance really throughout sub-Saharan Africa, it establishes a free trade area to serve as a catalyst for increasing trade and for increasing private-sector development in the region. It also helps the U.S. facilitate these market-led economic reforms in 48 countries in this region. The bottom line for me, really the big picture here, is that the United States, by passing this legislation, is supporting economic self-reliance for sub-Saharan African countries, particularly those who are committed to the kind of economic and political reform that many countries in the region are going toward anyway, and market incentives, private-sector growth, eradication of poverty. I urge my colleagues to support it as an important trade initiative, but also something that is good for the United States and good for the African continent as a whole.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a prominent Cincinnatian and a friend, Eugene P. Ruehlmann, who was recently honored by the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce as a Great Living Cincinnatian. I thank him for the vision and service that he has so generously given to our area, and for the model he provides today. Mr. Ruehlmann, a native Cincinnatian, graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1948 and Harvard Law School in 1950. He served in the Marine Corps and then began a long career in public service. The major transformation of Cincinnati's innovative downtown began under Mr. Ruehlmann's leadership. As a member of the Cincinnati City Council and as Mayor of Cincinnati, he led the effort to keep the Reds in Cincinnati, attract a National Football League franchise to the city, build Riverfront Stadium (now Cinergy Field) and construct the Albert B. Sabin Convention Center. Following the race riots in 1967, Mr. Ruehlmann worked to heal the city. He reformulated the city's Human Relations Commission, and founded the Mayor's Housing Coordinating Committee and the city's Project Commitment. He has given his time to numerous charitable and community organizations, such as Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the Work and Rehabilitation Center, March of Dimes and the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Along the way, he has built a successful law practice with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease in Cincinnati, and served on the Board of Directors of the Center for Resolution of Disputes. In all these years, and with all these accomplishments, he has remained a devoted family man. He and his wife, Virginia, have raised eight children and now have twenty-three grandchildren. All of us in Greater Cincinnati congratulate Gene Ruehlmann on his deserved selection as a Great Living Cincinnatian, and thank him for his many years of distinguished service to our community.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding and tireless contributions of a distinguished Ohioan, Bernard F. Eicholz, who recently retired from the Certified Development Company (CDC) of Warren County, Inc. From 1981 to 1997, Bernie served as founder and President of the CDC. The CDC is a vital tool for small business owners throughout Warren County. When he founded the CDC, few could have foreseen the growth and development the area would experience. But Warren County has experienced record-breaking economic growth, and Bernie has been a driving force behind it. During Bernie's service, the CDC has helped small businesses to create or retain nearly 2,000 full-time jobs in Warren County. Bernie has devoted his entire life to public service. Prior to founding the CDC, he served as Mayor of Covington, Kentucky; City Manager of Franklin, Ohio; Director of Economic Development for Warren County, Ohio; and Director of Economic Development for Springboro, Ohio. He has also served as a consultant to community leaders on issues ranging from annexations to charters. Bernie has given generously of his time and talent and we are grateful for his many years of service and leadership. His leadership in the business community and Warren County as a whole have helped to transform the region. All of us in southwest Ohio congratulate him on his retirement and recognize him for his many accomplishments.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ron Dellums, a friend and a man whose departure from Congress will leave a major void on Capitol Hill. Ron is known as an articulate spokesman for his constituents and a serious legislator of proven ability. These attributes alone when combined with his many years of public service are worthy of praise and commendation. But Ron brought more to the job that singled him out as a congressional and national leader. He reached out: across the aisle, across racial boundaries, and across ideological lines. He did it with a sincerity that was heartfelt and a pure motive, and it showed. This was his magic and this was the key to his many friendships and the unusual respect he received during his service and upon his retirement. I know Congress as an institution is a better place for his service. I hope we as individual Members have learned from his example.