Jim Ramstad

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a legendary Minnesota institution, WCCO Radio, which is celebrating its 80th Anniversary. WCCO officially went on the air on October 2, 1924, broadcasting from a tower in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, now in the Third Congressional District. WCCO was the largest radio station west of the Mississippi. Named for the Washburn Crosby Company, WCCO was the second radio station (and first for-profit commercial broadcaster) in the Nation. Mr. Speaker, WCCO has been a ``Good Neighbor'' to all Minnesotans and the entire Upper Midwest, and this historic milestone is truly deserving of special recognition. For eight decades, Minnesotans have tuned to 830 on the dial to keep up on the news, sports, school closings, blizzards, heat waves, tornadoes, floods, election results, community celebrations, farm prices, health tips, market updates and world events. WCCO gives us what we need, when we need it. WCCO has always nurtured our better instincts, raising money and volunteers to help countless charities, veterans groups, churches, synagogues, civic efforts, storm cleanups and people in need. WCCO has always embodied public service of the highest order! Mr. Speaker, WCCO has been Minnesota's bulletin board for generations. Our grandparents and parents and children have counted on WCCO to deliver us what we need to know. And the family of WCCO employees who have provided this tremendous public service need to know how much we appreciate their hard work through the years. The voices heard on WCCO Radio over the years are legendary to all Minnesotans, good neighbors to us all. They have been like members of the family: Cedric Adams, Halsey Hall, Bob De Haven, Joyce Lamont, Howard Viken, Dick Chapman, Jim Bormann, Ron Handberg, Clayton Kaufman, Ray Christensen, Steve Cannon, Charley Boone, Roger Erickson, Jergen Nash, Sid Hartman, Randy Merriman, Paul Giel, Maynard Speece, Chuck Lilligren, Roger Strom, Dave Lee, Eric Eskola, Mike Lynch, Sue Zelickson, Ruth Koscielak, Bruce Hagevik, Rich Holter, Telly Mamayek, Jeff McKinney, Steve Enck, Adam Carter, Angela Babb, Rita Maloney, Russ Knuth, Steve Murphy, Susie Jones, Tim Russell, Denny Long, Bill Diehl, Pat Miles, Dave Mona, Dark Star, Don Shelby, John Gordon, Patty Peterson, Mike Max, Al Malmberg, Kim Jeffries, Dan Gladden, Dan Terhaar and so many others. What friends they have been to all Minnesotans, as we have truly been blessed with their enduring talents and commitment to excellence in broadcasting. WCCO's tradition of excellence and service to the community have been truly remarkable. From recognizing public service with its ``Good Neighbor Award'' to offering accurate, comprehensive news and information, WCCO Radio has achieved an unparalleled level of trust with its loyal listening audience. WCCO truly connects with its listeners in a special, personal way. Mr. Speaker, the trust that exists between WCCO and its listeners is all the more outstanding because of the large geographical area WCCO serves. As one of the 12 original ``clear channel'' stations, WCCO is the only operator allowed on the 830AM setting. With its powerful transmitters, WCCO Radio can be heard not only in Minnesota, but in Wisconsin, Iowa, the Dakotas and far beyond. Mr. Speaker, the people of WCCO Radio have been the consummate ``Good Neighbors'' for 80 years, and we salute them for their legendary public service. Happy 80th birthday, WCCO Radio!

