Jim Ramstad

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman for yielding the time to me. Mr. Speaker, if ever we needed to put statesmanship ahead of partisanship, it is here and now. We can move forward, remaining engaged in the global marketplace, or we can turn backward and isolate ourselves, driving a stake into our economy and saying goodbye to thousands of lost jobs. As has been said before, the world economy will move forward with or without us. Our trading partners will continue to negotiate and enter into new trade agreements which grow their businesses and create new jobs in their countries. Look at the last 20 major trade agreements enacted in this hemisphere since fast track expired. Where is the United States? Left out of all 20 major agreements. Around the world, believe me, Mr. Speaker, major exporting nations are hoping that Congress votes down fast track authority tonight. Our competitors win if the world's largest economy is excluded from trade negotiations, pure and simple. As a Minnesotan and a member of the Subcommittee on Trade, I have seen firsthand the value of exports and increased trade to U.S. workers. My State of Minnesota is the 12th largest exporting State. The Twin Cities, which includes the Third Congressional District, is the eighth largest metropolitan area in terms of exporting in the Nation. Eight percent of Minnesota's gross State product is exported to other nations. Minnesota's exports over the last five years have grown 150 percent. Jobs have increased 25 percent. But, Mr. Speaker, we cannot sit still. We must pass fast track to continue to grow our economy. Farmers in Minnesota and the rest of the Nation need the expanding markets in Latin America and Asia. Our high- tech manufacturers need them. Intellectual property needs them. Fast track is needed to break down the barriers to those critical markets. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) told us that 96 percent of the world's consumers live outside the United States. We cannot ignore them. Let us not leave America's workers, farmers, consumers and businesses behind. Let us put statesmanship ahead of partisanship. Let us pass fast track and keep America competitive.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the greatest figures in the history of hockey in Minnesota, the birthplace of this great sport in America. Hockey is an instrumental part of the culture of our wonderful state. Minnesotans often boast about our 10,000 lakes, but we have 10 times as many ice rinks. And Lou Nanne is one of the founding fathers of hockey in Minnesota as well as our nation. Mr. Speaker, Lou Nanne of Edina, Minnesota, located in the Third Congressional District, was elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday, September 23rd, a truly fitting tribute to ``Sweet Lou from The Soo,'' a reference to his native Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Just like his patented rushes from one end of the rink to the other, Lou Nanne is known from coast to coast for the key role he played in making hockey the major sport it is in America today. In 1989, Lou received the prestigious Lester Patrick Award for his outstanding service to hockey in the United States. Mr. Speaker, there is no level of hockey--amateur, college, Olympic, international and pro--in America which has not been touched by Lou Nanne's great playing talent, coaching expertise, distinctive management style, enthusiasm, articulate salesmanship and inspirational involvement. Whether it is attending a pee wee hockey game at a cold, neighborhood rink somewhere in a distant corner of our state, speaking to a high school boosters group, helping to raise money for a paralyzed young player, competing at the highest level of the sport both here and around the world, or managing a professional team, Lou Nanne has done it all in promoting the sport he loves so dearly. Mr. Speaker, Lou came to prominence as a player for the University of Minnesota, my alma mater. Lou played for the Gophers from 1959 to 1963 and was named an All-American his senior year. Lou Nanne served as captain of the 1968 U.S. Olympic team, as well as general manager of Team USA for four years. Lou was the hometown favorite when he played for the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League, starring with the team from its inception and remaining one of the team's stalwarts for more than a decade of thrills, from 1967 to 1978. He was coach of the North Stars in 1978, general manager for the ensuing decade and president from 1988 to 1990. We Minnesotans just call him Sweet Lou because of his smooth stick handling skills and low-key, friendly personality. I'm also proud to call Lou Nanne my good friend of many years. Mr. Speaker, all Minnesotans are extremely proud of Lou Nanne on his election to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. We wish Lou and Francine and their wonderful family the very best in the years to come.

Mr. RAMSTAD

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

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer a critical missing component to the bill before us today. In an attempt to overcome germaneness hurdles, I have modified this amendment so it will not amend ERISA. However, I am aware that other parliamentary concerns have now been raised and I may be forced to withdraw my amendment. Mr. Chairman, let me say this. While the goals of this anti-drug package before us today are certainly laudable, we will never even come close to a drug-free America until we knock down the barriers to chemical dependency treatment for the 26 million Americans out there tonight suffering the ravages of drug and alcohol addiction. Twenty-six million American addicts already today. Since 1956, as we all know, the American Medical Association has said addiction is a disease. We all pay lip service to it, but only 2 percent, only 2 percent of the 16 million Americans covered by health insurance plans which purport to cover chemical dependency treatment are able to get effective treatment. Ninety-eight percent of those covered by insurance plans cannot get effective treatment. Mr. Chairman, that is because treatment for addiction is discriminated against, unlike treatment for any other diseases. Barriers to chemical dependency treatment that the insurance companies erect include discriminatory caps, artificially high deductibles and copayments, as well as other restrictions on treatments such as limited treatment stays that are not imposed on other diseases. In fact, the average treatment stay allowed by health insurance plans is from 2 to 7 days. Every treatment professional in America, and every one of the 1.7 million Americans who are recovering from addiction, knows that no one can get effective treatment in less than one week. It is a fraud on the American people. Truly, to reduce illegal drug use in America we must address the disease of addiction by putting chemical dependency treatment on par with treatment for other diseases. That is what this amendment does. It just says we should not discriminate against alcohol and drug addiction treatment any more than we would discriminate against treatment for diabetes or kidney failure, renal failure, heart disease, or any other disease. We have all the empirical data in the world and all the actuarial studies to prove that parity for chemical dependency treatment will actually save money. For every dollar that we invest, it will save $7 down the road. Health care costs for untreated alcoholics and addicts are 100 percent higher, as all the studies show, than for the cost of those who have been treated. Mr. Chairman, we can build all the fences on our borders that money can buy. We can hire all the border guards that we can find. But simply dealing with the supply side of this problem and paying lip service to the demand side will not solve the problem of addiction. Mr. Chairman, we are going to continue to be back here year after year with drug bills and we are not going to make a dent in the problem. Mr. Chairman, as a recovering alcoholic myself, I know firsthand the value of treatment. As someone who stays close to other recovering people and addicts, alcoholics and addicts, I am alarmed by the dwindling access to treatment in America. Sixty percent of the adolescent treatment beds over the last 10 years are gone. Fifty percent of the treatment beds for adults over the last 10 years are gone because we continue to allow this discrimination, these barriers against treatment. That is why we have, and I say ``thank you'' to them, my 93 colleagues, cosponsors from across the ideological spectrum here who have cosponsored this bill. Twenty called my office in the last 2 days to speak on this important amendment to provide access to treatment. We must, Mr. Chairman, at some time listen to the experts, the experts about our Nation's number one public health and public safety problem. Addiction in America must be addressed before we will ever make significant progress in the illegal drug and alcohol abuse problem. Mr. Chairman, we need to listen to the 93 colleagues who are cosponsors of my treatment parity legislation. We need to listen to General Barry McCaffrey, who said this is the single most important element in addressing the illegal drug problem. The single most important element is substance abuse treatment parity. We need to listen to President and Mrs. Ford, who came to Washington to plead with us to pass drug and alcoholism treatment parity. We need to listen to the 17,000 treatment professionals who comprise the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, treatment professionals in the trenches and the field every day dealing with sick people who need help. We need to listen to the physicians of the American Society of Addiction Medicine who support treatment parity, physicians like Navy Captain Ronald E. Smith and Captain Joseph A. Pursch, who support treatment parity. Mr. Chairman, this is a life-or-death issue for 26 million Americans. This is not another political issue, and it should not be that. It clearly should be included in this package. I am deeply saddened that as we consider the bill designed to reduce demand for drugs in this country, I cannot offer this amendment.

