Thomas Reynolds

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter). During consideration of the resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, last night the Committee on Rules met and granted an open rule for H.R. 4115, a bill to authorize appropriations for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Resources. The rule further makes in order the Committee on Resources amendment in the nature of a substitute, now printed in the bill, as an original bill for the purpose of an amendment, which shall be open for amendment at any point. Additionally, the rule waives all points of order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute and authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted their amendments in the Congressional Record. The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to postpone votes during consideration of the bill and to reduce voting time to 5 minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a 15- minute vote. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, through Israeli poet Abraham Shlonsky's simple words, we are reminded of our continued responsibility to the memory of that greatest of all human tragedies that was the Holocaust: ``For my eyes that have seen the bereavement and burdened with the cries of my bowed heart I vow to remember all, to remember and not forget anything.'' The terror spread by the Nazi regime across Europe from 1933 to 1945, the persecution and murder of millions of innocents because of their race, religion, political beliefs or nationality, stands to this day as one of the darkest, saddest, most tragic chapters of our world's history. The Holocaust systematic annihilation of 6 million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators is an unthinkable and unfathomable culmination of man's inhumanity to man. But we must always think and we must always try to fathom what happened through the Holocaust. We must, as Abraham Shlonsky vowed, remember and not forget anything. It was in that spirit of remembrance that in 1980 Congress established the United States Holocaust Memorial Council to plan a powerful living memorial to victims and survivors of the Holocaust. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was opened in 1993 and has since become one of the most widely visited museums in Washington, D.C., hosting some 12 million visitors annually. The museum is America's national institution for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history and serves as this country's memorial to the millions murdered during the Holocaust. The museum's primary mission is to advance knowledge of this unprecedented tragedy, preserve the memory of those who suffered, and encourage its visitors to reflect not only on the moral and spiritual questions raised by the events of the Holocaust but on their own responsibilities as citizens. As many of the millions who have visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum can attest, one cannot soon forget this haunting tour of the darkest aspects of human nature. Nor will one forget the spirit of the millions of victims who perished and the courage of those who survived to bear witness against these atrocities. H.R. 4115 reauthorizes and establishes the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as an independent entity of the Federal Government with the responsibility of its day-to-day operations and maintenance. The bill is a work product of the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) and the House Committee on Resources based on the National Academy of Public Administration's 1999 report on the museum's maintenance, governance and management to the House Subcommittee on Interior. The bill assures the continued presence and function of the memorial's current council by establishing it as the board of trustees with overall governance responsibility of the museum. Additionally, this bill authorizes necessary appropriations to more effectively operate and maintain the museum. Mr. Speaker, the Holocaust Memorial Museum is a tremendous testament to the human spirit; and as such, this body should have the fullest opportunity to amend any legislation pertaining to this memorial. By bringing this measure to the floor under an open rule, Members will have that opportunity. Mr. Speaker, as Nobel Laureate and Founding Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, Elie Weisel said, ``that is what the victims wanted: to be remembered, at least to be remembered.'' And only through remembrance can we truly vow, never again. I urge my colleagues to support this fair and open rule and the underlying measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands, as someone I look to for guidance and advice on a number of resource pieces of legislation that come through his committee. Also, I want to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the Committee on Resources chairman, and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the ranking member, for their hard work in bringing this important measure to the floor. Mr. Speaker, S. 1910, a bill identical to the legislation I introduced last year, H.R. 3404, is a technical bill with enormous historic significance. In a letter to John Adams, Thomas Jefferson wrote that ``a morsel of genuine history is a thing so rare as to be always valuable.'' In my congressional district, such a morsel of genuine history exists today, the Hunt House, birthplace of the women's rights movement. And its value to my community is measured by its significant contribution to American history, because the coming together of people and events behind the distinctive white pillars of this Federal style brick home forever changed American society. On July 9, 1848, Jane and Richard Hunt hosted a tea at their home at 401 East Main Street in Waterloo, New York; and like another famous tea party, held 75 years earlier, this meeting sparked a new revolution for liberty and human rights. It was at this gathering that Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, her sister Martha Wright, and Mary Ann M'Clintock planned the Nation's first women's rights convention. Following this historic meeting, several