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Tax Simplification for Americans Act. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Tax Simplification for Americans Act. As American taxpayers know too well, the tax code is incredibly complex and compliance is all to expensive. Americans spend 3 billion hours per year filling out tax forms and keeping tax records. The cost of complying with the code is a whopping $85 billion per year. That's 3 billion hours and $85 billion that could be put to much productive uses in America. This bill will offer taxpayers some meaningful relief from complexity. about 1.6 million people will be able to fill out simpler tax forms--1040A and 1040EZ--rather than filling out the 1040 form with all its schedules, which takes about 28.5 hours to complete. The bill would also end the confusing use of definitions regarding a taxpayer's age. It also clarifies the ``head of household'' definition, which will help taxpayers prevent errors in filing status. In addition, the bill gets rid of a number of outdated and unnecessary provisions in the tax code. Mr. Speaker, we have a lot of work to do in the area of simplification, but this bill is an excellent start. It will mean real help to real people. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to proudly pay tribute to Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Police Chief Wade Setter, who has been named ``2004 D.A.R.E. Law Enforcement Executive of the Year.'' Nobody is more deserving of this prestigious award than Chief Setter. Nobody has done more to keep kids off drugs, which is what D.A.R.E.-- Drug Abuse Resistance Education--is all about. Chief Setter has been a very special friend of D.A.R.E., and he has done so much to keep our young people on course and away from the destructive influence of drugs. His strong, effective leadership in promoting drug abuse prevention and education initiatives has truly been exemplary. Chief Setter has been with the Brooklyn Park Police Department his entire professional career. He started as an officer in 1979 and has been Chief since 1996. During his career, Wade has served as a patrol officer, investigator, sergeant, director of investigations and commander of the Hennepin-Anoka Suburban Drug Task Force. Chief Wade Setter's commitment to serving his community, to children and to prevention education has been inspiring. Chief Setter has served as President of the Hennepin County Chiefs of Police Association and was awarded the 2002 Community Leadership Award by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. In addition, Chief Setter has been a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police since 1996. He is also a member and past president of the Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. Mr. Speaker, Chief Setter is a board member of Minnesota D.A.R.E., and he has served on the National Law Enforcement Advisory Committee of D.A.R.E. America since 1999. Chief Setter has been a member of the Advisory Board of Minnesota D.A.R.E. since 2000, and a member of my Law Enforcement Advisory Committee since 1996. Chief Setter is a tireless advocate for the D.A.R.E. program in Brooklyn Park and throughout Minnesota. Since D.A.R.E. began in our state, Chief Setter has encouraged countless officers to participate in the program. Chief Setter truly represents the best in public service! Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all the people of Minnesota and our nation, I want to thank Chief Wade Setter for his steadfast vigilance to keep kids off drugs and teach them to make smart choices. Clearly, Chief Wade Setter was the smart choice for ``2004 D.A.R.E. Law Enforcement Executive of the Year''! Mr. Speaker, we salute Chief Wade Setter for his outstanding public service and congratulate him on this important national honor.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor and strong supporter of this important legislation. Today's passage of the Customs Border Security and Trade Agencies Authorization Act is absolutely vital because it authorizes funding for four agencies that play critical roles in formulating and implementing American trade policy: The U.S. Trade Representative, the International Trade Commission, and the newly formed agencies of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I want to especially thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Crane) of our Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade for including a provision I offered in the bill to allow, but not mandate, customs officials to work overtime if smaller air carriers arrive at an airport after normal customs hours. This legislation is necessary because charter air carriers often use smaller feeder airports, providing needed relief to air traffic at larger international airports; and, unfortunately, this means that chartered carriers are often unfairly restricted in the hours in which they can land, as smaller airports do not have extended hours for customs officials like larger international airports. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4418 will change current law by allowing customs officials to work overtime, with the overtime costs paid for by the arriving carrier. This is good policy for the carrier, as they have more flexibility in their flight schedules. It is good policy for the taxpayer, as there is no additional cost to them. And it is good policy for customs employees, as they have the option to work overtime if they so desire. Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, international trade is absolutely critical to our economy; and we must do all we can to open foreign markets and increase the efficiency of our ports. No issues are more important to the American people today than homeland security and economic security, and I am pleased this legislation helps improve both by securing our borders and improving the flow of goods across our borders. I urge my colleagues to continue to support H.R. 4418, and I want to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on the Committee on Ways and Means for their unanimous vote to approve this important legislation. And I hope that spirit of bipartisan pragmatism continues here in the House vote today.