Jack Quinn

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time. There are too many people on that side, Jerry, so I had to come over to my good friends on this side of the aisle to get some time for you. I want to say, on behalf of all of us in New York, and I just left the American Legion's conference over in the Cannon Building, to come over and thank you on behalf of all veterans and all American Legion members and all citizens for your work on the flag amendment. We appreciate that deeply. Also, as a New Yorker, when we first came here, now three terms ago, a bunch of us were just dropped into the U.S. Congress and then they told us about something they called the committee on committees. We could not believe there was such a thing, but it was you who helped and guided us. I guess what I want to say on behalf of a lot of us, Jerry, as a former schoolteacher for many years up in Buffalo, New York, you have probably served, without even knowing it, because of your example and your discipline, as a teacher to many of us. And I am not talking about staff members, and not about the pages, I am talking about other Members of Congress. And for that, and all the other things you have heard here this morning, we thank you very much.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), and my good friend, the gentleman from Buffalo (Mr. LaFalce), on their work on this, and I want to speak about this great American success story that we heard about this morning, the Nation's credit unions. Of course, credit unions are far different from banks. They are democratically owned and primarily engaged in consumer loans, and, Madam Speaker, I believe it is this simplicity that is the secret to their success. Credit unions are not in the business to buy other banks, they are not there to sell insurance or to acquire commercial affiliates. More importantly, they are not for profit. Credit unions have all of the revenues funneled back into the members for low cost loans. I am a proud sponsor of the Credit Union Membership Access Act to preserve credit unions in their current status. The many differences between credit unions and banks are what make credit unions so valuable. Even bankers admit that there is a certain percentage of the population that banks cannot serve. Low wage workers oftentimes cannot afford high bank fees or loan rates. Without credit unions, these people would be forced to turn to check cashers or to pawn brokers or any number of different kinds of facilities. I know that my district in western New York, thousands of people have come to rely on credit unions. I have constituents tell me all the time how much they mean to them, and many claim they would not be able to afford their own home, a loan to start a new business, or, in my case, attend college. It is clear to me credit unions are critical for thousands of Americans, and I urge Congress to help credit unions play an important role, now and in the future.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority leader for yielding me the time this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I came over with prepared remarks to talk about the heroes that all of us have talked about this afternoon and will tonight and tomorrow. But after listening and thinking about these prepared remarks, Mr. Speaker, I have to go off topic to simply say that, in all the confusion on Friday, I went home, caught a flight back to Buffalo, New York. All of us went home. I talked to constituents, and I talked to my family, and I discussed with people back home in Buffalo how they were happy and glad that I was safe, that I made it home to be with my own family. Mr. Speaker, it seems at times that we worry about all of our inconveniences and all of our own problems and all of our differences here at work each week, but not only did I return home to my family but I am back at it again today, here in the Nation's Capitol. Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson are not. At times, our inconveniences and our problems and our differences seem to be bigger than they should be. We only have to look at these two fine gentlemen to understand how unimportant our inconveniences and our problems and our differences really are. So what do we do and where do we go from here after services tomorrow? I might suggest, Mr. Speaker, that the Members of the House return to work and put aside those differences and those inconveniences and those problems and we get to the people's work in the People's House, in this building, to do what is right for Americans, and we do it because we know that there are officers just like J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson who protect us and put their lives on the line every day who want us to do it that way. On behalf of my own family and the people of the 30th Congressional District in New York, I pledge to do that in memory of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask unanimous consent to have myself removed as cosponsor of H.R. 3396, the Citizens Protection Act of 1998.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, due to family obligations I was unavoidably detained from several roll call votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted no on roll call votes 187, and 188. I would have voted yes on roll call vote 189, 190 and 191.