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, while the Speaker's announced goal of a drug-free America by 2002 is a laudable one, it is also completely unrealistic without a meaningful treatment strategy. We will never even come close to a drug-free America until we knock down the barriers to chemical dependency treatment for 26 million Americans who are currently suffering the ravages of drug and alcohol addiction. Since 1956, the American Medical Association has recognized that alcoholism and drug addiction are a disease. Yet only 2 percent of alcoholics and addicts covered by health insurance plans are receiving treatment, notwithstanding the purported coverage of chemical dependency treatment by these plans. That is because of discriminatory caps, artificially high deductibles and co-payments as well as other restrictions on chemical dependency treatment such as limited treatment stays that are different from other diseases. To reduce illegal drug use in America, we must address the disease of addiction by putting chemical dependency treatment on par with treatment for other diseases. Providing equal access to chemical dependency treatment with treatment for other diseases covered by health plans is not only the smart medical approach, it is also cost effective. It is not only the right thing to do, it is also the cost effective thing to do. We have all the empirical data in the world, including the actuarial studies, to prove that parity for chemical dependency treatment will not raise premiums, will not raise health insurance premiums by more than one-half of 1 percent in the worst case scenario. So for the price of a cup of coffee per month increasing the premiums, we can treat millions and millions of Americans who are suffering from addiction. This does not include the billions of dollars of cost savings that were a result from the treatment parity. It is well documented that, for every dollar we spend in treatment, we save $7 in the cost of prison construction, social welfare costs, health care costs, cost of lost productivity through job absenteeism, injuries, sub-par work performance and so forth. Other studies have shown health care costs alone are 100 percent higher for untreated alcoholics and addicts compared to those who receive treatment. Health care costs are 100 percent higher for those who go untreated. Last year alone, Mr. Speaker, the cost of addiction in the United States totaled $140 billion. The recent Bill Moyers television documentation pointed out, and medical experts and treatment professionals agree, that providing access to treatment is the only way to combat addiction in America. We can build all the fences on our borders, surround our country with fences, hire thousands more border guards, but simply dealing with the supply side is not going to make a dent in the drug problem. It is not going to solve the drug problem. We have got to emphasize the treatment component and include it in our strategy. Believe me, as a recovering alcoholic myself, I know firsthand the value of treatment. As someone who stays close to other recovering people and to other alcoholics and addicts, I am absolutely alarmed by the dwindling access to treatment for people who need it. That is why H.R. 2409 the Substance Abuse Treatment Parity Act, which I have authored with 92 cosponsors from all political persuasions, on both sides of the aisle from the far right to the far left, 92 cosponsors, must be included in the drug-free America legislative package for that package to have any credibility in the real world. This legislation would provide access to treatment by prohibiting discrimination against alcoholics and addicts. If we agree that addiction is a disease, then we should treat it like every other disease and not let insurance companies discriminate against treatment. This is not a mandate. I have heard that argument by some of the opponents of this legislation. This is not a mandate. All we are saying is that, if you and your plan are covered for chemical dependency treatment, you should not be limited to 2 to 7 days, which most companies are doing. Because every chemical dependency program in the world knows you cannot get effective treatment in 2 to 7 days. So this is not another mandate. In addition, the legislation that I have sponsored waives the parity requirement if premiums increase by more than 1 percent. It is off. Also, small businesses with fewer than 50 employees would be exempt in the first place. Mr. Speaker, if we fail to address the underlying addiction problem in America, the violent crime problem is going to continue to worsen, and this drug-free America goal will continue to be illusory and unattainable. It might make good politics to some to talk about building more prevention and more border patrol, but it is not working. It is not working. We have got to deal with the fact that there are 26 million addicts in this country who are going untreated, and we have got to address treatment. That component must be in a meaningful and realistic package. As cochair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, Mr. Speaker, I know, as any cop in America knows, that 85 percent of all crimes are tied directly or indirectly to drug or alcohol addiction. A recent Columbia University study shows that 80 percent of the 1.4 million prisoners in jails and prisons are there because of drug and alcohol addiction. So not to deal with underlying problem means we are never going to deal effectively with the crime problem. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I respectfully urge the Committee on Rules to include the Substance Abuse Treatment Parity Act in the antidrug legislative package. This, Mr. Speaker, is a life or death issue for 26 million Americans.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I join my colleagues from Pennsylvania and West Virginia in sponsoring this amendment to prevent the drastic 50% cut in Legal Service Corporation funding. Without adequate funding for Legal Services, our poorest, most vulnerable citizens will be unable to have legal representation in civil matters. ``Equal Justice Under Law,'' which Americans read every day across the street on the Supreme Court building, will be empty words. This proposed 50% cut, to $141 million, follows a 33% reduction in FY 1996, and no increases in FY 1997 or FY 1998. This amendment would be a great improvement from the current level in the bill, but it still represents a $33 million cut from last year's appropriation. In my home state, severe cuts in LSC funds have ready meant that tens of thousands of Minnesotans who needed legal help had to be turned away. Because of reduced funding, Legal Services in Minnesota closes 4,000 fewer cases each year. Legal services in my state is struggling in spite of generous support from state and private sources. In Minnesota, over 3,000 attorneys already donated over 30,000 hours of legal services--worth over $3.5 million--each year. Minnesota lawyers pay an extra $50 in their annual licensing fee to support legal services. Individual lawyers and firms currently contribute over $500,000 each year. Even greater numbers of poor people have been shut out of the civil justice system in other states, where private support is not as strong: LSC programs across the nation are already serving 300,000 fewer low- income Americans because of decreased resources. If limited to this bill's drastic level they will have to turn away an additional 400,000 vulnerable Americans. On top of this, a recent Supreme Court decision is further threatening resources for legal aid to the poor. In 1997 Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) programs accounted for 11% of funding for LSC programs, But, now, the availability of IOLTA funding for legal aid programs has been called into question by the courts. Some claim that private bar can step in and meet the legal needs of the poor if funding for the LSC is cut by this magnitude. But throughout the country the private bar and individual lawyers are already working hard to provide legal services for indigent people. However, they cannot meet these critical needs alone, any more than doctors can treat all the medical needs of the poor or grocers can feed all the hungry without pay. We cannot effectively provide legal services to the poor without a public-private partnership. LSC funds are critical in matching private lawyers with needy clients, and LSC-funded staff is needed to handle intake, screening, referral, training and support for