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the University of Minnesota women's hockey team, which has added new and indisputable evidence to boost Minnesota's reputation as the State of Hockey. The Golden Gophers women's hockey team won the NCAA championship in March, beating Harvard 6-2 in the NCAA Frozen Four in Providence, RI. Mr. Speaker, Minnesota is truly the State of Hockey, and the members of the University of Minnesota women's hockey team are true national champions. This was the Gophers' first NCAA championship but its second national title in 5 years, as the Gophers won the AWCHA title in 2000 before the NCAA started holding a tournament. Mr. Speaker, I salute Coach Laura Halldorson, her staff and her great team--including all-tournament players Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, Jody Horak, Allie Sanchez, and Kelly Stephens--on their national championship and the impressive way the Golden Gophers handled themselves on and off the ice. Krissy Wendell, of Brooklyn Park in the Third Congressional District, led the Gophers to a 30-4-2 record in this remarkable championship season. She had a goal and 3 assists in the championship game and 8 points during the Frozen Four. Krissy Wendell was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, and the people of our area are very proud of her and her teammates. The greatness of the University of Minnesota's 2003-2004 Golden Gopher women's hockey team is now a part of NCAA women's athletics history. Mr. Speaker, that greatness was recognized at the White House on May 19 when the Golden Gophers women's hockey team was honored by President Bush. As the President said that day: ``I was pleased to know the University of Minnesota women's hockey team's slogan this year was `Get it done, and meet George.' It's my pleasure to meet you.'' Mr. Speaker, It is my pleasure to extend heartfelt congratulations to our national champions, the University of Minnesota women's hockey team. Congratulations on your great accomplishment, and many thanks for making the State of Hockey proud.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, I rise to proudly pay tribute to the greatest President of the 20th century, Ronald Wilson Reagan, whose suffering has ended and heavenly life begun. My fellow Minnesotans join me in mourning the loss of America's 40th President and celebrating the life of a man who personified both the greatness and goodness of America. All Americans and freedom-loving people around the world owe President Reagan our deepest gratitude for his strong, principled leadership that ended the Cold War and brought freedom to millions of people. As we celebrate President Reagan's remarkable career and historic legacy, we also celebrate a man of strong character, deep conviction, unforgettable charm, and wonderful wit. No Minnesotan will ever forget President Reagan braving the below-zero windchill to ride in a convertible in St. Paul's Winter Carnival Parade and proclaim, ``I thought my ears would fall off.'' It was that cold. Madam Speaker, as America honors our beloved 40th President, we also thank God for a leader who restored pride and made the American people believe in themselves again. Always the eternal optimist, President Reagan instilled confidence and optimism at a time both were in short supply in our country. Thanks to President Reagan's strong leadership and undying belief in free-market capitalism, the great entrepreneurial spirit of the American people was unleashed, and prosperity was restored here at home. Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family on their great loss. Mrs. Reagan has showed the whole world the true meaning of love and loyalty these past 10 very painful years as her beloved husband suffered from cruel Alzheimer's disease, the same deadly, debilitating disease that took the life of my own mother just months ago. So today, Madam Speaker, as we celebrate the life and legacy of Ronald Reagan, let us honor this great President by keeping his legacy alive, a legacy of love for his faith, family, friends, and country; a legacy of freedom, liberty, and opportunity for all people; a legacy of public service deeply rooted in faith, principle, character, and conviction. And let us always remember President Reagan's warm, infectious, kind smile that lit up every audience, inspired us and gave us hope, just as we remember our ``rendezvous with destiny.'' Rest in peace, Mr. President, in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time, and I rise as a strong supporter and cosponsor of this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, it only makes common sense to allow workers to carry forward unspent funds in their flexible spending accounts to the following year or to allow workers to roll the funds into a new health savings account. This change is really long overdue. Flexible spending accounts are an important vehicle to help workers and their families save pretax dollars for medical expenses. Because of the tax savings, families can actually save up to 30 percent of the cost of out-of-pocket health care expenses by setting aside a portion of their income in a flexible spending account. American families, families back home in Minnesota, know only too well that out-of-pocket expenses for health care have been rising at an astonishing rate. In fact, the cost for the average worker and their family has spiked over 100 percent since 1998, with no end in sight. In spite of the skyrocketing health care costs and the significant tax savings associated with the FSAs, relatively few workers choose to take advantage of this vehicle to save for health care costs. The reason for that is simple: This stupid, arcane, absurd use-it-or-lose- it rule. This rule, this use-it-or-lose-it rule, makes absolutely no sense at all. As absurd as it is, Mr. Speaker, workers are required to forfeit all unspent funds remaining in their FSA accounts at the end of the plan year. This use-it-or-lose-it rule is totally counterproductive, and it is a huge gamble to families, especially low- and middle-income families who can least afford to guess wrong and lose the unspent funds. So what is happening is rather than facing that loss, many families with these FSAs rush to spend money at the end of the year, as my colleague previously expressed, often on high-cost medical items. How can we tolerate such a bizarre rule that actually discourages prudent spending on health care? It is time to end the use-it-or-lose-it rule. Mr. Speaker, Ceridian Corporation, which is the leading administrator of FSAs for employers and is based in my district in Bloomington, Minnesota, estimates that while some 25 million, listen to this, 25 million American workers and their families are eligible to participate in health care FSAs, fewer than 20 percent actually choose to participate. It is obvious why. People do not want to take this gamble, and they are not impressed; in fact, they are discouraged by the use- it-or-lose-it rule. This bill, which I applaud the gentleman from Louisiana (Chairman McCrery) for bringing to the floor today, is very similar to legislation I introduced over 3 years ago, and thanks to the leadership of the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. McCrery), it is finally here today. So it is high time, Mr. Speaker, that we address this important, unfinished business. It is time to help millions of workers and their families better afford rising medical costs. It is also time to prevent the wasteful end-of-year spending the use-it-or-lose-it rule now promotes. I urge my colleagues to support this sensible and balanced reform. We have got to pass this legislation here today, and encourage the other body to follow suit. Again, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Chairman McCrery).

