Thomas Reynolds

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 244 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Shadegg). (Mr. SHADEGG asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 244 is a closed rule that provides for the consideration of H.R. 2926, the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act. This rule and its underlying legislation address the impending needs of the airline industry after last week's tragic attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate to be equally divided between the chairman and the ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, since the morning of September 11, 2001, when, as President Bush said last night, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country, our Nation has been through extraordinary and trying times. Over the past week and a half, we have heard countless stories of personal tragedy and selfless heroism. We have seen a Nation come together in a steely resolve to see justice served. And we have felt here in this Congress an unprecedented unity, rooted not just in bipartisanship but nonpartisanship, in citizenship. And we have much work to do. As President Bush said, ``We face new and sudden national challenges,'' because this war has many fronts. It was heartening for me to see my State's great Governor, George Pataki, and New York's outstanding Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, here in these Chambers last night. I have long valued their friendship. But as a New Yorker, today I value even more their leadership. Each as shown a steady hand and quiet courage through which so many have drawn strength. Equally important, their attendance served as a reminder that we still have work to do to recover, rebuild and strengthen a city and a Nation. Mr. Speaker, the ripple effect of last week's events has been felt all over the world. In the blink of an eye, the way of life that we have taken for granted for so long has been changed forever. Despite a national state of shock, thousands of our fellow citizens immediately went to work to ensure the safety and security of American citizens. Within a matter of hours on the day of the attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration carefully orchestrated the safe grounding of every single airplane flying within the United States. This quick response and cooperation from the entire airline industry ensured the safety and well-being of countless individuals. But in the wake of the cowardly attacks on our Nation, scheduling cutbacks and subsequent reductions in the number of flights have hit the industry hard. Already there have been over 80,000 airline-related layoffs, with even more expected in the days and weeks to come. We must remember that this is not just an industry giant that is suffering. This is a critical component to our way of life and a vital segment of our national economy. Our airlines move people and products across America and throughout the world. They serve not just business and tourism but can, quite literally, determine whether we are able to compete in a global economy. In my own community, which had already been lagging the national economy, competitive air travel is continually cited as a primary component to economic growth. By coming to the aid of the airline industry, we will make America stronger. And in making America stronger, we will repair and reinforce the fabric of our Nation which was torn by cowards in last week's criminal act of war. That is why we have a responsibility to help rebuild an industry that has helped keep America strong. Specifically, the legislation before us authorizes the President to provide $10 billion in loan guarantees and an additional $5 billion in immediate direct aid. This money will help stabilize an industry that is desperately in need of urgent relief. Additionally, the legislation contains language limiting the liability for any damages arising out of the hijacking and subsequent crashes of American Airlines Flights 11 or 77 and United Airline Flights 93 or 175. As President Bush stated in his address to the Nation last night, ``We will come together to promote stability and keep our airlines flying with direct assistance during this emergency.'' America faces a daunting struggle in the times ahead. We must stand united as a Nation. We must restore and strengthen our infrastructure so that Americans feel safe and confident again in utilizing the best transportation system in the world. Mr. Speaker, as I conclude, I would like to commend the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the ranking member the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for their tireless devotion and hard work on this important measure. I would also like to commend the Speaker and the majority leader and the minority leader for their leadership in crafting this legislation along with the other body and with the administration. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS

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

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

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

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Rules.

