Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, we have heard from the gentleman who has given his commitment. Do not talk about months; do not talk about weeks. Do not let one more tear fall on the statement of a 401(k) plan. Let us work together and get this done for the people of America. It is too important.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the chairman on his work in gaining corporate responsibility. I would not stand here today if I did not believe at the end of our session here before recess that we would not have a bill on the President's desk. Just in the last few weeks, the Dow Jones Industrial saw about a 10 percent decline. Yesterday, just yesterday alone, $152 billion of wealth disappeared; $2.6 trillion just this year alone. Those are big numbers. Now, we heard from my good friends in the minority about process and what goes where and about a very long drawn-out process. But let me say this: The other day I had a woman at a coffee who came in, an elderly woman, and she could not get three words into her story before she started to shake and tears started running down her face because she was just informed that they would not be able to retire in 12 months. Too much of their 401(k), too much of their retirement, was gone. Now, let me tell my colleagues what they understand, my colleagues. They do not care whose name is on the bill. They do not care what process is used to get to the bill. They want trust, they want accountability, and they want somebody to pay the price for stealing. They understand that whether someone wears an Armani suit or a cheap ski mask, if they steal money, they ought to go to jail. They want us to understand that they are counting on us in Congress, not Republicans, not Democrats, not a name on a bill, but all of us to stand up together and say we are going to reinvigorate the trust and confidence in our American markets. I think today that will happen. I am very, very pleased at what this chairman has done and what he has committed to do, and with that, I intend to enter into a colloquy with the chairman. The gentleman from Ohio is going to be the chairman of the conference committee that will hear this matter in conference; is that not true?

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, the gentleman has made a commitment, and today a very public commitment, that by the end of next week, before this House recesses, the President will have on his desk to sign into law a bill that upholds the principles that the gentleman has fought so hard for these last few months on corporate responsibility; is that correct?

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lee Reeves of Howell, Michigan. Since 1987, Lee has served as President of the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce where she used her leadership skills and good nature to build up the city of Howell to its potential. Now she is leaving the chamber to pursue personal projects and family time. Lee Reeves may be leaving the position this month, but the work she did while in office will continue to benefit the Howell community for years to come. While serving as President, Lee started countless community events, such as the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, Sunday Farmer's Market, Taste of Livingston County, and the Fantasy of Lights Parade. She also saw Chamber membership grow from 200 to 925, and the budget increase from $70,000 to $850,000. In addition, Lee established a Downtown Development Authority and formed the Livingston County Visitors Bureau. She has received numerous awards, including Huron Valley Girl Scouts Woman of the Year, and Howell Citizen of the Year 2002. Lee has a husband, Louis, and a son, Skyler. She plans on writing a book about her daughter, Leta, who passed away five years ago from Leukemia. Lee's efforts have contributed greatly to helping Howell grow into a remarkable city and a pleasant place to live. I am confident that her hard work and dedication to her community will continue well into the future. My Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Lee Reeves for all of her contributions to the community to Howell, and wish her success in her future endeavors.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Paul Heth, Jr. of Jesup, Iowa, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on Monday, July 15. Paul, the son of German immigrants, was born on his family's farm southeast of Fairbank, Iowa on July 15, 1912. When Paul started school, he first went to the local country school on County Line Road, which was a mile west of the Heth Farm, and then onto the parochial school in Fairbank situated behind St. John's Lutheran Church. Upon the family's move to a farm just north of Jesup, Paul began attending the Jesup School. Like many young men his age, Paul's labors were needed on the family farm during his eighth grade year. Possessing a traditional Midwestern work-ethic, at age twelve, Paul began working for neighboring farmers as well. In fact, one time a local fanner, who was driving by a field in which Paul was working, stopped to compliment the young man on the straight rows of corn he was planting. Life wasn't all work for Paul in those days. In 1937, Paul and a young lady named Ruby Rachuy headed for the Illinois state line, where in Galena they exchanged marriage vows. On May 13 of this year, Paul and Ruby celebrated 65 years of marriage. With a new wife and a growing