Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from New York is exactly correct. We do need more competition engaged in not only homeland security but all across our government. The last session of Congress, I had an opportunity to serve on the Select Committee on Homeland Security and had an opportunity to work very closely with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney). As part of this appropriations conference, he very clearly and carefully brought forward thoughts and ideas, just exactly what our colleague from New York (Mr. Meeks) stated about the ability to create better competition but also to expect results. Several years ago the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney) was the first Member of Congress to bring forward a threat-based funding analysis plan. That was that we would aim our funding at the most likely threats that our Nation would be facing. And it is this kind of leadership that has allowed us, and I know we all do not agree on this. I know that there are a lot of people that think you ought to divide up the pie and every State or every city get so much money and every first responder gets so much money. But that is not what this administration and not what this Congress believes is the right way to do that. I am pleased right now to have as our next speaker the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney) and I would yield him 3 minutes.

Mr. SESSIONS. 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. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 216th Anniversary of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), our nation's oldest federal law enforcement agency. The Judiciary Act of 1789 created the United States Marshals Service. That same year, President George Washington appointed the first thirteen U.S. Marshals. At that time the Service's primary mission was to support the federal courts; however, U.S. Marshals and Deputy U.S. Marshals also performed a myriad of duties such as executing warrants, distributing presidential proclamations, registering enemy aliens in time of war, controlling riots, conducting the national census, collecting commerce statistics, and protecting the President. Many of these responsibilities have changed over the past 216 years, yet the Service's dedication to integrity and justice has remained constant. Today, the USMS provides for the custody and transportation of federal prisoners, ensures protection for witnesses, and manages the maintenance and disposal of seized and forfeited properties. Also of great importance is the Service's fugitive apprehension mission. The USMS apprehends more federal fugitives than all other federal law enforcement agencies combined. State and local law enforcement agencies nationwide have found the Service to be an invaluable fugitive apprehension resource. U.S. Marshals and Deputy U.S. Marshals carry out complex and life-threatening missions daily, striving to maintain the integrity of the American judicial process. Over the years, the USMS has earned its reputation as one of the most versatile and effective law enforcement agencies in the world. The 4,500 men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service are justly proud of their history. I too am proud, and wish to commend the United States Marshals Service and thank them for their contributions to the law enforcement community and to our nation.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer congratulations to my good friend Steve McCullough upon his retirement from employment as the city manager for the city of Irving, Texas. He has dedicated himself to the betterment of his community and neighbors and his tireless commitment and service should be commended. Steve began his 30-year career with the City of Irving in June 1975 when he was employed as an administrative assistant in the Finance Department. He joined the City Manager's Office in 1978 and was named deputy city manager in 1986. He has held the position of city manager in Irving since December 1993. Additionally, Steve was appointed by the governor of Texas to the Texas Municipal Retirement System Board of Trustees in 1990 and served as chairman in 1992 and 1995. During his tenure as city manager, Steve served under five mayors and 26 council members. He was essential in developing and implementing many key initiatives including the Texas Transportation Summit and TEX- 21, the Transportation Excellence for the 21st Century and a new Comprehensive Plan for the City of Irving. Under his direction, the Lake Chapman Water Supply project, the Family Advocacy Center, the North Police Substation, the Heritage Senior Center, Campion Trails and the Valley View Municipal Complex were constructed. In addition, Steve was instrumental in the planning of a DART light rail line through Las Colinas to DFW International Airport and achieving and maintaining the city's AAA bond ratings. I want to thank Steve McCullough for all that he has done to make Irving a better place to live, work and raise a family. He leaves behind a vision of pride, progress and continued success for the City of Irving, and I wish him all the best upon his retirement.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Rules may meet the week of September 19 to grant a rule which would limit the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 2123, the School Readiness Act of 2005. The Committee on Education and the Workforce ordered the bill reported on May 18 and filed its report with the House on June 16. Any Member wishing to offer an amendment should submit 55 copies of the amendment and one copy of a brief explanation of the amendment to the Committee on Rules in room H-312 of the Capitol by 1 o'clock on Tuesday, September 20. Members should draft their amendments to the text of the bill as reported by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are drafted in the most appropriate format. Members are also advised to check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain that their amendments comply with the rules of the House.