Jack Quinn

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the remaining time. Simply in closing, I would say this. I have spent a career here in the Congress, 10 years now fighting for workers' rights, fighting for labor unions and working families across the country, and I would not be here this morning offering the amendment if I did not think it helped the working families of this country and it helps our President protecting the country, those same workers, not exclusive of each other, but the same people all at the same time, and I would urge, on those merits and the help of a lot of friends in the House, passage.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman). This discussion these last few weeks has been including a lot of people. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), of course, with his expertise and involvement in the House was very, very helpful.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney), a fellow New Yorker who worked on this package these last couple of weeks, a leader in labor issues, not only in our State of New York but the country.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the President called on the Congress to create the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to condense the numerous government agencies performing these functions into a single more manageable unit and department. This massive realignment of people and resources is developed to enhance the protections of our Nation, without eliminating the basic rights of our employees that comprise the Department. The President needs the flexibility we talked about earlier today to have the right people in the right place at the right time to address rapidly evolving terrorist threats. His vision is of a performance-based system that rewards employees who provide exemplary service and removes those who are not performing their duties adequately. With the security of our Nation at stake, it is our duty to provide this and future Presidents with that ability. Mr. Chairman, it is an opportunity for me to also congratulate and thank the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) for her work on this issue, to thank the administration and the President's personal involvement these pass few weeks to get us to this point this morning, to thank my good friend from New York (Mr. McHugh), the Speaker, and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman). Once we have this system in place, however, it is important we do not compromise the basic employee protections of the workers who perform these functions. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, it is imperative that the House approve the amendment that I offer. The Quinn amendment as it is outlined is a part of the overall picture that puts this Department in place. We improve the personnel flexibility provisions in the underlying text by expanding and broadening worker protections in the following three ways: First of all, it ensures the direct participation of employee representatives in the planning, the development, and the implementation of any human resources management system. It accomplishes this goal by requiring that the Secretary of this new Homeland Security and the Director of Personnel Management provide each and every employee, number one, with a written description of the proposed amendments; secondly, 60 days to review the proposal; and, thirdly, a full and fair consideration of those employees' recommendations. In other words, Mr. Chairman, what this does is it gives the labor unions, the employees a seat at the table from the beginning to the end of the process. Secondly, with this amendment this morning, it preserves the current appeals rights of employees, emphasizes due process, expedites resolutions, and requires consultation with the merit systems protection board which is already in place. And, thirdly, it places a sense of Congress language directly into the underlying statute that clearly protects the employee's right to appeal and that due process. Mr. Chairman, this amendment allows the President to use provisions in current law to exempt an agency from collective bargaining only when he determines in writing that a substantial, adverse impact on the homeland security exists. This standard is actually more restrictive now than current law. I believe that these protections are absolutely critical to the employees of the new Department. Mr. Chairman, it is an opportunity to point out that these employees of our Federal Government, particularly the example of 9-11, none of them asked when their shift change occurred. None of them asked if they were going to be paid overtime. Nobody said it is my time to return in a time of war, in a time when the President has to have all the tools necessary to fight terrorism and this war. We know that these employees will respond the way they have always responded. We are proud of their work. We are proud of them as employees. We want to make certain now that the Morella-Shays issue has been settled, that we are able to talk about making certain that this President or any President does not take advantage of these workers, these Federal workers that we are so proud of. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve my time.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, could I inquire as to the amount of time remaining.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I share the sentiments expressed here by my two colleagues, and I thank the distinguished majority leader for engaging in this discussion this afternoon. As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads in our full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I think it is important for us to remember that regardless of any Member's position on the future of Amtrak and passenger rail service here in our country, I think all of us can agree that security on that rail system is essential. Reducing rail security personnel while we continue to wage a war on terrorism is misguided and unacceptable. I join my colleagues in asking the gentleman from Texas for his assurance, even during a period of uncertainty surrounding Amtrak, to reaffirm our commitment to the security of our national rail infrastructure, including police personnel.

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

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 4865, the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2002.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 477) and I ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the 2002 Region I SNICKERS Championship to the Western New York area. The SNICKERS' Region I Championships are the most important United States Youth Soccer registered team competition conducted by the Region, or by any State Association within each State Association each year. As such, this competition requires that each State Association and all members of State Associations support the Championships as their first priority. The 2002 SNICKERS Region I Championships will be held Friday, June 28th through Tuesday, July 2nd. I would like to extend congratulations to all teams, parents, referees and administration who will be participating in the 2002 SNICKERS Region I Championships. This most prestigious event will be a measure of accomplishment they will always cherish and remember. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend all of the participants in the 2002 Region I SNICKERS Championship for their focus on the young athletes of America's future. It is the goal of not only preparing the athletes for competition but to promote positive contributions towards an equally important world of physical fitness--with learning at the heart of all of our activities.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the 50th wedding anniversary of Donald and Ruth McNulty of Blasdell, New York. As family and friends will gather to celebrate this joyous occasion, I too would like to recognize them at this special time. Following their hearts throughout this 50-year joumey has led to happiness and a loving life together. Love has flourished between these two hearts, but not without dedication and hard work. This celebration of 50 years is a remarkable accomplishment and is to be commended. Mr. Speaker, it is with excitement and admiration that I extend my congratulations to Donald and Ruth and offer them my best wishes for many years to come.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I started, on September 11 of last year, to come to the floor to make this presentation; and of course, we all know what happened that morning. This trophy is a result of the benefit basketball game that is played every year for the last 3 years, and this past year on September 10. So although the announcement is a little bit late, it is important for me to note that the Hoops for Hope, a unique contest here, which pits Members of Congress against lobbyists in a benefit basketball game, has raised over $50,000 in its 3-year history. We are on the road to raising $75,000 this September; and my duty this morning is to not only present the trophy, but to announce that this past year the lobbyists eked out a 63 to 60 win. We just wanted everybody to know who participated in the game. We benefit Horton's Kids and Staffers for the Hungry and Homeless. This money goes to a great cause, and we appreciate everybody's cooperation.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3986 this afternoon and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of bill later this afternoon. As we stated, H.R. 3986 extends the period of availability of disaster unemployment assistance for individuals who lost their jobs as a direct result of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, administers this part of the disaster unemployment assistance program pursuant to Section 410(a) of the Stafford Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide unemployment assistance to persons who become unemployed as a result of major disasters. Our distinction here, Mr. Speaker, is that we are talking about disaster unemployment assistance as opposed to straight unemployment assistance. This program currently provides disaster unemployment assistance to qualified individuals for a period not to exceed 26 weeks. Mr. Speaker, we are just about there right now at the 26-week period. Individuals from Northern Virginia and New York City are eligible for disaster unemployment assistance only if they are not receiving other types of unemployment assistance. We do not want to duplicate. This legislation extends that period of eligibility from 26 weeks to 39 weeks. It will help roughly 2,500 Americans at a minimal cost, roughly about $2 million. This bill enjoys broad bipartisan support. As the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) pointed out, it sailed through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as a voice vote in the Senate. In only a few hours before its introduction, Mr. Speaker, I was able to secure the support of over 20 colleagues from New York State alone. That amount of support in such a short period of time I think is indicative of the importance and timeliness of this legislation. I want to thank any fellow New Yorkers for their hard work and dedication on this issue, in particular, a special thanks to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) for his relentless pursuit of the passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, his constituents are the ones that are most affected by this bill, and he has worked tirelessly on their behalf, as well as all New Yorkers. I am hopeful that the Senate can take up the measure after it passes the House today and send it to the President for his signature as soon as possible. Swift action will allow these hard-working Americans to continue to receive the benefits they so desperately need. As is always the case, it is time, Mr. Speaker, to thank the people who worked on the bill: our majority leader who allowed us to bring it under suspension today; the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cooksey), the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and I have mentioned the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) already.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, It gives me great pleasure to rise today to recognize the Girl Scouts as the pre-eminent all girls organization in the world. Founded on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, the Girl Scouts organization celebrates Its 90th Anniversary of service to the girls and women of America. The Girl Scouts serves the unique interests of girls by providing girls with programs designed especially for them in an all-girls setting. The Girls Scout Council of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc., joins Councils throughout the United States, and Girl Scouts everywhere, in celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Girl Scouting in the USA, and its 85th year of service to the girls of Western New York. The year 2002, marks nine decades of Girl Scouts providing girls with age-appropriate programs that help to impart good moral values, life skills, a respect for themselves and others, a foundation necessary for girls to become contributing adult members of their communities. Girl Scout Troops in Buffalo & Erie County, Inc., and Girl Scouts across America, take their role as patriotic Americans more seriously than ever. Two of their public service endeavors include airlifting donations of Girl Scout Cookies and letters of encouragement to the women and men of the U.S. armed services stationed in Afghanistan and donating dollars to the children of Afghanistan. The Girls Scouts of Buffalo & Erie County serve their immediate community through Gifts of Caring and Bronze, Silver and Gold Award service projects, that not only provides individuals with the necessities of life, but also helps to uplift the spirits of the homeless and less fortunate members of society. I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in honoring the Girl Scouts.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to convey my opposition to H.R. 3005, the Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no''. American workers have felt the repercussions of fast track authority since the passage of NAFTA. Millions of American jobs have been lost since then. Over 20,000 workers in New York State have lost their jobs since 1994. My district in Buffalo, New York has been hit particularly hard. The passage of TPA will only exacerbate the dire situation the working people of Western New York are facing. Hard working Americans need trade policy that will protect U.S. jobs and stimulate the economy. This bill will not do that. I voted against Fast Track in 1997 and 1998. I have been clear in my opposition to TPA in 2001. Unfortunately, I did not know this bill would be brought to the floor during my absence. Although I did not have the opportunity to vote, I remain steadfastly opposed to this measure and assure you that had I been able-bodied at the time, my vote on H.R. 3005 would have been ``no''.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would simply say at this point that I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his kind remarks. This is one of our subcommittee's clear issues we have been working on now since we came here together in a bipartisan way. We know that it is a bipartisan issue. I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement), for his kind words.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in steadfast support of H.R. 10, the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2001. H.R. 10 is identical to the railroad retirement reform legislation passed by the House earlier this year with over 380 votes. Consideration of the bill today is merely a procedural step required pursuant to its Senate approval to move the legislation to the President's desk for signature. Built into the legislation is an automatic safety net behind the future investment strategy. The railroad retirement system now has reserves of more than 6 years of benefit payments. Under the bill, future payroll taxes would automatically adjust to reflect the performance of pension investments. If reserves fall below the 4-year benefit levels, automatic employer tax increases would be triggered. If reserves go above the 6 years in the future, further tax reductions for railroads and either tax relief or additional benefits for workers would be provided. This bill, Mr. Speaker, enjoys one of the highest levels of bipartisan support in recent congressional history. It is sound, commonsense legislation that helps our railroads stay competitive while providing needed retirement benefits for all rail workers and their families, without costing the American taxpayers a single dime. I want to commend our committee full chairman, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), and the subcommittee ranking member and my partner, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement), for their leadership on this legislation. This is the workers' own money, Mr. Speaker. They deserve to improve its returns and their benefit payments. I urge all Members to support H.R. 10. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 10) to provide for pension reform, and for other purposes.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) in particular, is losing a remarkable leader. Joseph Thompson, former Under Secretary for Benefits, is retiring after 26 years of service to veterans. I met Joe at the start of my tenure as chairman of the Subcommittee on Benefits of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. I had a lot of detail to learn about the VA's claims process, and Joe's knowledge of the VBA was vast. A Vietnam veteran, Joe began his career with VA as a claims examiner in 1975, and through the years he worked in the Education Service, VA's Regional Office and Insurance Center in Philadelphia as Assistant Director, and spent seven years as the Director of the Regional Office in New York. It was in this position that Joe reengineered the regional office's business processes and former Vice President Gore awarded the first ``Hammer Award'' for reinventing government to the New York Regional Office. Joe asked his coworkers personally to accept the award from the Vice President, which they did in Joe's presence. It was only natural that Joe Thompson would take the helm of the VBA. While managing almost 13,000 equally dedicated employees, Joe was responsible for administering the service-related disability compensation programs, needs-based pension programs, home loan guarantees, GI Bill education assistance, vocational rehabilitation and job placement services, and life insurance programs--and he rose to the task. Joe Thompson is indeed a visionary person. Under his direction, VBA developed the Roadmap to Excellence in an effort to improve service delivery, the Balanced Scorecard, which measured performance by each regional office, and established a system to improve the integrity of performance data in order to greatly reduce false or erroneous reporting of outcome measures. These were seen at the time by some as unorthodox ideas, but veterans and VA's stakeholders are better off today because Joe challenged the status quo. Joe laid the bench mark for future VBA employees, and he set the bar rather high, in my opinion. He is one of the most creative and innovative public servants I have known. And the well-spring of growth and change that Joe inspired is Joe's legacy to his fellow veterans. I have enjoyed a strong working relationship with Joe Thompson and consider him a friend. He is the epitome of the federal employee who reports to work each day because he wants to make a difference, especially for disabled veterans. And I can say without reservation that Joseph Thompson has met the challenge of leadership in public service. I wish Joe and his family all the best following retirement. I am sure Joe's family is proud of him; I know I am.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Madam Speaker, I am honored to add my strongest support to H.R. 3392, the ``Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery Designation Act.'' It was a true honor and distinct pleasure to serve with Congressman Solomon in the House of Representatives. With his death, this important and historic designation not only serves as a fitting tribute, but also reflects on Congressman Solomon's lifelong commitment to our Nation and to our Veterans. A decorated Veteran in his own right, Congressman Solomon set an enduring example of commitment, integrity, and service. His career was one that truly made a difference in the lives of those he represented. Throughout his terms as a Congressman, he brought his vision for America to the House floor with many memorable speeches that helped shape the course of this Nation. This designation serves to memorialize that service, commitment, and leadership. It is my hope that with the designation of this cemetery, the ideals he held so dear--pride, patriotism, civic responsibility, and volunteerism--will not be forgotten. I will continue to work in Congress to carry on his fight for our Veterans and will be guided by the example he set as a Member. We are truly blessed to have known him, and truly fortunate to have the unique opportunity to carry on his proud tradition of advocacy and patriotism.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of our good friend and colleague, Congressman Gerald B.H. Solomon. From 1979-1999, Congressman Solomon served his country in the United States House of Representatives. Like so many Members here today, I am truly thankful for the example and leadership that Congressman Solomon demonstrated every day on behalf of his constituents. A successful businessman, decorated Veteran, and leader both here and in his community, he set an enduring example of commitment, integrity, and service. His career was one that truly made a difference in the lives of those he represented. He was a zealous advocate on behalf of our American Veterans, a leader in scouting, and a foremost expert on education issues. That outstanding commitment was an important reason that Congressman Solomon was named Chairman of the House Rules Committee. He used the authority afforded that position to fight for Veterans' benefits, a strong military, sound foreign policy, and fiscal responsibility here in Washington. Back home, he fought equally hard to promote pride, patriotism, civic duty, and volunteerism. I am truly saddened by my friend's passing. But I will work hard here in Congress to carry on his fight for Veterans, and will work hard every day to emulate his overwhelming commitment to service and leadership. We are truly blessed to have known him, and truly fortunate to have the unique opportunity to carry on his proud tradition of advocacy and patriotism. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the New York delegation, Members from both sides of the aisle, and indeed, a grateful Nation to honor Jerry Solomon for his outstanding service and leadership. I know I join with every Member in extending to Freda and his entire family my deepest sympathies, and would ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join with me in a moment of silence.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman very much. We appreciate the cooperation we received from both sides of the aisle in the subcommittee and the full committee.

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