private lawyers. Although government entities are not often known for efficiency, ninety-seven cents of every LSC dollar go directly to delivery of legal assistance. And federal oversight and accountability over those dollars are ensured. Tight restrictions required by Congress are being enforced by LSC under the strong leadership of President John McKay: no class action suits; no lobbying; no legal assistance to illegal aliens; no political activities; no prisoner litigation; no redistricting representation; and no representation of people evicted from public housing due to drugs. Some of my colleagues point to a few, well-publicized cases that appear to be abusive. There is almost always more to the story, and in many cases no LSC-funded program was involved or the LSC is enforcing sanctions against the abuses. But even if all of the alleged abuses were true, these would represent a mere handful of aberrations in a program that last year served 2 million clients, benefiting 4 million Americans, most of whom were low-income seniors, women and children. I wish all federal programs could have such a remarkable record. Legal Services actually saves taxpayers money by establishing child support orders and maintaining private health insurance for children. Legal Services protects the victims of domestic violence and child abuse. Legal Services combats consumer fraud and unlawful discrimination. If our justice system is only accessible to the wealthy--to those with means--then it cannot truly be just. I urge my colleagues to support basic fairness and equality under the law by restoring Legal Services funding.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, this is a somber and solemn day for Congress and our Nation. Our Capitol Hill family has suffered great loss with the deaths of Officers Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and John Gibson. The entire country was both shaken by violence at our Capitol and inspired by the ultimate heroism of these two men. Mr. Speaker, how can we adequately thank our heroes? How do we comfort their wives and children who suffered the ultimate loss? I have no answers to those questions, Mr. Speaker. I only know that we owe two law enforcement heroes more than words can express. I hope everyone listening will pray tonight for the families and friends of these two brave fallen officers. As Co-Chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, I know that senseless tragedies are not new. Since our nation's founding, nearly 15,000 police officers have been killed in the line of duty. Their names are etched in the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, just blocks from here. Sadly, we now know two new names that will be added to the wall next year. In this Capitol, we are protected by nearly 1,300 sworn officers and security aides. Their presence is so steady and reassuring that at times people have forgotten to notice. And the Capitol Police are joined by hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers across America, who get up each morning and put on their badge, committing to protect people whose names they may never know. They have taken an oath to die for us. They are all American heroes. I am humbled to call them both my protectors and my friends. If the events of last week hold any lesson, it is this: we must never take these courageous men and women for granted. They deserve our thanks, every opportunity we get. J.J. and John will be remembered for the way they died, and also for the way they lived. They make us want to be better people. The greatest tribute we can offer these men is to have the same single-minded focus on our jobs in this great building, the People's House. Remembering how Officers Gibson and Chestnut worked together to protect the People's House, I hope we will work together in a bipartisan way to make our country a safer place for all. I hope, too, that the legacy of Officers Chestnut and Gibson will be a Capitol that is open and accessible to the people to which it belongs. That is what they would have wanted. That is why they made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Officers Chestnut and Gibson. You will always be remembered in these halls, and especially in our hearts. You are true American heroes, and we will miss you.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane) for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, as a member of the Subcommittee on Trade, I rise today in strong support of the President's decision to renew normal trade relations with China. I have come before this House many times to talk about how increased trade with Western countries has exposed the people of China to democratic values and practices. I have Dear Colleague letters which show that spiritual leaders from across the spectrum, from Pat 4Robertson, Billy Graham, to the Dalai Lama support engagement, not isolation. Engagement with China, I believe, is the key to better human rights conditions for the Chinese people. The people of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other Asian nations have asked us to renew normal trade relations with China, because not renewing NTR could have a real negative impact on their economies and their people. Madam Speaker, most profoundly of all I was reminded just yesterday of the importance of the U.S.-China trade relationship when I met with Walter Hanson. Walter is the CEO of Ibberson, Incorporated, in my district, which is an agricultural design, engineering, and construction service company. Mr. Hanson was in town to receive an award from the United States Chamber of Commerce, the ``Small Business Success Story Award,'' for his company's success in China. This is a great story about an American business, how Ibberson has grown because of its trade not only with China, but other foreign nations. In fact, Ibberson did not even venture into foreign markets until I believe it was 1985. Now the international arm of this company, which employs 182 people, accounts for 50 percent of company sales with one-third of these international operations alone in China. This is about jobs, Madam Speaker. When questioned about the company's involvement in China, what it has meant to the Chinese, Mr. Hanson explained it very well. He said that the food processing plants that his company designs and builds generate better feed for Chinese livestock which, in turn, improve the nutritional value of food for the Chinese people. The processing plants they design in China meet all U.S. standards for worker and environmental safety. They are setting a great example for the Chinese people. The Chinese people that Ibberson employs in building and running the operation receive higher pay. After going back and forth to China for over 10 years, Mr. Hanson learned that the Chinese people emulate the West and he saw how they used their higher pay to buy more of our products. These jobs also, Madam Speaker, are not jobs that have been stolen from Americans, as some of my friends on the other side of this issue will tell us. In fact, according to Mr. Hanson, the opportunities to export to China create jobs back in Minnesota and many other States in our country. If it were not for international sales, Mr. Hanson believes that his small business could have gone down the same path that its 10 leading competitors did. They are gone. They are out of business. Think of what that means to the 182 employees of this company. Madam Speaker, continuing normal trade relations with China acknowledges the progress that has been made, but it does not disregard the need for further improvements in human rights for Chinese citizens. As a member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, I too abhor any and all human rights abuses. But if we are not engaged with the Chinese, how can we influence their policies? How do we stop these abuses? We must be engaged. Madam Speaker, a normal engaged relationship between our country and China is critical for improving the lives of people in both countries and for job creation and economic growth. I urge my colleagues very, very strongly to oppose this resolution before us today and to support normal trade relations with China. It is the right thing to do.