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian will be staying for two nights in Miami en route to Central America; on his way back to Taiwan he will be staying overnight in San Francisco. During the last five years as president of Taiwan, Chen has gone on several state visits including trips to some of Taiwan's diplomatic allies. Last April President Chen visited the Vatican City to pay final respects to the late Pope John Paul II. I hope President Chen's stopovers in America this September will be both restful and useful to the exchange of ideas between himself and some of his American friends and supporters. As a friend of the Taiwanese people, I believe that Taiwan has been unjustifiably denied its proper recognition in the international community. Taiwan is a sovereign state; it is a constructive global citizen and a dynamic democracy. Yet it is not a member of the United Nations. As the United Nations celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, it is time for the UN General Assembly to re-examine the issue of Taiwan's membership. I therefore urge my colleagues, friends and supporters of Taiwan to speak up on the issue of Taiwan's bid to join the UN. The world must not allow China, an authoritarian state, to continue to deny Taiwan UN membership. As for Taiwan's relations with the United States, Taiwan enjoys the support of both the Bush Administration and Congress. U.S. presidents have all committed the United States to the Taiwan Relations Act and pledged support for Taiwan if it were to be attacked by China. Congress has also passed legislation voicing its support of Taiwan. In the mean time, the United States has continued to sell military articles to Taiwan in accordance with Taiwan's defense needs. In addition, we appreciate our strong trade relations with Taiwan. This September a Taiwan agricultural goodwill mission is touring the United States, pledging to buy up to more than $3.1 billion of U.S. wheat, soybeans, corn and hide in 2006 and 2007. A letter of intent signing ceremony between members of the Taiwan mission and U.S. grain exporters was held on September 14 on the Hill. Trade relations aside, the Taiwanese people have been standing firmly behind the United States after 9/11. Their government has made every effort to protect U.S. interests in Taiwan and cooperated with our intelligence agencies. It made monetary contributions to the Twin Towers Fund, the Pentagon Memorial Fund and most recently gave $2 million to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Other signs of friendship include Taiwanese people sending their brightest students to study at our colleges and universities and a great majority of their tourists choosing to spend their dollars in American destinations. As President Chen passes through America this September, we'd like him and his people to know that we greatly appreciate his country and have great fondness for his people and their friendship for us.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that the Republic of China, Taiwan, has sent an Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission to Capitol Hill and there will be a signing ceremony between the Mission and its American grain suppliers on Wednesday, September 14, 2005, at 9 a.m. in the Mansfield Room of the Capitol Building. It is also my understanding that Taiwan's Goodwill Mission will sign letters of intent to purchase 14.5 million metric tons, equivalent to 559 million bushels, of U.S. wheat, soybeans and corn in 2006 and 2007. The mission's tannery group will also sign a statement with American suppliers to buy up to 6 million pieces of ``wet salted hide'' and ``wet blue hide'' for years 2006 and 2007. The total value of all the purchases will amount to $3.1 billion. I welcome Taiwan's Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission to Capitol Hill. Two years ago, the same Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission came to the Hill and signed letters of intent agreeing to purchase $2.87 billion for the years 2004 and 2005. The last mission planned to buy 15.1 metric tons, approximately 581 bushels, of wheat, soybeans and corns and 4 million pieces of hide. As of June 2005, Taiwan had already purchased 10.5 metric tons, equivalent to 404 million bushels, of U.S. grain. And in 2004, Taiwan purchased an additional 3 million pieces of U.S. hide in 2004. Given Taiwan's long history as an excellent customer for U.S. agricultural products, it is reasonable to expect Taiwan to fulfill all its agreed-upon commitments and more. Taiwan has had a very strong trade relations with our Nation. Year after year, Taiwan has imported U.S. cattle hides, U.S. hog skins, soybean, corn and wheat and other agricultural products, amounting to billions of dollars for American producers. We hope this trend will continue in the future as our agricultural exports to Taiwan greatly benefit our grain exporters and farmers. I join my colleagues in welcoming members of Taiwan's Agricultural Trade Goodwill to Capitol Hill and I wish Dr. Chen Hsi-Huang, Mr. Kuo Hsin-Hong and Mr. Wang Tsong-ming, heads of The Soybean and Corn Delegation, The Wheat Delegation and The Hide Delegation, and members of the delegation a pleasant journey as they travel to Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Kansas, and Texas to meet with state and local officials and suppliers. We also hope they will return to Capitol Hill again next year.