family came new responsibilities. This led to a change of career for Paul as he headed to the John Deere Company, where he worked in the farm equipment manufacturer's ``Heat Treat'' facility for over 33 years, retiring in 1974. As a member of the ``Greatest Generation,'' Paul is devoted to his church, his community and his country. In addition to being a long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church in Jesup, Paul served three terms on the Jesup City Council, which culminated in one term as Mayor. The Jesup newspaper announced his victory, proclaiming: ``Paul Heth Elected Mayor of Jesup by a Landslide.'' And although a family deferral prevented his own uniformed service to America, three of Paul's sons proudly represent over 50 years of service to their nation in the United States Navy. On behalf of his wife Ruby, and children Carolyn, Verla, Bob, Ron, Patricia, Rick, Pam and Randy, I call on my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in expressing appreciation to Mr. Paul Heth, Jr. on his 90th birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish Stacey Anne Young congratulations upon her acceptance into the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is a hard working individual who has worked with me for the past three years. Her presence will be greatly missed by all. As a 1999 graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University, Stacey began working for me shortly thereafter in the Michigan Senate as my Executive Assistant. She was the Committee Clerk for the Senate Human Resources, Labor, Senior Citizens, and Veterans Affairs Committee along with being the scheduler of my day-to-day activities. At all times, Stacey presented herself with professionalism to all of those with whom she came in contact. Most recently, Stacey played an integral role in my office in the United States House of Representatives. As my office manager, she was responsible for setting up the office, for managing a million dollar office budget, and for supervising several key members of my staff. She also was an asset as my scheduler and coordinated all of my events and appointments in Washington, DC and in Michigan. I am extremely impressed with Stacey's positive attitude and dedication. Her sensitivity, diligence, energy, and sense of humor made working with her a joy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Stacey Anne Young for her acceptance to law school where I know she will achieve the highest commendation. I wish her much success in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding me the time, and I want to commend him on his work and his leadership on this issue, and I have to tell him, as an agent who worked in the field, next to the PATRIOT Act and I think at equal stature is this bill. I think the bill is that important to the future security of the United States of America. I want to again applaud him from every agent in the field who is struggling to make a difference today. This bill will make a difference for the safety and security of this Nation. I want to tell this story. We often forget, and sometimes in this town we are so quick to find a villain we forget about finding the solution. Over time what we have done to the agents in the field was, and we would hear the arguments, well, they are not cooperating because one agency thinks they are better than the other. Simply not so. When we were agents, there are barriers that were put in place that prohibited us from communicating information to local law enforcement officials. I had a case as a new agent where I was able to work a State police officer undercover into a group of self-proclaimed anarchists who were going to do some damage by building bombs and delivering these bombs to kill Federal judges in institutions owned and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency. Here is the dichotomy we got into. Because of the information we were developing in this case, we were not allowed by law, by rule, to share some of the information that we were developing with the very agent who was risking his life from the State police to go undercover to help us solve it. We had meetings with general counsel and a room full of lawyers trying to figure out if this was the right thing and what information could we or should we, and we always erred on the side of caution, saying we better not share that information. This bill helps eliminate those very ridiculous rules that for years put fear in the agents who are trying to do the right thing. That is why this bill is so important. It will empower agents there through their own good judgment and common sense to deliver the information that they need and they know they need to deliver to our local law enforcement, our local sheriff offices, our local State police institutions, other Federal agencies. This bill will make that difference and will take down the fear that these agents have of losing their jobs or worse, in some cases losing everything they have through civil liability. This bill is that important, Mr. Chairman, and I, again, I cannot tell my colleague, from the agents that I have talked to, how important this bill is and what freeing ability this is going to have to them to in a responsible way communicate the kinds of information that is going to make it safer for firefighters and EMT folks out there, for emergency room workers who are going to deal with some of these tragedies, for every level of law enforcement in this country. This is that last bastion, that last hurdle that is going to stop us from doing good things. Had this bill been in place, we could have shared a lot of information with the State police and maybe even broadened our net a little bit and protected him to a degree that we really were not allowed under the law to do when I was an FBI agent. Again, I would hope that this body would have quick action on this bill and stand up and salute the work of all, from the minority to the majority party, who worked so hard on this bill to make a difference for this country and the agents that are doing the work.