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the important and essential role that oncology nurses play in providing quality cancer care. These nurses are principally involved in the administration and monitoring of chemotherapy and the associated side- effects patients experience. As anyone ever treated for cancer will tell you, oncology nurses are intelligent, well-trained, highly skilled, kind-hearted angels who provide quality clinical, psychosocial and supportive care to patients and their families. In short, they are integral to our nation's cancer care delivery system. Cancer is a complex, multifaceted and chronic disease, and people with cancer are best served by a multidisciplinary health care team specialized in oncology care, including nurses who are certified in that specialty. This year alone, 1.3 million Americans will hear the words, ``You have cancer.'' In addition, 556,000 will lose their battle with this terrible disease. Every day, oncology nurses see the pain and suffering caused by cancer and understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that people with cancer face throughout their diagnosis and treatment. Oncology nurses play a central role in the provision of quality cancer care as they are principally involved in the administration and monitoring of chemotherapy and the associated side-effects patients may experience. Today, more than two-thirds of cancer cases strike people over the age of 65, and the number of cancer cases diagnosed among senior citizens is projected to double by 2030. At the same time, many of the community-based cancer centers are facing significant barriers in hiring the specialized oncology nurses they need to treat cancer patients. It is estimated that there will be a shortage of 1.1 million nurses in the year 2015. The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is the largest organization of oncology health professionals in the world, with more than 30,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals. Since 1975, the Oncology Nursing Society has been dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching, research, administration and education in the field of oncology. The Society's mission is to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care. To that end, ONS honors and maintains nursing's historical and essential commitment to advocacy for the public good by providing nurses and healthcare professionals with access to the highest quality educational programs, cancer-care resources, research opportunities and networks for peer support. On behalf of the people with cancer and their families in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District, I would like to acknowledge Eva Gallagher for her leadership within the Oncology Nursing Society as a member of the ONS Board of Directors. Through Eva's and ONS' leadership, our nation is charting a course that will help us win the war on cancer. The ONS has 4 chapters in my home state of Minnesota. Located in the Bloomington, Esko, Hayfield and Milan areas, these chapters serve the oncology nurses in the state and help them continue to provide high quality cancer care to patients and their families in our state. I commend the Oncology Nursing Society for all of its efforts and leadership over the last 29 years and thank the Society and its members for their ongoing commitment to improving and assuring access to quality cancer care for all cancer patients and their families. I urge my colleagues to support them in their important endeavors.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. I thank my friend from New Hampshire for yielding. Mr. Speaker, last year, the U.S. military began employing its first rest and recuperation program, known as R&R, since the Vietnam War. Soldiers who have served 12 straight months in a combat zone qualify for R&R. Sadly, however, we all remember the televised interviews of combat- weary American soldiers back from Iraq on R&R and stranded at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, unable to afford a plane ticket home. Sad but true, Mr. Speaker, too many of our brave and battle-fatigued soldiers were unable to get to their hometowns to see their loved ones because same-day airfare was too expensive for many of our troops to afford. That is why last fall I introduced an amendment with my friend, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore), to make money available to cover troops' travel costs to their hometowns. With the support of the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), chairman of the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, our amendment was passed and the Pentagon began paying our troops' airfare all the way home. Unfortunately, though, Mr. Speaker, the Pentagon did not implement this program retroactively, which means the first wave of troops who came back from Iraq for R&R and who managed to scrape up the cash for airfare home are still to this day stuck with the tab to see their families. So, today, Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2057, which will cover retroactively the domestic travel costs our brave troops incurred while on R&R leave. Mr. Speaker, the Ramstad-Moore amendment put the House on record that the Federal Government should cover all travel and transportation costs necessary to return our brave troops home. That is why passage of this bill is so important. Now Congress must finish the job it began last fall, to make sure none of our troops fall between the cracks and are forced to pay their own transportation costs to get home. Let us show today that we support our troops. Let us cover the costs that enabled our troops to return home for R&R, briefly reuniting wives and husbands, parents and children and other loved ones. I urge all my colleagues to support this important bill. I want to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Hunter) of the Committee on Armed Services and the gentleman from New Hampshire (Chairman Bradley) for their support of this legislation, as well the gentleman from California (Chairman Lewis) of the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, for their continued support of covering troop travel costs, and also want to thank the majority leader for allowing this legislation to come to the floor.