John Shimkus

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, thank you, Jill Stanck. Jill is an obstetrical nurse at Christ Hospital in Illinois. After observing a child born alive after an abortion procedure and left to die, she became involved in righting this wrong through the legislative process, hence, the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. On July 18 the other body voted unanimous consent to approve the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. The bill is now sent to the President for his signature. This bill passed both Chambers easily because we all felt, pro-lifers and those that are pro-choice, that infants who are born alive at any stage of development are individual human beings who are entitled to the full protection of the law. Thanks to the work of Jill Stanck, the Concerned Women of America, Members of both the House and the Senate, and soon President Bush, a baby born alive will not be left to die in a hospital again.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a lifetime of achievements by Howard W. Phillips from Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mr. Phillips dedicated his life to being a good citizen. He was a leader that was not only well respected, but loved by the people that knew him. Howard put the needs of his community above his own. As a veteran of the United States Navy, Howard defended his country and did it well. He entered the Navy on May 26, 1944. He served while World War 11 was devastating Europe. After his time in Active Duty, he became involved with veterans groups. Mr. Phillips was a member of American Legion Post 141. He served on the Military Burial Detail and was chaplain of the detail for 21 years. As chaplain he conducted almost 1,000 funerals. The Legion designated him Legionnaire of the Year in 1993 and again in 1997. He is the only person to receive this award twice. Mr. Phillips was past commander of AMVETS Post 4. While commander, Howard was designated by the state executive as the outstanding AMVET Adjutant in the state. Post 4 was also named the outstanding AMVET post by the National Commander while Howard was in charge. Another of his many achievements was being appointed chairman of all Jefferson County Veterans Groups in order to rename 42nd Street and Fishers Lane, in Mt. Vernon, to Veterans Memorial Drive. Howard was also an active member of Epworth United Methodist Church. His faith in God shined through in his personality. Mr. Phillips' love for others was demonstrated by involvement throughout the community. He participated in such groups as the American Cancer Society, the Mt. Vernon Fire and Police Commission, and the Murray Parents Association. Howard received the Dr. Plassman award for Outstanding Volunteer Service from the Murray Parents Association for his work with the handicapped. I would like to take this time to honor the memory of my friend that gave so much to his country and community. All men should aspire to hold themselves to a standard equal to that of this man, Howard W. Phillips. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also welcome Captain Struecker by saying ``Airborne All the Way'' and ``Rangers Lead the Way.'' Mr. Speaker, I rise to talk about a provision in the energy bill that would greatly impact my district. Both the House and Senate versions of this energy bill contain a provision that would allow small oil refiners of 75,000 barrels a day or less 75 percent expensing of capital cost associated with complying with EPA's heavy duty diesel regulations. The Premcor Wood River Refinery, located just outside my district, recently announced that it would be closing its doors, laying off over 300 employees because the cost to comply with these regulations is too high. This year the refinery capacity in Illinois will be at 889,000 barrels a day, which is 150,000 barrels less than 2 years ago. Combine that with the fact that no new refinery has been built in the U.S. in 25 years and that the number of refineries has been cut in half in the last 20 years and the problem only worsens. This creates an even tighter supply. A small fire or mechanical problem that forces a refinery to shut down for even a day has a drastic impact on the price of gasoline. Illinois has faced job loss and unstable gas prices as we wait for Congress to pass an energy bill that provides some relief for the small independent refineries of our country. Mr. Speaker, it is time to send an energy bill to the President.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, this bill makes several important changes that will honor our veterans. It rightfully expands eligibility requirements for burial at Arlington Cemetery. It also includes provisions from my bill, the ``Captain Jack Punches Memorial Act'' which honors our veterans who died during the September 11th attacks by allowing them to have both a private grave marker--and--a VA furnished marker to honor their service. This is a benefit already afforded to veterans who died on or after December 27, 2001. I introduced this legislation in honor of Captain Jack Punches, a retired Navy pilot who worked in military intelligence and was at his desk when terrorists crashed a hijacked jet into the building. Punches grew up in Tower Hill, Illinois--and his mother (Ruth Godwin) still resides in Ramsey. Captain Punches was buried in a private cemetery, and his family wanted to have a private marker as well as a VA marker to commemorate his long service to our country. Due to a quirk in the law, Punches did not qualify for a newly enacted benefit that would entitle him to both headstones. This legislation will allow veterans, who like Captain Punches gave their lives during September 11th to be properly honored for their service. I would like to thank Chairman Smith and Chairman Simpson for all of their help with this legislation. I hope that the Senate will act quickly so that this bill will be signed into law by September 11, 2002.