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas L. Pirozzi and offer heartfelt congratulations for a successful Battalion Command. Lieutenant Colonel Pirozzi is the commanding officer of the 626th Forward Support Battalion, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and currently on duty near Kandahar, Afghanistan. On July 8, 2002, Lieutenant Colonel Pirozzi will be changing command in Afghanistan and will subsequently return to the United States for his next assignment, in Washington, D.C. Lieutenant Colonel Pirozzi was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on November 6, 1961 to Eli and Elaine Pirozzi. He graduated from Bayonne High School and was commissioned into the Quartermaster Corps through the Rutgers University ROTC program, where he earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and American Literature. Lieutenant Colonel Pirozzi also holds a Masters of Military Science Degree from the Marine Corps University at Quantico, Virginia. Prior to taking command of the 626th Forward Support Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Pirozzi served in a number of positions around the world, including Chief of Logistics Information Systems for the U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany; Executive Officer, 82nd Forward Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps Airdrop Officer at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Forward Area Support Coordination Officer (FASCO), 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Commander, 53rd Quartermaster (Airdrop Support), Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Lieutenant Colonel Pirozzi's awards and decorations are as impressive as his service around the world. They include, the Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Campaign Medal (with two Bronze Star Devices), Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Liberation Medals, the Air Assault Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and the Parachute Rigger badge. Mr. Speaker, it is clear through his numerous assignments and awards that Lieutenant Colonel Pirozzi has served his country with honor and pride. Therefore, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking him for his service to our country and to the cause of Freedom, not only here at home, but abroad. I would also ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming Lieutenant Colonel Pirozzi home from Afghanistan and wishing him good fortune in his new assignment in Washington, D.C.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Kyrin Christian Ruth of Fenton, Michigan. This young boy demonstrated incredible courage and maturity by taking charge in a crucial moment of emergency, thereby saving the life of his father, Jeffrey A. Ruth. On the evening of April 5, 2002, Jeffrey A. Ruth suffered a seizure caused by the disorder status epilepticus. Seven year-old Kyrin heard his father's fall from the other room and rushed to his side. Following the procedure taught to him in case of this emergency, Kyrin called 911 and provided them with all of the information necessary to send a response team to the house. As Jeffrey was rushed to the hospital, Kyrin told the police that he and his 5-year old sister could stay with friends across the street until their mother arrived home. Kyrin continued to show amazing presence of mind by calmly phoning their mother who was out of town, and informing her of the evening's events. Kyrin Ruth is truly an example for all of our young people. His parents prepared him for an emergency, and their training clearly made a difference. I commend Kyrin Christian Ruth of Fenton, Michigan for all of his courage and presence of mind, and call on my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Cynthia Wilbanks and Joetta Mial on being named Women of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of the Huron Valley Council of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Cynthia and Joetta were awarded this distinguished honor for their excellence in business ethics and volunteerism through a philosophy which parallels that of the Girl Scout movement. Currently Cynthia is the Vice President of Government Relations at the University of Michigan. Joetta is a retired Ann Arbor Huron High School principle, and began her career as a teacher in the school system. Both women are intensely involved as leaders in the community, serving as members of numerous organizations to enhance the well-being of the Ann Arbor population. Their dedication should serve as inspiration to the entire community, reminding us that service is an important part of American life. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Cynthia Wilbanks and Joetta Mial on being named Women of Distinction. We wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, Reverend James Schalkhauser accepted the appointment as the Lansing Fire Department's first chaplain in February 1973. Throughout the past 29 years, he has maintained his full-time position as senior pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lansing. Juggling both commitments has often taken him away from his family in order to meet the needs of others. Throughout his tenure, Reverend Schalkhauser has provided countless hours of counseling and advice to the Lansing firefighters on family matters, marital challenges or other personal issues. He has always been available with a listening ear, friendship and advice. In 1990, Reverend Schalkhauser was a founding member of the Capitol Area Critical Incident Stress Management (CACISM) team. This group is comprised of professional counselors and clergy formed for the purpose of providing critical incident stress services to local firefighters, police officers, and EMS providers following a traumatic event. The 29 years of service Reverend Schalkhauser has provided the Lansing firefighters will never be forgotten. On behalf of my constituents of Michigan's Eighth Congressional District, I am pleased to honor him in Congress in recognition of his official retirement on June 18.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, since the fall of communism and the Soviet Union, the Russian government has made significant strides in promoting free enterprise and free trade. Sometimes, however, old habits die hard. Bureaucrats at the Russian Ministry of Agriculture seem to be living in the past. In a move reminiscent of the Soviet-era, they have ordered the nationalization of a private company with American trademarks, Stolichnaya Vodka. These actions run counter to the efforts of Russian President Putin who has repeatedly demanded more property rights and freedom for the Russian people. Unfortunately, bureaucrats in the government have not gotten the message. The actions against the rightful owner, SPI International, are not isolated incidents. As SPI's counsel, Richard Edlin stated in testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means there is a ``troubling pattern of regression by the Russian government to the tactics and policies of the Soviet era.'' These abuses must stop if Russia is going to be considered a reliable trading partner of the United States. It is incumbent upon the Russian government and its trading partners to demand a correction of these abuses. These problems should not be swept under the rug. These actions threaten trade, reform and prosperity for the Russian people. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the following editorial from the May 16, 2002 Investor's Business Daily be included in the Congressional Record. [From the Investor's Business Daily, May 16, 2002] Moscow's Sticky Fingers Risk Economic Future of Russia (By Doug Bandow) After years of economic chaos and declines, Russia is advancing. Despite serious challenges to civil liberties, press freedom and the democratic process, the Russian people are finally enjoying a growing economy. And Moscow's success, including a surprising budget surplus, re-dounds to the benefit of America. A more prosperous Russia is less likely to slide back into its communist past. A more prosperous Russia will offer a better market for U.S. investment and trade. Yet continued progress requires that Russia move more inefficient state enterprises into private hands. Moscow must also improve its international commercial reputation. However, Russia unfortunately is moving in the opposite direction, at attempting to reverse previous privatizations. For instance, vodka is big business, the nation's second largest. (The Russians do love to drink.) One of vodka's most celebrated brand name is Stolichnaya. SPI International acquired the Stolichnaya name in 1992, and now sells 1.3 million cases in the U.S. alone. But Moscow is trying to strip away SPI's trademark. To enforce its claim, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture has impounded 180,000 cases of SPI's vodka, currently sitting on the dock in the post of Kaliningrad. USSR Crumbles SPI's state-owned predecessor first registered its vodka trademark in the U.S. in 1967. PepsiCo bought the right to import Stolichnaya into the U.S. and spent more than $100 million over the years to encourage demand (PepsiCo has since left the alcohol business.) When the USSR disintegrated at the end of 1991, the successor states, led by Russia, began selling off many state enterprises, SPI became a private company. In October 1992 the Russian government confirmed its right to export vodka under several trademarks. Two years ago Allied Domecq acquired U.S. distributions rights. In reliance on SPI's property rights, Allied has undertaken a new advertising campaign and launched a new product to compete with Smirnoff. SPI has been shipping Stolichnaya for a decade without complaint from the Russian government, SPI has invested about $20 million to promote the brand and another $50 million to settle the debts of its state-run predecessor. Yet the government recently decided that it wants to renationalize Stolichnaya. It went to court to claim ownership earlier this year, and a Moscow court sided with the government. Moscow Short-Sighted Despite the vulnerability of Russian courts to state manipulation, SPI won two subsequent decisions. These judges barred the agriculture ministry from trying to exercise the