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, although I am unable to cast my vote today for this legislation due to prior family commitments, I am pleased to voice my support for H.R. 2400 the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century, or TEA 21. I would like to thank all of the conferees for their leadership in making this bi-partisan legislation a reality. This is truly an historic day for the United States of America. TEA 21 is a magnificent work which addresses many transportation related concerns. For example, this bill contains the most comprehensive anti-drinking and driving measures ever put into legislation. The people in my district will see the results of the significant steps this Congress will be taking to combat drinking and driving. This bill reauthorizes the discretionary bridge program. This program will give our states the tools to replace or repair our crumbling bridges. The bill authorizes funds for the Rails to Trails program, access to jobs, school bus safety, and many other important programs. And of course the legislation takes care of specific district priorities. I have worked with community leaders of the 30th district of New York over the past 2 years to find out what they needed to better the quality of life in our community. I submitted that list, along with over 400 of my house colleagues, to the committee for their consideration. Fortunately, for my district the Committee saw fit to authorize some of the things I requested. In the last six years, there have been two severe accidents on the same road in Buffalo, New York. Both of these accidents resulted in the loss of several lives. H.R. 2400 provides us with an opportunity to fix that stretch of road by creating a shoulder for disabled vehicles. This bill allows me to receive funding for that priority. Can anyone in this Chamber tell the families of the victims of these horrific accidents that this is pork? That it is an unnecessary project? Can anyone in this Chamber tell the New York State Thruway Authority, who has asked for funds to correct this problem that it is unworthy? In closing, this is a good bill. It covers a variety of needs in the sphere of transportation. It will rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges and in turn make our nation's highway's safer. This is my third term, this is my first opportunity to authorize our nation's transportation policy. I only wish, for the sake of the families who have suffered losses on my district's highway's over the past 6 years, that it could only have come sooner. Vote to rebuild our nation's roads and bridges. Vote for the safety of our highways. Vote Yes for the TEA 21 Conference Report.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to express my opposition to the Rule to S. 1150, the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reauthorization Conference Report. Due to family reasons, I was unavoidably detained and therefore unable to cast my vote against this Rule. I supported the base text of S. 1150 which represents a delicate bipartisan compromise by restoring food stamps funding to legal immigrants, and promoting agricultural research, crop insurance, and rural development. The rule would strike out the food stamp provisions, effectively killing crop insurance and agricultural research as well as food stamps. Legal immigrants cut off of food stamps are among the poorest and most vulnerable. Over 900,000 legal immigrants, including 150,000 children, have lost food stamp benefits. Another 600,000 citizen children live in households where immigrant adults have lost benefits, thereby reducing the amount of food available to the entire household. The restorations with regard to food stamps in S. 1150 target the most vulnerable immigrants: elderly and disabled persons; children; refugees who often come to this country with nothing but the clothes on their backs; and Hmong veterans, who fought courageously alongside U.S. military forces in Vietnam. Private charities are overwhelmed trying to meet increased need for food across the country. The U.S. Conference of Mayors' recent survey found that 75 percent of cities report increased requests from legal immigrants for food assistance. Food banks cite increases of 40 to 70 percent in requests for emergency food assistance. Catholic Charities, the nation's largest private human service organization, reports significant increases in requests for emergency food assistance, severe food shortages in their food banks and pantries, and an inability to meet all food need.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, although I am unable to cast my vote for this legislation, I am pleased to take this opportunity to voice my support for H.R. 3616, the Fiscal Year 1999 National Defense Authorization Act. For the fourth consecutive year, the Department of Defense's modernization budget fell far short of the $60 billion that former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Shalikashvili testified the military needs each year to update its aging force. Even more disturbing is the continuing trend of budget requests for modernization that are billions less than they were forecast to be during the previous year. The research and development situation in the United States military looks very bleak as well. Spending for research and development accounts are forecasted to fall by at least fourteen percent. This year's overall budget request represents the lowest real level of U.S. defense spending since before the Korean War. Clearly, the practice of the United States military increasing its number of missions while resources decline will continue unless the defense budget is increased. H.R. 3616, while consistent with the Balanced Budget Act, continues the 14-year trend of real decline in defense spending. I commend the National Security Committee for working within these constraints to focus the limited resources available on addressing readiness, quality of life, and modernization shortfalls. This bill provides the Department of Defense with some of the tools necessary to better recruit and retain quality personnel, better train them to the highest possible standards, and better equip them with advanced military technology while trying to provide for an improved quality of life. The high pace of operations continues unabated with attendant negative impacts on military quality of life. America's military forces are under severe stress. H.R. 3616 takes proactive measures to directly reduce the stress and would provide military personnel a 3.6 percent pay raise--.5 percent more than that requested in the budget--to halt the growing pay gap. In addition, the bill limits the Department of Defense's ability to accelerate military personnel cuts and add $74 million to help the Army maintain adequate manpower levels. Among many other important provisions, the bill also would mandate that burial honors for all veterans be provided on request after October 1999 and increase funding for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program to $50 million.