Jon Porter

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, today is a day of reflection. We reflect on the life and leadership of former President Ronald Wilson Reagan. We remember all that is good in our country, and all our Nation has to offer its people. Ronald Reagan made a significant and lasting contribution to the strength of our economy, our military, and restored America's self-confidence. President Reagan was an inspiration to me as I embarked upon a political career in Boulder City, NV, more than 20 years ago. He instilled in me that America was indeed a place everyone can rise as high and as far as his ability will take him. His own humble beginnings are proof of that. He taught me the meaning of civility, and to respect your political adversaries despite your disagreements. President Reagan changed the course of history, for both the United States and the world. He implemented foreign policy that would later end the cold war and free many nations from the iron curtain. President Reagan strengthened our economy. His leadership taught us that the Federal Government is not the solution for our problems and set us on a course that would lessen taxes and decrease inflation, helping many Americans achieve the American dream. On behalf of the people of the Third Congressional District from the great State of Nevada, I offer my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Reagan and the entire Reagan family. To conclude, let me recap the final words of President Reagan's farewell address to the American people from the Oval Office--``My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger. We made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.'' Mr. President, thank you for all you've done for the Nation and the world. Americans will miss you.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the late Reverend Doctor Ronald Freel. Dr. Freel was a pillar of the community in Southern Nevada and a friend and inspiration to all who knew him. Dr. Freel was born in Detroit, Michigan in October, 1931 and served in the United States Army for 12 years. He received advanced degrees in education and ministry and, after leaving the army, became the principal of Gaylord St. Mary's School in Michigan. Subsequently he served as the Wolverine, MI, School Superintendent and as pastor of Topinabee Community Church. Dr. Freel also served as the health education coordinator for the Cheboygan, Otsego, and Presque Isle Intermediate School District in Indian River, MI. Dr. Freel moved to Henderson, Nevada 12 years ago and served as the senior pastor at Grace Community Church in Boulder City for the last 5 years. There he was instrumental in the founding of Grace Christian Academy. Dr. Freel is survived by his wife Ellen Anne, 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren. I urge the House to join me in remembering Ronald Freel for his service to the community and extending our condolences to his family.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Roger Peltyn, who passed away suddenly last Thursday at the age of 60. Roger Peltyn helped build the modern Las Vegas that has become one of the wonders of the world, and will be remembered by all who knew him, and admired by everyone who sees the marvelous buildings he created. Roger Peltyn was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1944 and moved to Las Vegas to work as a structural engineer at the Golden Nugget. From this work Roger Peltyn's genius was recognized, and he went on to serve as an engineer at the Bellagio, Mirage, Venetian and many other world class resorts in Las Vegas. Roger Peltyn was also a major contributor to our community in other ways, and helped raise more than $4 million for various charities. Thanks to Roger Peltyn, the Las Vegas skyline has become one of the great symbols of America, whose beauty, strength, and success are reminders of everything our nation stands for. I urge the House to join with me in honoring Roger Peltyn and extending our condolences to his wife Sandy and his two sons on his untimely passing.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the top five false claims that we have heard today about H.R. 444 with some of the facts. False claim number 5: a reemployment bonus cannot motivate workers to find jobs that do not exist. The truth: as Republicans, our tax and growth programs over the past year have created 1.1 million new jobs, 625,000 coming in March and April. These job opportunities are becoming more available, and we have to ensure that those chronically unemployed have the new tools and new skills to face this new economy. False claim number 4: PRAs do not provide workers with greater flexibility. Rather, if workers choose a PRA, they would be prohibited from using WIA services for a full year. Mr. Speaker, the truth: reemployment accounts provide the unemployed with a means of developing an individual specific plan for regaining employment. The prohibition against WIA services is to prevent double dipping. I think that is appropriate. False claim number 3: PRAs will be used as an excuse to not extend the Temporary Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program. The truth, Mr. Speaker: Republicans have consistently supported extending unemployment benefits. These PRAs are a supplemental approach to benefits and represent one more way that Republicans are using to help Americans find new jobs and get back to work quickly. False claim number 2: reemployment accounts come at the expense of other WIA job training and employment programs. The truth, Mr. Speaker: while appropriators will ultimately determine the allocation of these dollars, the funding for PRAs will flow through the discretionary fund of demonstration projects, not the funds used for other services. False claim number 1 on the top of the list: H.R. 444 would restrict, rather than expand, the amount of job training and other reemployment services. Mr. Speaker, Republicans have prioritized funding for job training. Reemployment accounts are a voluntary program that allows for personalized and streamlined reemployment services. No one is forced to use the account, and the purpose of the legislation is to provide the most effective use of funds for the unemployed. Again, I encourage strong support for H.R. 444.