Deborah Pryce

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Goodling], the chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I want to emphasize in closing that this legislation attempts to strike a balance, providing a win-win situation for everyone. It brings labor law up to date after 60 years, and allows decisions to be made by responsible adults and not a paternalistic Washington, DC. Many women do not have a choice. They have to work to make ends meet. Give them the flexibility to exercise at their option the right to be with their children when it is so very important. Now, Washington says, the boss cannot do this, even if he or she wants to. Mr. Speaker, give these folks a break. For some families, time is just as important as money. There is one fact in life: There is only so much time. Time is as precious as money. Why would Washington stand in their way? Mr. Speaker, this legislation is a winner for everyone. I sincerely hope we can move it to the President's desk quickly. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and on H.R. 1. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Ms. PRYCE

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Myrick], a gracious lady and new member of the Committee on Rules.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

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

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I believe we have two speakers remaining. I do not know about the time.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Ballenger].

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 15 seconds to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Goodling], the chairman.

Ms. PRYCE

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Boehner], my good friend and colleague.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 99 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Goodling].

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from North Carolina [Mrs. Myrick], a valuable new member of our Committee on Rules, for yielding me this time. I rise in full support of this rule and this bill. As my colleague has described, this is a very open rule. Any Member can be heard on any germane amendment to the bill at the appropriate time as long as it is consistent with the normal rules of the House. Bills reported from the Committee on Small Business have traditionally been considered under open rules and this is no exception. The Paperwork Elimination Act is a timely, straightforward effort to bring the Federal Government further into the information age while at the same time reducing the public cost of meeting government's information needs. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the Federal Government is lagging behind the rest of the Nation in using new technology. As the report on H.R. 852 points out, many individuals today can send and receive mail, take care of their personal finances or even read a newspaper, all from a personal computer. Those same individuals should be able to conduct much of their business with the Federal Government electronically as well. That is what this legislation sets out to do. H.R. 852 will help minimize the burden of Federal paperwork demands on small businesses and other entities by requiring executive branch agencies to provide for optional use of electronic technology to meet the information needs of the Federal Government. The winners will not only be America's small businesses but also educational and nonprofit institutions, Federal contractors, State, and local governments and others who face a disproportionate share of the burden of complying with the myriad of Federal regulations. Mr. Speaker, I knew the regulatory burden on small business was heavy to begin with, but I was amazed to learn that the amount of time and effort spent in meeting the Government's paperwork demands has a dollar value roughly equivalent to 9 percent of the Nation's gross domestic product. Congress must lighten this load. By enabling the Federal Government to take advantage of the information age, this legislation will enable small business owners across America to utilize smart technology available today to reduce those costs and to eliminate barriers to job creation and economic productivity. That means less time spent filing forms and more time innovating, expanding, and providing goods and services to our economy. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Talent], the chairman of the committee, for bringing this important legislation forward and for crafting a commonsense solution to what has become a serious regulatory headache for many of our small businesses. I urge adoption of this very fair and reasonable rule and this commonsense legislation.

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 38, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio

Ms. PRYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules for yielding me this time, and I rise in support of this very, very fair rule. While some may suggest that we lack the votes to pass a term limits amendment, the issue itself is here to stay and is gaining momentum across the country. Twenty-three States have passed their own term limits initiatives, and I believe an overwhelming majority of Americans support them. In my view Congress still needs reform, and one very effective way we can bring change to this institution is to prevent the continued return to this body and to the other body of career politicians. Some of my colleagues have argued very articulately against term limits, and there are valid arguments on both sides. But I remain convinced that limits are not only beneficial, they are essential to making Congress more effective, productive and accountable. The Congress was meant to be a citizen legislature. The Founding Fathers and those that followed after them were laymen, not career politicians. Just think of the many benefits that would come from term limits: a regular influx of new ideas, fresh motivated Members, a Congress closer to the people and the issues facing them out there in the real world, a greater emphasis on merit rather than seniority and a better chance to guard against legislative gridlock as all Members achieve a higher level of political courage knowing that their life's work is not here in Washington and that there is life after service here. I expect this to be a very interesting debate. The mere fact that we are having this debate at all after our first attempt in 1995 is testimony to just how much Congress has changed in recent years. Under this rule, Members will have a chance to consider all of the major issues involved in this historic debate, including retroactivity and allowing States to set lower limits. Mr. Speaker, term limits is a serious endeavor, one that goes to the very heart of our goal to end the status quo in Washington. So first, I urge my colleagues to listen very carefully to what the American people are asking us to do, and then to support this fair rule so that we can have honest, full debate on the issue of term limits.