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. H.R. 3039 is a bill to provide a VA loan guarantee for transitional housing for homeless veterans. In testimony before our Subcommittee on Benefits here in Washington, D.C., as well as testimony at a hearing held in Buffalo, New York, in my district, witness after witness said that the major stumbling block to providing services to homeless veterans is the inability to obtain stable funding. H.R. 3039 is intended to address this obstacle, thereby increasing the supply of transitional housing for homeless veterans. It is fairly common knowledge that veterans comprise about one-third of homeless adults in this country, and that a high percentage of the homeless suffer from substance abuse and mental illness. Four years ago the Congress called for programs serving homeless veterans to receive a proportional share of funding for the homeless. Unfortunately, that has not happened. Moreover, there appears to be a niche that is not being filled in the continuum of service necessary to move chronically affected veterans from being a drain on society to being productive citizens. That niche is transitional housing. H.R. 3039 authorizes loans for transitional housing programs that will provide a supportive and structured environment for our homeless veterans. The bill has the following features: The VA would be authorized to guarantee up to 15 loans for multi-unit transitional housing for homeless veterans, but the VA could not guarantee more than 5 loans in the first 3 years of the program. The aggregate value of the loans is capped at $100 million. The bill requires VA to obtain advice in administering the program from a not-for-profit corporation experienced in developing these kinds of programs. This approach obviates the need for the VA to develop additional staff or expertise, and should enable the VA to manage the program within its existing resources. The borrowers must work with VA health care facilities and State and local authorities to provide a full range of supportive services to maintain sobriety as well as personal counseling and employment services. Projects must work closely with the VA and non-VA sources as a means to reduce the project costs and enhance the effectiveness of the project and other related programs. This bill requires residents to seek and obtain employment and to maintain sobriety. It is a tough love approach. While the bill does not require a zero tolerance approach to substance abuse for those enrolled in the program, the committee believes that the potential negative impact of those who continue to abuse drugs or alcohol on those wishing to remain clean and sober justifies the zero tolerance. Finally, residents are required to pay a reasonable fee for their residence because it promotes personal responsibility. Along with staying clean and sober, part of taking personal responsibility is paying one's way in the world and is yet another step towards becoming a fully productive citizen. I would like to thank all the members of the committee for the bipartisan manner in which we worked through this to bring the bill to the floor. The subcommittee and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) and his staff worked very hard; the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lane Evans), who traveled to Buffalo for the hearing we had, I am also appreciative to him, and especially thank the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump) for his leadership on the issue. Madam Speaker, it is a good bill. We believe it fills a void that now exists in the homeless programs, particularly for our veterans in this country, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3039.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of H.R. 2829, the ``Bulletproof Vest partnership Grant Act of 1998.'' I would like to thank my friend from Indiana Congressman Visclosky, and my friend from New Jersey Congressman LoBiondo, for bringing this long overdue and much needed bill to the floor of the House. Times have changed and we must pass H.R. 2829 in order to protect the men and women who risk their lives everyday for our safety. The bulletproof vests of 15 or 20 years ago are no longer adequate protection. The passage of this bill would authorize up to twenty-five million dollars a year for a new matching grant program to help state and local law enforcement departments purchase new bulletproof vests and body armor. The new body armor today is thinner, lighter and offers more protection. The vests can even be fitted with additional plates for even extra protection. The bill would also give preference in awarding grants to jurisdictions where officers do not currently have vests. The grants will be sent directly to the agencies that apply for them, resulting in the officers getting their new vests and body armor that much quicker. From 1987 to 1996, 637 officers ere feloniously killed by a firearm. Of that figure, 393 officers, roughly 62 percent, were not wearing a bulletproof vest or body armor when they were shot. Every police officer and correctional officer in this country should have the protection of a bulletproof vest or body armor. This bill will go a long way in making that vision a reality. What better way to recognize national Police Week than by passing this legislation. Support H.R. 2829.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, thirty-six years ago, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15th as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15th falls as National Police Week. I rise today to salute all law enforcement officers across this country, and to remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty. The protection offered to each of us by this country's law enforcement officials should not be taken for granted, nor should we forget the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. In 1997, 160 law enforcement officers, nearly forty percent more than in 1996, lost their lives in the line of duty. From 1990-1995, there had been an average of 151 fatalities annually. Over the past two years, the city of Buffalo has lost two of our finest law enforcement officials, killed in the line of duty. On April 9, 1997, Officer Charles McDougal was senselessly murdered while on duty. Just