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is unclear whether the House will vote on H.R. 2621, the Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act, this session. I want to reiterate my strong support for the passage of this legislation to permit the negotiation of trade agreements that would then be brought back to the Congress for approval or disapproval. Some of my colleagues have said that granting this negotiating authority to the U.S. Trade Representative will inevitably lead to a loss of American jobs. This argument is not supported by the facts. In fact, trade agreements to open foreign markets will lead to more and better jobs and help sustain a strong economy. Obviously, the degree to which any bilateral or multilateral trade agreement affects American jobs will depend on the type of agreement reached and on many external economic factors, such as productivity. But to assert that trade agreements that might be negotiated under this authority will lead to fewer American jobs just doesn't hold up. Since 1993, more than a third of our economic growth has directly come from exports, and the number of export-related jobs has increased by 1.7 million. We have to remember that last year the United States created more new jobs than the other major industrial countries combined. And, jobs related to international trade on average pay 15 percent more than non-trade-related jobs. My own State, Ohio, is the eighth largest exporter in the country with exports totaling $25 billion in 1996. The products exported from our State, including industrial machinery, cars, electronic equipment, plastic, and agricultural equipment, support many of our high-skilled, high-paying jobs at home. Ohio is the 12th largest agriculture exporting State, shipping $1.6 billion in agricultural exports in 1996. In the Cincinnati region alone, we exported $4.8 billion of merchandise over the last year. By adopting fast track, we will be able to sustain growth by further leveling the playing field and opening new markets to American products. Mr. Speaker, opening foreign markets through bilateral or multilateral agreements is vital to maintaining a strong economy. Europe, China, Japan, and others are forging preferential commercial alliances with emerging markets, which puts American exports at a disadvantage. These trade alliances also play a vital role in defining strategic relationships between countries and regions. The alternative is to paralyze the ability of the United States to negotiate such agreements and jeopardize our leadership role in the world. I support H.R. 2621 because I am deeply concerned about the long-term damage this would cause to our economy and to jobs in my district and around this country. Passage of this important legislation would help us ensure we remain leaders in the global economy.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my serious concerns about the failure of the Department of Defense to provide sufficient support for the National Drug Control Strategy in its fiscal year 1999 request. I also would like to commend the Office of National Drug Control Policy for refusing to certify the DOD budget request. After making tremendous progress in the war on drugs from 1979 through 1991, drug abuse among our young people has been rising significantly over the past 5 years. Drug abuse is not only threatening the health and lives of our young people, it is a predominant factor behind violent crime, welfare dependency, teenage pregnancy, rising health costs, lower economic productivity, the spread of AIDS, and many other problems. Now is not the time to be backing away from our responsibilities to attack this problem. Many of us in Congress have been working hard over the past few years to reverse these disturbing trends. We have been working in cooperation with General McCaffrey to support and enhance the National Drug Control Strategy. We must continue to support the goals of the strategy on both the supply and demand sides. We strongly support the effort to ensure that the Department of Defense amends its fiscal year 1999 budget request to include an additional $141 million in drug control initiatives. These funds are absolutely essential to enhance efforts in the Andes, the Caribbean, Mexico, and along our borders, where this battle has to been fought initially. With a strong effort in source countries and along our borders, we can help reduce the use of drugs in the United States, which is crippling our young people. Currently, counterdrug spending represents only 0.3 percent of the total Department of Defense budget. Despite rising drug use, the Department's counterdrug effort has declined by 2 percent since fiscal year 1996. I also believe that it is vitally important to have a coordinated effort with leadership from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. This is a good example of why we need a drug czar. If we all stand behind the same goals and work hard in every agency and in Congress to support and enhance the anti-drug efforts at home and abroad, we will reverse the disturbing escalation in illegal drug use in our communities. I call on the Department of Defense to bring its budget request in line with the National Drug Control Strategy and to help support the comprehensive Federal effort we must have if we are going to reduce drug abuse.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I missed the vote on rollcall No. 626, the sense of Congress regarding U.S. participation in EXPO 2000 in Hannover, Germany. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable work of David E. Larkin on behalf of Cincinnati's Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America. David's achievements in Greater Cincinnati Scouting are both extraordinary and numerous, and I would like to cite just a few examples. He has provided outstanding leadership, motivation, and direction in the development of the Dan Beard Council's Executive Board, one of the most philanthropic youth service organizations in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. More than 1,000 ``at risk'' young people in the Greater Cincinnati area have had the opportunity to experience the cherished values of Scouting thanks to Challenge Camp, which David created. David's imagination and creativity brought into being ``The Scout Family Jamboree,'' an event attracting some 45,000 attendees showcasing not only Scouting, but many community activities and events. Through his exceptional leadership and global vision, David has provided the catalyst for the approval of a comprehensive $14.5 million Camp Re-Development Capital Campaign to construct a 25-acre lake, Cub World, and Boy Scout camp to serve the Dan Beard Council well into the 21st century. David has provided the leadership, quality