Deborah Pryce

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 475 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 447 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran), another member of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the Committee on Rules.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), my distinguished colleague and classmate and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg) a freshman Member of this body and a great addition, as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman), a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker), the sponsor and author of H.R. 1979.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 447 is an open rule, which provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided between the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on H.R. 1979, the Small Airport Safety, Security, and Air Service Improvement Act of 2002. The rule provides that it shall be in order to consider for the purpose of amendment the amendment in the nature of a substitute now printed in the bill. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute and provides that it shall be open for amendment by section. Any Member wishing to offer an amendment may do so as long as it complies with the regular rules of the House. However, the rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to accord priority in recognition to those Members who have preprinted their amendments in the Congressional Record. Finally, the rule permits the minority to offer a motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the chairman, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), and the author of this bill, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker), as well as all the members of the committee for their hard work and steadfast efforts on behalf of our Nation's transportation infrastructure needs. Mr. Speaker, it is a well-known fact that safety is enhanced when air traffic controllers guide a plane through the skies and onto a runway. Yet many of our Nation's smaller airports do not have air traffic control towers, leaving pilots on their own to seek out and avoid air traffic and land on the ground safely. The FAA has been tasked with the role of building air traffic control towers in our Nation's larger airports, but their construction budgets are not large enough to pay for the needed towers at the smaller airports, even though many of these airports have commercial passenger service or very active general aviation business. This legislation seeks to address this problem by changing existing law to allow small airports to use their Airports Improvement Program, or AIP, grant money to build traffic control towers and to equip these towers. It is important to note that this added safety step is purely voluntary, and the legislation provides each small airport with the flexibility to meet their most pressing individual safety needs. As a matter of fairness, this legislation allows for limited reimbursement of costs incurred after October 1, 1996, for tower construction costs and equipment purchases. This recognizes that some airports chose to improve their safety by building their own towers at their own cost, and they should not be penalized for their initiative. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1979 takes yet another step forward to increase air safety, efficiency, and security at our Nation's smaller airports. In addition, regional service in our rural areas will be enhanced, providing significant savings to the FAA in air traffic costs and increasing economic productivity in smaller communities nationwide. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill, and it deserves our support. There is no additional cost to the government, since it simply gives our airports and the FAA another authorized use for AIP grant money. I urge all my colleagues to support this straightforward, noncontroversial rule as well as the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the first national Throckmorton Reunion, to be held in Williamsburg, Virginia from June 16th through the 20th. The Throckmorton family's legacy in the United States is as storied and proud as any lineage in our nation's history. From the settlement of Jamestown in 1607 to the present, the Throckmorton name has embodied public service and patriotism. They were involved in the founding of our country from early colonial times through the Revolution, into the Civil War and Reconstruction. Throckmortons from around the U.S. will meet in the colonial city of Williamsburg to celebrate their illustrious heritage and retrace the steps of their forefathers as founders of Virginia and Colonial America. Their story in America begins with the travels of Kellam Throckmorton to Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. Kellam was among the settlers of England's first colonial establishment on our soil. Kellam was sadly among the brave adventurers who did not survive the harsh winter of that first year in Virginia. Even Sir Walter Raleigh, a founder of Virginia, was connected to the Throckmortons; marrying Elizabeth Throckmorton the daughter of Queen Elizabeth's Ambassador to France. The next chapter of the Throckmorton legacy was the following generation and the travels of John Throckmorton with Roger Williams. Admitted as a Freeman on May 18, 1631 in Salem, Mass., John, along with Williams, settled most of Rhode Island and other parts of New England in the 1630's and 40's. Several family members were guests of George and Martha Washington's and served under him in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Families such as the Throckmortons are more than worthy of recognition for their immeasurable sacrifices to our nation's birth and cause. The Civil War era saw two prominent politicians and soldiers from this family. James Webb Throckmorton was a soldier in the Mexican War and a Confederate general from Texas. He worked closely with American hero Sam Houston as a Texas state senator leading up to the war. Although he fought for the South, Throckmorton was one of seven delegates who voted against the 1861 Texas Secession Convention. After the war, James Webb Throckmorton was elected governor of Texas and later served for over a decade in the House of Representatives before his passing in 1894. This era also includes the services of Oliver Hazard Perry Throckmorton as Governor of Indiana and as a close advisor of President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872. Oliver Throckmorton served as an American envoy to Great Britain as well. More recently, the proactive work of Mrs. Clare McClaren-Throckmorton and Dr. Caroline Throckmorton Lewin, a psychologist from my district in Ohio, has been commendable. It's important to remember the bravery and service of others to our country throughout history. The Throckmorton reunion in Williamsburg, Virginia is a gathering of a great American family and a salute to times past. I'm confident that generations from now the Throckmortons will continue to be a proud family of patriots. It's my honor and privilege to recognize the Throckmorton family, and extend my best wishes to them all. The United States is in their debt.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to go over a few details. The gentleman referred to the last welfare package as the Clinton welfare reform bill. That welfare reform bill was sent to President Clinton three times before he signed it. Three times.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 420 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis).