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to salute a strong American family from throughout our great nation which will be holding an especially loud and joyous reunion in Minneapolis from July 30th to August 2nd. The Barber Family will be celebrating the ``Power of Family.'' Nothing could be more right on target. I want to wish the Barber Family, and Barber Family Reunion State Chairperson Marion Barber, the very best for a most successful family gathering. Mr. Speaker, I salute all American families for the miracles they perform every day. Together, America's families are what our nation is all about: The freedom to love, the freedom to work, the freedom from crime and hatred, the freedom to pursue our dreams. If you want to gauge the value of family in America today, you should show up at the Barber Family Reunion, which has chosen as its reunion theme ``Linking the Past, Present and the Future.'' Mr. Speaker, as Congress considers actions in its day-to-day routine, I urge every member to keep families like the Barbers in mind. As Marion Barber wrote in a letter to me, ``Family and family ties are the most important elements that make up the core and fabric of the true American family. What the family does and the values it practices have a great impact on our society. Families need to stay together, pray together and help each other.'' Mr. Speaker, it's families like the Barbers--staying together, looking out for each other, helping each other--that provide our great nation with its real strength. Our families know how to overcome challenges and difficulties-- and survive and flourish. The Barber Family's history is the story of our nation. Jim Barber, a slave, more than a century and a half ago, was brought down from Virginia to Georgia and sold to John Reynolds. There, he met Elizabeth Reynolds, another slave. They married and had seven children. And in a few days, the descendants of Jim and Elizabeth Barber will be celebrating their blessings and their love for each other in Minneapolis. Their struggles have not divided them, just as our great nation's struggles have not divided America. Mr. Speaker, the Barber Family represents the American Dream and today I wish all the members of the Barber Family the very best. I thank them for doing their part to make America the greatest country on earth.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3433, the ``Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Act.'' The National Council on Disability said it best in its report to the 105th Congress on removing barriers to work when it wrote, ``Social Security programs can be transformed from a lifelong entitlement into an investment in employment potential for thousands of individuals.'' Historically, fewer than 1% of people with disabilities leave the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) rolls following successful rehabilitation. Individuals with disabilities have insufficient access to, and choice of, the services and supports they need to achieve employment. In fact, most SSI and SSDI beneficiaries are never even offered rehabilitation services. This legislation empowers individuals with disabilities to choose from the state Vocational Rehabilitation agency or among private-sector employment networks which provide an array of vocational rehabilitation, employment and other support services to beneficiaries. It also breaks through the complexities of the current system by establishing a corps of work incentive specialists to accurately disseminate information on SSI and SSDI work incentives. While I wish the bill included a more comprehensive approach for tackling the complex health care needs of individuals who return to work, I am glad it does include a provision to at least extend Medicare eligibility for two years during the program's implementation. I look forward to continuing to work on these critical health care issues during the conference with the Senate on this legislation, or next year when the Commerce Committee looks at health care needs under the Medicaid program. Mr. Speaker, despite my concerns about the health care provisions in this bill, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation before us today because it begins the process of breaking down the barriers to work for individuals with disabilities. Preventing people from working run counter to the American spirit, a spirit that thrives on individual achievements and the larger contributions to society that result. Creating work incentives for people with disabilities is not just humane public policy, it is sound fiscal policy. Removing the barriers that discourage people with disabilities from working will mean they can earn a regular paycheck, pay taxes and move off public assistance. It means they can return to work and live up to their full potential. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Reps. Bunning and Kennelly for this work in this area. Again, I urge members to vote yes on H.R. 3433.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, the events of National Police Week officially begin tonight with the 10th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the grounds of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Tonight the names of 305 American heroes will be added to the Memorial's wall, which honors officers killed in the line of duty. 160 of these officers were killed in 1997, and the others died in previous years but have just recently been discovered. The 160 police heroes killed last year represent an increase of 21% over the 132 officers who were killed in 1996. This is particularly disturbing in light of the recent overall decreases in the violent crime rate. Another disturbing trend last year was the high number of alcohol- related deaths of law enforcement officers. Alcohol was a factor in at least 19 of last year's police fatalities, including killings by drunk drivers and shootings by individuals who had been drinking. My home state of Minnesota lost one of its finest last year--a state trooper named Tim Bowe who had served as a protector for Governor Arne Carlson. Corporal Bowe was a 14-year veteran of the force who had 9 commendations and three life-saving awards, including two revivals of heart attack victims with CPR. At nearly midnight on June 7, 1997, Corporal Bowe was about to finish his shift when he responded to a request for help from three Chisago County Sheriff's deputies. He and the deputies at the scene of a reported shooting had just begun approaching a nearby car when an assailant fired and shot Corporal Bowe in the chin. He died from the wound shortly afterward, leaving behind his beloved wife, Denise, a 6- year-old daughter and a 9-and-a-half-month-old son. As someone who has many close friends serving in law enforcement, as someone who has logged 1,600 hours riding with police during the ``dog watch'' and power shift, and as one who has accompanied high risk entry teams on 65 crack raids, I am well aware of the risks that officers like Corporal Bowe face each day they put on the badge. My home state of Minnesota has lost a total of 185 peace officers, and America has lost over 14,622 since the first recorded death in 1794. The names of slain officers are inscribed on the wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, located just blocks from this Capitol. I encourage every visitor to our nation's capital to visit this meaningful reminder of the men and women who paid the ultimate price to protect our communities. As of co-chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus with my colleague, Bart Stupak from Michigan, I have been working in a bipartisan way to promote legislation that honors these fallen heroes. We have had some success. In last year's Taxpayer Relief Act, I worked with other colleagues to include a provision that makes the survivor benefits for families of public safety officers killed in the line of duty tax-free. Very recently, the House passed the Higher Education Act reauthorization with an amendment to provide scholarships to families of slain officers. Just yesterday, the House passed a resolution honoring law enforcement officers and a bill which will provide life-savings bulletproof vests to police departments. Much more needs to be done. I encourage my colleagues who are not already part of the 71-member bipartisan Law Enforcement Caucus to join. We are holding a meeting tomorrow, in Room 1640 of the Longworth Building, to review our accomplishments and discuss legislative initiatives. I hope all interested members and staff will participate in this important dialogue. We need to honor the fallen, and we need to empower the living who protect our communities. The thousands of officers who put their lives on the line every day are the reasons we observe Police Week and commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day each year on May 15.