Jack Quinn

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my congratulations to Chairman Livingston, Subcommittee Chairman Wolf, and the entire Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation for the tremendous job they have done on this legislation. I do however, wish to express two concerns that I have in the hope that they may be resolved as this process moves forward. First, I would like to express my deep concern regarding a provision in the fiscal year 1997 transportation appropriations legislation that will undermine the implementation of an important consumer rights program. As written, this legislation weakens the American Automobile Labeling Act [AALA] which is administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA]. The AALA was enacted in 1994 and simply requires new motor vehicles to contain a label providing basic information regarding domestic and foreign content. The purpose of the act is to give consumers vital information about the origin of motor vehicles and parts and for thousands of consumers. This information plays an important role in their decisions on which automobile to purchase. The act enables consumers who wish to buy American to do so, knowing that the information displayed on automobiles regarding domestic content is accurate and reliable. This helps to promote American jobs in the assembly of vehicles and in the production of auto parts. Under this program, suppliers are required to provide information about the origin of the equipment they supply. In order to comply with the labeling provisions, the vehicle maker must know about the origin of each part or item of equipment used during assembly. The act requires NHTSA to implement the program to ensure compliance, including a procedure to verify the accuracy of labeling information. To that end, NHTSA has requested $500,000 in funding to conduct audits related to the enforcement of the requirements of the act. Without these audits, this program will not fulfill its important objectives as mandated by Congress. Unfortunately, the fiscal year 1997 transportation spending bill denies NHTSA's request for resources needed to properly enforce the AALA program. Unless this modest funding request is granted, the intent of the AALA program will be severely weakened at the expense of consumers. As this legislation moves through the legislative process, I strongly urge Congress to reverse this action and take into account the important goals embodied in the AALA vehicle labeling requirements. amtrak funding Second, while I realize that Congress is addressing many difficult budget challenges, I would like to express my strong support of Amtrak. I believe that a safe, convenient, and effective National Passenger Rail System is not a luxury, but a basic component of our economy and society. The United States should not become the only major industrial country in the world without this service. Amtrak plays a vital role in the national economy and it offers a viable alternative to congested highways and air travel. I rise today to voice my disappointment with the Amtrak funding levels included in this legislation. These funding levels will make it impossible for Amtrak to operate its current system. Funding Amtrak at the levels in this legislation will force Amtrak to discontinue a number of routes and curtail infrastructure investment. The House authorizing Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, of which I am a member, has passed legislation that will move Amtrak toward privatization on a set schedule, with appropriate funding levels, to give the railroad the best chance to survive as a private entity. I believe deviating from that schedule by appropriating funds lower than what the authorizing schedule calls for would be devastating to Amtrak. If we allow the funding levels to remain at this level, Amtrak will go from the promise of succeeding in privatization to extinction. I believe Amtrak deserves a fighting chance at survival and this Congress should continue to fund the National Rail Passenger System until it reaches it's projected privatization date in the year 2002. Once again, I commend Mr. Livingston, Mr. Wolf, and the Appropriations Committee on the excellent work they have done with this legislation. I look forward to working with them to make the necessary adjustments to these two small problems to make this great bill even better.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern regarding the safety of our Nation's Government workers and urge the Congress to move forward in taking steps to protect these individuals as well as the integrity of our Federal facilities. Government workers, in our Nation's Capital and beyond, are vulnerable to acts of terrorism, both domestic and international as was tragically illustrated by the bombings that occurred in Oklahoma City last year, and Saudi Arabia earlier this week. On June 28, 1995, immediately following the Oklahoma City bombing, President Clinton issued a memorandum directing the General Services Administration [GSA] to upgrade all Federal facilities with minimum security standards outlined in a Department of Justice study entitled ``Vulnerability Assessment of Federal Facilities.'' One of the minimum security standards highlighted in the study is the retrofitting of security window film in all Federal facilities. I remember all too well, as I am sure we all do, the horrible pictures and film clips on the evening news of the victims in the bombing bloodied by the shards of glass that were propelled like bullets toward them when the widows of the building were blown out buy the blast. Even more devastating were the images of the babies and small children in the Federal day care facility who were severely injured and killed by the impact of the explosion. This technology will help us to avoid additional injuries or deaths in the future. Almost all of our Embassies, both here and abroad utilize security window film. The White House has it, the Pentagon has it, FEMA has it, and many of the museums in the Smithsonian have it. I concur with the President that before another tragedy occurs, all Government buildings should have it. It is my hope that we may move forward with improving the safety of our Federal workers who are disproportionately at risk of being victim to a terrorist act. I am aware that the GSA commissioned a study regarding the effectiveness of security window film and that the Department of Justice, Department of State and the Department of the Army have already conducted research that supported the use of window film for the purposes outlined in the President's memorandum. I urge GSA to promptly develop and implement a plan and budget for the upgrade of Federal facilities. The safety of our Government workers and their children hang in the balance.