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor U.S. Army Specialist Michael R. Hayes, an American hero who lost his life in defense of liberty and freedom. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might know freedom, and I am humbled by his bravery and selflessness. Spc. Michael Hayes was killed on June 14, 2005 when a rocket- propelled grenade hit his Humvee while he and four other Marines were providing security around a suspected explosive device near Baghdad. He was 29 years old. Spc. Hayes was assigned to the 617th Military Police Company, Kentucky Army National Guard at Richmond, KY. In addition to his family, fiancee and country, Spc. Hayes loved soccer. He founded the girls' soccer program at Butler County High School of Kentucky six years ago and was a devoted coach. He took this love from the soccer fields to the streets of Iraq where he took particular pride in seeing the children attend their newly built or refurbished schools. He wrote often of the Iraqi children and how their smiles brought him comfort. His leadership, dedication and enthusiasm will be missed. He is survived by his mother, Barkley Hayes, fiancee, Melissa Allen, sister, Spc. Melissa Stewart, and brother, Spc. James Hayes, both of whom serve in the 617th Military Police Company. I want to thank his family for raising such a fine man. As the father of two sons, I know their sacrifice is indescribable. Spc. Hayes leaves behind a legacy marked by courage, integrity and character. It is an honor and a privilege to represent his family in Congress. May God bless them, and may I convey to them the many thanks of a grateful Nation.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine Corporal Tyler Seth Trovillion, an American hero who lost his life in defense of liberty and freedom. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might know freedom, and I am humbled by his bravery and selflessness. Corporal Tyler Trovillion was killed on June 15, 2005 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He was 23 years old. CPL Trovillion was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, CA and was operating with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, which was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. During his funeral service, CPL Trovillion was remembered as a fun-loving, hard working man who lived his life not for himself, but for others. He was a man filled with the joy of living, and we celebrate the life he lived as a son, brother and friend. CPL Trovillion is survived by his parents, Mark and Gina Trovillion, sisters, Austin and Skye, brother Jazak and fiancee, Rachel Walker. I can only imagine the immense pride they feel knowing that CPL Tovillion fought for what is just and right in our world. He leaves behind a legacy marked by courage, integrity and character. It was an honor and a privilege to represent this man in Congress. May God bless all those he loved, and may I convey to them my sincerest condolences and the gratitude of the American people.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. A lot of the leadership that has been talked about, making sure that this bill is a carefully crafted bill, is true. But there are also a lot of people who played a big role in making sure that the elements and the people who are a part of the dialogue and a part of the things that were necessary to make sure this balanced bill was brought forward were important also. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs for the Committee on Government Reform, has played an integral role in making sure that not only her footprint was on this and hand print was on this but, also, in particular, that other people who had a vested interest, most of all the taxpayers of this country, were also involved. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), 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. This structured rule provides 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform, and waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. It provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Government Reform now printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the purpose of amendment and waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Government Reform. The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Committee on Rules report accompanying the resolution and provides that these amendments may be offered only in the order printed in the report, only by a Member designated in the report, and shall be considered as read. They shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. Finally, the rule waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report and provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 22, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, and this underlying rule. When I was first elected to Congress in 1996, I served on the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight's Postal Service Subcommittee, which was charged with the task of reforming our Nation's postal operations to make them more efficient, cost-effective, and responsive. And although I no longer serve on the committee or the subcommittee charged with the oversight of the U.S. Postal Service, my commitment to reforming the Postal Service has not decreased. Today, for the first time in three decades, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), chairman of Committee on Government Reform; and the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), my friend, have brought to the House floor a comprehensive bill that would vastly improve the United States Postal Service, and I would like to thank both of them for all the hard work that the Committee on Government Reform has invested in this legislation. Since President Nixon signed the Postal Reorganization Act in 1970, the