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, ``Minnesota nice'' took a hard hit last week. Within a few blocks of downtown Minneapolis, the body of a 77- year-old woman was found wrapped in plastic, stuffed in a cardboard box in a bedroom closet of her own apartment. Why was ``Miss Annie,'' as her friends and the small children she befriended in the neighborhood called her, so cavalierly and heartlessly murdered and her body left to rot? Apparently, she had become a mere inconvenience to the drug users and dealers who had literally commandeered her apartment. And as I found out from nearby residents, such hostage takeovers are not uncommon in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. During a tour last week at the invitation of frustrated victims of the crime and drug epidemic in this area of our community, neighborhood residents told me of their constant fears living in crack-infested areas where drug dealers and violence dominate their daily lives. Boarded up, abandoned buildings; drug dealers and crack houses on every block; and gang members and prostitutes readily adapting to the environment. As the exodus of community stakeholders, landlords, small business people and law-abiding residents continues, prospects for a better future dwindle. Madam Speaker, do not tell the residents of the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis that crime statistics are down. They are literally trapped in the vicious cycle of crime and drugs that has gripped America for too long. As person after person after person told me last week in this neighborhood where Miss Annie was savagely murdered, these people are literally without hope. Madam Speaker, no child, no neighborhood, and no community in America should be without hope. If we are truly serious about addressing the crime and drug epidemic in America, we must first acknowledge what every cop, every treatment professional, and every corrections person in America knows: 80 percent of all crimes are tied to drugs and/or alcohol addiction. 26 million Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol. One hundred fifty thousand Americans died last year from chemical addiction. Eighty percent of the 1.4 million men and women in American prisons tonight are there because of drugs and/or alcohol. They are addicts. Madam Speaker, Congress must provide a comprehensive strategy to address the crime and drug epidemic in America. We need to provide consequences for criminals and treatment for alcoholics and addicts. We need to go after the 7 percent of the violent criminals who are committing 70 percent of the violent crimes and lock them up. But we also need to break the cycle of chemical dependency that is causing the bulk of criminal behavior in America. Of the 26 million American alcoholics and addicts, approximately 16 million of them are covered by health insurance plans. But only 2 percent of them, of this 16 million who had health insurance, are getting treatment for their addiction. As the recent five-part Public Television documentary by Bill Moyers pointed out, it is time to put chemical dependency treatment on par with other diseases. It is time to knock down the barriers to chemical dependency treatment created by certain health insurers that discriminate against alcoholics and addicts. It is time to treat chemical dependency as the disease that it is, as the disease that it has been recognized to be by the American Medical Association since 1956. It is time to provide access to treatment to deal with America's number one public health and public safety problem. Senator Wellstone and I have introduced the Substance Abuse Treatment Parity Act to provide equal access to chemical dependency treatment with treatment for other diseases covered by health plans. As a recovering alcoholic myself, Madam Speaker, I know firsthand the value of treatment. As someone who stays close to other recovering people and chemical dependency professionals in Minnesota and across the country, I have been alarmed by the dwindling access to treatment for people who need help. The current system either blocks access for people who are chemically dependent or extremely limits their treatment experience. Providing access to treatment is not only the right thing to do, but the cost-effective thing to do. All the actuarial studies, all the empirical evidence show that treatment parity will actually save money in the long run. Providing treatment for alcoholics and addicts covered by health insurance will raise premiums in the worst case scenario by one-half of 1 percent. In other words, for $1.35 per month, or the cost of a cup of coffee, we can treat 16 million chemically addicted persons in our country. For every dollar we invest in treatment, we will save $7 in costs down the road. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join the 56 other Members of the House who have already cosponsored H.R. 2409. The people of America cannot afford to wait any longer.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, nearly 26 million Americans are presently suffering from the ravages of drug and alcohol addiction. There is an epidemic in America, a national crisis of alcohol and drug addiction. One in 10 people in the United States of America is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. The statistics, Mr. Speaker, are absolutely shocking. Alcoholism and drug addiction cost this country $90 billion last year, in addition to even greater human costs: the shattered dreams; the tragic deaths; the violent crime; broken families; shattered, broken lives. Alcohol abuse alone last year killed 100,000 people in this country. A recent study by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found that 80 percent of American prisoners, 80 percent of the 1.2 million Americans locked up today, are there because of drugs or alcohol. Mr. Speaker, as a recovering alcoholic myself, I know firsthand the value of treatment for chemical addiction. Mr. Speaker, I am here to speak from personal experience that treatment works. I ask my colleagues to consider the following facts that make clear the effectiveness of treatment. A University of Pennsylvania study by Dr. Thomas McLellan found that long-term treatment is just as effective as long-term treatment for diabetes. Research by former Assistant Health Secretary Philip Lee found that every dollar invested in treatment for chemical dependency can save $7 in future costs: medical costs, incarceration costs, social service costs, and so forth. A Rutgers University study found that untreated alcoholics incur health care costs that are 100 percent higher than for treated alcoholics or alcoholics. After treatment, Mr. Speaker, the days lost to illness, sickness claims, and hospitalizations drop by one-half. A Brown University study found that drug and alcohol treatment could reduce crime by over 80 percent, and a Minnesota study, a study in my home State of Minnesota, evaluated our treatment programs and concluded that Minnesota last year saved $22 million in health care costs because of treatment. Mr. Speaker, the facts are clear: treatment works. Treatment is cost- effective. Assuring access to treatment will not only combat this insidious disease, but it will also save health care dollars. As someone who stays very close to other recovering people in Minnesota and to treatment professionals in our State, I have been alarmed by the dwindling access to treatment in this country. In fact, over the last decade, 50 percent of the treatment facilities in America have closed. Even more alarming, over the last decade, 60 percent of the adolescent treatment centers in our country have closed. The current system either blocks access for addicted people, or greatly limits their treatment experience. It is time to put chemical dependency on par with insurance coverage for other diseases. That is why I have introduced the Substance Abuse Treatment Parity Act, H.R. 2409. This commonsense and cost-effective legislation would expand access to treatment by prohibiting health plans from imposing limits on substance abuse coverage that are different from those requirements for other health care services. All this bill does is provide parity for treatment of substance abuse. This would remove barriers to substance abuse treatment without significantly increasing health care premiums. In fact, we have all the empirical evidence in the world, study after study to show that this is cost effective. In fact, one released just yesterday by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows how inexpensive and cost effective this legislation is. That study, released yesterday, shows that the average health care premium would only increase by two- tenths of 1 percent per month. So for the cost of a cup of coffee, $1.35 a month, we could treat 16 million Americans who have insurance but are presently being blocked from treatment because of these barriers, higher copayments higher deductibles, limited hospital stays, and so forth. Mr. Speaker, Congress can take a big step this year to knock down barriers to treatment. Just as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 tore down barriers to integration, just as the Americans with Disabilities Act tore down barriers for people with disabilities, this year we can knock down barriers to treatment for people who are suffering the ravages of drug and alcohol addiction. We can pass the Substance Abuse Treatment Parity Act and make treatment available for 16 million more Americans. Mr. Speaker, let me just close by saying this is a life-or-death issue because chemical addiction is fatal if it is left untreated. So, I urge my colleagues, please join me in cosponsoring H.R. 2409.