Nick Rahall

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, “We must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill,” the Puritan preacher John Winthrop proclaimed, as he and his followers sailed for America and freedom. “The eyes of all people are upon us.” And so they have remained for nearly four centuries. Many have looked to us in awe, inspired by a nation rooted in liberty. Others have hated the ideal we embody, and wished us ill. But none can remove us from their gaze. Today, America's economic prosperity, military power, and technological advancement are without peer. Our daily comforts and conveniences exceed those available to most of the six billion people who inhabit the earth. But the ease of our lives does not render us soft, or reluctant to retaliate when attacked. A year ago, all the world watched in horror as a small gang of wicked men took three thousand innocent lives in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Since the moment the first airplane struck the first tower, Americans have shown, both on the battlefield and at home, the strength of our spirit, the mettle of our souls, and the force of our arms. From the firefighters climbing to their deaths, to the airline passengers who battled back, to the precious West Virginia sons and daughters who gave their lives in Afghanistan, the world has witnessed acts of American selflessness and bravery that rival the most revered in the annals of human history. Just as Winthrop defined America's place in the world, he described how we must live to maintain it. “We must delight in each other,” he instructed. “Make others' conditions our own; rejoice together; mourn together; labor and suffer together.” Our whole nation suffered the same grievous wound on September 11. Those who delivered the blow hoped it would inaugurate our destruction. Instead, they inspired America's return to the community values and mutual commitment upon which our country was built. The attacks, the ongoing war, and the continuing threats spur us to embrace again our founding ideas: that all men and women are created equal; that America's destiny is the world's destiny—to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that we cannot allow the centuries-old, world-wide fight for freedom to falter. This recollection of our original rights and responsibilities is a fitting tribute, is an apt memorial, to the lives that were lost and devastated on that sad September day.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The minority has reviewed the legislation and has no problem with it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, enactment this year of the pending legislation will stave off any potential reduction in health care coverage for 54,000 retired coal miners and their widows, whose average age is 78 years old. These miners bravely served their country through both war and peace, many of them working deep within the bowels of this Earth to produce the coal that powered this Nation through both the industrial and now the technological revolution. We owe them a debt of gratitude and as a society would be ill-served by not keeping the promise to them of lifetime health care. In this regard I do want to express my sincere appreciation to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), chairman of the Committee on Resources, for his support of this legislation. He has not only been of tremendous help on this, but a great many other pieces of legislation that this committee has produced. I salute him for his leadership. I also want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ney), who is an original cosponsor of this bill, who does care very deeply about our Nation's coal miners. I salute him for his work as well. Finally, I want to say to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Cubin), I thank her for working with me on this bill and for helping to make it possible for this legislation to be considered on the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, this is legislation that was introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett). I want to commend him for this very worthy piece of legislation and his persistence and dedication to helping provide his people high-quality water supplies. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

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

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I join in the support of this resolution. It is no secret that for many years I have worked to liberate the unspent balance in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund for its intended purpose. And that is, the restoration of abandoned coal mines sites which pose a threat to human health, safety and the environment of coalfield residents. The program has enjoyed success, to date, $1.4 billion worth of public health and safety coal related problems have been addressed. Yet, at the same time, there exists an unspent balance in the fund of an estimated $1.9 billion as of the end of fiscal year 2002. The expenditure of these funds is certainly need. There remains about $2.8 billion or so worth of outstanding high priority problems. While record keeping is sporadic, just last week the New York Times reported there have been 78 deaths in abandoned or inactive mines since January 2000, including 26 this year. And the West Virginia Charleston Gazette noted in an September 13th editorial: ``If West Virginia could simply get its share of the $1.4 billion locked up in the Abandoned Mine Lands reclamation fund, hundreds, if not thousands, of miners oculd be put to work cleaning up the industry's past messes.'' It should be noted that this fund is not financed by general taxpayer dollars, but rather, from a fee assessed on every ton of mined coal. Yet, to date, both the Administration and the Congress have failed to keep faith to the coal producing States by making this money available on a more sufficient basis. I thank the gentlelady from Wyoming, the author of this resolution, for her efforts in this matter. I urge all Members with an interest in this issue to work with this gentleman from West Virginia to press for greater appropriations from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a treasured colleague, Congresswoman Patsy Mink, whom has passed. I would also like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to her family and to her staff. Congresswoman Mink leaves this Earth as a great leader of her community, a dynamic Member of Congress and as a strong woman. Most importantly, she leaves a legacy of work that will continue on after her passing. Patsy Mink spent a life in public service working to improve the lives of her constituents, her beloved state of Hawaii, the environment, the rights of minority communities and the equality of women. She broke barriers. She opened doors of opportunity. She gave a voice to causes and people once silenced in political arenas. Congresswoman Mink's life was a series of firsts. She was the first female student body president at Maui High School where she went on to become the class valedictorian months later. She was the first Asian- American woman to practice law in Hawaii and the first to be elected to the Territorial House. And Congresswoman Mink was the first woman of color to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. One of Congresswoman Mink's most important legislative victories opened the doors of collegiate sports to women. She coauthored the trailblazing Title IX of the Higher Education Act Amendments in 1972 which prohibited gender discrimination by educational institutions receiving federal funds. Thirty years after the passage of this remarkable legislation we can look back at a great legacy of American women's athletics and forward to its future; a future made possible by a Congresswoman's desire to see that women be treated equally on the playing field. I join with my colleagues in Congress mourning the passing Congresswoman Patsy Mink--a trailblazing political leader, a champion of civil rights, a strong woman and a great friend whom will be missed.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Utah has adequately explained this bill. We have no problem on my side of the aisle. I support the gentleman's legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, “We must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill,” the Puritan preacher John Winthrop proclaimed, as he and his followers sailed for America and freedom. “The eyes of all people are upon us.” And so they have remained for nearly four centuries. Many have looked to us in awe, inspired by a nation rooted in liberty. Others have hated the ideal we embody, and wished us ill. But none can remove us from their gaze. Today, America's economic prosperity, military power, and technological advancement are without peer. Our daily comforts and conveniences exceed those available to most of the six billion people who inhabit the earth. But the ease of our lives does not render us soft, or reluctant to retaliate when attacked. A year ago, all the world watched in horror as a small gang of wicked men took three thousand innocent lives in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Since the moment the first airplane struck the first tower, Americans have shown, both on the battlefield and at home, the strength of our spirit, the mettle of our souls, and the force of our arms. From the firefighters climbing to their deaths, to the airline passengers who battled back, to the precious West Virginia sons and daughters who gave their lives in Afghanistan, the world has witnessed acts of American selflessness and bravery that rival the most revered in the annals of human history. Just as Winthrop defined America's place in the world, he described how we must live to maintain it. “We must delight in each other,” he instructed. “Make others' conditions our own; rejoice together; mourn together; labor and suffer together.” Our whole nation suffered the same grievous wound on September 11. Those who delivered the blow hoped it would inaugurate our destruction. Instead, they inspired America's return to the community values and mutual commitment upon which our country was built. The attacks, the ongoing war, and the continuing threats spur us to embrace again our founding ideas: that all men and women are created equal; that America's destiny is the world's destiny—to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that we cannot allow the centuries-old, world-wide fight for freedom to falter. This recollection of our original rights and responsibilities is a fitting tribute, is an apt memorial, to the lives that were lost and devastated on that sad September day.

