Martin Sabo

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), one of our colleagues on the Committee on Appropriations and an old friend.

Mr. SABO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).

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

Mr. SABO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to a distinguished member of our subcommittee, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Pastor). (Mr. PASTOR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost) for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, first, let me say that this is a good bill, and I will have more to say about that later. I commend the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) for producing a good bill. At the end of the day, it is a bill that deserves broad bipartisan support and should be passed by an overwhelming margin. Madam Speaker, however, I cannot support this rule. The reason is that we have a problem, in my judgment, a serious problem, with the advent of Mexican trucks having access to the United States outside of the 20-mile commercial zone starting January 1. This bill did not create the problem, it has been created for us, and if there is one place we can begin to deal with the remedy, that place is in this bill. The amendment that I had offered, which would require preinspection of carrier applicants in Mexico before they receive conditional certification, would add to the safety potential that we have in this country, to go along with the additional inspectors. None of us can guarantee perfect safety, but those working together would give us some greater hope that we will have safe trucks operating in this country. Madam Speaker, no one disputes the fact that Mexico-domiciled motor carriers operate with virtually no safety oversight today. There are no motor carrier hours of service regulations in Mexico. Even though the Mexican Government is now implementing a driver record database, there is currently no way to check the driving history of Mexico motor carrier drivers. In addition, Mexico will not finalize its roadside inspection program until October 2001. Let me add that while we are focusing on inspection and out-of- service rates for trucks, equipment is important, but the driving capability of the driver is the most important. A greater proportion of accidents involving big trucks are driver-related rather than equipment-related. I might add that this committee and this Congress has been seriously involved in the last several years of trying to improve the truck safety of American trucks, and then we look at what the history is of Mexican trucks coming into the commercial zones today. Let me simply say that for trucks coming into Mexico and Arizona, we find that 40 percent of the Mexican-domiciled trucks today are put out of service. I urge a no vote on this rule so we can quickly get a new rule which makes my amendment in order.

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, today, along with my colleagues from Minnesota, I am introducing legislation congratulating the University of Minnesota and its faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. Mr. Speaker, the University of Minnesota is a land grant institution established in 1851, seven years before the state of Minnesota was accepted into the Union. Since its creation, the University of Minnesota has become one of the most comprehensive and prestigious universities in the United States, and is a major research institution spanning four campuses and outreach centers statewide. During its first 150 years, the University of Minnesota has awarded more than 537,575 degrees, including more than 24,728 doctoral degrees. Among the University of Minnesota's accomplished faculty and alumni are 13 Nobel Prize winners. The University of Minnesota's faculty, staff, and students have made significant contributions to our nation, and our world, which include the establishment of the world's leading kidney transplant center, as well as the invention of the flight recorder (commonly known as the ``black box''), retractable seat belt, and the heart-lung machine used in the world's first open-heart surgery. The University of Minnesota has also made contributions in other areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, and physical sciences, including the creation of more than 80 new crop varieties, the development of the taconite process, and the isolation of uranium-235. The University of Minnesota reaches across the state with its Extension Service, which has contact with 700,000 Minnesotans each year. With program areas ranging from crop management to effective parenting, all Minnesotans benefit from the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Mr. Speaker, the University of Minnesota is an esteemed institution of higher learning, and as we mark its 150th Anniversary, I invite my colleagues to join me, and my fellow Minnesota colleagues, in honoring this remarkable university and its contributions to us all.

