Ralph Regula

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations have until midnight tonight, May 20, 2002, to file a privileged report on a bill making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes.

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of tabling H.J. Res. 84. This safeguard action gives our domestic steel industry and its employees a much-needed period of readjustment to recover from the substantial damage done by the latest steel import surge that began in 1998. Thirty-three companies have declared bankruptcy in recent years, and 17 have closed their doors completely. 46,700 steelworkers have lost their jobs and 125,000 retirees have lost their health care benefits during this crisis. The surge of low-priced imports is the result of foreign steel companies, often subsidized by foreign governments, building huge amounts of excess steel-making capacity. With their own markets unable to absorb all of this steel, they have flooded the U.S. market with their excess capacity. We remain the most open market in the world. We cannot have free trade unless it is also fair trade, and President Bush recognized this fact last summer when he initiated the section 201 investigation on steel imports. The International Trade Commission conducted the investigation. This is an independent body. After many days of testimony, the Commission determined that steel imports were a substantial cause of serious injury to the U.S. steel industry. On March 5, President Bush imposed temporary steel tariffs that range from 8 percent to 30 percent for a 3-year period. It is not a permanent tariff. This type of temporary safeguard measure is specifically allowed by World Trade Organization rules. Many of our trading partners have imposed safeguard measures on a variety of other products. U.S. steel companies and steelworkers are only asking for a level playing field. The action taken by President Bush allows time for restructuring and for talks with our trading partners to reduce the worldwide excess steel-making capacity. A strong domestic steel industry is crucial to the economic and national security of our Nation. It is important that today we give the President's safeguard actions time to work. Vote to table H.J. Res. 84.

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 26 years of service that Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan has dedicated to improving the public health and the many contributions he has made at the Department of Health and Human Services. At the end of March of this year, Dr. Koplan stepped down from the dual positions he held since 1998 as the director of the Centers of Disease Control and prevention (CDC) and the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic substances and Disease Registry. As the Chairman of the appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the CDC, I have come to know Dr. Koplan during one of the most challenging times in public health--the events of September 11, 2001, the following anthrax attacks, and the urgent call for public health preparedness for possible further bioterrorism attacks. Dr. Koplan has done a tremendous job leading the CDC response to this national crisis, which included deploying dozens of epidemiologists to New York City to assist the health departments with the response to the attack on the World Trade Center, dispatching personnel and medical supplies to aid the response efforts to the attack on the Pentagon, and coordinating a public health response to prevent, detect and treat anthrax. We are still in the midst of building capacity for an adequate public health response for potential terrorist attacks, but many of the needed improvements are well underway thanks in large part to his leadership. In addition to responding to terrorist threats, under the leadership of Dr. Koplan, CDC has responded to hundreds of requests from state, local and international health departments to investigate the outbreak of diseases such as West Nile virus, Ebola, tuberculosis, meningitis and other health threats. Just last spring I experienced first hand the response and leadership of the CDC in my own congressional district during a frightening meningitis outbreak. The presence of the CDC on the scene helped to address this situation and bring calm to the community. Dr. Koplan has also led CDC efforts to reduce tobacco use, improve childhood immunization, prevent birth defects and chronic diseases, and upgrade CDC buildings and facilities. These important efforts are bringing improved health to our nation. When I visited the CDC in Atlanta last year, I was impressed with the commitment of all of the CDC doctors, scientists, and employees who are pursuing their mission with pride and enthusiasm, and it was evident that that attitude emanates from the top. In short, CDC plays a critical role in protecting the public health of our nation. From the earlier days of his career working on the eradication of smallpox as an EIS officer to rebuilding the public health system to respond to the health threats of the 21st century as director of CDC, Dr. Koplan has tackled these many tough problems with determination. We will greatly miss his spirit, optimism, and leadership. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the President for initiating his three-prong program to address the steel import crisis. This crisis, caused by a worldwide over capacity of steel making is slowly destroying our domestic steel industry. The increased level of imports, often subsidized by foreign governments, keeps driving steel prices down. Not even the most efficient steel mills in the U.S. are able to make money when steel is priced so low. As of this week, thirty-one steel companies have declared bankruptcy and over fifty steel-making and related plants had been shut down. The President's steel plan includes the Section 201 investigation initiated last June and efforts to negotiate a reduction of worldwide steel making capacity with foreign nations. The key element in the President's plan is the 201 investigation. The International Trade Commission (ITC), which completed the 201 investigation last fall, unanimously found that the level of steel imports coming into the U.S. was injuring the domestic steel industry. Now it is up to the President to implement a meaningful remedy. The industry and its workers are asking for at least 40 percent tariffs across the board. Tariffs would provide the most immediate relief to the industry allowing prices to recover. Tariffs would also send a clear message to our trading partners that this U.S. is not the dumping ground for all the world's excess steel. Our steel companies need a ``time-out'' from the constant flow of low-priced imports. Strong tariffs will provide such a ``time-out.'' Domestic steel companies and their workers have downsized and restructured and they continue to do so. One example is Republic Technologies International, which has facilities in my Congressional District. Republic had to file for bankruptcy protection. In order to keep operating in this very difficult market, all workers had to take a 15 percent pay reduction and additional cost cutting measures are being implemented to reduce costs another 20 percent. Overall employment has fallen by 20 percent recently. The type of 201 remedy will directly impact how Republic will be able to restructure and come out of bankruptcy. If the President implements a strong remedy, investor confidence will increase and Republic will be able to preserve more jobs as it restructures. If the President imposes a weak remedy, Republic may face significant job cuts during its restructuring. As steel mills close, it is not just the steelworkers and their families that suffer. Steel company retirees will lose their retiree health benefits in many instances. Furthermore, every steelworker supports more than three jobs in other industries, from workers who make production equipment to those who process raw materials and move the steel products to market. Steel communities are also impacted by the loss of steelworker jobs because people buy less groceries and use less services. It is imperative that we retain a strong and healthy steel industry in the U.S. not only for our economic well-being but also to supply our national defense needs.