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my Pastor, Pastor Ronald Jansen, to the floor of the House to open us up with prayer. Pastor Jansen grew up on a northwestern Wisconsin dairy farm and has pastored in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, for 35 years. He served in parishes in Winono and Albert Lee, Minnesota, Marshfield, Wisconsin, and currently is at Holy Cross in Collinsville for the past 13 years. He is married to his wife Becky, a public schoolteacher for 17 years. They are accompanied by his 90-year-old father Victor, and second oldest son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Aaron and Melissa Jansen. Pastor Jansen is my pastor, and when I think about Pastor Jansen, I think about Ephesians 2:8-10, ``For by grace are you saved through faith, and not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created for good works in Christ, who calls us to offer up ourselves a living sacrifice.'' Pastor Jansen preaches from the pulpit law and gospel, which is the hallmark of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. I want to thank Pastor Jansen for calling us to a higher calling this morning.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, since the Gulf War, pilots have been patrolling Iraqi skies keeping Saddam Hussein from killing his own people. This past weekend, Iraqi forces fired antiaircraft missiles at several of our aircraft. We responded in kind by shooting back and defending ourselves against this aggression. I would like to remind my colleagues that Saddam Hussein is more than an enemy that regularly tries to kill or capture American pilots. Saddam Hussein plays a critical role in our country by providing us with oil. In the first quarter of this year, we bought $1.4 billion of Iraqi oil. Where do we think that money goes? What does it pay for in Iraq? Propping up Saddam's regime. We know he rewards the family of each Palestinian suicide bomber with a check of $25,000. We import nearly 1 million barrels a day from this madman. More than 10 percent of our oil comes from Saddam Hussein, yet he still would like nothing more than a downed American pilot to parade before the world. It is time our energy policy got in line with our foreign policy. I urge the Senate and House conferees to pass a bill that can be sent to the President for signing. If it is worth fighting for over there, it is worth exploring for over here at home.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to talk about the need for a national energy policy and push the conferees to move. We all know that we have an overreliance on foreign oil. That is why we need to push for the renewable portfolio presented in the Senate bill. We need to protect our marginal wells, and we need the development of ANWR. We all know that we need to increase our electricity generation. That is why we need to continue to push for the use of natural gas in generation. We need to support and focus on clean coal technology and continue the use of nuclear generation which is very clean to the environment. The national grid is also a concern. We need to continue to expand the national grid; hence, the need to move the electricity title of this bill. Energy independence will drive down costs across the board and decrease costs. It will help create jobs and help the economy to continue to move forward. Eighty-four percent of all Americans say in a recent poll that we must not leave, we being legislators here in Washington, that we must not leave Washington without the enactment of a national energy plan. I am one that agrees with this poll.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, 84 percent, 84 percent, 84 percent of all Americans say that we need to pass a national energy plan. Why? They know that we must decrease our reliance on foreign oil. That means we need to keep our marginal wells, expand the use of renewables, and grow into ANWR. They know that we must ensure that we have the ability to generate electricity from multiple sources. We need to continue to use natural gas, coal, and nuclear renewables like hydroelectric. They know that we must expand the grid to move the power from one point to another. Mr. Speaker, real independence is energy independence. I join with 84 percent of all Americans who are calling on the conferees to get the job done and pass an energy bill and get the bill to the President.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the St. Charles Borromeo Parish and to commemorate over 125 years of service to the community of DuBois, Illinois. The church's doors opened for mass on December 16, 1877, and ever since it has served as a cornerstone for religious growth throughout southern Illinois. They have spent 125 years preaching the word of Christ in DuBois and making a difference in the lives of countless individuals. To such people as Father Melvin Vandeloo and his congregation, the motivation lies not in recognition, but rather in the good deeds themselves. Their purpose is far greater than any message my words could possibly relate. Yet, on this special day, I think it is appropriate that they are recognized for their efforts. In a time when we must come together as a nation, the members of St. Charles Borromeo Parish strive to set an example for all to follow. To the people of the St. Charles Borromeo Parish, thank you for your unrelenting devotion to the Lord's work over the past 125 years; and may God grant you the opportunity to continue spreading His word for many years to come.