trademark and from seizing SPI's vodka. Yet the government has ignored the courts. It has established a federal enterprise to monopolize vodka sales. Officials have even threatened SPI's employees with criminal prosecution. Moscow's campaign is curiously short-sighted. Even if the government succeeds in stripping SPI's rights in Russia, it will have no right to export to the U.S. Allied is the registered trademark holder, and SPI is Allied' exclusive supplier. Unfortunately, Stolichnaya is not the only target of Moscow's commercial aggression. Greenberg Traurig attorney Richard Edlin complained of ``a troubling pattern of regression by the Russian government to the tactics and policies of the Soviet era'' at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing. For instance, the U.S. firm Films by Jove purchased Russian copy-rights. It's spend $4 million in making animated films. Now the Russian government has set up its own company by the same name as the firm that licenses films to Films by Jove and claims it's the true owner. A U.S. District Court upheld the U.S. company's copyright, opining that the Russian court's contrary decision, perhaps made under government pressure, was ``incoherent,'' ``irrelevant'' and ``shocking.'' No wonder Russian Duma member Boris Nemtsov, head of the Union of Right forces, called on President Vladimir Putin to reverse the ``dangerous'' threat to property rights, one of the ``pillars of true progress for Russia.'' Nemtsov worries that other reforms--Putin has flatten the income tax and legalized the sale of nonagricultural land--``will be for naught if the fundamental weaknesses of the Russian state that undermine property and minority shareholder rights are not addressed.'' Rule of Law Individual companies, which have invested in reliance upon property rights granted by Moscow obviously have much to fear from the surreptitious rollback of privatization. If Russia is to continue to show economic growth, it must establish a stable investment climate to encourage demands and foreign investment. Commercial certainty is particularly important if the nation is to enter the World Trade Organization. Putin deserves credit for having halted Russian's slide toward chaos. But real property requires establishment of the rule of law and respect for property rights.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Ele's Place in Lansing, Michigan, and the caring volunteers and community leaders who have built a remarkable non-profit program for children grieving the loss of a loved one. Beginning in 1991 with volunteer help and a dream, Ele's Place has worked in borrowed space in a Lansing church basement to reach out to grieving children in a compassionate and caring setting. Today, Ele's Place is a haven where children can learn to heal in trying times. Ele's Place also offers guidance to parents and adults helping children through the loss of a family member, friends, classmate or other loved one. By helping children and their significant adults deal with grief, Ele's Place has an immeasurable and extended impact on the entire community. As Ele's Place launches the construction of its very own facility this month, this group of caring professionals and volunteers are poised to expand their enormous impact on the grieving families of the Lansing, Michigan region. Mr. Speaker, we wish Ele's Place well and congratulate them on this major accomplishment. We are honored to support the work of the dedicated team that makes Ele's Place possible.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, during National Law Enforcement Memorial Week, to introduce the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Equity and Reform Act of 2002. Mr. Speaker, this week in our nation's capital and around America, a variety of events are being held to honor law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and those who continue to serve. The very real dangers faced by the dedicated men and women who protect us every day was brought home as never before last September 11. While we cannot turn back the clock and undo what was done, we can and must do everything within our power to ensure that it never happens again. And it is our law enforcement officers, and, in particular, our federal law enforcement agencies, that are charged with that paramount mission. The bill I am introducing today will help accomplish this goal by enhancing and modernizing the compensation system for our nation's federal law enforcement officers. The bill will do three things, each of which is absolutely necessary to continue to attract and retain the very best and brightest to our federal law enforcement agencies. First, the bill will eliminate certain existing limits on the amount of overtime pay federal law enforcement agents can receive. Second, the bill will bring up-to-date outmoded increases in the pay received by agents who work in certain high-cost metropolitan areas. Third, the bill directs the Office of Personnel Management, which oversees pay and benefit issues for federal employees, to study and, if warranted, implement a separate pay structure for federal law enforcement officers who are now evaluated, promoted, and paid under the same system as all other federal employees. The first two provisions are essentially technical adjustments aimed at fairly compensating federal agents for the overtime they put in (and they have put in A LOT of it since 9/11) as well as the higher cost of