of these women drafted the Declaration of Sentiments which was presented at the women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, on July 19 and 20 in 1848. Even before this seminal meeting, Quakers Richard and Jane Hunt were active reformers and abolitionists. Their holdings included the M'Clintock Home and Drug Store, where in-laws harbored fugitive slaves and hosted famous speakers, such as Frederick Douglass; and their home and business were likely stops in the underground railroad. The Hunts' contributions to their community were tremendous, creating opportunity and fostering human rights. Richard Hunt provided educational opportunity by founding an academy at Waterloo in 1844 and actively worked for abolitionist causes. The Hunt family network and personal wealth supported reform efforts throughout upstate New York, including the 1848 Seneca Falls women's rights convention. Mr. Speaker, this legislation simply ensures that a valuable piece of history will be available and accessible to future generations. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire without restriction the Hunt House as part of the Women's Rights National Historic Park. When the Women's Right National Historical Park was established, the Hunt House was in private ownership and not open for public tours or special events. However, in 1999 the property was put up for sale. The Trust for Public Land and the National Trust for Historical Preservation worked together and purchased the Hunt House to ensure that the property would be available for public use and enjoyment. Currently, the National Trust for Historical Preservation is leasing the Hunt House to the Women's Rights National Historic Park for $1 a year. Their intent in acquiring the property was to hold it until such time as the National Park Service had the authority to acquire a fee simple title to the property and open it to the public as part of the Women's Rights National Historical Park. The changes made by this bill are necessary and essentially technical in nature due to the number of errors that have been made over the years in amending Public Law 96-607. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important bill and support the preservation of American history.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 557 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of the resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. (Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. 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, last night the Committee on Rules met and granted a modified closed rule for H.R. 1102, the Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act of 2000. The rule provides that in lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill, the text of H.R. 4843 as reported by the Committee on Ways and Means shall be considered as adopted. Additionally, the rule waives all points of order against the bill and against consideration of the amendment printed in this report. The rule also provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means. The rule further provides for consideration of the amendment printed in the Committee on Rules report accompanying the resolution, if offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) or his designee, which shall be considered as read and shall be separately debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by a proponent and an opponent. Finally, the rule provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, this is a completely fair rule for reform of our Nation's pension and retirement security laws. Not only is the underlying bill a completely balanced, bipartisan measure, but the rule also makes in order a minority substitute amendment providing for a full hour for debate. In short, the rule allows for a comprehensive debate on this very important matter. Mr. Speaker, Americans are investing far less than they should to prepare for their retirement. Half of all private-sector workers still have no pension coverage. Over a fifth of small businesses with 25 or fewer employees offer a pension plan, and members of the baby boomers generation, 76 million of whom will retire in the next 15 years, have less than 40 percent of the savings needed to maintain their standard of living. In fact, retirement savings in the United States are at extremely low levels, even as our economy is reaching record highs. The reason Americans are saving less than they need for their retirement is simple, because the Federal Government has discouraged them from doing so. For too long the Federal Government has been an impediment to American workers planning and preparing for their retirement security. Mr. Speaker, contribution limits on pensions and IRAs have not kept with the times. In fact, they have been stuck at the 1980s level. Worse, over the past 2 decades Congress has actually reduced contribution limits and, as a double hit on working Americans, the Federal Government at the same time introduced burdensome and costly regulatory restrictions on pension plans. The result, in 1987 there were 114,000 of these pension plans across America. Ten years later, there were only 45,000. Since 1990 pension coverage has declined from 40 to 33 percent among workers making less than $20,000; and despite a booming economy, the personal savings rate has dropped every year since 1992 and is at its lowest point in 66 years. The underlying bipartisan bill is a historic measure that will strengthen individual retirement accounts, 401(k) plans and small business retirement plans, finally bringing retirement savings into the 21st century and helping ensure retirement security of countless Americans. The Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act allows working Americans to set more of their hard-earned money aside in an IRA or 401(k)-type plan, modernizes pension laws, and provides regulatory relief to encourage more small businesses to offer retirement plans. The bill increases the old IRA contribution limit from $2,000 to $5,000 over the next 3 years for both traditional and Roth IRAs, and the bill includes an important fairness provision to allow workers over 50 years of age to catch up with contributions for 401(k) plans by increasing the contribution level immediately. This bipartisan measure will remove excessive, burdensome and unnecessary Federal regulations, providing relief to American businesses and workers by encouraging small businesses to offer pension plans. By removing these restrictions, Americans will be allowed the freedom to invest in their future as never before. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1102 is a fair, balanced and bipartisan plan that will help millions of Americans. I would like to commend the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), for their hard work on this bill. Additionally, I would like to commend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), the sponsors of the underlying legislation, for their dedication to pension and retirement reform for America. I urge my colleagues to support this fair rule, the underlying measure. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, on May 17, 1987, the guided missile frigate U.S.S. Stark was on routine patrol in the Persian Gulf to protect neutral shipping during the Iran-Iraq war. At about 8:00 a.m., a long-range U.S. electronic warning and control aircraft picked up an F-1 Mirage, positively identified it as an Iraqi aircraft, and passed the notification on to U.S. Naval units operating in the Gulf. A little after 9:00 that morning, the aircraft was picked up as an unknown on the Stark's radar, at a range of about 70 miles. Once the Mirage had closed to within less than 70 miles of the Stark, the ship's Tactical Operations Officer was tracking it continuously. When the aircraft closed to 13 miles, the Stark identified itself by radio, and requested identification from the aircraft, but received none. A second inquiry at a range of 11 miles also brought no response. At about 9:11, the operator of electronic intercept equipment aboard the Stark reported that it had been locked onto by the aircraft's fire control radar. When the TAO discovered the lock-on by the Mirage's radar, he immediately started to bring the ship's Phalanx close-in weapons system up. He also requested a lock by the ship's air defense radar. However, the attack was coming in over the port bow, and the primary radar was blocked by the superstructure. At 9:12, the TAO ordered a secondary radar brought up, but before it could be activated an Exocet missile launched by the Mirage hit the ship. A second missile impacted shortly thereafter. The ship had neither taken evasive maneuvers nor brought its defensive weapons systems to bear. The missile attacks and a large fire they ignited in the aluminum superstructure claimed the lives of 37 U.S. sailors. Only the heroic action of the crew saved the ship. Mr. Speaker, today the only remaining sign of this tragic event is the memorial engraving mounted in the midships' passageway, which lists the names of those who perished. However, we in Congress must always remember the 37 shipmates who gave their lives that day and their sacrifice must not have been in vain. Subsequent to the U.S. Navy's own inquiry, the Staff Report of the Committee on Armed Services concluded that although the Rules of Engagement allowed for a more aggressive defensive posture, the real world was more difficult. At the time, Iraq was considered a near-ally against Iran, and had never attacked a U.S. ship despite several opportunities. In all probability, the incident was caused by complementary errors of interpretation and the Iraqi attack was probably inadvertent. In the era of electronic warfare, the fear that he who hesitates is almost certainly lost leads to a policy of attacking immediately almost anything the radar engages. In contrast, the Stark regarded the closing of the Mirage as a puzzle rather than a threat, and did not take action to unmask its defensive systems in time for them to engage. Whether intentional or not, the end results of this attack were the same. Thirty-seven brave sailors lost their lives. This tragedy demonstrates the vital importance in Congress exercising its oversight powers to prevent any reoccurrence of this incident. It is for precisely this reason that I requested the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense include report language directing the Navy to assess the tactical viability of its primary shipboard electronic warfare system, the AN/SLQ-32(V). I am happy to report that the conference report to the defense appropriations bill, which passed the House today, included this important language. This language will benefit electronic warfare in the Navy. More importantly, however, it is an important first step toward assuring that we in Congress fulfill our responsibility to guarantee the best protection possible to our sailors and aircrews who go into harms way in the defense of freedom every day of their lives.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution 125, 106th Congress, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the rule, I call up from the Speaker's table the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 125) and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday, July 12, 2000.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. 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 to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 541 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding any adjournment of the House until Monday, July 10, 2000, the Speaker, majority leader and minority leader be authorized to accept resignations and to make appointments authorized by law or by the House.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida. Today, as I have listened to this debate, we have people supporting this rule, some not in love with it, but in support of it from the most liberal perspective of our viewpoints in this House to some of the most conservative. Today, as we have this rule before us, it is an appropriately structured rule. The proposed legislation makes dramatic changes in current law. The rule provides for comprehensive debate. Six amendments of the 12 submitted were included. Everyone but the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood) was granted an amendment. He was not granted an amendment, and he supports the rule this evening. The amendments offered cover most of the contentious parts of debate throughout this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and let the debate begin.