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Charles L. Brimm, from Dupo, Illinois. Charlie Brimm has been an influential leader in the Dupo, Illinois V.F.W., Post 6368, for years now. His past positions include 14th District Commander from 1992 to 1993, Jr. Vice Commander, and Sr. Vice Commander of the Department of Illinois. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Brimm on his recently named position as Department Commander of the State of Illinois. Service in the military, the police force, county deputies office, and organizations like the Shiners have made Charles Brimm a fixture of law enforcement and an upholder of the law, as well as a caring individual. Through his leadership and efforts to improve the community, Charlie has had a positive impact on the town and people of Dupo. I would like to thank Mr. Brimm for his service to this great country and to the people of the Dupo community throughout the years, and wish him well in his continued service with the V.F.W.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of, Hillsboro Journal, in Hillsboro, Illinois. Every so often, a corner stone is set in place to build upon a future full of hope. With countless hours of hard work by individuals who deeply care about the product they are producing, a dream of fulfilling their potential can be achieved. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of the Hillsboro Journal for their hard work that has resulted in quality news delivered to the people for 150 years now. Many people have contributed to the success of the Journal, including founders Frank and Cyrus Gilmore, and the first editor Rev. Thomas Springer. Mr. James Slack bought the paper in 1875 and named it the Hillsboro Journal, which had been called The Montgomery County Herald, The Democrat, and The Anti-Monopolist in the past. The present owners, the Galer Family, began with the paper in 1945, and Mr. Little who joined the paper in 1900 and was with the paper until his death in 1970 have also made significant contributions to the Journal. So often in our world today, family owned businesses cannot sustain the place that they once held because of massive corporate takeovers. It is a pleasure to see the Journal maintain their place in the Hillsboro area. After many years of reporting the important news of the day, the Hillsboro Journal is celebrating its 150th Publication Year. For serving the Hillsboro area for so many years, it is my pleasure to congratulate them on a job well done, but not completed. I look forward to the future of the Hillsboro Journal and the superior writing it gives us all.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to commend the 2002 Golden Apple Scholar award winners from my district. The Golden Apple Scholars program is to recruit talented high school juniors who want to become teachers. I would like to take the opportunity to recognize Ms. Amanda Watson from Alton High School in Alton, Illinois. Teachers, like parents, have a unique opportunity--to touch the life of a child. I can't think of a more rewarding experience. As you know, Mr. Speaker, I was a former high school teacher. I want to wish Amanda all the same joy and success that I shared in my teaching career.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Carrollton First Baptist Church and the Anniversary of its 175 years of service to the community of Carrollton, Illinois. The people of the Carrollton First Baptist Church are truly good Samaritans. They have spent 175 years preaching the word of Christ to Carrollton and surrounding areas and participating in other good works. Since 1827, the church has served as a cornerstone for religious growth throughout Southwestern Illinois. To such people as Reverend Stan Nichol and his congregation, the good deeds themselves are their own best rewards. Yet, on this special day, I think it is appropriate that they are recognized for their efforts. They are good Christians and good Americans, and remind us all of the compassion and energy that makes this country great. To the people of the Carrollton First Baptist Church, thank you for your enduring dedication over the last 175 years; and may God grant you the opportunity to continue doing His work for many years into the future.