Mr. QUINN

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

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I also want to go on record as supporting the amendment of the gentleman from New York [Mr. Lazio], here this evening, and I do it knowing full well that this whole discussion, the VA-HUD and Independent Agencies appropriations bill is probably one of the most difficult for all of us to talk about of all the bills we work with. The gentleman from California, Chairman Lewis, has worked tirelessly with all groups in this Congress on both sides of the aisle, from all sections of the country. He has heard our pleas, he has listened to us in private meetings and in public meetings, and I thank him and applaud him for the work that he has done on a difficult, difficult bill. But for those of us who come from local government and have seen section 811 and section 202 work in our towns and villages and counties across the country, disabled and elderly people must have us stand up for them at this time. Mr. Chairman, I want to join those who support the Lazio amendment this evening.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I want to rise in support of the Kolbe and Lowey amendment, a fellow New Yorker, a colleague of mine. I ask Members to support the amendment and ask my colleagues to continue to listen to this debate. I also want to take a minute to congratulate the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Illinois, on the work that he has done and the reform he has put forward in the full bill. I also believe that while he is a representative and a great representative of the farmers, that we need to make certain that the consumers are also represented here in this discussion and in the amendment and in the bill. I believe that the one small farm bill change of moving the price support from 678 to 610 has been negated by the fact that the USDA has set the quota on the amount of peanuts that can be grown at such a low level as to basically short the market and to drive up the actual price. Mr. Chairman, I believe that this reform, the amendment, the Lowey- Kolbe amendment, is one that is a moderate reform in the peanut program for consumers and it represents exactly that kind of information, exactly the kind of modification. I do not think it is as drastic as we could offer here today. I urge its support.

Mr. QUINN. I yield to the gentleman from Connecticut.

Mr. QUINN. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the distinguished service of Mr. Albert Thompson, an educator who has served the Buffalo City School District with distinction as Superintendent of Schools, on the occasion of his retirement. Throughout his brilliant career with the Buffalo City School District, Albert Thompson dedicated his life to the enhancement of our city's schools, and proved himself to be strong voice in our community. Mr. Thompson received his Master of Science in Industrial Arts Education from the State University College at Buffalo in 1964, and his Secondary School Administrator at Canisius College in 1970. Aside from his steady involvement with the Buffalo City School Board, Mr. Thompson is a member of the Board of Trustees of Medaille College, member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Buffalo Opera Company, member of the Board of Directors for the Community Music School, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Junior Achievement of Western New York, as well as several other organizations. Albert Thompson has also served the State of New York as a member of Governor Cuomo's ``Task Force on Creating Career Pathways for Youth in New York State.'' In addition to the numerous awards he has received, Mr. Thompson has been invited to meet with President Clinton regarding education legislation. With retirement comes many opportunities, several personal, many professional. May he meet every opportunity with the same enthusiasm and vigor in which he demonstrated throughout his brilliant career; and may those opportunities be as fruitful as those in his past. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the Thompson family, his colleagues, friends, the Buffalo City School District, all of us who have served as educators, and indeed, the entire western New York community, to honor Superintendent Albert Thompson for his dedication, hard work, and commitment to our community and its education.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Mr. Seymour H. Knox III. Throughout his life, Seymour Knox tirelessly dedicated himself to the enhancement of our western New York community. He was prominent in both Buffalo business and society through his involvement with the Buffalo Sabres National Hockey League franchise, the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, which governs the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Kidder Peabody & Co., and the Crossroads Arena Corp. Seymour Knox earned his undergraduate degree in sociology at Yale University in 1949, and attended graduate school at Columbia University, concentrating on accounting and banking. Mr. Knox honorably served the United States of America during World War II, where he received an Army commendation ribbon in recognition of outstanding performance of duty. In 1969, Seymour Knox, along with his brother, Northrup, acquired a National Hockey League franchise which established our Buffalo Sabres. His passion for hockey, commitment to western New York, and genuine concern for its community is best evidenced by the Marine Midland Arena, a project which will undoubtedly serve as his legacy, and will help ensure Buffalo will always have its beloved Sabres. For his efforts on behalf of Buffalo and professional hockey, Seymour Knox was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993, and in an emotional tribute this past March, was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame. On May 22, 1996, the Buffalo community lost one of its greatest men. A man whose dedicated and charitable community service, hard work, commitment to Buffalo's development, personal strength, and vibrant love of life serve as an inspiration to us all. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with the city of Buffalo, and indeed, our entire western New York community, to honor Mr. Seymour H. Knox III, who is survived by his wife, Jean; his brother, Northrup; his children, Seymour H. Knox IV, W.A. Read Knox, Avery F. Knox, and Helen K. Keilholtz; and his five grandchildren for his dedicated service to our western New York community. To that end, I would like to convey to the Knox family my deepest sympathies, and ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join with me in a moment of silence.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I am unable to cast my vote in support of H.R. 3517, the Military Construction Appropriation Act, because I must attend the funeral of my friend and constituent, Seymour H. Knox III, of Buffalo. H.R. 3517 underscores this Congress' continuing commitment to America's service personnel and their families, including many of my constituents who serve on the Niagara Falls Air Base. The bill also reflects a continuing commitment to the American taxpayer by calling for a $1.2 billion reduction from last year's level of $11.2 billion-- keeping us on the path toward our ultimate goal of reaching a balanced budget by the year 2002. According to the Quality of Life Task Force chaired by former Secretary of the Army Jack Marsh, 62 percent of troop housing and 64 percent of family housing units are currently unsuitable. This bill helps correct this deficiency. Included in this legislation is $1 billion for family housing construction and improvements benefiting over 10,000 military families. In addition, the bill includes: $36 million for the Homeowners Assistance Fund; $34 million for child development centers; $313 million for hospital and medical facilities; and $88 million for environmental compliance.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to share my views on the Omnibus Civilian Science Authorization Act. I would like to state my support for NASA's space station. NASA has played a vital role in America's development, both in the advancement of scientific innovations and the implementation of technological breakthroughs. Often times, technology that is produced from these breakthroughs becomes integrated into our Nation's industrial sector. The United States receives a direct dual benefit from the space program, both in the fields of scientific discovery and commercial technological transformation. I envision great things in America's future scientific discovery. The space station will be the heart of our Nation's great innovative zeal. I would also like to express my support for title IV of the bill which authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to implement its National Weather Service Program [NWS]. The NWS furnishes the entire United States with forecasts and other weather information. This past year we experienced unusually severe weather conditions and the NWS readily provided protection for our everyday lives. If the NWS does not receive sufficient funds, the agency would simply amount to a data collection center. I am pleased to see that the bill increases funding for the NWS by $19.8 million from fiscal year 1996. Nevertheless, the American people could still stand to lose out on the crucial services offered by the NWS. To that end, I support the various amendments which would bolster the NWS's ability to execute its responsibilities in a sound manner. I support Mr. Brown and Mr. Wamp's amendment which would increase the authorization for the National Weather Service. Additionally, I support Mr. Cramer's amendment which modifies the agency, which, for example, would require the Department of Commerce to notify Congress on its decision to close, consolidate, or relocate any field office.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs] for yielding me 3 minutes this morning. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to speak to all of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle today as we move forward to discuss and to vote on eventually the Riggs-Quinn amendment. Mr. Speaker, for the last 2 months there has been a lot of hard work done on this issue by a lot of Members in the Chamber. For the purposes of our side of the aisle and the Republican side, it is an opportunity for me now to thank our leadership who have worked hard and long with us to finally bring this vote, an up or down vote, on raising the minimum wage to a vote on the floor of the House. I have said since I began in the last 2 months this is a very simple issue; indeed the bill that the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs] and I have put together for our colleagues' consideration today is only 17 lines long; that as we talk about raising the minimum wage for people all across this country and back in our own congressional districts, it is not a complicated matter at all. We have an opportunity right now to talk about the minimum wage not being raised in less than 6 or 7 years, and during that time the cost of living in every other aspect, whether it is gasoline, whether it is food, clothing, sneakers, school books for our kids, the cost of that over these last 6 or 7 years has all gone up, and the minimum wage has stayed the same. At the same time, in Federal agencies across the country, in statehouses, in counties, everybody is talking about welfare reform, that we should make our best attempt to get people off of welfare and into jobs. I suggest to the membership today, Mr. Speaker, that when someone makes the minimum wage for 40 hours a week, and someone makes $8,840 and they are below the poverty level for this country, that is not making an honest wage. I suggest to our membership that it is time to give Americans a raise, that we have worked long and hard. We will be debating later on this afternoon different amendments, but it is not a complicated matter. I urge all of our colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Riggs-Quinn- English-Martini amendment, and I want to thank all of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle for making us and getting us to this point today where we get a vote.