Ms. PRYCE

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Mr. John McConnell, chairman emeritus and founder of Worthington Industries of Columbus, OH. John McConnell is retiring this year, but the impact that he has in central Ohio will certainly continue. John McConnell has truly lived the American dream. In 1955, he borrowed $600 on his 1952 Oldsmobile to start Worthington Industries. Under his leadership, Worthington Industries has grown to employ 9,700 people at 55 facilities in 23 States, Canada, Mexico, and France. He turned his initial $600 loan into a $1.8-billion-a-year company that serves as a model for both efficient production and effective leadership. When Worthington Industries was just starting out, John would spend the morning in a suit with customers, but after lunch he would change clothes and spend the afternoon working in the plant. It is this commitment to his company and its employees that has won their respect and loyalty. Equally important, however, is John McConnell's social and civic involvement. He is chairman of the Law Enforcement Foundation of Ohio, a director of GMI Engineering and Management Institute in Flint, MI, and chairman of the board of the U.S. Health Corp. He also serves on a summer of charitable boards, including the Columbus Zoo and the YMCA. All of these accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. He is a recipient of the 33 Degree Scottish Rite Mason, the Horatio Alger Award, the Ohio Governor's Award, and the Mr. Ohio Gold Award. Mr. McConnell has been named a Michigan State University Outstanding Alumni and Entrepreneur of the Year by Southern Illinois University. Financial World magazine recogized him as an outstanding Chief Executive Office of the Year. Industry Week magazine applauded his excellence in management. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating my good friend, Mr. John McConnell, on a long and brilliant career with Worthington Industries. I wish him and his wife, Peggy, of 50 years continued health and happiness.

Ms. PRYCE

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 546 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 546 is noncontroversial in its form, for a number of minor housekeeping items, and I urge its adoption. Let us pass this final rule and bring us one step closer to finishing our work her in this Congress. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Goss].

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 546 is a straight-forward resolution providing for the consideration of certain measures in preparation for the sine die adjournment of the second session of the 104th Congress. Specifically, the rule makes in order resolutions waiving certain requirements with respect to the following actions: The enrollment of general or continuing appropriations bills for fiscal year 1997; the convening of the first session of the 105th Congress and the day for counting electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States; the convening of any organizational caucus or conference in the House for the 105th Congress; the printing and distribution of a revised edition of the House Rules and Manual for the 105th Congress; authorizing committees to file investigative reports after the adjournment of the 104th Congress; authorizing the filing and printing of committee activity reports; authority to accept resignations and to make appointments to certain commissions, boards, and committees following adjournment, or as authorized by law or by the House; permitting chairmen and ranking minority members of each committee and subcommittee of the House to revise and extend their remarks in the Record on the work of their respective panels; and, finally, permitting all Members to revise and extend their remarks in the Record on any matter occurring before the second session of the 104th Congress is adjourned sine die. Mr. Speaker, ordinarily these noncontroversial housekeeping matters are addressed by the House under unanimous consent agreements. But, regrettably, not all of these items have been cleared in advance with our friends in the minority. So, as a precaution, the Rules Committee has taken the step of preparing a very simple, straight-forward rule in preparation for the sine die adjournment of the second session of this historic 104th Congress. I would assure my colleagues across the aisle that there is no hidden agenda in this rule, and I encourage all Members to give it their full support. Mr. Speaker, since this may very well be the final rule brought to the floor by the Rules Committee in the 104th Congress, I want to take a moment to publicly commend Chairman Solomon for his leadership on the committee and for his commitment to furthering the cause of fair and open debate in this body. Much has been said in recent weeks about what this Congress has accomplished during the past 2 years. Reform, especially internal reform of the House, has been one of our highest priorities, and the Rules Committee, under Mr. Solomon's able leadership, has proudly played an active role in keeping congressional and fiscal reform a front-burner issue. Of course, I would be remiss if I did not also recognize the many years of hard work by the distinguished chairman emeritus of the Rules Committee, Mr. Quillen, as well as the fine contributions of two other Members who will be leaving us at the end of this session--Ms. Greene of Utah, and Mr. Beilenson of California. I know their efforts will no doubt be missed by our committee and by this body in the future. In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me emphasize that the resolution before us is not complicated and it is designed only to facilitate the House's consideration of simple administrative matters related to the operations of the House after this session has concluded its business. The rule was reported by the Rules Committee last night by a unanimous voice vote, and I urge its swift adoption by the full House today. Mr. Speaker, I just have to say, with utmost respect, that I hope that the 22-to-10 lead that the Ohio State Buckeyes have over the Fighting Irish does not bring the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Moakley] to take it out on the Republicans this afternoon.

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this resolution and that I may be permitted to insert extraneous materials into the Record following debate on the rule.

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Moakley], 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. general leave

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

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon] the chairman of the Committee on Rules.

Ms. PRYCE

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration in the House of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 197) waiving certain enrollment requirements with respect to any bill or joint resolution of the One Hundred Fourth Congress making general or continuing appropriations for fiscal year 1997.

Ms. PRYCE

Ms. PRYCE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 525, the following suspensions are expected to be considered today: H.R. 3005, SEC conference report, and S. 2003, armored car.