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Boy Scouts from Troops 27 and 36 in the Springfield, Illinois area. I have received notification that these Scouts completed all necessary requirements to earn the Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge. These requirements include items such as a basic understanding of our nation's governmental structure, a tour of the state or national capital, and a formal letter to their congressional representative concerning an issue that they would like to see resolved. It is reassuring to know that the youth of our country are aware of the issues that stand to affect their future. The Scouts have made suggestions on a wide range of topics that are currently on the congressional agenda. The boys of Troops 27 and 36 truly exemplify the ideals upon which the Boy Scouts of America was founded here in Washington, D.C. some 92 years ago. Their accomplishments commend great pride upon themselves and the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of the Madison County Historical Society in the Edwardsville, Illinois area. Edward Coles was the second Governor of the State of Illinois. Born in central Virginia in 1786 to a wealthy father who grew tobacco and was a slave owner, Coles would later in life decide that owning slaves was not the right thing to do. It is thought that this idea was instilled in him when he studied at William and Mary College in Williamsburg, VA. He did not support the philosophy that people could own other people when a professor raised it at the school. Coles father died in 1807 leaving Edward a 782-acre farm and 23 slaves. He decided that freeing the slaves would be the right thing to do, but that would have been impossible because of the strict provisions in Virginia. The law stated that any freed slave must leave the State within a year of emancipation, which insured the failure of the slaves as free citizens. On top of that the other slave owners in the area would have surely hung Coles for his betrayal of their highly prized trade. In 1810 Edward became Personal Secretary for President Madison in Washington DC. He was very successful in the world of politics, but still wanted to free the slaves under his control. After President Madison's first term Coles quit the White House and went west looking for a place to free his slaves. He came back from his excursion with a plan and an idea. After a brief stint as a diplomat to Russia, Coles bought 3,500 acres in Illinois and accepted an appointment as land Registrar in Edwardsville, Illinois. He packed up his belongings and 22 slaves and headed towards Edwardsville. Coles waited until he was West of the Ohio River before he let anyone know his plan to free the slaves that worked for him. After he told them that they were free to go 5 went to Kentucky, 7 to Missouri, and 10 followed Coles the rest of the way. It is said that Edward provided the slaves that followed him with land of their own. He also provided all of his former slaves with money and supplies, as they needed them. Later in life Coles was Governor of Illinois for one term. He ran for Congress in 1832 and lost, which is when he came to the conclusion that he wanted to move back to the East Coast. He moved to Philadelphia where he married a lady named Sally Logan Roberts, and had three children with her. Some people do not only look for reward in the form of offices or titles, but in gratification for doing the right thing. Mr. Edward Coles was one of these people, and without his support and belief in the abolitionist movement many more people would have been sold as property and treated as less than human. Mr. Coles was a man who did the right thing when the challenge presented itself. I want to commend the Madison County Historical Society for their efforts to keep the Coles Legacy of freedom and decency alive.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I wish my friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), was here because he played the Solomon card, and I have great respect for Jerry Solomon, and I say semper fi to Jerry, who is probably watching these proceedings and chuckling. Mr. Speaker, I support this rule. We labored hard for over 25 hours in the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and I know my friends on the Committee on Ways and Means worked deeply as hard. It is not a perfect bill. In fact, the bill coming to the floor stripped out my language on orphan drugs, help for Lou Gehrig's disease, Crohn's disease and Tourette's disease. But this bill has some positive aspects. First, it fits within the budget. This is critical because any amendment either on the floor would add to the bill which would strip it on a budget point of order or it would shortchange the prescription drug benefit or shortchange the hospital benefits. Illinois offers a pharmaceutical assistance program for dual eligibles. This bill will assume Federal responsibility for dual eligibles, saving Illinois $2 billion over 8 years. Individuals who make 175 percent of poverty level will receive full cost-sharing assistance. This covers 34 percent of Illinois' Medicare population, 549,000 people. It increases payments to all hospitals in 2003. It increases payments to community hospitals. It increases DSH payments, adds a 10 percent increase to rural home health care agencies, increases by 10 percent hospice payments. Mr. Speaker, it is a finely crafted bill that went through the committee process. It is not a perfect bill. It is a bill that we can pass on the floor tonight. I commend my colleagues and look forward to passing this bill.