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to go on record as opposing the Goodling amendments, and in particular take a few minutes to talk particularly about Goodling 2. That is the amendment that deals with the $500,000 small business exemption. Mr. Speaker, people who work a 40-hour workweek ought to earn a livable wage. This amendment in my mind would deny that. Over 3,000,000 American businesses, two-thirds of all the businesses in our country, have an annual income under $500,000. These businesses employ 10\1/2\ million workers. That is more than 10 percent of all the workers in America. I think, Mr. Speaker, that, if we have worked as hard as we have worked, we had a bipartisan vote just a few months ago where over 70 Republicans supported the Riggs-Quinn-English-Martini minimum wage vote, we are headed in a bipartisan direction right now. I would urge any of our colleagues who are listening to the debate, any who have been involved these last 2 or 3 weeks, I would urge a ``no'' vote on the Goodling 2 amendment. In my estimation, and others who have worked hard on the original bill that was dropped about 2 or 3 weeks ago, maybe a month ago, we would simply undo everything we have done by passing the minimum wage. We would exempt the very workers we are trying to help, the people that many times are not represented by organized labor. They are not represented by anybody in most cases but the Members who vote in this House and the Members who will vote in about 45 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I urge a not vote on the Goodling amendments and in particular Goodling 2, which will be the small business exemption.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the proud sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 165, a resolution honoring an important event in the development of democracy in Central-Eastern Europe and the world; the 205th anniversary of Poland's first Constitution of 1791. On the third day of May, 1996, Polish people and Americans of Polish descent around the world celebrated the 205th anniversary of Poland's first Constitution. The Polish Constitution of 1791, which became the first liberal constitution in Europe was preceded only by our own Constitution in 1787. The 1791 Constitution sought an end to the feudal system of government, where a few monarchs and aristocrats governed Poland's majority. American Revolutionary War hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko introduced the concept of a constitutional democracy to his native country of Poland, which like the Constitution of the United States, established three independent branches of government. The Polish Constitution abolished the feudal system, giving all citizens the right to vote and guaranteed freedom of speech, right to assemble and freedom of religion. As a result, Poland became Europe's first true democracy. Thomas Jefferson himself held the Polish Constitution in high regard and was sure to include two copies of the document as part of the original collection in establishing the Library of Congress. Unfortunately, this first grand experiment in European democracy survived for less than 2 years. This expression of the democratic tradition of Polish political culture, embodying liberty to all people, rule by the majority and religious freedom, became a moral threat to the absolute monarchies of its neighbors Tsarist Russia, Austria and Prussia. Poland paid dearly for its democratic ideas, with the complete loss of its independence and the abolition of its Constitution, when it was partitioned by its three powerful neighbors in 1793. Over the next two centuries, Poland and her people suffered many injustices, but the spirit of the Constitution of 1791 continued to live on and forge hope in the hearts of Polish people around the world. It is only in the last 5 years that Poland again has emerged as an independent nation after her people led the movement that resulted in the fall of the Soviet bloc and the historical changes in Central- Eastern Europe. Today, Poland has experienced its first ``free'' elections in several generations and the positive economic successes it has experienced are unparalleled in its history. The eventual democratic goals of Poland include its hopeful inclusion in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] and complete inclusion in the Western community. I am honored to have offered this resolution to honor the Polish Constitution of 1791, something in which all Poles rightfully take pride. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the gentleman from New York, Chairman Gilman, the ranking member, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton], and the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Moran], and all members of the Committee on International Relations for their support of the resolution. I want to urge my colleagues to join me in saluting and congratulating the people of Poland and Americans of Polish origin for realizing the fulfillment of the spirit of the May 3d Constitution by supporting House Concurrent Resolution 165.