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act. This is truly a historic day. After years of hard work, Congress is finally on the verge of delivering on our commitment to America's seniors. The bill before us will honor our promise to create a meaningful and long overdue prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries. This legislation means seniors will no longer have to choose between purchasing life-saving drugs or the basic necessities of food and housing. In addition to this important new prescription drug benefit, the bill modernizes and improves Medicare to give seniors better choices and greater access to state-of-the-art health care. I am grateful for the many important provisions in this package from the bill I sponsored, the Medicare Innovation Responsiveness Act (H.R. 941), which will increase seniors' access to lifesaving medical technology. These provisions provide long needed reforms that will bring the Medicare program into the 21st Century. As founded and co-chair of the Medical Technology Caucus, I have witnessed first-hand the remarkable advances that lifesaving and life- enhancing medical technology has made to treat and cure debilitating conditions. The current Medicare system is antiquated because of its failure to incorporate modern day advances in technology. Currently, seniors face unconscionable delays of up to 5 years before Medicare grants access to new technology. This delay can literally be a matter of life or death for many seniors. The legislation before us incorporates many of the reforms I proposed that will vastly improve medicare's coverage, coding and payment process. These reforms will remove barriers to FDA-approved, lifesaving technology for millions of seniors. The result will not only improve lives, but in many cases save lives as well. Thanks to this legislation, we are finally eliminating the barriers that discourage innovation and deny America's seniors the medical technologies they desperately need. Seniors have waited too long for access to the same treatment options that other Americans routinely enjoy. I am also pleased the bill includes legislation I introduced with Mr. Cardin to break down regulatory barriers facing specialized Medicare+Choice plans that serve the frail elderly. I also worked diligently to ensure that seniors suffering from serious mental illness will have the necessary access, under the new drug benefit, to the psychotropic medication they desperately need. I am pleased that this legislation addresses this critical need. Mr. Speaker, this package of reforms will improve the lives of today's seniors and seniors for generations to come. I urge my colleagues to support this landmark legislation and deliver on our promise to preserve, protect and strengthen Medicare.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of H.R. 1813, the Torture Victims Relief Authorization Act. I am especially proud that the first Center for Victims of Torture in the United States is located in Minnesota. Minnesota's Center for Victims of Torture is certainly one of the premier centers for torture survivors in the entire world. Minnesota is home to about 14,000 victims of torture, and there are some 400,000 victims of torture in our country. Even though people are becoming increasingly aware of the issue of torture, support and treatment for the victims have often been lacking. That's where the center, with its excellent leadership, comes in. We in Minnesota have learned much, and now we want to bring that leadership, and the path-breaking work of the center, to the rest of the country. Mr. Speaker, this important legislation provides support for Minnesota's Center for Victims of Torture and will enable our world- renowned Center to continue providing rehabilitation and other critical services to victims of torture. All Minnesotans can be proud of our Center for Victims of Torture, which helps victims of torture recover from their horrific pain, suffering and scars. Mr. Speaker, the issues of torture and human rights have finally penetrated the global consciousness, and I urge my colleagues to support passage of this important legislation.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the ``Affordable Housing Preservation Tax Relief Act,'' legislation to maintain and increase the stock of affordable housing in this country. I am delighted to be joined in this effort by my friend and colleague from Maryland, Mr. Cardin. In 1999, Congress recognized the need to look at this issue by establishing the bipartisan Millennial Housing Commission (MHC). That Commission was charged with taking a thorough look at what the government was doing to fill the huge unmet gap for affordable housing. The MHC released their report in May of 2000. The report stated, ``In 1999 one in four--almost 28 million--American households reported spending more on housing than the Federal Government considers affordable and appropriate (more than 30 percent of income).'' The MHC report also contained a list of 13 recommendations for making housing more affordable. One of those recommendations was for Congress to provide a ``new tool'' to encourage the transfer of affordable housing to entities that agree to maintain these properties and keep them affordable. They recommended doing so by forgiving the depreciated recapture tax for owners who sell their properties to purchasers who agree to maintain them for a 30-year period and to keep them affordable. The MHC recommendation would still hold owners responsible for any capital gains taxes due above and beyond the depreciated amount. The lack of affordable housing is something I hear about and see all across my congressional district and my State. Indeed recent data shows that approximately 35 percent of renters in Minnesota pay over 30 percent of their income on housing and 15 percent of renters pay over 50 percent of their income on their housing. The legislation we are introducing today tracks closely with the recommendation made by the MHC. I believe enactment of this legislation would be an important step toward maintaining and increasing affordable housing in this country, and I urge my colleagues to join me as a cosponsor of this legislation.