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here speaking about what Colonel Bank has done for the country. It has been mentioned about the fruit not falling far from the tree. I want to mention some of the Special Operations Command individuals that had an impact on my life through this organization. I just briefly remember my first company commander, who is now a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army, John Everett, who was an A Team leader before he commanded my company, where I was a lowly second lieutenant platoon leader. Then there was my brigade commander, Wayne Downing, who now is retired Special Operations Command commander, and now works for the former governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Ridge, and the Agency of Homeland Security; and also my first command Sergeant Major Quesada, who was on the raid to Sontay in North Vietnam. All had great impacts on my life, along with my friends and classmates in airborne class who graduated in July of 1980, and my ranger class that graduated in April of 1981. The Special Forces are designed around light, lethal mobile, and independent operations. A key to that is NCO leadership: proficient, trained soldiers who can operate on their own and operate successfully. That is really now the mode for the transformation of the Army, and the success in Afghanistan just shows that the vision of Colonel Bank has produced great fruit. As the Army struggles with transformation in this new era when we have new enemies, the model of the Special Operations Command of lighter, quicker, independent action, more lethal, and junior NCO leadership, is a model by which I think we will be well served in the defense of this country for many, many years to come. Mr. Speaker, I am really honored to have this opportunity to speak on the floor in support of my classmates who are still members of the Special Operations Command, and all those who have gone before to make this country a better place.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. It an honor to have the gentleman on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and his expertise helps us move important health care legislation. Mr. Speaker, we do have the best health care in the world, but it has problems, and it has challenges. Really one of the most frustrating things for me is to try to address how the Federal Government is a good or bad partner in all the different aspects of health care. A lot of my colleagues have spent a lot of time talking about the prescription drug benefits in this plan, but there are some other benefits in this package that I also want to make sure that we highlight and address. One is, of course, a little self-serving, is my own piece of legislation, H.R. 4013, which we are going to include, the Rare Diseases Act. Being the sponsor of the bill, it encourages better treatment, better diagnostic procedures and cures for large numbers of rare diseases and disorders. These are diseases that are very catastrophic to the individual; but in terms of the number of population, it is based upon a large population of the country, it is a very small percentage. So there are great challenges, and people who want to try to invest to find a cure, since the population is so small, we have to really encourage people to do the research and the development, and we have to encourage them to try to find the new medicines to help do that. Although each of these illnesses affects less than 200,000 people, a total of 25 million Americans, one in nine, today suffer from at least one of the 6,000 known rare diseases. A lot of the familiar ones that we have heard about, Lou Gehrig's disease is one of these diseases, Tourette syndrome is another one, that if not included in this provision, would probably get left out, and then we would not have the incentive to help this segment of the population that are afflicted by some of these terrible diseases. So that is why I am excited about the markups that are occurring in actually two committees, our committee and the Committee on Ways and Means. They are very similar, I think there will be some differences, but we will work them out when we bring that bill to the floor. But I also appreciate the fact that our bill meets the budgetary guidelines, and that is no small task. We pass a budget, we fight over the budget, that fight is over. We pass it on the floor, and then we have that slice of the financial pie to be able to address a prescription drug issue and some reform provisions. It is no small task, and I applaud the leadership on both sides, from the Committee on the Budget to the chairman, for making that happen. Again, the other thing that I wanted to highlight real quickly are some of the other provisions in here that are very, very beneficial, especially to rural and small communities throughout southern Illinois. All people who deliver those services, all hospitals will see increasing payments in 2003 for hospitals by reducing the market basket, inflation adjustment rate. Sole community hospitals will increase payments in 2003 for rural hospitals by the full market basket resulting in a 3.3 percent increase. There is a lot of terminology here. I come from the military, from an Army background; and we had acronyms out of the world. So one we see here is the DSH payments, which stands for disproportionate share. This bill will increase the DSH payments for rural and small hospitals in urban areas by increasing the cap from 5.7 to 10 percent over 5 years beginning next year. It addresses an issue of critical access hospitals wherein it reinstates special cash-flow provisions, fixes special physician payment adjustments; and we can see the complexity of health care in here when we have all of these specific areas that we are trying to fix with this legislation. The legislation imposes flexibility in the size requirement as defined by the number of beds, and reauthorizes rural flexibility grants. Home health. It benefits home health care, which is a major provider of something we believe in and that has really taken a beating since 1997. It also increases hospice care. As an individual, and