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to remind the gentleman that his motion and amendment in the nature of a substitute was made in order. That is the Democratic substitute. I do not know what is wrong with that. The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin) has been made in order by the Committee on Rules, as is proper. He will have an up or down vote on that. We were very pleased to do that.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter); pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Early this morning, Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Rules met and passed this resolution waiving clause 6(a) of rule XIII, requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Committee on Rules against certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules. The resolution applies the waiver to a special rule reported on or before the legislative day of Wednesday, May 15, 2002, providing for consideration or disposition of the bill H.R. 4737, the Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2002. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues are aware, this legislation builds on our successes from 1996 to further protect children, strengthen families, increase State flexibility, and continue the decline in poverty. In fact, yesterday the Committee on Rules received testimony on this bill from a number of Members in anticipation of reporting a rule to bring this legislation to the floor. With final negotiations regarding this important legislation now finally complete, adoption of this rule will simply allow us to move forward and consider this important welfare reform proposal today rather than holding up consideration of this bill until tomorrow or even next week. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and allow the House to complete its work on the business at hand. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, for the purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter); pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 422 is an appropriate, but fair, rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 4737, the Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act of 2002. This rule provides for a total of 2 hours of general debate in the House, with 50 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means, 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and, finally, 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. After general debate, it will be in order to consider the substitute amendment, if offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin) or his designee, printed in the Committee on Rules report, which is debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill as well as against the amendment printed in the report. Finally, the rule permits the minority to offer a motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to clarify for my colleagues that H.R. 4737 represents a new version of our welfare reform legislation and incorporates one new change. That first bill was filed on Thursday. The new legislation contains two new provisions. It continues to provide broad authority to the executive branch to waive provisions of law in an effort to streamline certain administrative and programmatic requirements of several programs related to welfare assistance. However, this bill now contains a new provision, G, on page 118, and H, on page 119, which basically maintains the congressional responsibility for this country's pursestrings, those set forth in article 1, section 7 of our Constitution. Mr. Speaker, 6 years ago many of us stood in this very Chamber surrounded by skeptical eyes and wary glares. The debate before us then was welfare reform. The day we voted on the final conference report, August 1, 1996, was also payday for many Americans. But unlike many Americans, and contrary to the central tenet of the American Dream, 14 million people who cashed their check that day did not work for that money. Such was the nature of our welfare state 6 years ago. On that day, back in 1996, Congress passed one of the most historic reform bills of all time, one that truly changed the culture of the system from one of cynical dependence across generations to one of personal responsibility. Since 1996, we have witnessed welfare rolls drop from 14 million persons to 5 million nationwide. In my own home State of Ohio, we were passing out welfare checks to the tune of $82 million per month. Post the reforms, the price tag has been reduced to less than $27 million a month, and it is going to those who really need the help. In one State alone that is a savings of $50 million a month of hardworking taxpayer money. And while I speak with great enthusiasm about the extraordinary achievements of our friends and neighbors, those who have moved onward to the path of independence, I speak with equal pride of the compassionate Nation that we call home. We live in a country that is built on the rewards of hard work and the generosity of a society that offers assistance to those in need of a helping hand. The underpinnings of our democracy give us reason and