Mr. RAMSTAD

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

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill to provide travel and transportation costs for our brave troops to return home during R&R breaks. I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore), for his work on this important legislation. I would also like to thank the chairman and ranking member for their tireless work on the underlying legislation, which is so critical to our mission in Iraq. Mr. Chairman, our military recently began employing its first Rest and Recuperation program during the Vietnam War. This means that soldiers who have served 12 straight months in Iraq qualify for R&R, and some 700 troops per day are currently returning to the United States to see their families. Unfortunately, once the troops reach our shores, they are too often stranded at the airport. That is because the airports to which they are flown are nowhere near their homes or families, and same-day airline fares are far too expensive for most of our troops to afford. Being stranded at the Baltimore Washington Airport will not provide much rest or relaxation to those who are making such great sacrifices to defend our freedom. Anyone, Mr. Chairman, who has served in the military knows how important it is to get home, especially those serving in combat. The Ramstad-Moore amendment simply shifts $98 million in funds from the Iraq Freedom Fund to the Army's personnel account. Mr. Chairman, an amendment stating Congress' intent to expand the R&R program to cover domestic travel costs was agreed to by unanimous consent during the other body's consideration of the Iraq supplemental. This amendment today would provide the funding necessary to pay for these costs and would put this body on record in support of this important initiative for our brave troops. The Federal Government should clearly cover all travel and transportation costs necessary to return our brave troops to their homes, briefly reuniting wives and husbands, parents and children, friends and loved ones. Getting our brave troops home for rest and recuperation is the very least we can do to show our troops and their families that we appreciate their service and their great sacrifice, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume to thank the distinguished chairman for accepting this important amendment to show our troops that we truly do appreciate their important service to our country and their great sacrifice. Mr. Chairman, how much time remains?

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore).

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I believe the Members of the body are very familiar with the issues at stake in this motion to instruct conferees, for I believe this is the 13th time now that this body has debated the motion. Let me say at the outset, Members on both sides of the aisle want to provide for immediate increased refundability of the child credit. That is exactly what the bill that passed the House would provide to many low-income families. But let me remind my colleagues of the families who would be disadvantaged by this motion to instruct conferees and this goes really to the heart of this debate, Mr. Speaker. Under the motion brought by my friend from Alabama, the same low- income families who would benefit from the increased refundability of the child credit would see their credit actually drop in the year 2005, after the elections. By contrast, the House-passed bill would ensure that the child credit remains at $1,000 per child through the year 2010. Will low-income families need this crucial tax relief any less in the year 2005? Of course not. Under the motion brought by my friend from Alabama, the marriage penalty in the child credit would be eliminated only in the year 2010. By contrast, the House-passed bill immediately eliminates the marriage penalty, which is unfair and unconscionable and discriminates against people who are married, taxpayers who are married, and denies millions of children the full benefit of the child credit simply because their parents are married. Why should a married couple anywhere, let us say a teacher and a firefighter, be denied this crucial tax relief for their children? Under the motion also brought by my friend from Alabama, families would actually receive less tax relief, those families in the military. Let me repeat that. Military families would actually receive less tax relief under the motion brought by my friend from Alabama. Under the House-passed bill, the child credit is not denied to military families. Military families, including those serving so bravely abroad, are already receiving a refundable child credit and will continue to receive this credit under the House-passed bill. This motion to instruct would only increase the refundable child credit for some military families by allowing them to take into account tax-free income when they compute their refundable credit. At the same time, the motion to instruct would deny over $800 million in tax relief to military families. That is a lot of money and that is real money to those troops serving us so bravely and so well. The House bill contains the military tax relief that has passed this body a number of times. By contrast, the bill passed by the other body, which this motion to instruct would have us adopt, does not contain this essential tax relief for the brave men and women defending our country. Mr. Speaker, let me remind my colleagues of the military tax relief that is missing, that is absent from the other body's bill. Our House- passed tax relief bill ensures that members of the Armed Forces and Foreign Service are not denied the very important capital gains exclusion on home sales if they cannot meet the 5-year residency test because they are transferred away from home on official extended duty, which happens obviously frequently to members of both the Armed Forces and the Foreign Service. Our bill ensures that the full $6,000 death gratuity payment received by survivors of military personnel is tax-free. Only half of the payment is tax-free under current law. Our bill furthermore ensures that payments received by members of the Armed Forces under the home owners assistance program are tax-free. These payments compensate