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 444 for multiple reasons. First of all, we are facing an ever-changing economy both nationally and internationally. Could you imagine just a few years ago going go to the gas station and you would not have help or an attendant, you would have a piece of technology taking your credit card, you enter it into the gas pump, or go to the grocery store where people are being replaced by technology? Can you imagine going to rental car agency and it all being done electronically? So we are facing quite a change in the world and here in the U.S. Nevada, as my colleagues know, is one of the fastest-growing states in the country but is also the entertainment and resort capital of the world. There was a day when we depended solely on the gaming economy. Not only gaming today is number one, we are the top shopping destination and restaurant destination in the world because we have had to change and change dramatically. The National Chamber of Commerce has said that 40 percent of the jobs in the future do not exist today. They have also said that 75 percent of the workers as we know them today must change their skills and their technology. Then we look at what happened after 9/11. September 11 changed the world. The community of Nevada was literally out of business for 90 days. But because of the resilient business community, because of labor working in concert with our resort industry, we are coming back stronger than ever. The Nevada impacts are such that we are now the bellwether for the economy across the United States. The economy is turning around as Nevada has turned around. People are getting back to work. In Nevada alone we have created close to 60,000 new jobs in the last year. We are in a 4.3 percent unemployment rate, a true bellweather for the economy as it is improving across the country. And credit goes to labor and business working together. As our business communities change, as has our labor community, such as the Culinary Union working closely with business. But nationwide housing starts, all-time high; gross national product, all-time high; Wall Street, every day we are seeing improvements. Nationwide, 1.1 million new jobs since last August, 625,000 jobs in March and April alone. But, more importantly, the greatness of society, the greatness of America is not based upon our checkbooks. It is what we do to help those folks that need help. H.R. 444 does just that. It provides a voluntary program, a voluntary program for States to choose if they want to be a part of this program. It is a demonstration project, but, more importantly, it is a new tool to train our workers in this new global environment. The benefits, we have touched upon them this morning but I would like to cover them one more time. Transportation. Many of these folks in Nevada have a hard time getting to the job for the interview. Day care. Why not allow moms and dads to have some assistance? Many need a telephone, simply a telephone to help receive that call when the job is available. And Nevada, being one of the fastest-growing States regarding the Hispanic population, we need help with language and language barriers. There are those that will say that these tools exist today. I am sorry, but it is very complex, very confusing. This provides for a one- stop, easy access and a matter-of-fact choice. So the employee who needs help the most can make the decision and receive the balance if they are employed within the 13 weeks. So, in summary, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this very important tool as we enter this new environment, provide a new tool for a new economy. It is flexible, it is voluntary, and it provides choice for the employee. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on behalf of H.R. 444, and I appreciate Members' votes.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule for H.R. 444. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of this legislation because it impacts the families and children of Nevadans, but also those families across the country. But Nevada-specific, right after 9/11, we experienced almost 100,000 people that were laid off in a short period of time. What we have learned since then is with the resilient business community working with this Congress and its leadership on getting people back to work, we are now back to about 4.3 percent unemployment. Nevada is a bellwether for the economy and how strong it is becoming, because people are coming back to Nevada in droves. But, more importantly, what we learned in that tragic time right after 9/11 is that we can no longer do business as usual when it comes to unemployment. We need to find a flexible way to approach these families to help them get back to work. This program provides for flexibility. More importantly, it is voluntary. Families can use this for many uses, from transportation for getting to the job, maybe even for those families that need a telephone to be put in their home. Maybe they need to learn a new language. Nevada is one of the fastest growing States in the country. With 5,000, 6,000 or 7,000 new people a month, it has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the country. This program can be used to help train and help these families adjust. Mr. Speaker, this language, as I said earlier, is voluntary. Each State can make a decision. It is a pilot program. States can choose. Why not allow these families to use this program? I have heard our colleagues across the aisle say that these families and individuals do not need more training. I am sorry, I disagree. They need a new approach to unemployment, they need additional benefits, and they need additional help; and I encourage everyone to support the rule and H.R. 444.