standards, the means and methods necessary to expand the scouting program in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky to annually involve a record 65,000 youth and adults. David's work in Scouting has also enabled him to be involved in other vital community programs. He has worked to enrich the relationships of scouting with the United Way and Community Chest, which has helped increase awareness and funding for these highly worthwhile service organizations. In addition, David has successfully initiated a positive alliance between the Boy Scouts and the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky Schools and educational institutions, resulting in expansive growth in ``Learning for Life'' and Career Explorer programs. David has been asked to be the new Chief Executive of the Atlanta Boy Scout Council, and will soon be leaving the Cincinnati Dan Beard Council, on which he has so ably served. We in Cincinnati will certainly hate to lose David, but his selfless dedication and tireless work on behalf of Scouting and our community will not be forgotten. We wish him the best.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable work of David E. Larkin on behalf of Cincinnati's Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scout of America. David's achievements in Greater Cincinnati Scouting are both extraordinary and numerous, and I would like to cite just a few examples. He has provided outstanding leadership, motivation, and direction in the development of the Dan Beard Council's Executive Board, one of the most philanthropic youth service organizations in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas. More than 1,000 ``at risk'' young people in the Greater Cincinnati area have had the opportunity to experience the cherished values of Scouting thanks to Challenge Camp, which David created. David's imagination and creativity brought into being the Scout Family Jamboree, an event attracting some 45,000 attendees showcasing not only Scouting, but many community activities and events. Through his exceptional leadership and global vision, David has provided the catalyst for the approval of a comprehensive $14.5 million Camp Re-Development Capital Campaign to construct a 25-acre lake, Cub World, and Boy Scout camp to serve the Dan Beard Council well into the 21st century. David has provided the leadership, quality standards, the means and methods necessary to expand the Scouting program in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky to involve a record 65,000 youth and adults annually. David's work in Scouting has also enabled him to be involved in other vital community programs. He has worked to enrich the relationships of Scouting with The United Way and Community Chest, which has helped increase awareness and funding for these highly worthwhile service organizations. In addition, David has successfully initiated a positive alliance between the Boy Scouts and the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky schools and educational institutions, resulting in expansive growth in ``Learning for Life'' and Career Explorer programs. David has been asked to be the new chief executive of the Atlanta Boy Scout Council, and will soon be leaving the Cincinnati Dan Beard Council, on which he has so ably served. We in Cincinnati will certainly hate to lose David, but his selfless dedication and tireless work on behalf of Scouting and our community will not be forgotten. We wish him the best.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce with my colleagues, the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Kasich, and the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Hamilton, the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998. The purpose of this bipartisan legislation is to rechannel existing resources to facilitate debt for nature swaps with lesser developed countries that contain some of the world's most biologically diverse tropical forests. Now is the time for action. Despite all of the controversy over global warming, there is a consensus that tropical forests provide a wide range of benefits to citizens of the United States and people around the world. Tropical forests harbor a major share of the Earth's biological resources, which provide the ingredients for life-saving medicines and the genetic sources to revitalize agricultural crops that supply most of the world's food. They play a critical role as carbon sinks in reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and moderating potential global climate change. And these forests regulate hydrological cycles on which far-flung agricultural and coastal resources depend. In short, tropical forests are essential to sustaining life, treating deadly diseases, and preserving the agricultural economy. Tragically, over half of the tropical forests on Earth have disappeared and the rapid rate of deforestation and degradation of these sensitive ecosystems continues unabated. In the past year alone, more than 30 million acres of tropical forests were lost. Such a record cannot continue without a dramatic impact on our environment for our generation and those to come. Many of these biologically rich environments are located in less developed countries with significant amounts of U.S. debt. These countries have urgent needs for investment and capital for development and have allocated a significant amount of their forests to logging concessions. Poverty and economic pressures on the populations of developing countries have, over time, resulted in clearing of vast areas of forest for conversion to agriculture, which is often unsustainable in the poor soils underlying tropical forests. Mounting debts put more pressure on countries to sell off or convert their tropical forests for other uses. The Tropical Forest Conservation Act addresses the underlying causes of tropical deforestation and gives countries tangible incentives to protect their tropical forests. The act builds