our men and women of the military for a drop in home values resulting from military base closures or realignments. Moreover, our bill extends the combat zone filing rules to individuals serving in contingency operations so they are given more time to file tax returns and meet other deadlines. As I have heard from many military families who have loved ones in combat zones currently, this provision is also very important. Further, Mr. Speaker, our bill modifies the definition of a qualified veterans organization to make it easier for veterans organizations to retain their tax-exempt status. This is very important, as members of the American Legion and VFW and the other veterans organizations have told me repeatedly. Also, Mr. Speaker, our bill clarifies that dependent care assistance provided under a military dependent care assistance program is tax- free. Further, the House-passed bill ensures that families are not hit with that dreaded 10 percent penalty for withdrawals from their Qualified Tuition Plans from Section 529 Plans or the Coverdell Education Savings Account if their children are appointed to military academies. This practice is simply wrong, and we correct that. This is the same treatment given to families whose children receive scholarships. Finally, Mr. Speaker, our House-passed bill provides an above-the- line deduction for up to $1,500, $1,500 of training expenses incurred by members of the National Guard and Reserve who serve more than 100 miles away. I am proud to say, Mr. Speaker, that this provision is based on legislation I sponsored with the help of many others on both sides of the aisle. So let me conclude, Mr. Speaker, by saying this, and this really is the bottom line: The House-passed bill provides more tax relief to more families. The House-passed bill provides more tax relief to more members of our military. I urge my colleagues to defeat this motion. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, I would just remind the body that the motion to instruct brought by my friend from Alabama would deny over $800 million in tax relief to members of the military and their families. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, I would just remind my friend from New Jersey that this is not a joke to many low-income families. Under the motion brought here today, the same low-income families who would benefit from the increased refundability of the child credit would see their credit actually drop in 2005, coincidentally, right after the elections. By contrast the House-passed bill would ensure that the child credit stays at $1,000 per child through the year 2010. I challenge anyone to say that low-income families would need this crucial tax relief any less after 2005. This is not a joke. This is serious business. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to the VA-HUD appropriations bill. The funding level in the bill for veterans' health care is totally inadequate and breaks Congress' promise to America's veterans. As a proud member of the American Legion, I agree with Minnesota Department Commander Michael Neubarth that it is ``blatantly wrong to slash veterans' medical care by $41.8 billion.'' We should not break our promise to veterans to keep pace with hospital inflation and the increase in the number of enrolled veterans. America's 25 million veterans deserve better. It's outrageous that 200,000 veterans have been waiting over 6 months for a basic health care appointment. Congress should honor our Nation's veterans and take care of their medical needs as promised. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2738, the ``U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.'' Last Congress, we passed Trade Promotion Authority to open markets for American products, create jobs and get the best deal possible for our businesses and workers. Our legislative efforts are beginning to pay off with our first two bilateral Free Trade Agreements, with Chile and Singapore. Mr. Speaker, Chile represents a particular benefit because it is the first free trade pact between the U.S. and a South American country, opening important new inroads into the continent. Through the personal mission work I've done in South America, I can tell you firsthand that it's long past time we pay more attention to the economic problems of our South American neighbors. And our initial inroads in Chile, hopefully followed by a Central American Free Trade Agreement will go along way toward achieving our goal of a Free Trade Area of the Americas. Mr. Speaker, Chile has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Over the last two decades, Chile has established a vigorous democracy, a thriving and open economy built on trade and a free-market society. The U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement will help Chile continue its impressive record of growth, development and poverty alleviation. It will help spur progress toward our larger goal of creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas and will send a strong message to the rest of the world that we will work in partnership with those who are committed to free markets. The best part, though, is that reducing trade barriers is not a zero- sum game. Free Trade agreements open markets for American companies, improving the American economy and providing more American jobs! Unfortunately, because we are so behind in international trade agreements, U.S. companies are at a steep competitive disadvantage in Chile because other countries, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union, already have Free Trade Agreements with Chile. The U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement takes away the advantage these countries have and will expand U.S. GDP by approximately $4 billion. Mr. Speaker, it's long past time the U.S. actively engaged our foreign trade partners to negotiate bilateral and multi-lateral trade agreements. Our manufacturers, farmers and businesses depend on our swift action in opening up new markets for their products. The U.S.- Chile Free Trade Agreement represents an excellent start to what I hope will lead to several more bilateral and multilateral Free Trade Agreements in the near future. Mr. Speaker, let's pass this legislation and help put people back to work!