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, we all want to ensure Social Security's long- term solvency. So, the only remaining question is how we get it done. Congress could reduce benefits or increase the retirement age like the Social Security reform measures enacted in 1977 and 1983. During these past efforts, Congress phased in an increase in the normal retirement age from 65 to 67 and reduced benefit levels. I haven't heard a lot of support lately for further increasing the retirement age or cutting benefits for future retirees. Some believe we should create individual accounts to invest funds in the private market. This proposal would accelerate the Social Security solvency problem by taking funds out of the system that have already been counted when estimating long-term solvency. Further, concerns have been raised that using individual accounts would jeopardize the progressive nature of the system, which helps ensure low-income workers a basic benefit level. Social Security was established as a guaranteed minimum retirement package. Individuals already have the option of supplementing this plan with private savings and investments. Others suggest investing Social Security funds in equity markets, while also retaining guaranteed benefits. This approach might increase the earnings of the trust funds, but would also involve greater risk. I recommend another option--increase the interest rate we pay to Social Security. Over the past 10 years, the Social Security trust funds have received interest of about 4.5 percent over inflation. I propose that we raise that rate--or ``refinance''--at 6 percent over inflation, making Social Security solvent indefinitely. Under my approach, funds to ensure Social Security solvency must come from the General Treasury. This plan keeps our commitment to extend Social Security for future retirees, and provides for a straight- forward accounting of the cost of these obligations within the budget framework that we use to fund our national priorities. It is not an instant solution, but an honest path to address the Social Security solvency problem for the coming wave of Baby Boom retirees.

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing legislation to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to former Senator Eugene Joseph McCarthy in recognition of his exemplary service and lifelong dedication to the nation and its people. Mr. Speaker, Senator McCarthy has a distinguished record of public service to the American people. As a member of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, and as a private citizen, Senator McCarthy made lasting contributions to the nation's welfare. During his ten years of service in the House of Representatives, Eugene McCarthy dedicated himself to improving the lives of his fellow Americans by forming the Democratic Study Group, devoted to advancing the interests of working Americans. Eugene McCarthy also served honorably as a United States Senator while he fought to advance the causes of peace and democracy in the United States and abroad. Through his efforts to shape legislation, Eugene McCarthy has exemplified the highest standards of public service. His dedication to the principles of honesty and fairness are evident in his efforts to pass civil rights legislation, increase the minimum wage, shape a just tax policy, reform government institutions, and promote a peaceful foreign policy. Senator McCarthy waged a principled campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968. His stand against the Vietnam War inspired young people to believe they could make a difference in public life. Since leaving the United States Senate, Eugene McCarthy has dedicated himself to sharing his ideas and knowledge by writing books and poetry and by speaking to audiences throughout the United States and around the world. Eugene McCarthy epitomizes the most deeply held and cherished values of our nation. Mr. Speaker, Senator McCarthy is an esteemed fellow Minnesotan and friend. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring former Senator Eugene Joseph McCarthy for his unique contributions to our nation.