incentive to take responsibility for our lives, but to ask for assistance if we really need it, and then be ready to get back on our feet, when we can, with the help of our neighbors and our community. We will not turn our backs on those who need help. Instead, we will provide them with the tools and the resources they need to overcome adversity, to reverse course, and to rebuild their lives. We have before us today a tremendous opportunity to build on the success of welfare reform. H.R. 4737 is a product of strong reflection and cooperation between the House leadership and the committees of jurisdiction. While I have the honor and distinction of introducing this legislation on behalf of the House, it is the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), the gentleman from California (Mr. Herger), chairmen of the committees and subcommittees of jurisdiction, and many others who have worked the long hours together to craft a bill that truly will protect children, strengthen families, and increase State flexibility. At the same time, it will support further declines in poverty through job preparation, stronger work requirements, and healthy marriages. First, H.R. 4737 provides $16.6 billion for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, block grant, which is the program we created in 1996. Funding for this block grant goes directly to state- designated programs to help move more welfare recipients into productive jobs. H.R. 4737 will require more welfare families to be engaged in work- related activities from the current 50 percent to 70 percent by fiscal year 2007. Increased work requirements are a critical aspect of welfare reform, because according to the Health and Human Services' ``Third Annual Report to Congress,'' 58 percent of welfare recipients are not participating in work activities as designated by Federal law. Not only will this save money, it will help recipients achieve self- sufficiency, give them that pride that goes with responsibility, and then they can pass it on to their children and their grandchildren. This bill also offers parents the tools and resources they need to secure a job and provide for their independence. In addition to the $4.8 billion support for child care through the Child Care and Development block grant, we have provided an extra $2 billion in child care money as well as an increase in the amount of money States can transfer to the block grant from 30 percent to 50 percent. By providing access to reliable child care, recipients will have peace of mind knowing their child is safely cared for as they train for, find, and keep a job. We all know that training and education are the backbone of advancing one's professional opportunities. Since the average workweek for most Americans is 40 hours, H.R. 4737 brings welfare reform up to par by requiring recipients to be engaged in work activities for 40 hours per week, up from the current 30. While 24 of the 40 hours must be spent in actual work, the remaining 16 hours may be defined by States and can include education and training. This bill will also allow for up to 4 months during a 24-month period to be counted toward State work rate requirements if the individual engages in education or training programs leading to work. Additionally, H.R. 4737 directs up to $300 million annually for programs that encourage healthy, stable marriages, and authorizes $20 million grant funds to support community efforts to promote responsible fatherhood. Finally, H.R. 4737 gives unprecedented flexibility to States by establishing broad new State flex authority which has the support of the Nation's governors because it will provide the States and their governors with new and creative tools to meet their own State's needs. In an attempt to cut down on the arduous, costly and burdensome waiver application process, States will be able to improve program effectiveness by submitting a single application to tailor Federal education, child care, nutrition, labor and housing programs to fit their State's welfare needs. Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that the reality of welfare reform success will silence the grumbles that echoed throughout this Chamber back in 1996. I wish to extend an invitation to my colleagues who may be hesitant to support this rule for partisan reasons to take a good look at where we were 6 years ago and where we have come today. Members will find hundreds of children and families in their districts that are better off now than they were 6 years ago. They are working, they are proud, they are teaching their children about the dignity of having a job and providing for their families. They see a better future for themselves and their loved ones, and they are encouraged to tell their stories. A check in the mail every month will not teach responsibility, will not build confidence, and will not break the cycle of intergenerational dependence we witnessed for decades. A check in the mail for a job well done will open up the doors of opportunity and offer all Americans an endless supply of pride and self-worth for generations to come. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.