a few months ago, Officer Robert McLellan was killed while chasing a fugitive sought by bounty hunters. Both officers served their community with honor, distinction and bravery. Members of the law enforcement agency throughout this country play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all Americans. We must continue to recognize and appreciate the problems, duties and responsibilities faced by all law enforcement officials throughout this country. Everyday, men and women across America go to work with the single purpose of making all of our lives safer. They work long hours in an often thankless job. But this week is our chance to thank them for all they have done and continue to do. It is also a chance to remember those that have died while making our country a safer place. Mr. Speaker, I call upon all citizens of this country to observe Friday May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day in honor of those peace officers who, through their courageous deeds, have lost their lives or have become disabled in the performance of duty.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues a very special anniversary in my district, that of our local television channel, WIVB-TV. On May 14, 1948, then known as WBEN-TV, WIVB began service to the Greater Buffalo areas as our community's first television station. In addition to being the first television station in Western New York, WIVB was also first to offer live news broadcasts, live weather reports, live coverage of sporting events, and color broadcasting. This pioneering and innovative spirit has established WIVB a leader in local broadcasting. In that proud tradition, WIVB-TV looks to the future with a continued commitment to ethical and ambitious journalism, technological innovations through Doppler Radar, and a growing system of local weather stations. These impressive accomplishments would not have been possible without the many talented individuals who have served WIVB. Whether as an on- air television personality, or as one of the countless behind-the- scenes men and women who contribute so much to the success of the program, WIVB-TV, and indeed, our entire community, are indebted to their service. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with the many residents of Buffalo and Western New York who enjoy WIVB's programming everyday in expressing my enthusiastic commendation to WIVB-TV Channel 4 on the occasion of its Fiftieth Anniversary, and send our best wishes for the next half-century.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues the dedication of a plaque commemorating the service of Mr. John B. Bennett, which occurred in my District this past Saturday at the West Side Rowing Club. Mr. Bennett, who passed away May 27, 1995, is a true legend in Rowing in every sense of the word. During an era when club crews were as powerful as those at some of the big Universities, he dominated the field as North America's winningest Coach. His eight-oared crews won the U.S. National Championships in 1947, 1949, 1950, and 1951. Those same crews went on to win the Royal Canadian Henley Championships in 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, and 1956. Coach Bennett also led a four-oar team to a National Championship in 1956, and represented our Nation in the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. Even more important than his will to win and impressive records was Coach Bennett's leadership, involvement, and motivation of countless young men who were fortunate enough to be part of his teams. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Coach Bennett served as a Member of the Buffalo Police Department for Thirty-three years, and attained the rank of Lieutenant. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with the West Side Rowing Club, the Bennett Family, and our entire Western New York community in remembrance of Coach Bennett's service. I close with a caption from the newly dedicated plaque, which best sums up his amazing contributions: ``As remarkable as his coaching record was, his moral influence on hundreds of young men, many of who were war veterans, was stronger. He motivated his charges to be winners in life as well as on the water.'' God Bless that unending commitment and Mr. John B. Bennett.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I want to express my strong support for H.R. 2431, the Freedom From Religious Persecution Act. This bill would reassert the position that the United States is a defender of personal liberty, including the liberty to choose and practice one's religion. The Freedom From Religious Persecution Act makes significant changes in U.S. policy that will help identify and terminate discrimination against religions around the world. The bill calls for the creation of the office of Religious Persecution Monitoring within the State Department. This office will make an annual report on the existence and extent of religious persecution around the world. This report will be the basis for punitive sanctions against countries who take part in or allow religious persecution. Some may say that the United States should not interfere in others' business. Yet the United States has always stood for personal liberties and unalienable rights. For us to stand by and be mute while thousands of people are discriminated against or killed for their faith, would be unacceptable. Did you know that in China, a 76 year-old Protestant leader was sentenced to 15 years in prison for merely passing out bibles? And in Iran, some religious groups are denied the right to organize and worship and have no legal rights. Worst of all, in Sudan, government soldiers have systematically enslaved and murdered thousands of people because they are Christians. I know the Freedom From Religious Persecution Act will not end suffering throughout the world. But it will put the United States on record as a nation that is concerned with the fundamental right of people to follow their faith. I am pleased to be able to support legislation that will make a real difference in the lives of those who aren't free to practice their own religion.