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the academic efforts of three students from Orchard Park Central Middle School in the 30th Congressional District of New York State. For 2 years now, I have sponsored a Black History Month Essay Contest open to seventh and eighth grade students in our western New York community. This year, students from several area schools submitted essays for the contest to be judged by Mr. Donald Ogilve, superintendent of Hamburg Central Schools; Ms. Maureen Bigha, director of reading and Federal projects for Lackawanna Central Schools; and Mr. Jim Borow, chairperson of the English department at Cheektowaga Central Schools. As a former teacher, I am very proud of all of the young people who participated in this contest. After careful consideration, however, our panel selected three winners, all from Orchard Park Central. The 1996 Black History Month Essay Contest winner was Mr. Jacob Teplesky whose informative essay focused upon legendary track and field athlete Ms. Wilma Rudolph. Second and third place winners were Miss Alanna Rufat and Miss Amy Nunn, respectively. The subject of each of their essays was the heroic efforts of Ms. Harriet Tubman on behalf of slaves in the 19th century. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the families of these fine young students, the faculty and staff of Orchard Park Middle School, and indeed, the entire western New York community to recognize the insightful and informative essay submissions of Mr. Jacob Teplesky, Miss Alanna Rufat, and Miss Amy Nunn.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, recently the Joint Economic Committee released a major study on the impact of excessive Government spending on total worker pay and benefits. This study, the impact of the welfare state on workers, shows how excessive Federal spending has depressed the growth of productivity, wages, and benefits over the last two decades. According to this JEC study, when Federal spending as a share of GDP exceeds 17.4 percent, additional Federal spending becomes literally counterproductive. These negative results are reflected in lower productivity and compensation growth. As a result of excessive Federal spending over the last two decades, the typical worker has lost a sum total of $106,800, enough money to purchase a median price new home in 1993. At current levels, each additional $1 of Federal spending lowers the sum total of workers compensation by 26 cents. In other words, an extra $100 billion of Federal spending would lower total compensation available to American workers by $26 billion. This study also debunks the myth advanced by Labor Secretary Robert Reich that seeks to blame the income stagnation under the Clinton administration on a recovery in business profits. This study refutes the notion that business profits cause income stagnation. And instead demonstrates that healthy business profits tend to generate compensation gains for American workers. This study also shows that when appropriate inflation measures are used, hourly wages and benefits received by the typical worker increased about 26 percent between 1973 and 1994, after adjustment for inflation. This study demonstrates that there is a very close relationship between productivity and compensation growth during this period. As we know, the real problem is that real median family income is stagnating under the Clinton administration. Other income measures of earnings are also flat or declining. We must do something to protect American families from the Clinton crunch. The tax relief provided in the Republican budget is a good first step.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation which extends priority healthcare to Persian Gulf war veterans who served in Israel and Turkey. My bill is entitled the ``Persian Gulf Syndrome Health Benefits Extension Act of 1996.'' The bill has received bipartisan support from my colleagues on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. Men and women who served during the Persian Gulf war in Israel and Turkey were originally excluded from the definition of in-theatre operations. Many of these soldiers suffer from similar undiagnosed medical problems that may be related to service during the Persian Gulf war. Throughout my service on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I have emphasized the need to alleviate the suffering of those individuals afflicted with the Persian Gulf syndrome.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the distinguished service of William G. Houston, an educator who has served the Lake Shore Central School District as Superintendent for over 30 years, on the occasion of his retirement. Over those 30 years, William Houston dedicated his life to the enhancement of the Lake Shore District, and proved himself to be extraordinarily available to his faculty, staff, parents, and most importantly, students. Considered the Dean of Superintendents in Western New York, William Houston's 30 year commitment to the same district far exceeds all others in Western New York, as well as most Superintendents throughout the entire State. Throughout his tenure with Lake Shore Central, William Houston has established himself as an institution synonymous with academic commitment, rugged independence, insight and vision, hard work and dedication, and community involvement. With retirement comes many opportunities, several personal, many professional. May he meet every opportunity with the same enthusiasm and vigor and which he demonstrated throughout his brilliant career; and may those opportunities be as fruitful as those in his past. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the Houston family, his colleagues, friends, the Lake Shore School District, all of us who have served as educators, and indeed, the entire Western New York community, to honor Superintendent William Houston for his dedication, hard work, and commitment to our community and its education.