as many families have concerns when someone is dying in the family and hospice comes. It is a great service. We need to help that service. It is a great way to ease someone into that next transition from this life to the next by having care and concern at home, and hospice gets reinforced financially. It helps direct graduate medical education. It helps teaching hospitals in rural areas and in small cities to receive additional direct graduate medical education assistance. In studies of geographic adjustment for physicians, there is a differential in payments for physicians. This will help to quantify and qualify for that. It addresses ambulance transportation. I have a great aunt on my wife's side who had to be moved. Some of the movement was funded, some of it had to be paid out-of-pocket, and the out-of-pocket was not a very good way to be transported 50 miles. The last thing was indirect medical education. There is an increase of 5.5 percent in 2003 and 6 percent in 2004. Mr. Speaker, a lot of my colleagues have come to the floor and talked about the benefits of people having access to prescription drugs. Illinois has a pretty good program too for the poor. This will help build on that. But there are other provisions in this bill that as we get the bill through the committee and as we work with the Committee on Ways and Means and we get it on the floor, if we stay within the budget guidelines, not only can we provide seniors with some hope for the future of some assistance with their prescription drug costs, but we can really start addressing some of the catastrophic concerns that have evolved based upon the funding mechanisms for rural and poor hospitals. That is why I am pleased to come down to the floor and speak in support of this bill.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, we have been working with the State government in sharing what information we have about the bill being presented, and they are very excited about it, not just because of that provision, but also because of the assistance with the prescription drugs. The States are in financial crisis. Illinois, I think, had a $1.2 billion shortfall which they have been wrangling with now for months, and they have had to make some tough decisions. We, through this legislation, will be able to help bring more flexibility and more support for rural health care. Health care in America again is a very frustrating thing, if one is really following the dollars and cents. I think the only way we survive is through partnering, through working with local community hospitals. There is a lot of hospitals that are writing off millions of dollars of uncompensated care. And they are providing a great public service. Maybe not just a public service, maybe a lot of them are religious affiliated hospitals and that is part of their mission, but they are still writing it off and they are real dollars. So by working with the State and the Federal Government partnering, by working with community hospitals, whether they are tax-supported or faith-based organizations, we can continue to provide the care that this country expects us to provide, not just for those of us who are employed and have good plans, but for those who are less fortunate or are retirees or are those who are in transition away from work at this time. Again, I thank the gentleman for the time, and I think the State will be very excited to get this bill out of committee and on to the floor. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) may make some comments about how the State of Illinois will also benefit.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, it is tough to come down here in the caldron of the Ways and Means. I have good friends on both sides and I appreciate their diligence, but we have been lobbied on this legislation, and we have been lobbied by married families that have been asking for a simple solution, some legal certainty. One of the things that frustrates me the most about this place as an institution is we do things sporadically every year, and we do not provide any certainty or we do not finish the job on legislation. The perfect example is the tax cut bill, because of the rules of the other body, having to sunset key components of the Tax Code. The death tax is one of them. I do not personally believe that government ought to redistribute wealth, and I think that is supported by the folks in my district. I think other people disagree, but that is what that does, is a redistribution of wealth; and it hurts people who want to get ahead. It destroys family farms and small businesses. This penalizes people for being married, and there is no certainty that this bill will maintain after 10 years. I just want to boil it down to the simple aspects, and I know there are other issues that we are all involved in, and I appreciate those, but I want to be able to go home and tell married couples that Uncle Sam does not take more money out of their check just because they are married. That is all I want to do, and I want to provide families some certainty that if they get married now or they get married 5 years from now or they get married 11 years from now or get married 12 years from now, Uncle Sam will not take more tax from them because they are married, and that is the simple premise. A person should not get penalized for saying, ``I do,'' and the chart states it. It may not be involved in all the other issues, but I ask support of the Republican bill.