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and in strong support of this legislation. As I said during our Subcommittee on Trade hearing on this bill, Mr. Chairman, it sets up a win-win situation for both the United States and countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This bill will mean a tax cut for consumers here at home, who depend on reasonably priced clothing, and it will promote continued political and market liberalization in sub-Saharan Africa. As a strong supporter generally of free trade and liberalization, I know the trade elements of this bill are extremely important. Inexpensive imports are good for consumers here in America, and increased exports are good for U.S. workers and employers. I want to focus on the significant goals of this legislation, because this legislation before us today, Mr. Chairman, sends a strong signal of encouragement to the peoples of the sub-Saharan nations. Just since 1990, more than 25 African nations have held democratic elections. Over 30, 30 of these nations have instituted programs to replace their centralized economies with free markets, a very, very significant fact. We all know stronger economies contribute to social and political stability, and we must, we must, Mr. Chairman, take steps to help secure that stability. Increased investment and trade activity with the United States will help improve the economic conditions of all the sub-Saharan nations, and as our Committee on Ways and Means has heard from many African officials, they want the opportunity to industrialize their economies and to facilitate technology transfers. They support the bill's efforts to encourage foreign investment and direct private sector involvement in further economic development in the region. The Ambassador of Tanzania, Mr. Chairman, has made one simple yet a very crucial request of us. He said at the hearing, and I am quoting now, ``Please, please give Africa a chance to prove that she can become a valuable and viable trading partner with the United States.'' Mr. Ambassador, we want to give you that chance. We have the opportunity to give you that chance today by passing this legislation, and I urge all Members to vote for H.R. 1432 and give Africa this chance.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, over 2,100 Americans are still unaccounted for from the war in Vietnam, over 8,100 from the Korean Conflict, and nearly 78,800 from World War II. It is imperative that the accounting of each and every one of our POWs and MIAs be given the highest priority by our government and by this Congress. Because I feel so strongly about finding new information on American POWs and MIAs, and as a result of the hundreds of thousands of family members who want to find the truth about their loved ones, I am asking my colleagues to cosponsor H. Res. 16--a resolution establishing a Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs. As many of you know, the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs released its final report several years ago. But as Members of Congress, we need to keep asking the tough questions and demanding hard answers on this issue. This proposed Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs will conduct a full investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean conflict, or World War II, including MIAs and POWs. This temporary select committee will present it's final report by January 5, 1999, setting forth its findings and recommendations as a result of its investigation, and then terminate. We must continue with vigilance the work by our government to achieve a full accounting of every American POW/MIA. We have a moral obligation to give this issue our immediate and undivided attention. Please join me in this effort and cosponsor H. Res. 16.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, America's two newest sports heroes are the pride of every American. I rise today to pay tribute to a group of talented, hard-working women who have written a new chapter in America's glorious Olympic history, the U.S. women's Olympic hockey team. Minnesota is the birthplace of hockey in America, Mr. Speaker, and the first ever gold medal in women's Olympic hockey was won by a spirited, never-give-up American team that included two Minnesotans. Jenny Schmidgall of Edina, Minnesota, and Alana Blahoski of St. Paul, Minnesota, along with 21 other members of the U.S. women's team, brought home the gold from the 18th Olympic winter games in Nagano, Japan. The American women's team won all six of its games. Mr. Speaker, what a marvelous Olympic tournament it was, and what a remarkable team won the gold medal. As a proud Minnesotan and a patriotic American, my heart burst when Jenny Schmidgall was awarded her gold medal and spontaneously blurted out our national anthem. Our hearts as Americans burst in pride when our women's hockey team, every single member, raised their hands to the sky in saying our national anthem with all the strength left in their souls. Mr. Speaker, after losing to Canada four times in the world championship since 1990, the U.S. women's Olympic hockey team defeated Canada 3 to 1 last week to claim the gold medal. It was the second time the Americans had defeated their fiercest rival in four days. It was also the first U.S. hockey gold medal since the 1980 miracle on ice at Lake Placid. Mr. Speaker, great joy swept over Minnesota as the U.S. women held hands, waved American flags, and accepted their well-earned gold medals. As her parents, Dwayne and Terri Schmidgall of Edina, would be quick to tell you, Jenny Schmidgall had prepared long and hard for her moment in the land of the rising sun. Jenny graduated from Edina High School, in the heart of our Third Congressional District, this past spring, and will be skating for the University of Minnesota next year. In fact, that is the reason Jenny's picture did not make the Wheaties box, because she is still an amateur, and NCAA rules are about as arcane as some of the rules around here, and she was not allowed to be pictured. But anyway, when Jenny skated at Edina's Lewis Park, she was known as little Gretzky. She grew up learning the game at Lewis Park at Edina while following her hockey playing dad onto the ice. There was magic in the air at the Big Hat arena in Nagano the day of the gold medal game. Jenny's parents got to the game and learned that their seats were not with the rest of the parents down below in the lower bowl but, rather, in the upper deck away from the rest of the parents of the women's team. But all that changes when Wayne Gretzky, the great one himself, tapped Dwayne Schmidgall on the shoulder, and seeing Schmidgall's Team U.S.A. jackets and asked if she had somebody playing in the game. Gretzky told them, by the way, he hoped their team would win and left when the score was one to nothing in favor of the Americans. In this first Olympic women's tournament, Jenny Schmidgall scored two goals and had three assists. She also helped set up the first U.S. goal in the gold medal game. As her mother Terri said, holding back tears, and I am quoting now, ``When you know all the hard work that went into this and see them this way, it's really something.'' Mr. Speaker, it is really something. All the women on Team U.S.A. have stories to tell, stories like Jenny Schmidgall's. They all followed others onto the ice at an early age and often met with resistance when they tried to join in the boys' games. But showing great American ethic that makes our nation shine, these women would not take no for an answer. They practiced. They persevered. Last week, they realized their dream. They brought home the gold. Mr. Speaker, one sign held up above the U.S. team's bench in Nagano said it all: ``U.S. Women, the Real Dream Team.'' Now the women of the 1998 U.S. Olympic ice hockey team are stirring new dreams in the hearts and minds of girls throughout America. They stirred our passion over the past fortnight halfway around the world, and they will live in our hearts forever. Congratulations to Jenny, to Alana, and to the other 21 members of the U.S. women's ice hockey team as well as your wonderful coaches, managers, trainers, and other officials. You have made America proud.