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

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 242 waives clause 6(a) of rule XIII requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Committee on Rules. The rule applies to the waiver to a special rule reported on the legislative day of September 21, 2001, providing for consideration or disposition of a bill to preserve the continued viability of the United States air transport system, H.R. 2926, the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act. The rule allows this body to take up this legislation in a timely fashion, making it possible for prompt consideration of a much needed relief measure for the struggling airline industry. Mr. Speaker, this House has been united as rarely, if ever, seen before. We came together in an overwhelming and bipartisan fashion to aid those in crisis and support our President as he seeks justice. Today, we need to come together again to consider a critical piece of legislation to further guide our Nation and its citizens through this crisis. Now is not the time for stalling or dilatory tactics. This legislation has been approved by leaders on both sides of the aisle, in both Chambers, and in conjunction with the administration. It is imperative that we move forward with this urgent measure. I urge my colleagues to support this rule so we may proceed with the legislation itself. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 242 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), who represents the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, one of the busiest in the world. (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the other body intends to deem this as passed with no debate, because I think they recognize the seriousness and the cooperation, the unity that has been the hallmark here since September 11 between both bodies of the Congress and the administration. And there should be ample debate. We are trying to next move into a rule that will provide debate on the bill; and, if it is passed, we will move forward to the debate on the issue at hand. Today, we need to come together again to consider a critical piece of legislation to further guide our Nation and its citizens through this crisis. Now is not the time for stalling or dilatory tactics. This legislation has had constant participation by legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle, both Houses, and with the administration. It is imperative that we move forward with this urgent message and this measure before us tonight. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to note that the previous speaker indicated that some Members were sleeping last Friday. I want to remind Members of the history of last week. We were actually in regular order of business. There was a unanimous consent request brought, as the gentleman knows, because he was here as part of the debate that was under consideration. And the second thing the gentleman referred to was the language regarding executive salaries. I would like the record to so record that the executive salaries language that capped the executive salaries was included at the request of a minority ranking member, and that is why that language appears as it does in the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), who has spent countless hours on this legislation in the spirit of compromise with both Republican and Democratic Members and leadership.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, no words can adequately express this Nation's sense of loss and outrage over yesterday's vicious, cowardly attack on two of our country's most recognizable landmarks, one of which is in my home State of New York. This was an attack not only on America, but as British Prime Minister Tony Blair remarked, on the free and democratic world. The death toll of innocent Americans will certainly surpass that of Pearl Harbor, and as quickly and as assuredly as America came together to defeat fascism and imperialism at that time, we must quickly and decisively come together to defeat this enemy of a free and democratic world. Many have said that after yesterday, the face of America will be changed forever. That may be true, but what will not change is America's heart, America's character, and America's continued belief in the principles, ideals and values that have made this country the freest, most prosperous Nation the world has ever seen. Like many in this Chamber and across America, I await the names of the dead, the missing, and the injured of friends, in both public service and the private sector, who worked in New York's World Trade Center; and I pray for them and their families, all of the victims and families in New York, the Pentagon, the hijacked aircraft, and for those who have put themselves in harm's way, our police and our firefighters, medical and emergency crews, and countless volunteers, that they will carry out their mission safely and successfully. It is true that we have suffered tremendous loss of life and property at the hands of faceless cowards, but make no mistake. This is not a faceless enemy. The people of this country are united. The full resources of this government, and the courage, spirit and resolve of the American people will be brought to bear to find you in whatever corner of the world that you may hide. You have no safe harbor. We will see that justice is served. God bless America.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Golden Anniversary of Notre Dame High School in Batavia, New York. For 50 years, the teachers and faculty of Notre Dame have been faithful to their mission of instilling ``in young men and women faith, knowledge and confidence preparing to serve in an ever-changing world.'' Indeed, drawing students from six neighboring counties, Notre Dame High School has, for a half century, provided students not only a challenging academic environment, but important interpersonal development, stressing self-discipline and personal responsibility that result in greater achievement. From a low-enrollment of 90 students less than a decade ago, to a near-capacity enrollment of 275 today, Notre Dame High School received the Middle States accreditation and is pursuing membership in the National Association of Independent Schools. Notre Dame High School is committed to excellence, both for their students and their institution. Mr. Speaker, I ask that this Congress join me in saluting the teachers, faculty, parents and students of Notre Dame High school on their 50th Anniversary, and to wish them continued success as they begin their second 50 years of education and service to the community.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform this body that on Wednesday, July 25, 2001, the Capital of New York state is moving to the city of Batavia, in picturesque Genesee County. While the move may not be permanent, it is significant, and will provide residents of Batavia and Genesee County an opportunity see, first hand, all their state government has to offer. Commissioners and Executive Directors of 18 State Agencies--along with New York State Governor George Pataki--will be at Genesee County Community College for ``Agencies at Your Service,'' providing information on a wide variety of programs and services, as well as allowing local residents to sign up for such programs as Child Health Plus. Governor Pataki will end the day with a Town Hall meeting at the Genesee Center for the Arts. Capital for a Day is a tremendous outreach initiative, and the governor should be commended for his unique and visionary effort to bring state government directly to the people of New York state. Further, Capital for a Day will provide our community an opportunity to showcase Batavia and Western New York to all of the Empire State. Mr. Speaker, I ask that this Congress join me in recognizing the city of Batavia as New York state's Capital City for Wednesday, July 25, 2001.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).