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, since 1983, the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag and Bundesrat have conducted an annual exchange program for staff members from both countries. The program gives professional staff the opportunity to observe and learn about each other's political institutions and interact on issues of mutual interest. A staff delegation from the U.S. Congress will be selected to visit Germany during May 26 to June 8 of this year. During the 2 week exchange, the delegation will attend meetings with Bundestag Members, Bundestag party staff members, and representatives of numerous political, business, academic, and media agencies. Participants also will be hosted by a Bundestag Member for a district visit. A comparable delegation of German staff members will visit the United States for 2 weeks in July. They will attend similar meetings here in Washington and visit the districts of Congressional Members. The U.S. delegation is expected to facilitate these meetings. The Congress-Bundestag Exchange is highly regarded in Germany and is one of several exchange programs sponsored by public and private institutions in the United States and Germany to foster better understanding of the politics and policies of both countries. This exchange is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The U.S. delegation should consist of experienced and accomplished Hill staff who can contribute to the success of the exchange on both sides of the Atlantic. The Bundestag reciprocates by sending senior staff professionals to the United States. Applicants should have a demonstrable interest in events in Europe. Applicants need not be working in the field of foreign affairs, although such a background can be helpful. The composite U.S. delegation should exhibit a range of expertise in issues of mutual concern to Germany and the United States such as, but not limited to, trade, security, the environment, immigration, economic development, health care, and other social policy issues. In addition, U.S. participants are expected to help plan and implement the program for the Bundestag staff members when they visit the United States. Participants are expected to assist in planning topical meetings in Washington, and are encouraged to host one or two Bundestag staffers in their Member's district in July, or to arrange for such a visit to another Member's district. Participants are selected by a committee composed of personnel from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State and past participants of the exchange. Senators and Representatives who would like a member of their staff to apply for participation in this year's program should direct them to submit a resume and cover letter in which they state their qualifications, the contributions they can make to a successful program and some assurances of their ability to participate during the time stated. Applications may be sent to Connie Veillette in Congressman Regula's office, 2306 Rayburn House Building by noon on Friday, April 5.