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, the storied history of our Nation's Armed Forces was written by the great men and women who served our country with honor and bravery. This past weekend, we celebrated the commemoration of a monument to World War II honoring all military veterans of the war, citizens on the home front, the Nation at large, and the high moral purpose and idealism that motivated our Nation's call to arms. In my home State of Nevada, I had the honor of spending Memorial Day at several events honoring veterans, many of whom served during World War II. Among the most courageous of all those who served our country was a group of men who defied both fascism abroad and racism at home while establishing a record as one of the most successful fighting units in American history. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of dedicated and determined young men who enlisted to become America's first African American airmen. These airmen were trained at Tuskegee Army Airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama, beginning in 1941. Over the course of their service during World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen distinguished themselves over the skies of Europe. Airmen trained at Tuskegee received two Presidential Unit citations for outstanding tactical air support and aerial combat, and they established the incredible and unprecedented record of flying more than 200 bomber escort missions without the loss of a single bomber to enemy aircraft. The outstanding record of these men was accomplished while fighting two wars, one against military forces overseas and the other against racism both at home and abroad. Over the course of World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen returned home with some of our Nation's highest military honors, including 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, eight Purple Hearts, and 14 Bronze Stars. In addition, these brave pilots destroyed more than 1,000 German aircraft. Many Americans became aware of the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen from the 1995 feature film starring Lawrence Fishburn called ``The Tuskegee Airmen.'' My first personal experience with these fine men came through a former member of my staff, Traci Scott, now serving with the Pentagon in Baghdad, whose father served with the Airmen, Captain Jesse H. Scott. After hearing his story, I wanted to do something special to honor this brave and honored group of soldiers. Captain Scott was an original member of the Tuskegee Airmen. In fact, he was so eager to join that he lied about his age to get accepted. As he progressed through flight training, Captain Scott learned he was color blind and went on to serve on the ground crew of General Ben Davis. Captain Scott passed away in the year 2000, and he is honored being buried in Arlington Cemetery. I am proud to offer a resolution in honor of Captain Scott and honoring the Tuskegee Airmen for their contributions to our Nation and the example they continue to offer us today. I also had the opportunity to meet with Mr. George Sherman, another former Tuskegee Airman, who now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was privileged to spend the morning with Mr. Sherman and his son as he shared with me firsthand accounts of what it was like to be a Tuskegee Airman. Mr. Sherman's memories and photos provided a small glimpse into the life of these men and how their life was led. Mr. Sherman and his son now travel to various schools sharing the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and are also actively involved in the Young Eagles program encouraging students to become more involved in aviation. As a Tuskegee Airman, George Sherman gained a lifelong love of aviation, and today he continues to share that love as he passes his knowledge and experience to new generations. I urge Members to join in recognizing the accomplishments of this unique group of American heroes as our Nation engages in combating terrorism around the world. We rely upon the global reach and the presence provided by our Air Force. Mr. Speaker, the example set by the Tuskegee Airmen encouraged millions of Americans of every race to pursue careers in space and air technology. The Tuskegee Airmen proved that skill and determination, not skin color, are the determining factors in aviation.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to give honorable recognition to the Boulder City Hometown Fiddlers. This talented youth organization is the only musical group from the state of Nevada that will be performing at the dedication of the WWII Memorial. Mr. Speaker, these young musicians will truly be honoring our veterans and fallen heroes, including those that died in wars past, and those that have died recently in the war with Iraq. The Boulder City Hometown Fiddlers will also be paying tribute to one of Nevada's own, Corporal Matthew Commons, of Boulder City. Corporal Commons was killed while serving in Afghanistan. They will represent the Silver State and all those within its borders who wish to pay tribute to those brave men and women who gave their lives in the name of freedom and democracy. It is with great honor that I stand here today and recognize this group of fine musicians as they convey our honor, respect, and gratitude to all those that died and risked their lives for their country.