United States Postal Service has not significantly updated its fundamental operations. While this legislation helped to update the Postal Service and to move it from a bureaucracy subsidized by tax revenue to self-sufficiency, a market-based entity, the way that people communicate has changed dramatically over the last three decades, and the Postal Service must now evolve to meet the changing demands of consumers. The Postal Service is a very large organization that sits at the center of a $900 billion industry, representing about 9 percent of America's GDP, that employs more than 9 million workers nationwide. It processes more than 200 billion pieces of mail to 130 million households and businesses every year, and it directly employs 700,000 people, making it the second largest employer in the country. If the Postal Service were a private company, it would rank 11th on the Fortune 500 in terms of revenue. However, 21st century realities, including decreasing volume; insufficient revenue; mounting debts; and the rapid growth of electronic communications for advertising, bill payments, and information transfer present an enormous challenge to the Postal Service in fulfilling its mission to ``provide postal services that bind the Nation together through the correspondence of the people, to provide access in all communities, and to offer prompt, reliable postal services at uniform prices.'' H.R. 22 maps out a responsible and accountable future for the United States Postal Service that will provide increased oversight for its operations, renew its focus on its core mission of delivering the mail, and save as many as 1.5 million jobs in the private sector that rely on the Postal, and accomplishing all of this without imposing a significant new tax burden on every American who uses stamps. This bill would transform today's Postal Rate Commission into the Postal Regulatory Commission and give it to the authority to ensure that the Postal Service as an efficient and responsible operation in the 21st Century environment exists. It would require the Postal Service to account for all of its costs in SCC-like financial disclosure statements and give the Regulatory Commission the authority to punish the Postal Service for any noncompliance. It would also subject the Postal Service to antitrust laws, require the Regulatory Commission to account for the advantages that its government status confers, and build these advantages into a competitive product that helps to raise the level playing field with private business. H.R. 22 would renew the Postal Service's focus on its core mission also of collecting, sorting, transporting, and delivering the mail more efficiently, and to bar it from new nonpostal products and services already being provided efficiently by the private sector. It would also prevent a 2-cent postage rate increase this year with another even larger increase that might have been anticipated next year that would act as a significant drain and back-door tax on our growing economy. According to estimates, if mail decreased by 10 percent, over 780,000 mailing industry jobs would also be at risk; and if decreased by 20 percent, over 1.5 million jobs would also be at risk. As our economy continues to expand with 25 consecutive months of job gains adding over 3.7 million new jobs to payrolls, and payroll employment having increased by 2.1 over the year, we should not be adding artificial impediments to future job growth and expansion like a stamp price increase. Adding this new stealth tax on American families and businesses would simply accelerate the movement of mailers to other communications media, decreasing volumes at the Postal Service even further and exposing taxpayers to the unfunded obligations of the United States Postal Service. I am very proud of the hard work that so many Members have put into reforming the United States Postal Service to ensure that it is a dynamic, market-based entity that provides uniform and universal service to America while preventing its status as a government entity from subsidizing its competition for providing goods and services already being supplied by the private sector. I would personally like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), our wonderful chairman, for their tireless efforts to improve the United States Postal Office. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings) has made some very good points, and that is that the work that has gone into this bill, while it has been some probably 10 years in the making, was done through strong leadership, it was done through strong bipartisan leadership, it was done not only with the negotiation of the United States Postal Service, its management and its unions, but also so many outside groups that had an influence in impacting a bill that was done properly. A lot of that credit goes to the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, who a long time ago decided that it was in the best interest of the economy of this country to make sure that a carefully crafted bill, a bipartisan bill that could be supported on this floor by members like the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), who had served on the postal committee many years ago with me, would be able to bring forth to this floor a good answer. I am very proud to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 380 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, we have had an opportunity to bring forth this postal bill with not only bipartisanship, but really some pats on the back to a lot of people who have been engaged in this issue for a long time, and perhaps none more diligent about this than the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), our wonderful colleague. I think the way he has gone about this, Mr. Speaker, has