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Chairman, I don't understand why the administration wants to fix a program that's not broken. Head Start is one Federal program that works and gives parents a voice in how to best meet their children's educational needs. I have visited a number of Head Start classrooms, and I have seen firsthand that Head Start is working well for ``at-risk'' preschoolers and their families. I oppose this bill to recast Head Start because it would disrupt Head Start's comprehensive mission of education, health and nutrition. Comprehensive services, along with parental involvement, are the foundation that make Head Start successful. This bill diverts funds from local programs to the States, while relieving States of the responsibility to meet current performance standards. Early childhood experts agree that the proposed changes would be devastating for Head Start and the children and families it serves. The last thing Congress should do is experiment with a successful program. I urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation.

Mr. RAMSTAD

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit into the Record a letter I have received from seven former Secretaries of the Department of Health and Human Services and its predecessor, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The letter, sent to many Members of Congress, and especially to the leadership of both bodies, requests that during our work on Medicare modernization we not forget about the benefits of disease prevention. The letter specifically references a report by Partnership For Prevention, ``A Better Medicare for Healthier Seniors: Recommendations to Modernize Medicare's Prevention Policies,'' which states that Medicare should increase its emphasis on keeping seniors healthy, not just treating them when they become sick, as a roadmap for a modernizing Medicare's prevention practices. The Partnership For Prevention (PFP) is a highly respected non-profit partnership of public and private sector organizations committed to finding solutions to health issues in a non-partisan and rigorously scientific manner. The report and other recommendations can be viewed and downloaded at the PFP Web site, http://www.prevent.org. I encourage my colleagues to read the attached letter, look at the Partnership For Prevention report and consider their recommendations in our further efforts to modernize Medicare. The Former Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Health Education and Welfare June 25, 2003. Hon. Jim Ramstad, U.S. Representative, House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. Dear Mr. Ramstad, as former Secretaries of Health and Human Services (or Health, Education and Welfare), we write to encourage you to include disease prevention in discussions about Medicare modernization. Congress created Medicare In 1965 based on the knowledge of health and medicine at that time. Thus, Medicare came into being as a national insurance system to cover hospitalization and visits to clinicians' offices for diagnoses and treatment. In the nearly four decades since Medicare's creation, considerable research and practice have yielded proven ways to not just diagnose and treat disease, but to prevent it and promote longer, healthier life. Today we know that postponing disability, maintaining social function, and sustaining independence are achievable for seniors through evidence- based health promotion and disease prevention services. It is nearly always preferable, both for the individual and for society, to prevent disease instead of waiting to treat it. Congress has added selected preventive services to Medicare but has not included other services that are proven effective, nor has it encouraged Medicare to take a comprehensive approach to disease prevention and health promotion for America's seniors. A recent Harris Poll found that nine in ten American adults want Medicare to be modernized and to put as much emphasis on disease prevention as it does on disease treatment. The roadmap for this Medicare modernization is laid out in a new Partnership for Prevention (Partnership) report, A Better Medicare for Healthier Seniors: Recommendations to Modernize Medicare's Prevention Policies, which you already have received. These recommendations would move the U.S. toward realization of our nation's two overarching national health goals: Increasing life expectancy and improving quality of life, and reducing disparities in health among different segments of the population. Respectfully yours, Joseph A. Calafano, Jr. Richard S. Schweiker. Margaret M. Heckler. David Mathews, MD. Louis W. Sullivan, MD. Donna E. Shalala, PhD. Otis R. Bowen, MD.