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to have breakfast with a young man from Nevada this week. He held up his hand and he said, ``I have a baby that was born 2 months premature, and I can hold that baby in my hand just like this.'' And as we talked about his child, who now is well and thriving and feeling wonderful, we talked about the tax credit. This was at breakfast just across the street. He was amazed and appalled and shocked that he would be seeing a $300 tax increase next year because he has a child. Mr. Speaker, there are 47 million kids across the country not unlike my friend's little baby that he held in his hand a few months ago, 500,000 foster kids, 370,000 children in Nevada alone, who stand to have a tax increase next year if we do not take action today. Nevada is one of the fastest growing States in the country, close to 5 or 6,000 new residents a month moving into our community. We need 2\1/2\ new schools a month because we have about 20,000 new children that could benefit from this tax credit. We know that the economy is turning around; and because of the strength of the economy, because of the tax credits that we have given in this Congress, right now nationwide there are 1.1 million new jobs since 2003. Unemployment is down to 5.6 percent across the country. Nevada's unemployment rate is 4.4 percent. It is working. Personal income is up. Homeownership is the highest it has ever been, and this is because of these tax credits; and it is because families, working families, have an opportunity to reinvest in their community. I have been in office a short time as a Member of Congress, but I served in the Nevada legislature as many of the Members have served in legislature, and I will be honest with them, I am perplexed. One of the criticisms I am hearing about this bill to help families is that we have raised the threshold. I am perplexed because I know that politics is the art of bringing groups together and building bridges. The $250,000 threshold was a Democrat proposal just 10 days ago. I am perplexed that all of a sudden it has become a criticism. We have crossed the aisle and are using their proposal. I encourage the $250,000, and I thank the Democrats for their proposal. Families need permanence in the language. We also support the Democrat's proposal in helping those families that need help the most by increasing the refundability to 15 percent. I thank my colleagues from across the aisle. Criticism number three was about not helping military families. Again, I thank my colleagues across the aisle for their language and support of those folks with the combat pay. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate having this opportunity to ask our colleagues to support this bill. The economy is getting stronger, men and women are getting back to work, hard-working families are receiving these credits so they can choose what to do with the funds and not the Federal Government. We have reinvigorated the entrepreneurial spirit across the country. We need to continue with these tax credits, so hard-working families can reinvest the money and take care of their families.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, while we are speaking of those children who need help the most, I would like to talk about those children without parents, those foster kids that are impacted by the bill. The substitute, as proposed, will be a tax increase on kids who depend upon the kindness of strangers. The amendment, as written, will be a tax increase on those children. It will punish children who do not have parents. I suggest to my colleagues that we reject this amendment, that we speak for those kids who need help the most, those without parents, and reject this amendment. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to just take a moment and say thank you to the staff for their hard work on the bill as originally written. I appreciate their efforts and time.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, we have talked at length about where the threshold should be. Just a few days ago, May 5, 2004, my colleague from California voted in favor of an amendment that said that we will eliminate all liability for individual minimum tax for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes at less than $250,000 and above those levels we phase in over $40,000. It seems to me very hypocritical that just a few days ago our colleagues from across the aisle felt that $290,000 should establish the threshold. And if I can read again from that amendment, it said, in general, the Alternative Minimum Tax to the taxpayer shall be zero, zero, if the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer, as determined by this bill, is $290,000. Mr. Speaker, it seems hypocritical we can use numbers, play with numbers. The important thing is to get people back to work and get people to be able to invest their own hard-earned tax dollars. The economy is improving because of the policy of returning to families their hard-earned dollars. I again would urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment and support the original bill as proposed.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor Margaret Parker Fretwell. Mrs. Fretwell just recently celebrated her ninetieth birthday and it is my great pleasure to note that she is still working hard to better her community. Through her enjoyment of community service and a love for her family, Margaret Fretwell has made sure that her ninety years here on this earth have been spent in the service of others. As an active member in her family, church, and community, she has become a symbol of service and charity. Those around her have been able to rely on her hard work and giving nature to promote charitable programs and educational events that benefit everyone in her hometown of Anderson, Nevada. Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to stand here and honor Margaret Fretwell with my deepest thanks for her continued service and contributions to her local community. It is my hope that those that have been touched by her generosity will remember her example and use it in their own lives.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mrs. Susan Wallace Leavitt, who has been awarded the 2004 Nevada Mother of the Year Award. The Mother of the Year Award honors women who are committed to strengthening the moral and spiritual foundations of the family and home. As a mother of four, Mrs. Leavitt has demonstrated the great responsibility of motherhood and dedication to living and teaching her children outstanding qualities, such as love, understanding, courage, service, and compassion. As a recipient of this award, Mrs. Leavitt will help deliver this message about motherhood to community organizations in Southern Nevada. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors and congratulate her on this well-deserved award.