been good, not only for this House but a credit to the men and women who have also been engaged in this. I remember some 9 years ago as I went with a rural letter carrier down in Jeuitt, Texas, Stan Waltrip. I had a chance to go and deliver the mail with Stan and to see firsthand the kinds of, not only the people he came in contact with but the importance of doing this. So this bill is important that we have done this. There are other people who have contributed to the success, rural letter carriers, certainly the postal carriers, letter carriers, those people who represent the Post Masters, the Financial Services Roundtable and many others. I would also like to thank the White House for their involvement. Three people in particular from the Leg Affairs office, Brian Conklin, Elan Liang, and Chris Frech, have been very diligent in making sure that this House and its Members are updated about the position of the White House. Mr. Speaker, I would say this is a good piece of legislation. It is one that comes at a great time for this country. It is one that will spur the economy and make sure we are prepared for the future. I ask my colleagues to please make sure they support this rule and also the underlying legislation. 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. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, as you know, this bill is about the taxpayer. It is also about high-tech areas that depend upon a Postal Service that works properly. And our next speaker is from one of those areas, a high-tech area that is important to this country in not only manufacturing, but also delivery of goods and products. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentlewoman from California for not only her words in support of this amendment but also thank this body for carefully looking at the provisions and amendments adding to this PATRIOT Act to help keep America safe. I am very proud of this product that we are working on. I would like to ask all my colleagues to support the Sessions amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I appreciate the kind words of the gentleman from Wisconsin and also his words about the need for this body to adopt this amendment. Mr. Chairman, we owe it to the pilots to offer them every extension of protection possible, and I am asking all of my colleagues to protect aviation in America by supporting this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I offer a thanks to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), chairman of the Committee on Rules, who made in order my request for an amendment. Mr. Chairman, the PATRIOT Act currently makes it a Federal crime to interfere with any person operating a mass transportation vehicle with the intent to endanger any passenger or with a reckless disregard for the safety of human life. While this clearly applies to passenger aircraft, it fails to protect other aircraft. The consequences of this oversight were recently exposed by a widely reported New Jersey laser beam incident. On two separate occasions, an individual directed a laser beam at the cockpit of a small passenger airplane and at a Port Authority Police Department helicopter. Such conduct is extremely dangerous, putting aircraft at tremendous risk by startling, distracting, and even blinding pilots. However, when apprehended, this individual was charged only in connection with the airplane. Although equally in danger, the police helicopter did not qualify for mass transportation vehicle protection. Unfortunately, the New Jersey incident was not an isolated instance. Similar occurrences have happened in Ohio, Texas, Colorado, and Oregon. Pilots nationwide increasingly are reporting laser-beam interference during landing approaches, and although no reports have been terrorist- related to date, there is evidence that terrorists are exploring the use of similar laser tactics as weapons. Regardless of intent, we must communicate to the public that aircraft interference of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. It is our duty to give law enforcement the tools it needs to protect pilots, passengers, and civilians on the ground. The PATRIOT Act has taken a first step, and now we must tie up these loose ends. This amendment would simply extend the existing PATRIOT Act passenger aircraft protections to all aircraft. Just as it is entirely unacceptable to interfere with the pilot of a passenger aircraft, it is equally unacceptable to interfere with a pilot of a government or private aircraft. Additionally, this amendment would ensure the protection of everyone engaged in the operation of an aircraft from those in the air to those navigating on the ground. Mr. Chairman, this is a commonsense amendment that will improve aircraft safety. A gap has been exposed in the current law, and now we have an opportunity to fill that gap.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my former Chief of Staff for Texas Operations, Charles ``Chuck'' W. Bauer, who recently left my office. Chuck has been at my side for the last 11 years, starting with grassroots outreach, then on to handle legislative issues in my Washington, DC office before returning back to Texas to run my Dallas district office. Chuck has provided experienced judgment and advice to his fellow staff members and me for years, and his tireless work ethic will be greatly missed. I have come to appreciate and value his keen ability to lead by example and facilitate smooth flowing district operations for so many years. Chuck graduated with a bachelor of science degree in political science in 1993 from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas and he received his masters of business administration from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas earlier this year. Chuck and his wonderful wife have two children, Abbey (3) and Hayden (6 months). I wish the entire Bauer family all the best for Chuck's next endeavor. I thank him for his great service to the people of the 32nd Congressional District of Texas. Even though he will no longer be employed by the Congress, I will always be able to call him my dear friend. I am sure that the great Chuck Bauer will continue to impress those around him in his new line of work.