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The WTO provides a forum for ongoing negotiations to reduce trade barriers and advance global trade. The fact is that U.S. exports have increased in the last 5 years under WTO. Our growth in international trade stimulates greater capital investment, higher productivity, technological innovation, and more, I repeat more, American jobs. American goods crafted and innovated by the skill and labor of America's workers are second to none. But our success in selling those goods and services in a global marketplace is assured only through free and open markets. The WTO continues to advance and create those freer and more open markets. We must keep our commitment to our workers and our businesses by allowing the United States to continue to be a leader in the global marketplace. Through that leadership and our success, our economy will continue to grow and more jobs will be created. Even more important, we will demonstrate our continued faith in the quality and the productivity of the American workers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and oppose the underlying bill. 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 as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the Committee on Rules, who is not only an expert, but a global authority on trade issues in the WTO.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 528 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), 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. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks and include extraneous material.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul). (Mr. PAUL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, on Monday the Committee on Rules met and granted a closed rule for H.J. Res. 90, a bill to withdraw the approval of the United States from the agreement establishing the World Trade Organization. The rule provides for 2 hours of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and the ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio). Mr. Speaker, 6 years ago this body passed legislation known as the Uruguay Round Trade Agreements. The legislation established the World Trade Organization, or WTO, which replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or GATT, with a more comprehensive and workable trade agreement. In ``Democracy in America,'' Alexis DeTocqueville wrote that ``in democracies, nothing is more great or more brilliant than commerce.'' In our great democracy, this United States is the world leader in the global marketplace, affecting the lives and quality of life of millions of American workers, farmers and businesspeople who depend on open and stable world markets. The United States is the world's leading exporter and importer, trading over $2 trillion worth of goods and services each year in the international marketplace. While the underlying measure would not necessarily provide for the President to withdraw from the WTO, it would call the United States global future into question. Without a solid defeat of this measure, Congress will send the wrong message to the other 135 member countries. U.S. participation and strong leadership in the WTO is an integral part of the success of the stable trade environment the organization is creating. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Ways and Means reported this bill unfavorably on June 12. The committee reasoned that continued U.S. participation in the global trading system is vital to America's long- term economic and strategic interests, continued prosperity and strengthening the rule of law around the world. In reporting the bill unfavorably, the committee reinforced a fundamental fact that this is a Nation of leadership, not of isolationism. The WTO provides a forum to lower tariffs and other barriers to international trade. This is not the time for the U.S. to move away from the global economy by sending the wrong message to its trading partners. Additionally, through the World Trade Organization, member countries have established multilateral rules for trade that provide a stable environment for businesses and farmers who export their products. The WTO plays a vital role in enforcement and resolution of trade disputes. In fact, the WTO has been much more effective than its predecessor, GATT, in providing timely resolutions to global trade disputes. Finally, the WTO provides a forum for ongoing negotiations to reduce trade barriers and advance global trade. Mr. Speaker, the fact is that U.S. exports have increased in the last 5 years under WTO. Our growth in international trade stimulates greater capital investment, higher productivity, technological innovation and more American jobs. American goods, crafted and innovated by the skill and labor of America's workers, are second to none. But our success in selling those goods and services in a global marketplace is assured only through free and open markets. The WTO continues to advance and create those freer and more open markets. We must keep our commitment to our workers and our businesses by allowing the U.S. to continue to be a leader in the global marketplace. Through that leadership and our success, our economy will continue to grow and more jobs will be created. Even more important, we will demonstrate our continued faith in the quality and the productivity of American workers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and oppose the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Sununu).

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The death tax stifles growth, discourages savings, stymies job creation, drains resources, and ruins family businesses and farms. It is time we phase out this unfair tax and allow the American dream to be passed on to our children and future generations.

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella). (Mr. FOSSELLA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)