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today we bring before the House the conference report providing appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies for fiscal year 2002. It is my pleasure to present this report today. It is the result of the dedication and hard work of the members of the subcommittee and staff, and I want to express my deep appreciation to each of them. I would especially like to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking member of both the full Committee on Appropriations and of this subcommittee. It has been a pleasure to work with him from the start as we crafted a bipartisan bill which passed this body earlier through our work together on the conference. I would also like to thank the subcommittee staff on both sides of the aisle for their very hard work and the long hours they have put in to finalize the conference report before us. Thank you to Craig Higgins, the Clerk of the Committee, Carol Murphy, Susan Firth, Meg Snyder, Francine Mack-Salvador and Nicole Wheeler on the majority side, and to David Reich, Cheryl Smith and Linda Pagelsen on the minority side. They have been a great team. They have worked all night for the last two nights putting this together, and we owe them a vote of appreciation. This conference report is a very good product. It contains the funding for many outstanding programs for people. First, is the funding for the President's education reform measures. Last week we passed landmark legislation setting the policy for elementary and secondary education reform, and today we are providing the funding that will make these reforms a reality. We have funded State grants for improving teacher quality at $2.85 billion. This flexible grant will allow States to develop programs for teachers in areas most important to those States. In other words, we are recognizing States' rights to make the fundamental decisions on education. I want to emphasize the commitment of the committee to teacher quality and support in the areas of math and science. We will later have a colloquy on that subject and the flexibility within this grant for such programs, in addition to a specific program for math and science partnerships. I am also pleased that we have included funding for the Troops to Teachers/Transition to Teaching and the Teach for America programs for a total of $88 million. We hear a lot about the pending shortage of teachers, and I think this bill will do a lot to address that problem and to ensure that good people get into the classroom. The key to success in the classroom is a good teacher, and all of these programs show great promise in recruiting, training and keeping just those people. In total, education programs receive a 16 percent increase in the bill, a majority of which is in three areas. These include elementary and secondary education, Special Education and Pell Grants. Grants to the States for Title I total $10.3 billion, grants to the States for Special Education total $7.5 billion, and Pell Grants are funded at a maximum grant level of $4,000 per student. Although our current economic slowdown has sent more students back to school than has been anticipated, it was the belief of the members of the Conference Committee that we must uphold our commitment to the students and retain the maximum $4,000 level. Also the TRIO grant program receives $802.5 million. In health programs, I am pleased to report that funding for the National Institutes of Health increases by 14.7 percent, at over $23 billion. This additional funding will allow a greater percentage of competitive research grant projects to receive funding in such important areas as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even in many rare diseases. Again, we recognize particularly in these times after September 11 how important it is that we do research on health issues, and NIH is the flagship for this, not only for the United States, but for the entire world. As the events of September 11 have impacted on each of us and changed our lives, we have come to recognize the important role of our public health system. Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention increases $600 million over last year, for a total of $4.3 billion. I might point out that the State health departments and local health departments, which are the shock troops, they are in the trenches on all of these threats that we hear about in anthrax and TB, basically start with the Centers for Disease Control. We have recognized that by increasing their budget. Programs at the CDC are our first line of defense in threats of bioterrorism. They also put important research knowledge into practice through outreach and education, leading to improvements in the health of our Nation today. By the way, at the urging of our committee, they have a hotline now, so if you have a problem in your community, you have a 1-800 number, and you can get help immediately. The conference report includes funding for several of the President's faith-based programs, including $30 million for the Compassion Capital Fund, a program which will support grants to public-private partnerships for charitable organizations in expanding or emulating model social service agencies. $70 million is included for the Safe and Stable Families program, and $5 million for the new Volunteers for Homeland Security. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to discuss briefly the issue of mental health parity. As many Members are aware, the Senate bill included an amendment requiring private sector companies that provide mental health insurance companies in their health plans to provide that coverage equally with the physical coverage in those plans. The House conferees, regrettably, rejected this amendment on procedural grounds. We had received letters from the three chairmen of the authorizing committees of jurisdiction in the House expressing their opposition to this provision in the Labor, Health and Human Services bill. However, we understand from the President and from the House chairmen that they intend to address this issue next year. In the meantime, with the support of the committee chairmen, we have included the extension of the current law on mental health coverage, which expired on September 30 in this conference report, an extension for 1 year. Through jurisdiction of the appropriations bill, which is our proper jurisdiction, we are able to do very much for mental illness, and I would like to highlight these programs. The conference report provides $832 million for the Center for Mental Health, $433 million of which is the mental health block grant which goes to States to support prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services. This is a $50 million increase over last year's bill. Over $1.2 billion is allocated for research into improving the diagnosis, treatment and overall care of those suffering from mental illnesses, and this is through the National Institute of Mental Health, one of the NIH institutes. This funding is increased by $100 million over last year. Finally, the conference report commits $1.34 billion for community health centers nationwide. Community health centers provide a variety of health services to disadvantaged and medically underserved, including mental health services. Mr. Speaker, these are only the highlights of the many outstanding and worthwhile programs in this $123.9 billion bill. Its programs touch the lives of Americans in many ways, the most important ways with the greatest potential, by supporting education, job training and health research and practices. They lay the groundwork in ensuring the long- term health and prosperity of our Nation. There are many more programs. If Members are interested, there is a press release in the Office of the Committee on Appropriations across the hall that details all of these. There are a lot of programs here that our people back home will be very much interested in. One thing I do want to say further, and that is, the chairman and the ranking member of the full committee, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), did something I think this year that really worked well, and that is they worked out an agreement with the other body whereby each subcommittee had the same allocation. That meant that we could work together. We had a different mix than the other body did, but at least we are working at the same total. When we went to conference, it made it a lot easier to get a conference report out of the negotiations. I commend them very much. Not only that, they have been very supportive of this process. I say to my colleagues, this is a good bill. A lot of good things are in here that help people. Every American in some way or another is affected by education or health research or health care. We are pleased. I say this on behalf of my subcommittee members, both parties, they were terrific. It has been a joy to work with the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) as the ranking member on the subcommittee. I urge the Members of this body to support this conference report. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), the chairman of the full committee.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) for a colloquy.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker), a very distinguished Member and a very good member of our committee.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have remaining?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson), who has been a great advocate for vocational and technical education and makes an excellent contribution to the subcommittee's work on that.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the previous order of the House, I call up the conference report on the bill (H.R. 3061) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, that is correct. I would assure the gentleman, and also the gentleman from Michigan who will join our colloquy, we consider math and science teacher training to be an important part of preparing our students for the future. I assure my colleague that the conferees have provided adequate funding to allow the same or even increased effort in science and math teacher training. The conferees intend that, at a minimum, the current level of effort in science and math development be maintained.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), who did yeoman's work and provided outstanding leadership, along with the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), on bringing H.R. 1 to success and in ensuring that we make every effort to not leave any child behind.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) for a colloquy. He has been, along with the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), a very strong supporter of math and science education.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) is substantially correct. The conference report strongly encourages States to utilize the $2.85 billion allocated to Title II dollars toward math and science activities.