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 842, the Truth in Budgeting Act. Mr. Chairman, I support this legislation for many reasons because I believe that the infrastructure of our Nation is vital to our economic viability. This is true, and it is backed up by statistics that say that more than 40 percent of highway use is by businesses and small businesses alone. Mr. Chairman, I have heard from small businesses in my district that are currently paying the largest taxes. They are also the largest job producing segment in my district and in districts all across the country. They make the largest contribution, small businesses do, to these funds, and they want to make sure that these trust funds are restricted and they are not used for other things than they are intended for. I have heard from a constituent in my district, Melvin Rupp, a small business owner. If those in opposition to this legislation think that the people back home do not know what it is about, then they are sorely mistaken. Mr. Rupp and others in my district have urged me to do what is right, to protect these funds for their intended use, to stop using these funds for masking the deficit and to support a real balanced budget. I ask strong support for H.R. 842, and thank our chairman and ranking member for the work they have done on it.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1972.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding this time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the entire bill which includes the most important line-item veto. This 104th Congress has been hailed as a reform-minded Congress. We have made historic attempts to cut wasteful Government spending, scale back a bloated bureaucracy and, most importantly, balance our Federal budget. Although we have made great strides in these areas, our budgets still suffer from a deficit increasing plague which is known as pork barrel spending. In order to complete this goal of returning fiscal responsibility to the Federal Government, we must enact this measure. With the line-item veto the President can literally draw a line through any item in the Federal budget without having to veto the entire budget. No longer will taxpayer dollars be spent on wasteful projects. Instead, the stroke of a pen from the President will eliminate millions of dollars of pork from each year's budget. Furthermore, these savings will go into a lockbox, insuring that they be used for deficit reduction. In fact, the General Accounting Office, during the course of our discussion on this matter these last 2 years, has reported that they would have saved or been able to save over $70 billion had the line-item veto been in effect. Mr. Speaker, we are here again with this opportunity to pass a historic measure. On a day when we are asking to support an increase in the debt limit to a record $5.5 billion, I think it is imperative and it is appropriate that we give the President this authority. Mr. Speaker, I also want to take a moment at this time to commend our colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger], who is retiring after this session. We said yesterday at the Committee on Rules, I will say it again, his work on the line-item veto bill, as well as many other numerous reform problems and perspectives, has been truly remarkable. Without his effort it would still be stuck in conference. We appreciate his work and ask everybody to vote for the line-item veto.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, 35 years ago President John F. Kennedy had a dream. He wanted to share America's idealism and know-how with other nations, not just through impersonal foreign aid loans or grants, but more importantly through direct people-to-people contact. He wanted American citizens to work directly in foreign nations, helping those in need to lean how to develop the basic skills necessary to promote their own well-being and advancement. As a result of his dream turned into reality, whole societies have gained insight and experience in improving their lives, from learning how to drill wells and improve their agricultural output to developing the social, educational, and medical skills necessary for their well-being. This program, established through the Peace Corps Act of 1961, now provides programs in over 90 different countries. Its purpose, to promote world peace and friendship, to help other countries in meeting their needs for trained men and women, and to promote understanding between the American people and other peoples served by the Corps has had an unprecedented record of success. Volunteers from throughout the Nation, including many from my own northwestern New York, have selflessly given of themselves through 2- year commitments in foreign countries where they lived and worked as integral parts of the communities in which they served. Peace Corps volunteers today work in six basic program areas: Education, agriculture, health, small business development, urban development, and the environment. Community-level projects are designed to incorporate the skills of volunteers with the resources of host country agencies and other international assistance organizations to help solve specific development problems, often in conjunction with private volunteer organizations. In the United States, the Peace Corps also serves an important purpose in promoting a better understanding of the people and cultures of other countries. Through the Peace Corps World Wise Schools Program, volunteers are matched with elementary and junior high schools throughout our Nation to encourage an exchange of letters, pictures, music, and artifacts. Participating students increase their knowledge of geography, languages, and different cultures, as well as learning the value of volunteering, whether in their own communities or in faraway nations. The Peace Corps is a dream that fortunately became a reality. It is a program for which every American can be proud, both for what it has accomplished and for what it is now doing. To the Peace Corps and its thousands of volunteers, I offer a sincere congratulations and thank you on this, its 35th anniversary.