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me time. I appreciate the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen) coming forth and asking questions which are very important, and I believe the chairman talked about that, and that is that where we believe appropriate that the government be involved in inherently government operations, the government should be. However, we know that this government is huge and has many areas in which they are not only behind in their ability to be prepared technologically-wise but also to meet the demands and needs of taxpayers and people out in this country who need to make sure that this government works and works properly. I would like to remind the gentleman that this is part of the President's management agenda, part of the management agenda where he has talked very clearly to the American public and to Congress about things where we need to change, to change and incorporate changes so that taxpayers and people in need are able to get better benefits and better services. What the gentleman is doing today says, we are going to wipe out the President's management agenda. We are not going to allow competitive outsourcing and then come to the floor and say, look, you have done it five times. Is that not an indication that this is a broken system? It is not. It is a system that will continue to be reformed. What the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) has done is to say very clearly where reform is necessary, we will do it; but the taxpayers and people who need the things which government or government money does to implement change within our system is very important. Mr. Chairman, I will tell you, I oppose the Van Hollen amendment and the taxpayers would too. I hope that our colleagues all hear this debate because it is important not only for taxpayers but for government efficiency.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. During the last 35 years, congressional funding for Amtrak has amounted to roughly $29 billion. It is $29 billion from the taxpayers that were given for a system which we really do believe in, but back in 1997 with its reauthorization, Amtrak came to the table with an agreement that they would change their operations and become profitable. Today, Members of Congress come to the floor to ask, once again, for Amtrak to do exactly that. We have heard, boy, there is not enough money there; we are going from hand to mouth. Yet, we know that there is $83 million that Amtrak loses alone just in its food service on trains. I would submit to this body that it is time now that we take additional steps to do the right thing, to give Amtrak that necessary kick in the pants that allows it to be able to offer its service on a more efficient basis, a market-based way, and this will allow us the opportunity to end this large subsidy, to have Amtrak do something that the American public not only has confidence in but is run on market- based forces. I would submit to my colleagues, they will become a better transportation service. I support what the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) is doing in his bill. The President of the United States is correct, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), our Committee on Appropriations chairman, is right. It is time that we take on this unwieldy process of spending $1 billion a year as a subsidy.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 44th Annual YMCA Youth Governor's Conference that begins in Washington, DC next week. I am pleased to once again have the honor of being the Congressional sponsor for the Youth Governor's breakfast with my fellow colleagues in the House. The YMCA Youth Governor's Conference brings together some of the most outstanding youth leaders in America. YMCA Youth and Government is a nation-wide program that allows thousands of teenagers to simulate state and national government. Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally recognize each of this year's YMCA Youth Governors for their dedication and service to America's youth. Hunter Patterson of Texas, Quentin James of South Carolina, Forrest McConnell of Alabama, Matthew Hughes of Arizona, Paul Gardner, III of California, Daniel Spellacy of Connecticut, Mansoor Zaman of Delaware, Taylor Siegel of Florida, Britt Bush of Georgia, Colin Clark of Illinois, Phil Reaves of Indiana, Arshiya Saiyed of Kentucky, Ty Bottoms of Kentucky, Beau Landry of Louisiana, Matt Gorman of Maine, Karima Tawfik, Amar Gupta of Massachusetts, Elissa Laskey of Michigan, Marvin Yates of Michigan, Jonathan Kent of Minnesota, Laura Kergosien of Mississippi, Sam Barrett of Missouri, Paul Morgan of Montana, Erik Ruediger of New Hampshire, Mohit Shah of New Jersey, Anne Baldwin of New Mexico, Andrew Vigliotta of New York, Niema Alimohammadi of North Carolina, Caroline DuWors of Ohio, Tony Viola of Oklahoma, William Glennie of Oregon, Davon Magwood of Pennsylvania, Dusty Good of Tennessee, Gentry Martin of Tennessee, Josh Tate of Virginia, Addison Tice of Washington, Janesse Lewis of the District of Columbia, and Iain Padley of Wisconsin. I wish all of the 2005 YMCA Youth Governors a very successful conference here in Washington, and I encourage them to continue their sincere devotion to leadership and public service in this and their future endeavors.