living in the nation's larger metropolitan areas, like New York, San Francisco, and here in Washington, D.C. where the price of real estate has risen so sharply in recent years that many federal agents cannot afford to purchase even a modest home. The third provision will address the long-standing need for an examination and ultimate implementation of a separate pay and promotion system for federal law enforcement. The individuals who devote their lives to front-line enforcement of the laws of the United States and the protection of our national security should be functioning under a personnel system tailored to the demands of their work, which is fundamentally different than that done by civil servants in other agencies. Mr. Speaker, now is the right time for Congress to take action in this area. Just last week, OPM Director Kay Coles James outlined the Bush Administration's initiatives for improving the antiquated system of pay and promotion for all federal employees. OPM reported that the antiquated General Schedule (``GS'') that sets forth pay and promotion levels does not adequately compete with pay levels in the private sector, nor does it encourage individual accomplishment and innovation or grant individual agencies with the flexibility they need to address their particular human capital needs. I support this effort to reform and modernize our federal civil service pay system for all federal employees, in whatever agency they serve. However, nowhere are these criticisms of the GS system more pronounced than among our federal law enforcement agencies. As Congress continues to hold hearings and review a wide array of reforms to the GS system, I believe we should take the interim steps called for in the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Equity and Reform Act to ensure that we do not lose an unacceptable number of quality law enforcement officers. A law enforcement pay system is not a new idea. The last three administrations have supported the concept. In fact, in 1993, the OPM released a study and report to Congress which found that the GS system created largely for white collar civil servants simply does not fit the role, mission, or demands of modem federal law enforcement agencies. It found that the GS system does not adequately allow for promotion and advancement based on the individual training, scope of work, danger level, or personal ambition and innovation of federal agents. Nor does it adequately compensate mid-and upper-level management within the agencies. The so-called ``pay compression'' at these agencies, the report found, sees many agents hit a pay ceiling mid-way through their careers. Thus, just at the time when these agents become the most experienced, seasoned, and valuable to the U.S., they are left with very little financial incentive to continue advancing in their careers. Mr. Speaker, in no way am I suggesting that these agents do what they do solely, or even largely, for the money. If money were all that motivated them, they would have chosen a different career from the outset. Far from it, most the federal agents I know do what they do and put their lives on the line because they have a burning desire to serve their country and to protect Americans from crime. But they must also make ends meet and provide for their families, and for many agents, that is becoming harder and harder to do. Mr. Speaker, at no time before have these inadequacies of the GS system for law enforcement officers been more pronounced than today. We are facing a ``perfect storm'' of personnel demands at these agencies: as the demands on these agents skyrockets, the private sector is aggressively seeking to recruit those agents. Mr. Speaker, since 9/11, agents are working tremendous amounts of overtime. I have met and spoken with many federal law enforcement agents and agencies, and in particular with the FBI and its members' association, the FBI Agents Association. They have told me that it is not uncommon for an average FBI agent, for example, to today be working 60 to 80-hour work weeks, or even more. Now long hours at the FBI is nothing new. As a former FBI agent myself, I can tell you that marathon sessions of investigation, surveillance, research, and apprehension go with the territory. Agents know this, and they accept it. More importantly, their spouses and children must accept it as part of the job. But today, a significant number of the nation's FBI agents have been assigned to anti-terrorism-related jobs. Not only are these agents working day and night to identify and apprehend terrorists, but the other agents at the FBI are pulling double-duty as they maintain crime- fighting efforts in the many other jurisdictional areas. At the same time, private sector companies are aggressively recruiting security experts as they, too, seek to address terrorist and other threats. Corporations across America are offering big salaries and big signing bonuses to anyone who has demonstrable experience in terrorism and security. Invariably, they recruit from the ranks of our national law enforcement agents to fill that need. If America is to win, and I mean WIN the war against terrorism and crime, then we simply must be able to recruit and retain intelligent, talented, and highly motivated men and women. The FBI or any other agency you look at is no better and no worse than the people who work there. I believe that we have the very best people and the very best national law