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak today about a great American success story. I am referring to our nation's credit union. Credit unions are far different from banks. Credit unions are democratically owned and primarily engaged in consumer loans. It is this simplicity that is the secret to their success. Credit unions aren't in business to buy banks, or sell insurance, or acquire commercial affiliates. More importantly, credit unions are not-for-profit. All revenues are funneled back into its members in the form of low-cost loans. I am a very proud sponsor of the Credit Union Membership Access Act. This bill will preserve credit unions in their current status. Credit unions will be able to continue to expand their membership outside the original group, as long as new members share a common bond with each other. This bill will stop the incessant attacks by bankers and protect all current credit union members. The many differences between credit unions and banks are what make credit unions so valuable. Even bankers admit that there is a certain percentage of the populations that can't be served by banks. Low wage workers often times can't afford high banks fees or loan rates. Without credit unions, these people would be forced to turn to check-cashers, pawnbrokers and loan sharks. I know that in my district of Buffalo and Western New York, thousands of people rely on credit unions for their financial needs. I have constituents tell me all the time how much they love their credit union. Many claim that they wouldn't have been able to afford their home or the loan to start a new business without their credit union. It is clear to me that credit unions are critically important for thousands of Americans. I urge Congress to continue to allow credit unions to play a role in their lives now and in the future.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, this is truly a historic day for the United States. H.R. 2400 is a magnificent work which addresses many transportation-related concerns of our country. For example, section 205 contains the most comprehensive antidrinking and driving measures ever put into legislation. The bill also reauthorizes the Discretionary Bridge Program that gives our State the tools to repair and replace crumbling bridges. It also, though, Mr. Chairman, talks about safety. If I can particularly make a point in my district, there was an accident in 1992 where a car was trying to swerve around another truck. Steel coils fell off, and people were killed. More recently, another truck carrier swerved to avoid a disabled vehicle on the same stretch of road. Just last month, six people lost their lives. H.R. 2400 provides us with the opportunity to fix that stretch of road and other roads all across the country where safety is a concern. Can anybody in the Chamber tell the families of these victims and others that these are unnecessary projects? Can anybody tell the New York State Thruway Authority that this is not a worthy project or a pork project? Mr. Chairman, this is a good bill. It deserves our attention, and it deserves passage today.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to support H.R. 3211. We have talked about its intention to bring order to the process of being buried at Arlington National Cemetery. We all know that the bill would codify, with exceptions that have been discussed today, existing regulatory eligibility criteria for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Other than persons specifically enumerated in the bill, no other person could be buried in Arlington. In general, we have discussed who those persons would include. Those could include members of the Armed Forces who die in active duty, retired members of the Armed Forces, including Reservists who have served on active duty, former members of the Armed Services who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, or Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star or Purple Heart, former prisoners of war, President or any former President, Members of the Guard and Reserves who have served on active duty and are eligible for retirement but have not yet retired, the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child and, at the discretion of the superintendent, all of those unmarried adult children, A through F, as we have said. Mr. Speaker, what I wanted to do is to thank the people on our committee on both sides of the aisle, both the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), ranking member, as well as the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Everett), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Benefits, the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder), a committee member who had thoughtful questions and brought discussion of this whole issue of Arlington. Now that we have come up with a compromise of sorts to make sure that we are heading in the right direction, toward the end of next month, the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) and I will be organizing a visit to Arlington for members on the committee and Members of the Congress at large to talk about their plans for changes at Arlington and to talk about the things that are done in this bill today so that all of us at least in the Congress know where we are headed when we talk about changes necessary at Arlington National Cemetery. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, for the record, I just want to mention that USERRA, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, is the continuation of policy which was originally enacted in 1940 Public Law 76-96. Its purpose is to provide persons who serve for a limited period in the U.S. Armed Forces the right to return to civilian employment. This law applies to all employers, regardless of their size. It is particularly important today to persons serving in the Guard and Reserve. This bill would substitute the United States for an individual veteran as the plaintiff in enforcement actions in cases where the Attorney General believes that a State has not complied with USERRA. Since the Attorney General, through U.S. Attorneys, is already involved in enforcing this law, this will not impose any new duties on the Department of Justice. Individuals not represented by the Attorney General would be able to bring enforcement actions