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, a little more indepth history of the southern Nevada challenge in transportation, I think, today with Transportation Week it would be appropriated. As you know, Nevada is one of the fastest growing States in the Union. We are growing at 5 to 7,000 people a month into the southern Nevada area. You can imagine the challenges that we have before us as a community that has almost doubled in the last 10 years, literally creating communities the size of 60 or 70,000 people every year. Fortunately, over a decade ago, members of the Clark County Commission, local governments across the valley, decided to get together and create what is called the Regional Transportation Commission. The Regional Transportation Commission in concert with five local communities in southern Nevada worked together for the betterment and improvement of the southern Nevada area. As I mentioned, with the massive growth, the transportation needs are extreme. Fortunately, with the passage of this bill we will see additional funds to help us with this growth. And I applaud leadership and I applaud the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 420) applauding the men and women who keep America moving and recognizing National Transportation Week.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 420, introduced by the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), recognizes the week of May 16 through the 22 as National Transportation Week and applauds the men and women who keep America moving. Every Member of this body is well aware of the importance and the significance of our Nation's transportation system and its direct impact on the lives of everyone. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the U.S. transportation system is composed of 46,747 miles of interstate highways, nearly 600 million airline passengers, 97,631 miles of class-one freight railroads, over 160,000 route-miles by bus, 26,000 miles of navigable waterways and over 69,000 miles of oil pipelines. Mr. Speaker, our transportation system is so important to our Nation's economic activity and to our Nation's global competitiveness as a service, an industry and an infrastructure that it is more than appropriate that we recognize and applaud the men and women who keep America moving. Our transportation sector accounts for 11 percent of the United States' gross domestic product and employs over 11 million Americans. In my home State of Nevada, we are absolutely dependent on transportation for our economy. Tourism is the number one employer in my district, and the number one, two or three employer in every district in the country. Without the 30 million people who travel through McCarran International Airport each year, or the millions more who drive to Las Vegas and Laughlin down I-15 and US-95, we would not be experiencing the unprecedented growth in our community that we currently enjoy today. I could go on, but I will conclude by saying I am encouraged every day by the new technologies that are constantly being developed to move us in ways that are faster, more efficient and environmentally sensitive. In Las Vegas, we are seeking to become the first community to deploy high-speed Maglev rail technology to better link us to southern California. We are also deploying Intelligent Transportation System technology known as the FAST system to warn us of traffic delays and Amber alerts. Again, it is important that we recognize the significance and enormous contributions that transportation makes to our Nation's economy. I urge the adoption of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 423) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for activities associated with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 423, introduced by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), permits the use of the Capitol grounds for an overflow audience from the National World War II Memorial dedication ceremony. This ceremony, which will occur at the National World War II Memorial, dedicates the memorial in honor of hundreds of thousands of men and women that gave their lives in the cause of freedom from 1941 through 1945. Mr. Speaker, much has been said and written about the Greatest Generation, about the economy and country they built when they returned from the war. We are honored to have a number of those veterans serving in this body, and I am certainly personally grateful to have been able to work with each and every one of them. It is important that we as Congress do all we can to facilitate this very important ceremony, and this concurrent resolution will allow more veterans to participate, albeit from a distance. In my home State of Nevada, we have one of the fastest-growing veteran populations in the Nation with an increase in 30 percent with the veteran population in the 1990s. More than 18 percent of the approximately 240,000 veterans living in Nevada served during World War II, and I am honored to support this resolution on their behalf. I support this resolution and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I also would like to recognize my father who served in World War II, what a great tribute to him and his friends and all those other folks that served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice, and to my uncle who was in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. PORTER

Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 420 and H. Con. Res. 423.