enforcement agencies to be found anywhere in the world. But if we want to maintain that exceptional level of quality in the face of new threats and new challenges to our national security, we must pay these people what they're worth and we must provide the flexibility to promote them on criteria more than simply how long they have worked in their particular job. This legislation goes a long way toward accomplishing these goals, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in recognition of the individuals of the Lions of Michigan All State Band. An organization known for its hard work and dedication, Lions Clubs have been committed to serving their communities since 1917. With a membership of over 1.4 million members serving in more than 44,600 clubs worldwide, Lions Clubs touch lives throughout the world community. In July of this year, Lions Clubs International will hold its international convention in Osaka, Japan. As the only band from the U.S. traveling to Japan, the Lions of Michigan All State Band has the privilege of representing over 18,000 Lions Clubs members from the United States at the convention. This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Lions award winning youth program within Michigan. The honor of traveling to Japan is fitting recognition for the hard work of those involved in this program. I applaud the 123 student members of the band for their willingness to serve and the adult participants that make the program possible. I commend the community minded endeavors of the Lions of Michigan and applaud the discipline of the Lions of Michigan All State Band. I am pleased that such fine young people will be representing our country on the international level. I invite my colleagues to join me in recognition of the hard work and achievement of the Lions of Michigan All State Band.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2001 winner of the International Franchise Association's Entrepreneur of the Year award, David McKinnon. As CEO and chairman of Service Brands International, Mr. McKinnon is dedicated to vision, leadership, perseverance, integrity and ethics. Mr. Speaker, this award is bestowed on someone who exemplifies the ``entrepreneurial spirit'' that franchising represents. A person who demonstrates innovative management skills, is a risk taker and remains active in his or her community. David McKinnon certainly possesses all of these qualities. He has spent his career building, losing, re- obtaining, and rebuilding a top quality franchise that now sets the standard for others. Mr. McKinnon started out his career with a small company known as Molly Maid. Today, the Service Brands International serves as the umbrella company for, not only Molly Maid, but also Mr. Handyman, 1- 800-DryClean, Wee Watch, Certified Restoration DryClean Network, and Fran Tech. This award should not go without recognition. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to David McKinnon for his outstanding achievements in business and in wishing him continued success.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in somber remembrance of the horrors of the Armenian Genocide. It is essential to reflect on the evils of the past to ensure that historical lessons are properly understood. It is in an effort to accomplish this that I call on my colleagues, as well as the international community, to remember and recognize the genocide of over a million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire. During the end of the Ottoman Empire, the Armenian people were the victims of an atrocity of a horrifying magnitude. As many as 1.5 million were massacred through forced exile and murder. Refugees were scattered throughout the region and many found their way to the United States. As events during the Holocaust, as well as in Rwanda and Bosnia, have demonstrated, we have yet to fully internalize the lessons taught us by the dehumanizing actions of the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians. Human rights violations and discrimination due to ethnic background are still prevalent throughout the world. As such it is more important than ever that the genocide experienced by the Armenians is recognized by the world community. It is only through such recognition that we as a society can begin to ensure that such events will not happen again. In line with this goal, I specifically call on the country of Turkey to formally recognize the genocide. I join with the Armenians today in sad remembrance of the horrible crimes committed against their people. I appreciate the support that the Armenian people have demonstrated as our own nation has dealt with the horrors of September 11. I am confidant that the friendship between Armenia and the U.S. will continue to flourish as we work together for freedom and prosperity in both our nations.