in State court. The bill also makes a technical change to USERRA suggested by the Department of Labor concerning overseas employees of U.S. companies and another needed change affecting Federal employee enforcement rights that was discovered as a result of hearings held some 2 years ago. In summary, Mr. Speaker, we are looking at State employees to be granted the same rights under USERRA as any other veteran or member of the Guard and Reserve who works in the private sector or the Federal Government. I want to suggest to our colleagues that we support 3213. And finally, as others have, thanks to the ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner); of course, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), the ranking member of the full committee; and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), the chairman, for their cooperation with the subcommittee in bringing the hearings together and also in bringing the bill to the floor today.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time to sort of speak a little bit out of turn, not on the topic of this bill but there is another bill that we were going to discuss today and we have not included it. That is H.R. 3039, the bill we call the Veterans Transitional Housing bill. We are not dealing with it today and will not until later this year because the Committee on the Budget has asked for more time to review the bill, which makes sense to me. Mr. Speaker, we said in both the hearing which we held here in Washington and in a hearing held in Buffalo, New York late last year that a lot of Americans, indeed a lot of veterans are not aware that of all the homeless people in this country, fully one-third of them are veterans, people who have served their country at various points in our history and in their past. As we try to do whatever we can to bring services together to deal with this homelessness, particularly as it deals with veterans, there are a number of other Members here and certainly those on the committee who are concerned that this transitional housing bill, H.R. 3039, does come up later this year, possibly in May or June. I want to make certain the Committee on the Budget knows we will be working with them in every way possible to bring the bill up later this year.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues a very special program underway in my district, Books For Kids. Now entering its fourth year, Books for Kids aims to collect 70,000 new or nearly new books for children ages 2-12 who have never owned a book of their own or who cannot afford to buy one. As stated by Dr. Elizabeth Cappella, a confunder of Books for Kids, this program was established to help those children who can benefit the most by developing an early love of reading. That early love of reading can help them gain a major foundation for successful learning and living. The Books for Kids drive has grown from an idea initiated in 1995 with the cooperation of The Buffalo News, United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, the Junior League of Buffalo, Inc., Buffalo State College's Project Flight and the 30th Congressional District to a successful community wide effort to promote literacy. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with the entire Western New York community, to announce the start of the 1998 Books for Kids drive. I encourage my colleagues to join in similar programs in their Congressional Districts and strive to provide Books for Kids.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, although I was unable to attend today's debate, I would like to voice my full support for H.R. 2369, the Wireless Privacy Enhancement Act. I believe that privacy is a fundamental right of all American's. This bill secures privacy problems for all commercial cellular services, specialized radio devices and paging equipment. The bill requires the FCC to deny authorization to scanners that are equipped with decoders that could convert digital cellular, SMR's or PCS to analog voice, or convert paging to digital text. Please know that if I were able, I would have voted for the final passage of H.R. 2369.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Madam Chairman I would also like to voice my full support for H.R. 3130, the Child Support Performance And Incentive Act. This bill focuses on States' efforts to convert their child support data collection and enforcement efforts from employee-dependent to automated, computer-based systems. One sure way that Welfare Reform will work is to ensure parents with custodial children that they will receive child support payments from non-custodial parents on a regular basis. H.R. 3130 gives States' a revised penalty structure which fail to comply with deadlines to automate their child support enforcement programs. Please know that if I were able, I would have voted for final passage of H.R. 3130.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues a very special person in my district, the Reverend Betsy Smylie. Reverend Smylie graduated from Harvard Radcliffe in 1975, and earned her Master of Divinity from Harvard in 1981. Upon graduation, Reverend Smylie began her career of service in Western New York. Throughout her many years of service to our community, Reverend Smylie served as Vicar of Ephphatha and Diocesan Missioner to the Deaf. She has also demonstrated a true commitment to such important institutions for the Deaf as the St. Mary's School, Deaf Adult Services, and other agencies whose goal is empowerment for Western New York's hearing impaired. In addition to her tremendous service to the Deaf, strong command of sign language, devotion to God and community, and leadership, she has obtained an extraordinary level of respect from our community, both as a scholar and preacher, and as an unyielding advocate. Tragically, Reverend Smylie was admitted to the hospital on January 5th, 1998 with malignant brain cancer. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with the Town of Hamburg, and indeed, our entire Western New York community, to express our sincere best wishes to Reverend Betsy Smylie for a complete and speedy recovery through God's Healing Hand as she battles cancer. Reverend Smylie has always had a love for our American government. It is only fitting that I now ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in prayer for the Reverend Smylie, and for her husband, Reverend John Smylie, and their children, Shemaleiah and Nathan.