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished community service of Michael R. Mulderig, a distinguished civil servant and Democratic Party leader, on the occasion of being named the First Ward and South Buffalo Democratic Association 1996 Irishman of the Year. Mr. Mulderig has served the city of Buffalo in several capacities under former mayor, the Honorable James D. Griffin. To that end, Mr. Mulderig served as the confidential aide to the mayor, license director for the city of Buffalo, and assistant director of stadium operations at the city's ballpark. In addition to these remarkable duties, Mike Mulderig has served western New York as a former president of the South Buffalo Democratic Association. Currently, Mr. Mulderig is the chairman of the second zone for the Democratic Party. As a fellow American of Irish descent, I truly appreciate the contributions Mike Mulderig has made on behalf of the city of Buffalo, and offer my thanks and commendation to both he and the association for recognizing the efforts of Irish-Americans in our communities. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the Mulderig family, his colleagues, friends, the First Ward and South Buffalo Democratic Association, and indeed, the entire western New York community to honor Mr. Michael R. Mulderig for his dedication, hard work, and commitment to western New York, the city of Buffalo, and the Irish-American community on his being named the 1996 Irishman of the Year.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished community service of Helen G. Jacob, on the occasion of the opening of the Department of Veteran's Affairs Western New York Healthcare System Women's Wellness Center dedicated in her honor. Ms. Jacob has served the State of New York as the chairperson of the Rehabilitation Committee for Women Veterans, a project which she initiated in 1984. She has also served as the vice president of the National Historians' Association, Area I, which encompasses 12 States and 3 separate countries. In addition to these remarkable duties, Helen Jacob is also the women's coordinator for the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Buffalo, NY. In this capacity, she has selflessly dedicated countless hours on a volunteer basis to the personal needs of both inpatient and outpatient women in the medical center's care. Helen also holds the prestigious honor of being the only women elected as Commander of the American Legion of Erie County, a position responsible for approximately 14,000 members in over 50 posts. Since its inception in 1992, Ms. Jacob has provided insight and expertise in veteran related issues on my 30th Congressional District Veterans Advisory Committee. Helen's insight and sage advise on matters concerning our Nation's veterans is truly appreciated, and I unreservedly offer her my enthusiastic congratulations and commendations for this dedication. The dedication of the Helen G. Jacob Women's Wellness Center is also testimony to the innovative spirit of the hospital itself, as it is the only one of its kind nationwide in a veterans hospital or medical center. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the Jacob family, her colleagues, friends, all of those who served our Nation in the Armed Forces, and indeed, the entire western New York community to honor Ms. Helen G. Jacob for her dedication, hard work, and commitment to western New York and its veterans.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished community service of Helen G. Jacob, on the occasion of the opening of the Department of Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System Women's Wellness Center dedicated in her honor. Ms. Jacob has served the State of New York as the chairperson of the Rehabilitation Committee for Women Veterans, a project which she initiated in 1984. She has also served as the vice president of the National Historians' Association, Area I, which encompasses 12 States and 3 separate countries. In addition to these remarkable duties, Helen Jacob is also the women's coordinator for the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Buffalo, NY. In this capacity, she has selflessly dedicated countless hours on a volunteer basis to the personal needs of both inpatient and outpatient women in the medical center's care. Helen also holds the prestigious honor of being the only woman elected as Commander of the American Legion of Erie County, a position responsible for approximately 14 thousand members in over 50 posts. Since its inception in 1992, Ms. Jacob has provided insight and expertise in Veteran related issues on my 30th Congressional District Veterans Advisory Committee. Helen's insight and sage advise on matters concerning our Nation's veterans is truly appreciated, and I unreservedly offer her my enthusiastic congratulations and commendations for this dedication. The dedication of the Helen G. Jacob Women's Wellness Center is also testimony to the innovative spirit of the hospital itself, as it is the only one of its kind nationwide in a veterans hospital or medical center. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the Jacob family, her colleagues, friends, all of those who served our Nation in the Armed Forces, and indeed, the entire western New York community to honor Ms. Helen G. Jacob for her dedication, hard work, and commitment to western New York and its veterans.