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the historic achievements of American women this month, I wish to recognize two very special women from my Congressional district--Clarissa Walker and Dorothy Woolfork. For more than three decades, they have selflessly served the African- American community in Minneapolis through their work at Sabathani Community Center. Ms. Walker--Sabathani's Family Resources Director--and Ms. Woolfork-- a Sabathani civil rights activist--have tirelessly aided those in need in the south Minneapolis community that Sabathani Community Center serves. I admire both of these women for their selflessness in reaching out to others to enact true social change. Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell you a little more about the life experiences that shaped Clarissa Walker and Dorothy Woolfork's beliefs, and helped them become the dedicated women of conviction they are today. Clarissa Walker A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Clarissa Walker settled in Minneapolis in 1955. Her service to the Twin Cities community began when she worked as an operating room technician at the University of Minneapolis Hospital. In 1968, Ms. Walker was recruited to work for Sabathani Community Center as a youth supervisor. She quickly moved up the ranks, serving in various positions--social worker/ counselor, assistant director, acting executive director, and agency director of the Center. In 1971, she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. Since then she has done some post-graduate studies in business management, and has become a licensed social worker. Ms. Walker has served in her current position as director of the Family Resource program since 1985. Through the years, Ms. Walker has worked diligently to enrich the Sabathani community in a number of capacities. She has donated much of her time to several important agencies and causes, including the Minnesota Extension Advisory Committee; the Neighborhood Reinvestment Regional Advisory Committee; the Second Harvest Food Bank Board; the United Way First Call for Help Committee; the First and Secondary Market Loan Committee; the Neighborhood Housing Services of America Board; and the Project for Pride in Living Board. She has also served as President of the Southside Neighborhood Housing Services Board President, and has served on the Central Neighborhood Improvement Association; the United Way Budget and Allocation panel; the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee to the Mayor; and the Lake Street Partners Board. Dorothy Woolfork Dorothy Woolfork was born in rural Arkansas in 1916. The daughter of sharecroppers, she was taught the value of hard work and the importance of voting--both values she brought to Minneapolis when she moved there in 1939. Upon arriving in Minneapolis, Ms. Woolfork learned about a neighbor who was returning to the South to teach, because Minneapolis did not hire black teachers. This experience, along with the prejudices she witnessed growing up in the South, inspired her to learn more about the political process. Characteristically independent, Ms. Woolfork believes strongly in the collaboration of community involvement and government to make positive societal changes. She has demonstrated this belief by serving on several boards, including the Civil Rights Commission; the Board of Equalization; the Bryant Village Initiative; the Bryant Neighborhood Organization; and South Side Neighborhood Housing, Inc. Furthermore, she served for fifteen years on the Council of Black Minnesotans and earned the Council's Martin Luther King Award. Ms. Woolfork served as the chairwoman for the Minneapolis NAACP for twenty years, and she has been recognized by the State of Minnesota and the City of Minneapolis for her volunteer work. She has also received the Harriet Tubman Award from the Bryant Neighborhood Organization, and several other accolades. For over a generation, Clarissa Walker and Dorothy Woolfork have worked to open the ``road less traveled'' to other women seeking to enact positive societal change. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Women's History Month, we should salute these two exceptional women--ideal role models for women young and old across this country.

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the co-founders of the Friends of Norway Congressional Caucus--Representative Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota, Representative John Thune of South Dakota, and myself--to pay tribute to a dear friend, His Excellency Tom Vraalsen, as he concludes his tenure as the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States. After five years of distinguished service here, Ambassador Vraalsen is leaving to become the Norwegian Ambassador to Finland. Ambassador Vraalsen's record of public service to his own country, and to the world community, is remarkable. Prior to his tenure as Norwegian Ambassador to the United States, he served as the Norwegian Ambassador to Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He served as Norway's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1975 to 1979. A member of the Foreign Service since 1960, Ambassador Vraalsen has also held several positions in Norwegian embassies in Peking, Cairo, Manila, and Jakarta. Ambassador Vraalsen is a respected expert in international humanitarian and socio-economic development issues--having most recently served as Special Envoy of the U.N. Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs in the Sudan in 1998. In addition, he has written numerous papers and articles on African economic development issues, as well as conflict prevention and resolution, and he is author and co- author, respectively, of two books: The U.N.--Dream and Reality (1984) and U.N. in Focus (1975). Our friendships with Ambassador Vraalsen have been complemented through our work with him on the Friends of Norway Congressional Caucus--an organization we established in the House of Representatives in 1999. Ambassador Vraalsen first developed the idea to create the Caucus, which he believed would help foster connections between American and Norwegian leaders and address issues of concern to the Norwegian-American community. Many members of our Caucus are of Norwegian heritage, or represent states in which a significant proportion of Norwegian-Americans live. The Friends of Norway Congressional Caucus has grown, and today it boasts over 40 members. With Ambassador Vraalsen's cooperation and encouragement, the organization has served as an important medium for promoting cultural, commercial, and economic ties between the United States and Norway. Ambassador Vraalsen has served his country well as Ambassador to the United States. We feel honored to have worked with him. As he embarks upon a new path in his career of service, we will miss his advice and counsel on issues important to our two countries. Mr. Speaker, today we wish Ambassador Vraalsen the best of luck, and good health and happiness always. We will miss him.