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I join my good friend, the gentleman from California [Mr. Filner], in making note that Veterans Day, of course, is only a few days away, and it is appropriate that we come here together today to make improvements to several veterans' benefits programs. I would like to take my time this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, to address the sections of S. 714 that fall within the jurisdiction of our Subcommittee on Veterans Benefits. I first would like to acknowledge the subcommittee ranking member, the gentleman from California [Mr. Filner], and the bipartisan spirit in which he helped craft this bill. Without the strong cooperation of both sides of the aisle, I do not think we would be able to present these improvements to our veterans' benefits. Section 201 of S. 714 continues VA's authority to provide direct loans to Native Americans through the year 2001. This program offers the opportunity to Native American veterans living on tribal trust land to purchase a home that they might not otherwise be able to acquire. The program requires the VA to conclude a memorandum of understanding with tribal governments that, among other things, gives the VA access to the property in case of foreclosure, thus protecting the interests of the taxpayer. The bill would add specific outreach requirements such as participation in Native American conferences and outstationing loan guaranty specialists in tribal facilities only on a part-time basis. The bill also adds new reporting requirements so that Congress may gain a better understanding of the outcomes of the program. Section 203 makes changes to several homeless programs, including an extension of the VA's authority through December 31, 1999, to sell, lease, or donate foreclosed VA property to nonprofit organizations or State and local governments for the purpose of providing housing for our homeless veterans. It also extends the Department of Labor's authority to operate the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project through 1999 and continues to authorize $10 million per year for the same program. This program is a grant program administered by the Veterans Employment and Training Service and is designed to work with community-based organizations who focus on providing employment services to unemployed, homeless veterans. Since its inception in 1988, through and up till 1995, the program has served almost 42,000 homeless veterans, placing nearly 19,000 in jobs. This is an accomplishment for a program that has traditionally been funded only at about $2 or $3 million per year. Also, section 401 makes several technical and clarifying amendments to burial and educational benefits. Finally, Mr. Speaker, section 404 of the bill also makes clarifying changes to the spina bifida legislation that was passed during the late hours of our 104th Congress. This new section further defines eligibility by establishing January 9, 1962, as the earliest date on which a veteran's service in Vietnam would qualify a child for these benefits. That date conforms to the date on which United States forces began using defoliants in Vietnam. The bill also further specifies the age at which the Secretary may provide vocational training as graduation from high school or the child's 18th birthday, whichever occurs first. It also requires that a vocational plan must be developed in time for the child to begin training when authorized. Mr. Speaker, these provisions add to what is already the most complete program for veterans' benefits in the world. It is the right thing to do. I urge all our colleagues to support S. 714, as amended.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding this time to me. I want to associate myself with the remarks of my good friend, the gentleman from New York [Mr. LaFalce], earlier tonight. When my other dear friend, the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt], talks about the fact that there is absolutely no distinction between these two borders, we are simply coming here tonight to tell our colleagues in a very calm, experienced way that we think there might be some distinctions, and we would like to share some of those differences with our colleagues if we see some. My other friend from Texas says that they are all the same, and I would suggest to him that this is exactly the reason we want to try to treat them the same. Now, we had an opportunity tonight to hear about statistics and numbers and the amount of trade and the tourism that goes back and forth between at least the border that we know best, the Canadian border. I would like to suggest to the rest of my colleagues as we look at 2920 that there is also the people that are involved here entering into that equation. When my good friend, the gentleman from New York [Mr. LaFalce], talks about his knowledge and experience in the Buffalo area at the Peace Bridge, I want to add to that my own experience, and it is not ancient history, colleagues, it is not something that happened 50 years ago or 60 years ago, it is happening today. It is happening right now, and it is happening with young people, experienced people, whether it is drivers, whether it happens to be jobs, it is happening now. And all we are suggesting to our colleagues is that we would like the time that 2920 suggests to have some of the hearing and some of the time that has been talked about, but we are not just trying to tell our colleagues that we are telling someone else what they should do. We have some experiences there, we know what is happening at that border, and we are suggesting to our colleagues that if this plan is implemented now, it will be disastrous to affect not only trade, not only jobs, not only commerce, all the good things my friend from Texas talked about, but also affecting people's everyday lives. And it is not political, and it is not Democrat, or it is not Republican. We have got people from both parties here trying to add some intelligence to the discussion.