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a true pioneer in broadcasting and television journalism. These are very sad days in Minnesota, as a true legend has passed from our midst. No one who has called Minnesota home for the past half century will ever forget Dave Moore of WCCO Television in Minneapolis, who died on Wednesday, January 28, 1998. Dave Moore was much, much more than a television news anchor. His standard-setting ethics, keen wit, astute observations, lyrical prose, sheer longevity, inspiring work ethic and unique, curmudgeonly demeanor helped to define Minnesota for all of us who absolutely had to be home for the 6 and 10 p.m. news. His background in theater gave him a special talent few of today's journalists possess: the ability to touch viewers by conveying his feelings. Mr. Speaker, Dave was a humble man, full of self-effacing humor, never one to overrate his importance in our lives. ``I am a very lucky guy . . . I have one marketable talent,'' he once said, ``reading out loud.'' For 47 wonderful years on Channel 4, WCCO-TV, Dave gave us the news. On newscasts from 1957 until 1991, he was there every day. Late on Saturday nights, you were absolutely un-Minnesotan if you weren't home for Moore's late-night ``The Bedtime Nooz,'' a show full of cutting-edge humor that poked fun at current events and politicians. An outsider trying to gauge Dave Moore's significance to Minnesotans needed only look at the front pages of newspapers last week. The tributes to Dave Moore have been poignant and powerful: grown people searching and yanking deep to pull up childhood memories--and producing tears mixed with laughter in our newspapers and on broadcasts across the dial. Mr. Speaker, if you went back to just about any day--from television news' infancy in the 1950s to its slick, digitalized, distant relative here in the 1990s--you would find Moore dominating conversations, too. You would hear at lunch counters the ubiquitous query: ``Did you hear what Dave said last night on the news?'' The Star Tribune wrote that, with Moore, it was ``not a question of credibility, or expertise, or looks--certainly not looks. It's simply that Moore had a presence that inspired calm, trust and good will.'' The Pioneer Press said Dave Moore ``was a kind of Midwestern comfort food--the meatloaf and mashed potatoes of broadcast . . . the heart behind the headlines.'' Dave Moore was anything but slick, and that's why we loved him so much. He was trust personified, substance over style. His credibility was beyond reproach. But if you saw him at one of his favorite places out in public--a play, baseball game, movie--he was easily approachable. His diverse and widespread charitable efforts were inspiring. A truly fitting favorite was reading the newspaper to the blind. This week, a Vietnam veteran called a radio station to pay his tribute to Dave Moore. This vet said when he returned from the war, he had totally lost his sense of humor. He said he only started to laugh again when he tuned into Dave Moore. Mr. Speaker, Dave Moore was much, much more than just your everyday anchorman. He was the man we welcomed into our homes every day and filled it with important facts, wit, perspective and the simple joys of being from Minnesota. Dave Moore gave us great and priceless gifts. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Shirley and their wonderful family. Minnesota will never forget Dave. As one newspaper put it: ``Journalism won't see his like again.'' And Minnesota won't see a friend like him again, either.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a pioneering giant in radio who retired recently. Roger Erickson is a radio legend in Minnesota. Roger has been entertaining and informing the vast listening audience of WCCO Radio in Minnesota for 38 years. Radio dials all across Minnesota--on farms, in small towns, on mainstreet, throughout the suburbs and downtown--are stuck with chicken grease on WCCO because of the long-running, immense, talents of Roger Erickson and his longtime partner Charlie Boone. It has been reported that this dynamic radio twosome may be the longest-running team in the history of U.S. broadcasting. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to call Roger Erickson my friend and constituent. Nobody has done more to cheer Minnesotans the past 38 years than Roger. Roger Erickson grew up on a farm in Winthrop, Minnesota, listening to the radio station he would later dominate after graduating from my alma mater, the University of Minnesota. Roger, our hat's off to thee! Roger Erickson and his partner Charlie Boone are as well known as any Minnesotan. In all their years together, Erickson and Boone have never had a fight, which, as they quickly note, is a better record than most marriages. I was fortunate to be present on January 9, 1998, when an amazing collection of Minnesotans joined Roger and his longtime partner for their final broadcast together. It was quite a scene, as former governors, leaders in medicine, industry and sports all gathered to pay tribute to these broadcasting giants, these pioneering ``Paul Bunyans of the air.'' Minnesota has spawned many heroes, from Charles Lindbergh to Hubert Humphrey. But no one has had a bigger impact and shaped life in Minnesota more than Roger Erickson, with his partner Charlie Boone. Roger Erickson signing off the air is a truly landmark event. Minnesotans of all stripes saluted him for his public service in a swell of emotion and gratitude. Little wonder. This is an end of an era, and Roger will be sorely missed in our lives. When the snow flies in Minnesota, our ears are quickly tuned to Roger. He's the guy who closes our schools, and he does it with relish. WCCO is known as the Good Neighbor, and Roger Erickson has been a good neighbor to every Minnesotan, a friend to turn to when life got rough or important news was in the air. When we needed a laugh, Roger made our sides split with his Scandinavian humor, a Minnesota Hospital full of eccentrics suffering from not-so-serious ills, and his role as the foil to Boone's Senator, whose public policy pronouncements sometimes made more sense than many would care to admit. Mr. Speaker, as Roger said: ``It's been a great run. How lucky can you be?'' Roger, it's been us, your loyal listeners, who have been the lucky ones. Thank you for all you have done to make our lives fuller, to make uniquely Minnesota moments more memorable. We wish the very best to Roger, his wife Margaret, and their family. In the years ahead, when our sunrises are no longer greeted in concert with Roger Erickson singing the famous ``Good Morning'' song, we will be comforted knowing Roger is on his 20 acres in Minnesota, enjoying the quality of life he helped plant for all Minnesotans.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the greatest players in the history of the National Football League. Paul Krause of Lakeville, Minnesota, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Mr. Speaker, this great honor is a truly fitting tribute to an athlete who revolutionized the position of safety in the NFL over 16 seasons, four with the Redskins right here in Washington and the last 12 with out Minnesota Vikings, before he retired after the 1982 season. Former Vikings Coach and Minnesota Legend Bud Grant--a Hall of Famer himself--put it best when he wrote in Paul's nominating letter: ``He had the athletic ability plus the instincts to be the best free safety I have ever coached or watched play in the NFL.'' Vikings fans everywhere across this great nation--and that includes the distinguished Majority Leader!