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the history and heritage of African-Americans this month, I wish to take the opportunity to recognize a very special organization in Minneapolis, MN, which has provided invaluable services to the African-American community for over three decades: Sabathani Community Center. Founded in 1966, Sabathani Community Center is one of many grassroots organizations that sprang up in communities across the country in the wake of President Lyndon Baines Johnson's ``Great Society'' initiative. Focusing first on providing recreational opportunities to African- American youth at the old Minneapolis Bryand Junior High School on 38th Street and 3rd Avenue South, Sabathani's founders soon expanded their ``basic needs'' mission to address a number of other social and community needs. At the time Sabathani was created, I was a member of the minority DFL caucus in the Minnesota House of Representatives. It was an era of great expansion of rights and opportunities for people of color, women, and working-class Americans throughout our Nation. Since the 1960's, much has changed in the south Minneapolis neighborhoods Sabathani serves. The center was one of dozens of grassroots organizations founded then. Today, few of these have survived, but Sabathani is thriving because it has grown and changed with the community and its needs. Sabathani continues to flourish as the ``heart'' of a community. The center provides a fine service model where good intentions, sound administration, positive government involvement, and solid community support intersect to provide the opportunities that hundreds of people--of every race, gender, and nationality--need to improve their lives. In fact, several programs and services Sabathani provides have been credited as many people's ``lifeblood.'' Sabathani Community Center has evolved into a meeting place for ``one-stop-shopping''--providing beneficial programs and services in one central location. Sabathani sponsors 10 programs of its own to serve the diverse needs of the community, ranging from life skills classes to senior independent living programs to community involvement initiatives. In addition, 40 community agencies and organizations collaborate with Sabathani and conduct their operations in its historic, red brick school building. The center has also received financial support from over 100 foundations, corporations, businesses and other organizations. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate African-American History Month, I salute the Sabathani Community Center. For 34 years, it has served proudly and well to the benefit of the African-American community and the city of Minneapolis as a whole. I also salute all of the dedicated staff and volunteers at Sabathani whose time, energy, and support have kept the center responsive to the changing needs of its surrounding neighborhoods. To name only a few such dedicated people who have worked for years to build Sabathani Community Center and the surrounding neighborhood, I wish to recognize Sabathani's Executive Director, Jim Cook; its Family Resources Director, Clarissa Walker; and Dorothy Woolfork, a Sabathani neighborhood civil rights activist. They deserve great thanks. They have contributed to the unqualified success of Sabathani Community Center as a gathering place where unmet needs are addressed and social change is encouraged.

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), for yielding me this time. It is a sad day. Bruce Vento and I have been friends for 30 years. I remember him when he came to the Minnesota State legislature as a new member. We served 6 years together there, then he preceded me by 2 years in Congress. I watched this young man, who came to the State legislature as an eager young freshman legislator, grow into one of our great national leaders on so many issues. I want to offer my condolences to his wife, Susan, to his sons, his grandchildren, and the rest of the Vento family. Bruce was always very close to his family and so proud of them. That was part of his being, just as being from the east side of St. Paul was part of his being. He never forgot those roots. He represented the people of that district with a passion. Bruce was a person with passion for many, many things: to make sure that the recent immigrants, the Hmong from his district, who had served our country, could become citizens. A broad array of housing legislation with little special emphasis on the homeless, but it really went to the totality of housing programs in this country because he felt people needed decent housing, to dealing with the complexity of how we deal with financial institutions in this country. I always thought it was so fitting that Bruce, the biology teacher in south Minneapolis, became chair of our Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands because this was another real passion for him. And he left a real legacy in terms of expanded public lands, expanded parks and a whole variety of other public facilities in this country that will be a legacy for many, many future generations to enjoy. So it is a sad day. But I think, and most importantly, of simply a good friend.

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), ranking member of the full Committee on Appropriations and a member of the Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government.