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Corporate and Auditing Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency Act of 2002, and I want to congratulate the chairman on this bill that was reported out of the Committee on Financial Services last week on a strong bipartisan vote under his leadership. This bill brings needed reforms and oversight to the accounting industry. It ensures that those with the greatest interest in ensuring that the information provided to the marketplace regarding public companies is accurate and complete and facilitates the fair and efficient functioning of the markets. Mr. Chairman, this is an important piece of legislation that does not create a new Federal bureaucracy funded by taxpayers; rather, it requires a new private sector oversight body to review the accounting firms that audit financial statements. This new body, called the Public Regulatory Organization, would have broad powers to discipline accountants that violate the most basic codes of ethics, standards of independence, and standards of competency. Mr. Chairman, this bill is necessary to restore the faith in our markets. This bill brings credibility and integrity to the process by protecting against conflicts of interest in the accounting industry. This piece of legislation is important because we need to act now. We need to pass this bill today. We need to give the SEC and this new PRO the tools to be up and running quickly to protect the future of investments in this country. Mr. Chairman, at this time I would like to have a colloquy with my good friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Financial Services.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Reclaiming my time once again, Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished chairman for clarifying this point and I thank him for his leadership on this very important bill.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I want to see that this PRO is up and running in an expeditious fashion. Does the PRO have the authority to contract for services with other private sector companies or regulators to make this happen as quickly as possible?

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that this bill does not create a new Federal bureaucracy to oversee the accounting profession but, rather, creates a private sector regulator to do that job.

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, turning the key in the door of your very own home for the first time is a thrill that few families ever forget. For generations, the ability to purchase your own home has symbolized the hard work, thrift and personal responsibility that embodies the American Dream. For some, the idea of owning their own home is but a dream, an unattainable dream. Across our nation, families get up, go to work every day, and play by the rules; but, they find that the downpayment on a home is a hurdle that keeps them from making that important investment in themselves and their community. These are families who, after paying the rent, buying groceries, and meeting their children's needs, have a tough time saving enough money to get past the first step of home ownership--the downpayment and closing costs. To help first-time, low-income families overcome those highest barriers to home ownership, I am introducing the American Dream Downpayment Act. This legislation will give effect to President Bush's proposal to help 200,000 low-income families achieve the dream of home ownership over five years. The President's Fiscal Year 2003 budget request included $200 million in grants to assist first-time, low-income home buyers. As part of his call to expand home ownership opportunity, the Fiscal Year 2003 budget quadruples the President's Down Payment Assistance Initiative from its 2002 level. In announcing the funds provided in the budget, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez said it best: ``Opening the doors to home ownership to more and more Americans is one of this Administration's goals. The American Dream Downpayment fund will accomplish much more than that. By giving as many Americans as possible an opportunity to become stakeholders in their community, we believe it will help to stabilize some neighborhoods and completely revitalize others.'' When I reviewed the President's budget, I knew this would be important for all Americans, especially families in Michigan's metropolitan areas such as Lansing, Flint and Detroit. In giving the President's proposal legislative effect, the American Dream Downpayment Act will provide communities throughout America with $200 million in annual grants in Fiscal Year 2003 thru Fiscal Year 2006 to help home buyers with the downpayment and closing costs, the biggest hurdles to home ownership. Upon enactment, the American Dream Downpayment Act will be administered as part of HUD's existing HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). HOME is a successful program that helps communities expand the supply of standard, affordable housing for low-income and very low income families by providing grants to states and local governments. The flexible program will enable more than 400 local and state governments to help communities provide low-income families with rate reductions, closings costs and downpayment assistance. Specifically, the focus of the proposal is on low-income families who are also first- time home buyers. To participate, recipients must have annual incomes that do not exceed 80% of the area median income. I believe that the American Dream Downpayment Act will help increase the overall home ownership rate in the United States, especially among minority groups who have lower rates of home ownership compared to the national average. For example, more than two-thirds of all Americans own their own home, while fewer than half of African-Americans and Hispanic families are homeowners. I look forward to working with my House colleagues on a simple, but powerful, proposal to move more American families into their own homes--and making their American Dream a reality.