--are overjoyed and extremely proud about this most well-deserved honor for the greatest free safety in NFL history. Paul Krause's 81 interceptions over 16 NFL seasons remain the standard of excellence for defensive backs and a number which appears as unreachable as Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak and Babe Ruth's 60 homers in 154 games. The famous sports question, ``Who is Wally Pipp?'' pales in comparison to ``Who was Marlin McKeever?'' The answer, of course, is McKeever was the player traded to the Redskins in 1968 for Krause. Our Nation's Capital had to wait until 1973 to get to the Super Bowl. The Vikings made it just two years following Krause's arrival in Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Iowa and then Vikings Assistant Coach Jerry Burns--who was familiar with Krause from coaching him at the University of Iowa--for the blessing of having Paul Krause in the defensive backfield for all those years in Minnesota. People who rise to the top of their professions like Paul Krause often accomplish remarkable things after they leave the playing field. Mr. Speaker, Paul is a real leader in his community. He was elected to the Dakota County Board, one of the Twin Cities-area's biggest counties. But over the last two years, he has accomplished much, much more in the biggest struggle of his life. Two years ago, his wife Pam suffered a serious brain injury in a car accident that nearly claimed her life. The injury put her in a deep coma. Mr. Speaker, thanks to Paul's relentless efforts, Pam's courage and their amazing commitment to each other, Pam is making miracles happen every day. In fact, Pam accompanied her husband, who does extensive charity work, to San Diego to participate in the annual ``Taste of the NFL'' event, which is held in the Super Bowl city each year to raise much- needed money for various causes. Paul Krause has been eligible for election to the Hall of Fame since 1987. This good thing was a long time coming. Pam was there when the Hall of Fame voting announcement was made public. ``That was a pretty good phone call,'' Paul said in recounting the good news on Saturday. ``It's been a very, very difficult two years for us as a family. This year, Pam came to the Super Bowl with me and said, `This is the year.' It's very important to them. I wanted to make it for them.'' Mr. Speaker, all Minnesotans are extremely proud of Paul Krause. We wish Paul and Pam and their family the very best in the years to come.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Conference Report on comprehensive legislation to reform the Food and Drug Administration [FDA]. And I thank Chairman Bliley and the others who worked so hard to bring this important Conference Report to the floor for passage before Congress adjourns for the year. Reforming the FDA's approval process has been a major goal of mine since I first came to Congress in 1991. In fact, in an effort to educate House members about the need for reform for medical devices, Representative Tim Valentine and I founded the bipartisan House Medical Technology Caucus, which I now chair with Representative Anna Eshoo. As we all know, it now takes 15 years and $350 million to get the average new drug from the laboratory to the patient. The average time for the FDA to approve a medical device has increased from 415 days in 1990 to 773 in 1995--even though the FDA is currently required by law to take no longer than 180 days to approve new devices. This is precisely why I became an original cosponsor of the medical device section of this reform package. The medical device provisions will save lives, improve health and create jobs in the United States by getting medical devices to market faster. I also strongly support the sections in the bill to reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act [PDUFA] and reform the approval process for pharmaceuticals and animal drugs. Mr. Speaker, these reforms passed today will force the FDA to get its act together so life-saving devices and drugs will get to people who need them as expeditiously and safely as possible. The health care consumers, medical device and pharmaceutical companies of America deserve nothing less!

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, the Minnesota State University Student Association [MSUSA] was formed in 1967 as a informal coalition of student leaders representing their peers at the State universities in Minnesota--Bemidji, Mankato, Metropolitan (Twin Cities), Moorhead, St. Cloud, Southwest (Marshall) and Winona. A branch campus in Akita, Japan, opened in 1990. Today, the association has evolved into an independent nonprofit corporation, funded and operated by students, and serving more than 60,000 students. Over the last 30 years, MSUSA has encouraged students to become active participants in the decisions that affect them, working on behalf of many important causes. State university students have worked to establish child care facilities and stabilize State tuition. They have advocated increased work-study wages, simplified student transfers between State universities, improved cultural diversity and made great strides toward fairer State and Federal financial aid programs, including those in the most recent Higher Education Act reauthorization. I am particularly grateful for the input and support MSUSA gave me with my legislation to provide greater protection for sexual assault victims on campus. This legislation was included in the 1992 Higher Education Act reauthorization, and it is now the law of the land. Many admirable and worthwhile programs are sponsored by this student association. MSUSA's various legislative liaisons have given students the opportunity to voice their concerns at critical points in the decisionmaking process. The Monitor, the association's newspaper, has the largest circulation of any State system newspaper. The MSUSA Penny Fellowship was founded in 1987 to encourage State university students to perform volunteer public and community service internships. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the current leadership of MSUSA: Francis Klinkner, State chair from Mankato State University, Garret Melby Aanerud, vice chair from Moorhead State University; Heidi deRuyter, treasurer and operations officer from Moorhead State University; and Frank X. Viggiano, executive director. I extend my heartfeld congratulations and wish them continued success on this important anniversary.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this important legislation to provide a sweeping overhaul of the IRS, I appreciated the opportunity to work in a bipartisan, pragmatic and collaborative way with the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Portman], the gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel], the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cardin], the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer] and other members of the Committee on Ways and Means. We promised, Mr. Speaker, tax relief for the American people, and we delivered. We also promised a major overhaul of the IRS, and today we must deliver again. Mr. Speaker, this first comprehensive reform of the Internal Revenue Service in over 45 years is long overdue. I have heard from countless constituents about IRS abuses like most of my colleagues have about unfair and selective audits, arbitrary rulings, communications couched in gobbledygook and legalese. Mr. Speaker, these kinds of abuses of the American taxpayers must stop now. We must never forget we work for the taxpayers of the United States of America, and this legislation will make a big difference to the taxpayers of this country. It is high time we change the IRS from an adversarial organization to a consumer-friendly, service-oriented organization. Let us pass this important bipartisan IRS reform bill today. Let us pass these 28 new rights for taxpayers. Let us overhaul the management of the IRS and hold the IRS accountable. Let us shift the burden of proof, as the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] has so eloquently called for for 10 years. Let us shift the burden of proof in tax cases from the taxpayer to the Government. Mr. Speaker, the taxpayers of America deserve nothing less.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, and my time is very short, I will be the first to go after and to join my colleagues in going after any of those violators, but let us not kill Legal Services because of 6 to 10 violations.

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.