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. SABO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Northern Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen). (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, let me first share the kind words of the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Wolf for our staff, all the staff he mentioned, along with Marjorie Duske of my staff. They do outstanding work. This is a big and complicated bill to put together, and they do an outstanding job. We owe them our heartfelt thanks for the hours and hours of work they put in producing this bill. They are competent, they are professional, they are fair, and my thanks go to all the staff that works on this bill. As the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Wolf) indicated, this is his last year chairing the Subcommittee on Transportation. I have had the opportunity over the last 4 years to serve as the ranking member on this subcommittee and as a member for the entire 6 years that the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) has chaired the subcommittee. The gentleman has done an outstanding job. He is professional, he is tough, he is fair, and he knows what he is doing, and he works hard. I expect on many issues we come from differing points on view, on many issues that come before this Congress, but in terms of working on this subcommittee, I have always found the gentleman to be totally open, to be fair in dealing with the members of the minority. His commitment to the transportation system in this country, in particular to safety issues, the transportation system is better because of his efforts; but in particular I have to say that his constant attention to safety issues has been simply outstanding. I would say to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), this House and the whole country owes the gentleman a big thank you for 6 years of an outstanding job. On the bill itself, it is a good bill. I intend to vote for it. I am not going to go through the same detail the Chairman did. Everything the gentleman said is accurate. It is a bill that will make substantial improvement to the transportation systems of this country. I agree with most everything in the bill, but let me just briefly mention one issue where the Chair and I disagree. He is on the winning side; I am on the losing side. But in the context of our Federal system in this country, there are certain things that the Federal Government has responsibilities for; there are other things that State government has responsibility. Clearly one area where the States have preeminence is creating and enforcing the traffic laws of our country. One of the most difficult issues for States to deal with is to establish the framework for dealing with drunk drivers. That involves their responsibility not only for creating law, but creating a court system to deal with it, creating the enforcement mechanisms, creating and spending the money for penalties and creating and spending the money for treatment. There are many components that go into a State having a rational and strong drunk driving law. In my judgment, it is a serious mistake for the Federal Government to move in on one component of a complex and difficult problem and say to the States, you do what we think is right, or we will take your highway money away, or a portion of your highway money away. It is the type of thing we do too frequently in this institution, not with careful thought, but simply because somebody at some point thinks it is a good idea. We add it as a rider to a bill, and the States have to comply. It may or may not be the right thing to do. It may vary from State to State. What I am certain of, however, is that setting the blood alcohol content level is only one small part of establishing a comprehensive drunk driving policy for a State; and for us to insert our judgment on simply this one issue, and leaving the States with all the complexity of other things to deal with, to me represents the arrogance at times that we carry in the Federal Government as it relates to State and local government in this country. So I strongly oppose what we are doing on this particular provision. Nonetheless, I intend to vote for the total bill, because, overall, it is a very good bill for transportation and safety in this country. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick). (Ms. KILPATRICK asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct conferees.

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his generous comments. My friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), has always been someone highly committed to safety in the various transportation modes, and I congratulate him for his continued effort. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee).

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this motion to instruct conferees is very straightforward. It is a motion to help make our communities safer and cleaner by providing increased resources to protect them from the dangers of and damage from pipeline explosions, failures, and leaks. As the conference on the differences between the House and Senate versions of the fiscal 2001 transportation appropriations bill begins, we now have an opportunity to provide these additional resources to the Office of Pipeline Safety that the Office of Pipeline Safety needs. For fiscal year 2001, the Secretary of Transportation has requested $47 million for pipeline safety activities, an increase of $10 million more than last year. And while neither the House nor the Senate transportation appropriations bills provide the full increase requested, we ought to get as close to that mark as we possibly can in the final conference agreement. This motion to instruct directs the House conferees to agree to no less than $43 million that is included in the Senate amendment for the Office of Pipeline Safety. The Senate level would provide $3 million more than the House level of $40 million and $6 million more than last year. This is the minimum amount that we should provide. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall). (Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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