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the majority has already explained this legislation. We support it. I urge its passage, and I commend the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird) for the gentleman's leadership in bringing this bill to our attention.

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

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as has already been noted, S. 1105, as amended, is a package of bills which have been previously approved by the Committee on Resources. I would like to take this opportunity to make note of the fact that the Grand Teton National Park provisions in this bill have been advanced by our colleague, the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Cubin). Her Senator passed this bill out of the other body and she has greatly assisted the movement of this legislation in this body. The gentlewoman from Wyoming is a wonderful person to work with. I appreciate her willingness to work with me on issues of mutual concern. She is indeed a distinguished Representative of the State of Wyoming. I appreciate her leadership. Another provision of this bill would establish the James V. Hansen Shoshone National Trail in honor of our distinguished chairman, the gentleman from Utah. I sponsored the amendment in committee to name the trail after the gentleman from Utah. He resisted at first. He was willing to settle on having some outhouse in Glacier National Park named after him, but I insisted on my amendment instead. I would further note that this measure includes the text of H.R. 3434 sponsored by the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley) which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire the McLoughlin House National Historic Site in Oregon and to administer it as part of the existing Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Her leadership has been invaluable on this. I appreciate her working with us as well. The legislation also includes the text of H.R. 3815 introduced by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross) to authorize a study of the suitability and feasibility of designating the William Jefferson Clinton birthplace home located in Hope, Arkansas, as a national historic site. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley).

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

Mr. RAHALL

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1606, introduced by my good friend and colleague Representative Jim Clyburn, is an important initiative that builds upon the work started in 1996 with the passage of the historically black colleges and universities' historic preservation program. The program has been the catalyst for the preservation of historic structures at these institutions of higher education. Unfortunately, the program has used up all of its existing authorization of funds and while its accomplishments to date have been great, the work that still needs to be done is even greater. Many of the buildings that have been and will be assisted by this program are integral elements of the school campus and their preservation will not only preserve buildings but also the history and spirit of these pioneering institutions. In hearings before the Resource Committee on H.R. 1606 last November we received moving testimony from Representative Clyburn and others on the importance of this program in furthering historic preservation at institutions that have played a vital role in the advancement of African-Americans and others. I want to commend in particular my colleague Representative Jim Clyburn for his strong leadership and vision on this legislation. Representative Clyburn has been a tireless champion of H.R. 1606. As a former educator himself, he well understands importance of this program not only to the schools themselves but to the entire nation. Last week this House passed H. Res. 523 recognizing the contributions Historically Black Colleges and Universities have made and continue to make in the education of African-Americans. However, H. Res. 523 just talked the talk, but it is H.R. 1606 that walks the walk. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1606 is a substantive measure that will benefit these institutions and the nation at large. I strongly support the measure and urge its adoption by the House. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) whose determination, dedication and true vision have brought this legislation to the floor today. He is a good friend to all of us and a former educator himself. We realize the importance of this legislation not only to Historically Black Colleges and Universities but to the Nation.

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement).

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek). (Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis). (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RAHALL

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

Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) to explain the legislation, and commend the gentleman for his leadership. (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)