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, the answer is the gentleman is substantially correct. The report language does state that States should spend a comparable level on math and science professional development as was spent in fiscal year 2001. The conferees consider math and science education vitally important to our Nation's future competitiveness and believe that such spending should be enhanced in the future.

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

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 15 seconds to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Roukema). (Mrs. ROUKEMA asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for just one comment. I hope that the authorizing committees will deal with the issue of mental health parity. We had a temporary amendment offered to ensure that there would be continued coverage after September 30. We recognize that this is something that should be done by the authorizing committees and hope that that will be done. I also want to mention that we so many times hear that the other body does not work well with ours. I just want to say that at the staff level the team from the other body worked beautifully with the House team, Republicans and Democrats, to bring this package together. They worked extremely hard and have produced a wonderful bipartisan bill. It is bipartisan party-wise, and it is bipartisan House and Senate. One last thing I do not think has been commented on is Job Corps. Today, in this economic crisis we are concerned about job training programs and dislocated workers. The Job Corps is funded at $1.459 billion, $60 million more than last year. The dislocated worker assistance is funded at $1.5 billion, $111 million over fiscal year 2001 and $166 million over the budget request. I think this illustrates, as the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) has said, that this bill is compassionate and it indicates our great concern. I would urge all of our colleagues to support this. They can go home and with pride say that they supported this bill. It truly is a people's bill.

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

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the conference report accompanying H.R. 3061, and that I may include tabular and extraneous material.

Mr. REGULA

Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the members of the 107th United States Congress, I wish to offer heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jeffrey Thomas Clapper. He was an outstanding member of his community, a much loved son and friend. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. His generosity and profound sense of duty left a lasting impression on all those who knew him, and his personal sacrifices of time and energy to his country, his community, his family, and his friends stand as testament of an exceptional human being. Jeffrey Thomas Clapper was bom on June 28, 1967, the son of Thomas and Judith Clapper. A graduate of Hoover High School and Walsh University, Clapper served his country as an Orthotic Specialist in the United States Air Force and his community as a registered nurse and as an EMT with the Greentown Volunteer Fire Department. In each of these roles, Clapper embodied civic virtues we should all strive to meet. In light of the tragic loss of this outstanding citizen, I offer my deepest sympathy to his family and friends.