upon the framework of President Bush's Enterprise for the Americas Initiative [EAI]. Under EAI, up to $154 million was provided to environmental trust funds in Latin American countries to protect tropical rain forests through debt for nature swaps. The Tropical Forest Conservation Act amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide the President authority to: First, reduce debt owned to the United States that is outstanding as of January 1, 1997, as a result of concessional loans; second, to reduce any amount owed to the United States outstanding as of January 1, 1997, as a result of any credits extended under title I of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; and third, to sell to any eligible purchaser, or reduce or cancel, any loan made before January 1, 1997, to any eligible country or any agency under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945. Appropriations are authorized for these purposes for fiscal years 1999, 2000 and 2001. The bill initially targets specific countries and gives the President discretion over time to designate countries that meet the criteria for designation. It facilitates debt for nature swaps in those developing countries that have tropical forests with the greatest degree of biodiversity and under the most severe threat. Such countries must also meet the criteria established by Congress under the EAI, including, among other things, that the government must be democratically elected, has not repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism, is not failing to cooperate on international narcotics control matters, and does not engage in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights. Each beneficiary country will establish a tropical forest fund. Amounts deposited in the fund will be used to preserve, maintain, and restore tropical forests in those countries. There is accountability in the process--such funds shall be administered and overseen by U.S. Government officials, environmental nongovernmental organizations active in the beneficiary country, and scientific or academic organizations. The goal of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 is to help protect the planet's remaining storehouses of biological diversity. These forests have a direct impact on U.S. taxpayers--on the air we breath, the food we eat and the medicines that are developed to cure disease. Action is needed now in these developing countries to address the underlying causes of deforestation and environmental degradation so that these important ecosystems can be preserved before it is too late. This legislation has strong support in the environmental community, including Conservation International, the Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund strongly support this legislation. We look forward to working with our colleagues on a bipartisan basis and with the administration to protect these invaluable resources.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, because I was in Houston attending the dedication of the George Bush Library, I was absent for rollcall votes 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, and 597. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 587, 588, 589, 590, 592, 593, 595, 596, and ``nay'' on 585, 586, 591, 594, and 597.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel] if he has any additional speakers?

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Collins], a colleague of mine on the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada [Mr. Ensign], a very valued member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself just 30 seconds to respond briefly, and then I would like to yield to the gentleman from Missouri. But with regard to the gentleman's comments, again I appreciate the supportive words he said. I would ask him again to read the legislation, because he has misstated what the oversight board's responsibilities are. They do not come up with the budget for the IRS, the Congress still does that of course ultimately, but in fact the Treasury Department will send its own budget. We do get an informational budget which I think is going to be very important, particularly to the appropriators. Second, he talks about an additional layer of bureaucracy. What we are doing here is we are providing oversight that does not currently exist. We are filling a void; it is not an additional layer of bureaucracy. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Hulshof], a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, who has improved this legislation.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer].

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mrs. Johnson], the chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Ways and Means, who played a very important role in electronic filing, taxpayer rights, and many other provisions of this legislation.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I once again want to commend the gentleman for his persistence and for his patience and for his strong support now of the legislation, a 10-year crusade. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Ramstad], a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant].

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer], the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and, as I said earlier this afternoon, we would not be here on the floor this afternoon debating this critical issue if not for the gentleman from Texas, [Mr. Archer].

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

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. PORTMAN

Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the bill, H.R. 2676, the Clerk of the House be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross- references, and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of this House in amending H.R. 2676. The SPEAKER pro tempore [Mr. Pease]. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio?