Jack Quinn

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman would yield, it is important to point out I think at this time that the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) has worked with the full committee and the subcommittee to make sure that this is brought to our attention. We appreciate his efforts all along the way.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. We are perfectly satisfied with the intent and the language of the McCollum amendment this afternoon, that it met the concerns that we had. Although technical in nature, we had discussions this afternoon with the Treasury Department and others to make certain that our bill, fashioned after Brady and others that have been before the House years before, are satisfied here today.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman from Michigan yielding to me. That is for the gentleman's decision to decide, I guess, whether it is stronger or not. I know that for our purposes in working on this bill and the amendment, for now, going on 4 or 5 years, that we are satisfied that today's action is more than adequate, and we are prepared to go forward with the chairman.

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

Mr. QUINN. Yes, it is, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. QUINN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise to discuss an amendment made in order by the rule. Earlier today the House adopted legislation which addresses my concerns regarding the purchase of explosives. I therefore intend to withdraw my amendment here this evening. However, before I do so, I would like to just make a few comments if I may. First, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Dreier) and all of my colleagues on the Committee on Rules for making this amendment in order. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Upstate New York (Mr. Reynolds), my friend and neighbor for his assistance. We have been working to restrict the sale of explosives since 1993 when four bombs exploded in western New York State, killing five people. Current law enabled those responsible for the murders, who have been convicted and are now serving time, to buy the deadly dynamite over the counter in another State ssimply by providing false identification, completing a short Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco and Firearms form, and promising not to cross State lines. Although New York State has tough laws with respect to the purchase of explosives, the murderers were able to purchase dynamite simply by going to another State with weaker laws. As we well know, however, we do not need to go back 6 years to think of a tragedy brought about with the use of explosives. Recent events have again demonstrated the pressing need for increased controls on the purchase of such explosives. Over the weekend, in fact, in my hometown of Hamburg, New York, two of my constituents were killed within a mile of my own house in a violent explosion. The bombing in Oklahoma City and the recent tragedy in Colorado are all obviously examples as well. Again, currently, certain States allow dynamite and other explosives to be sold over the counter. Language in the McCollum amendment, which was approved by the House earlier today, requires criminal background checks before explosive materials can be transferred to nonlicensed buyers. This McCollum amendment also requires individuals to obtain explosives from federally licensed dealers to obtain that same Federal permit. I would like to thank the gentleman from Florida (Chairman McCollum) and the Committee on the Judiciary for addressing the problem. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum).

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. McCollum) for his kind words. I also appreciate the work of the House on the floor to make sure that the gentleman from New York had an opportunity to rise here this evening. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I was honored by the American Red Cross in Buffalo, New York, and therefore was unable to cast my vote on the motion to instruct conferees (rollcall No. 130) regarding H.R. 1141, a bill making emergency supplementary appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' in support of this motion.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today on the floor of this House in recognition of National Police Week, which began May 9 and will run through May 15. As you know, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87- 726, designating May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week in which it falls as National Police Week. During this week, we not only pay tribute to the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to our community, but we show our unending gratitutde to the police officers who daily risk their lives for our protection. It is important that we all know and understand the problems, duties and responsibilities of our police department, and that members of our police department recognize their duty to safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence or disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call upon all citizens of Western New York and the Nation, and upon all patriotic, civic, and educational organizations to observe this week as National Police Week, and join in commemoration of police officers, both past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and, in doing so, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens. I further call upon all citizens to observe Staturday, 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 wanted to take some time today during National Police Week to pay tribute to the men and women who serve our country in law enforcement. This is a time when we are given the opportunity to thank our friends in law enforcement for their commitment to our safety and to honor them for the sacrifices they have made. Unfortunately, police officers are often called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us may remain safe. Police officers risk their lives every day of the week to ensure safety in our communities. I just want to take a moment to recognize and pay tribute to the tens of thousands of law enforcement officers that have given their lives to protect our families and communities. We do not take enough time often enough to honor the lives of fallen law enforcement officials. I was proud to vote yesterday, as the whole House did, on a resolution that officially expresses the sense of the Congress that all police officers slain in the line of duty be honored and recognized. On May 15, more than 15,000 law enforcement officers and their families will gather in the Capitol to honor their comrades that have fallen in the line of duty. We are honored to join our voice with theirs in paying respect to the great men and women who have served our country.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I would like associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and also the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry). We rise today to discuss the steel crisis that continues to grip the steel industry and its workers. On March 17, this past year, 289 House Members passed the bipartisan Steel Recovery Act. This bipartisan legislation calls for quotas to be placed on foreign steel to get back to its pre-crisis levels of July, 1997. The bill would also set up a steel monitoring system that would track the amount of steel imports into the United States by foreign countries. Mr. Speaker, I am not going to go into detail this morning about the reasons why our steel industry and its workers find themselves in this serious crisis. We have been through that in the months leading up to the vote on March 17. What I am here to say and to join the others in pointing out is that there still is a steel crisis in the United States and that we need something done immediately. As many as four major steel companies are in bankruptcy right now, and we know that when those good-paying jobs disappear they disappear forever. The need for our steel bill was clear on March 17, and today it is even more clear. 289 House Members believed that something must be done to stop these imports, as we continue to see higher rates of steel entering the country each and every day. The administration may argue that the amount of steel imports for the month of March represents a 30 percent drop in imports since November of 1998; and, while that may be true, shipments from countries such as Brazil and Japan showed a significant increase. It is important to point out that just yesterday the President warned Japan that the United States will take action if the steel imports are not returned to their pre-crisis levels. I believe that is an absolute positive step in the right direction, and I applaud the President for this action. We must continue, though, in our action to make sure that passage of the bill that the House sent over is approved in the Senate and signed by the President of the United States. On behalf of the American steelworkers and their families, I ask our administration and the Senate to act to end this crisis. This is not about free trade. It is about fair trade.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Bob Curran, Columnist for the Buffalo News on the occasion of his retirement. Bob Curran was born in Boston to Irish immigrants. World War II interrupted his football career at Cornell University. Bob was a Sergeant with the 95th Infantry Division and fought in France, Belgium and into Germany. Gen. George Patton personally gave him the Silver Star. Bob also received 2 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman's Badge. His wounds kept him from playing football when he returned to Cornell. Bob worked for Fawcett Publications in New York, becoming editor of Cavalier before resigning in 1961. He was director of college football's Gotham Bowl, head of sports publicity for NBC and syndicated columnist before moving to Buffalo in 1967. Bob has been a columnist for the Buffalo News for 32 years. His columns are famous for telling readers how to ``win friends and influence him,'' asking trivia questions and telling backward jokes. What has set Bob apart from other columnists has been his strong advocacy on behalf of veterans. He wrote about real heroes, the veterans in Western New York. As Chairman of the House Veterans' Benefits Subcommittee, I have greatly benefited from his insight and advice on veterans' issues. As everyone in Western New York is aware, Bob has been a vocal advocate of the designation of December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day, as a national holiday. It was through Bob's passion, encouragement and support that he generated in the veteran's community, that persuaded me to submit legislation in the House of Representatives, H.R. 965, to designate Pearl Harbor Day as a federal holiday in the same manner as November 11, Veterans Day. I and the many members of the Western New York veteran's community look forward to Bob's continued support for veteran issues. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with the Curran family, the Buffalo News, our veterans and their families as well as the entire Western New York community in tribute to Mr. Bob Curran. With retirement comes many new opportunities. May Bob meet each new 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. Thank you, Bob, for your advocacy, tireless effort and personal commitment to our community, and for your friendship.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I would like to remind all of my colleagues that this is a bill that we looked at last year, indeed passed, and we are back at it again this year. I want to point out that H.R. 70 is intended to bring order to the process of being buried at Arlington National Cemetery. As my colleagues will recall, similar legislation passed the House late last year by a vote of 412-0. Unfortunately, the Senate did not act on the bill prior to the 105th Congress adjourning. To refresh the memories of returning Members and to explain the bill's intent to our newer colleagues, H.R. 70 would codify, with exceptions I will discuss shortly, existing regulatory eligibility criteria for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Other than the persons specifically enumerated in the bill, no other person could be buried at Arlington. In general, eligible persons would include the following: Members of the Armed Forces who die on active duty; retired members of the Armed Forces, including Reservists who served on active duty; former members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross or Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, or the Purple Heart; also, former prisoners of war would be eligible; the President of the United States or any former President; members of the Guard/Reserves who served on active duty and are eligible for retirement but who have not yet retired; and the spouse, surviving spouse, minor child and at the discretion of the Superintendent of Arlington, unmarried adult children of those eligible categories I mentioned above. The bill, H.R. 70, would eliminate the current practice of granting eligibility to Members of Congress and other high-ranking government officials who are veterans but who do not meet the distinguished military service criteria I just outlined. I want to point out, however, that Congress could at any time on a case-by-case basis enact a resolution on behalf of an individual whose accomplishments are deemed worthy of the honor of being buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The bill also codifies existing regulatory eligibility standards for interment of cremated remains in the columbarium at Arlington. Generally, this includes all veterans with honorable service and their dependents, those that meet the requirements for burial in a VA national cemetery already. Finally, the bill clarifies that only memorials honoring military service or events may be placed at Arlington and also establishes a 25- year waiting period for such memorials and their erection. Mr. Speaker, Arlington National Cemetery is running out of space. Last year the subcommittee and about a dozen of our Members scheduled a visit to Arlington to see firsthand and in person the crowded conditions that exist. With the veteran population declining by 8 million through the year 2002, Arlington officials estimate the cemetery could be full by the year 2025. H.R. 70 is an excellent bill. I urge my colleagues to support it in a bipartisan fashion. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) for their leadership on this issue.

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield just for the purposes of discussion on the floor?

Mr. QUINN. I want to, just for the record, Mr. Speaker, state that I share some of the same frustrations that my colleague shares. In fact, I think we agree on a great portion of the bill, H.R. 70, that we are looking at today. But I want to point out that between the last vote of 412 to 0 and today we did not have no discussion, we just did not reach agreement on some of the points that we are still stuck at today. There was some discussion, not a whole lot of it in between, but there was some discussion that took place. I also want to say to my colleague, as I have said to the subcommittee and full committee and will say to the Members of the House, I share that same frustration about the timing of trying to make some kind of waiver happen for those extraordinary circumstances. So I disagree a little bit with my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) on our side that there may be some extraordinary circumstances. In the case of Officer Gibson, for example, we could have taken care of that, so to say that we could have not allowed Officer Gibson to be buried there is not exactly correct because we were back in session the following week or so, so that could have happened. In the case of Senator Kennedy, I am not sure and was not around. We have to check, if it was important, to see the schedule. I am concerned, though, about the point my colleague brings up about timing and how we would deal with that kind of situation if we were not in session, if the Congress was out for a month or two or whatever that happens to be. I think the gentleman from Arkansas is correct. I think there are some circumstances when that may happen, and I also do not want to rule out the possibility that at some point in time others besides us might make that decision. I do not have an answer for my colleague this morning, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say that I still share some of those frustrations with him, and I do not know if we are going to vote on this, I think shortly or later on today, to not hold it up, to try to find a way when we go to conference with the Senate, if there are some Members over there that feel strongly enough about it, I would not rule out some more discussion, I guess. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for having yielded.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means for yielding time to all of us, particularly since we are not on the same side of this issue. It has been a great debate and one that is necessary. Mr. Speaker, this has been a thoughtful discussion, and one of the things I would point out as I have watched speakers today is that we are not dealing with Members of the House that one might consider reactionary or folks that we look at as sometimes being troublemakers here in the well in the House. These are thoughtful legislators who have been attending the rallies that most of us have been at these last 6 or 8 months. We have been involved in petition drives, we have been involved in hearings and town meetings, meetings on the Hill, and working with the United Steelworkers. We find ourselves in a position that, of all the other solutions that might be out there, none are taking place. There are other solutions besides this bill today, H.R. 975. We have asked for some of those other solutions to be done. Each time we ask in a thoughtful way to have them done, we get no reaction. In the meantime, good paying jobs are lost day in and day out. So I want to point out, Mr. Speaker, that as we see Members come to the well, when we look at some of those 200-plus Members who are on this bipartisan bill, I have to point out to my colleagues that they are thoughtful Members who are trying to make a difference, not reactionaries, not the troublemakers that are finding an opportunity now to get a bill on the floor, one that comes here under very unique circumstances, we would agree. But, Mr. Speaker, we have not been given any other choice. The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) has taken the lead. Both of us in the Steel Caucus have had talks back and forth. We have changed. We have compromised. The gentleman from Indiana has bended when he had to. But we cannot wait any longer, Mr. Speaker. We have thoughtful Members here who want to make a difference. This is not about us saying there is something we have to have on this floor voted today. We tried to get the changes done month after month after month. I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, more than the 200-plus that have cosponsored the bill, to vote this afternoon to save jobs in a country, our country. It is not about doing the right thing or the wrong thing necessarily, Mr. Speaker. I think it is about us finally wanting to help ourselves.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today on the floor of this House in recognition of Mr. Gene McCarthy from Buffalo, NY in my district, as the 1999 Goin' South ``Irishman of the Year.'' Born in Buffalo's ``Old First Ward'' in 1926, Gene McCarthy is a lifelong member of our community. After high school, Gene began working on Buffalo's waterfront at Pillsbury grain elevators, where he spent twelve years. In 1955, Gene wed Mary (Dories). He and his wife rasied their three children, Patti, Bill, and Maureen to respect their proud Western New York and Irish-American heritage. In addition, the McCarthy's now have seven grandchildren. Twenty-five years ago, Gene and Mary opened McCarthy's, a fine restaurant and tavern in the heart of the Old First Ward, at the corner of Hamburg and Republic Streets. Famous for its corned beef, fish fries, and friendly service, McCarthy's has become a true landmark. It is a proud symbol of not only his community, and not only the McCarthy family, but of our Irish heritage in Buffalo. In 1996, I invited the Honorable Dermott Gallagher, then Irish Ambassador to the United States, to Buffalo to dedicate a monument which was erected in honor of the Great Famine in Ireland. During his stay, I took him to McCarthy's. Ambassador Gallagher has said that the tavern was his favorite place in all of Western New York, no doubt a reflection on the McCarthy's overwhelming hospitality. Whether it is for the famous Notre Dame football parties in the fall, the Shamrock Run, the many local organizations and causes which the McCarthys support, or the best St. Patrick's Day atmosphere outside of Ireland, McCarthy's Tavern and Gene and Mary McCarthy will always be an important part of the proud history of our City. I am proud to call him my friend. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with the entire McCarthy Family, the Goin' South community organization, and indeed, all of Western New York in tribute to Mr. Gene McCarthy, Irishman of the Year.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as chairman of the Executive Committee of the Congressional Steel Caucus to ask the House to direct our attention at the ongoing steel crisis in the United States. Because the U.S. remains the world's steel dumping ground, we need an effective global solution now to address the serious injury being done to America's steel companies, our employees, and our communities. Unfortunately, the administration's recent announcements of tentative steel agreements with Russia go in exactly the opposite direction of what is required. These agreements deny the petitioners the relief they are entitled to under law, and U.S. steel companies and employees strongly oppose the agreements. I agree with what the petitioners said in their February 22nd statement, that the way to help Russia is not by sacrificing the jobs and property of private sector industries and our modern world-class steel industry. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record American Iron and Steel's February 19th Import Release, and the February 22nd reaction.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Gary Kadow, President of Local 3367 of the American Federation of Government Employees, on the occasion of his retirement. In 1987, Gary Kadow began his career with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Buffalo office as temporary Single-Family Loan Specialist in the Housing Division, and joined the union at that time. He eventually gained a permanent position as a Project Manager, and then Senior Project Manager in the Multi-Family section. Gary's advocacy on behalf of the working men and women of our community is truly legendary. In recognition of that effort, Gary was elected President of Local 3367 in 1989. He was successfully re-elected every year since, and served nine years, to 1999. His tenure, the longest of any president in Local 3367's history, is one of tremendous accomplishment. On behalf of his membership, Gary Kadow brought in a viable dental plan, set up an effective leadership team including stewards in all the divisions, developed an active Albany Office unit, and organized an operating local Labor-management Participation Council. As a result of that leadership, membership tripled during his presidency. In addition to his outstanding performance as a local president, Gary was elected a Regional Vice President of the National Council of HUD locals #222, serving in the New York-New Jersey region. In 1993, The Honorable Henry Cisneros, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, selected Gary to serve as a member of his NPR Task Force for the reinvention of HUD. During that year here in our Nation's Capital, Gary became the union contact with the Secretary, bringing his unique labor perspective, advocacy, and dedicated commitment to working men and women to the national forefront. He appeared before Congressional committees, participated in the national Labor-Management Partnership Council, and played a vital role in negotiating labor-management agreements. In addition to the many awards and citations he has been honored with throughout his career, he was chosen as a founding member of the HUD Training Academy Board of Directors. Further, Gary was elected by the National Council of HUD Locals to Executive Vice President in 1995 and again in 1997. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with the Kadow family, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the American Federation of Government Employees, the National Council of HUD Locals, Local 3367, the AFL-CIO, and the countless working men and women of our entire Western New York community in tribute to Mr. Gary Kadow. With retirement come many new opportunities. May Gary meet each new opportunity with the same enthusiasm and vigor in which he demonstrated throughout his brilliant career, and many those opportunities be as fruitful as those in his past. Thank you, Gary, for your advocacy, tireless effort and personal commitment to our community, and for your friendship.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 7, I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, article I section 2 of the United States Constitution says in part that, ``. . . the House shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.'' It is one of the most awesome responsibilities that Members of this chamber face, but one which we cannot ignore. Today, it is with a heavy heart and much regret that I will support three articles of impeachment against the President of the United States. The President, while appearing before a grand jury and answering questions presented to him in a deposition, took an oath to, ``. . . tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.'' By offering false and misleading testimony, the President failed to honor that oath, and in doing so, committed perjury and obstructed justice. Mr. Speaker, I did not reach this decision easily. In fact, this is the most difficult decision I have made since being a member of Congress. I arrived at my vote after speaking and meeting with my constituents and after talking to clubs, school groups, friends and neighbors. Most importantly, I reached my decision after a great deal of soul searching. It is a decision based on principle, not politics. My vote is one of conscience. My decision is also based upon the clear evidence of perjury and obstruction of justice as presented by the House Judiciary Committee. After examining the record of the House Judiciary Committee, I am convinced that the President committed an impeachable offense. The more I learn about the serious details of perjury and obstruction of justice, the more I am concerned about the President's failure to tell the truth. All Americans must tell the truth while testifying in a court of law. What precedent are we establishing within our legal system if we do not uphold the most basic legal concept of telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? If the truth is lacking, justice can not and will not prevail. Some have said that a vote to impeach is unfair. I disagree. Impeachment puts this matter right where it belongs, in the Senate, where the evidence can be weighed, where the public can have time to understand the charges and where a proper judgment can be reached. Every Representative must swear or affirm to uphold the Constitution of the United States. It is that very oath that demands this vote that we are casting today. The right vote is not always the easy vote. I would have liked nothing more than to have had this matter resolved before it was taken under consideration by the full House of Representatives. However, that was not the case. I see it as my duty to cast a vote for justice.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 612, a resolution of support for our men and women of the armed forces during the present engagement with Iraq. Following the gulf war, Iraq agreed with the Gulf War Alliance and the United Nations requirements that it must cease production of weapons of mass destruction. Iraq has continuously reneged on this agreement and thwarted the efforts of United Nations' arms inspectors. The presence of chemical and biological weapons poses a serious threat to our national security. In fact, these weapons pose a threat to every nation on earth. Saddam Hussein has proven to be a rogue and reckless tyrant who cannot be trusted. He has shown that he will use these weapons, both on his enemies and his own people. After learning that our troops engaged Iraq, my thoughts and prayers went out to them and their families. The men and women of our Armed Forces have selflessly defended America's national security interest in the Persian Gulf. We can all be proud of their commitment and loyalty to this country. During this grave time, our troops should know that Congress and the Nation are unified in support of them.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jesse E. Nash, Professor Emeritus at Canisius College, as he enters retirement. A lifelong resident of the City of Buffalo, Jesse Nash is truly a leader in our community. He began his career with the Department of Sociology/Anthropology of Canisius College in 1965, and remained there until the close of classes last Spring. In addition, to his outstanding performance as an Educator, Professor Nash has been extremely active in our Western New York community. In 1981, he was appointed to the New York State Commission on Minorities in the Health-Related Professions in Higher Education. He has served as a member of the Robert T. Coles project team, which has implemented ``Citizen Participation'' components for the Buffalo War Memorial Stadium Renovation Project, the Buffalo Light-Rail Rapid Transit Station Area Land Use Study, the Erie County Community College City Campus Physical Education Feasibility Study, and the Buffalo Waterfront Alternatives Study. Since 1978, Professor Nash has served as President of the Seventy- Eight Restoration Corporation, a community-based economic development company. This company won national acclaim for its development and restoration of the Emerson Row Houses, which provided affordable housing in a truly historic setting. In recognition of his tremendous commitment to Education, Professor Nash has been honored with the Canisius College President's Medal, the President's Award at the State University of New York at Buffalo, a Doctorate of Humane Letters at Canisius, an induction into the National Jesuits' Honor Society Alpha Sigma Nu, and in 1998, was distinguished as Professor Emeritus of Canisius College. For his dedicated service and leadership in our community, Professor Nash has been honored with the Lifetime Community Service Award from Sheehan Memorial Hospital, the ``Red Jacket'' Community Service Award from the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, the Marcus Garvey Award from the Jamaican and American Association, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from Canisius College. In addition, Professor Nash has received the Buffalo Urban League's Evans-Young Award and the Brotherhood Award from NCCJ. In 1993, Governor Mario Cuomo recognized his lifetime commitment with the prestigious Governor's Award for Distinguished Blacks in New York State. In 1990, along with his wife, Hortense, Professor Nash received the prestigious Medgar Evers Award from the Buffalo Chapter of the NAACP. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to join with Professor Nash's wife, Hortense; his children, Jesse III, George, and Deborah; the faculty, staff, students and alumni of Canisius College; and our entire Western New York community in tribute to Professor Jesse E. Nash, Jr. With retirement comes many new opportunities. May Jesse Nash meet each new 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. Thank you, Professor, for your tireless effort and personal commitment to our community and to the many young men and women fortunate enough to have had you as a teacher throughout the past thirty-three years.

Mr. QUINN

Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, there has been considerable interest this Congress in the health status of Persian Gulf war veterans and the government's response to the concern that illness may have resulted from service during that war. I know that Mr. Shays and Mr. Evans have introduced legislation addressing this issue. Indeed the Veterans' Committee in the other body ordered reported a bill, S. 2358, which was similar in some respects to the proposals made by Mr. Evans and Mr. Shays. We have taken great strides in addressing the concerns which led to the introduction of those proposals, and I believe Congress can point to the legislation now before the House and say that we have responded as best we could to the continuing concerns of Persian Gulf war veterans. Mr. Speaker, several of the bills introduced this Congress proposed that we give the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the authority to establish presumptions that certain illnesses are related to service in the gulf, and to pay compensation for such illnesses. These bills would rigidly define the circumstances in which the Secretary could act, and presume that a great deal of evidence may accumulate in the next several years liking Persian Gulf service to disease. However, under these proposals. Congress would have no role in responding to the scientific evidence as it is produced, nor would it have any responsibility to respond to the analysis and conclusions of the National Academy of Science on the scientific evidence to support establishing a presumption. It is my belief that Congress has always had the preeminent role in establishing which diseases veterans should be compensated for on a presumptive basis. With this legislation, we reassert that role. In doing so, we retain the flexibility to respond to new information with an unbiased yet sympathetic point of view. We avoid setting in motion a procedure that may not produce fair and equitable results for veterans suffering from disease. At the same time, we avoid speculation about what the costs of a fair and equitable compensation policy might be. To veterans who have lobbied for slightly different versions of the legislation that we propose today, I say--``Give this bill and future Congresses a chance to do its job.'' The bill establishes an objective method for looking at illnesses among Persian Gulf war veterans. It then requires the Secretary to recommend to Congress whether the law should be changed. By its actions today, Congress demonstrates its unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of veterans, both as we understand them today and as we learn more about them in the future. Let me mention a few other matters which may be of interest that are contained in this measure. Earlier this year, the House passed a bill (H.R. 3039) reported by my Subcommittee on Benefits which proposes a new way of housing homeless veterans. In my home town of Buffalo, banks are willing to help develop housing to meet the needs of persons who are transitioning back to productive lives. This bill will encourage banks and homeless service providers to get together and develop clean and affordable transitional housing for veterans. By offering a government loan guarantee, we give an incentive to banks to use their capital to create these new housing opportunities. I've seen it work and I hope that thousands of new transitional housing units for veterans will be created under this authority. We've also included almost all of the provisions we passed earlier this year as part of H.R. 4110, as well as the veterans' reemployment rights amendments which we recommended in H.R. 3213, a measure that passed the House in March of this year. These bills contained enhancements to veterans' education, employment, housing, cemetery and insurance programs. Taken together, these provisions will benefit thousands of veterans and their family members. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. Mr. Speaker, section 301 of the bill increases the pension paid to those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor from its current $400 to $600. When this special benefit was first created in 1916, the amount was a modest $10. This amount was modest for two reasons; first because Congress did not want to begin making substantial payments to honor distinguished service, and second, because Congress did not want a payment to diminish the honor of the Medal. Those purposes inform our action today. In truth, it is difficult to say that a payment of money, no matter its amount, is adequate to honor the valor of those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor. It would be easy to say that they deserve a much higher monthly pension. The amount which we authorize today is still quite modest, but is perhaps more generous when adjusted for inflation than the amount originally authorized in 1916. One reason to be more generous is that the living veterans who have been awarded the highest military award for valor are often asked to make public appearances on behalf of patriotic causes. They are frequently asked to travel and incur expenses in connection with civic work and patriotic activities. These storied Americans should be encouraged to continue their inspirational and motivational activities on behalf of all Americans. That is why we approved the increase which is contained in this measure today. I want to thank the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, Bob Filner, for working throughout the 105th Congress with me and other members of the subcommittee. Mike Brinck, our former subcommittee staff director, if you're listening, thanks for all the hard work. To my Chairman Bob Stump, and Ranking Member Lane Evans, my thanks for all your help and leadership. I look forward to seeing you in the 106th Congress.