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague, Representative Ed Towns, in introducing the ``Safe Sleepwear and Burn Prevention Act of 2002.'' This legislation is important to thousands of children and their parents who face the dangers of sleepwear-related fires every day. This legislation accomplishes three things. First, it repeals an ill- advised exception to our children's fire safety regulations created by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1996. This exception completely exempted sleepwear for infants age 0-9 months from the fire safety requirements. Second, the legislation repeals a similar regulatory exemption created for so-called ``tight-fitting'' sleepwear. Finally, our bill closes an egregious loophole in current law, which allows manufacturers of garments used by children to sleep in to avoid all fire safety requirements simply by labeling the garment as ``daywear'' rather than ``sleepwear.'' We owe a debt of gratitude to the Shriners Hospitals for Children for bringing this situation to our attention. Following the CPSC's 1996 decision, doctors at the Shriners Hospitals, which treat over 20 percent of all serious pediatric burn injuries in the United States, began to notice an alarming increase in the number of children suffering from sleepwear-related burn injuries. In the two years following the Commission's decision, the Shriners documented an alarming 157 percent increase in the number of children with fire- related injuries. Last Congress, our subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection held a hearing on this issue and received testimony from the Shriners and the American Burn Association, which represents all the Nation's burn centers and burn health care professionals. The evidence is compelling, and Congress must act quickly to ensure a burn-safe environment for children. This legislation will reverse the Commission's ill-considered relaxation of the fire safety regulations and require that all garments used with regularity as sleepwear by children age 0-7 years must meet fire safety requirements. Mislabeling a garment as daywear or claiming that it is not intended to be used as sleepwear will no longer be an excuse for not meeting fire safety requirements, especially for the youngest and most vulnerable of our children. We are also fortunate that we now have the technology available to create such a fire-safe environment for just pennies per garment. These new technologies are inexpensive, safe, do not wash out and do not alter the texture of the garment. We simply have no excuse for not ensuring that all garments used as sleepwear take advantage of this new technology. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will truly create a safer environment for children. We can prevent thousands of horrific burn injuries and lessen the severity of those that do occur by adopting this legislation. The agency charged with protecting our children has failed in its duty to do so, and now Congress must act.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Last, but not least, someone who has invested some time with you all and who is full of energy and a good friend, the gentlewoman from Ohio, Mrs. Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

Mr. SHIMKUS. I thank my colleague. I have already mentioned Heather Wilson. I would be remiss not to mention Dale Kildee, who was on the Page Board and spent time, and just thank him for serving with me. Make sure you remember in the last couple hours that you are here in Washington to thank the school staff, the dorm staff. We mentioned the floor staff. We have our chaplain here, and I know he has been a support for many of you, as he has been for Members. The Capitol Police, the attending physicians. Yes, we did need the attending physicians in this class once or twice. So, we appreciate having you. There is a lot of people that invested in this, and make sure in the last day you get a chance to thank them. Only in Washington can you ask for 5 minutes and get 60 minutes. What you have to notice is the House, we have very structured rules, but, for some reason, we are somehow allowed to break this one rule to take 5 minutes and spend as much time as we need to thank you for the work you have done with us. Members will not miss flights, as you know, for very much, and you almost get trampled sometimes at the end of the last vote. I just missed mine, but I do it for a good reason, and I do it for a good cause, because you have been a great, great joy for me; a trial, a learning experience, but, again, a historical footnote in the history of a great country that now you are part of. May God bless you all and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much for your service. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a list of the page graduating class. Katherine Alesse, Lauren Arango, Matthew Arthur, Adam Bacot, Jane Becker, Matthew Benson, Nicholas Bruckner, Laura Burlingame, Allison Bybee, Amber Childress, Rachel Dick, Saul Dingfelder, Jason Dykstra-Carlson, and Jessica Eanes. Robert Edmonson, Jordan Edmund, Nicole Eickhoff, John Eunice, Michelle Fuentes, Dulce Gonzalez, Timothy Gorman, Jason Green, Megan Grimland, Christopher Harrington, Gretchen Hartje, Paula Hodges, Mallory Kunz, and Mary Kate Leonard. Matthew Loraditch, Alicia Luschei, Christopher Marquart, Patrick McDonald, A. Edward Mehnert, Elizabeth Mooers, Lauren Oswalt, Joseph Overton, Julia Owen, Timothy Read, Elizabeth Rilley, Allison Robinson, Katherine Roehrick, and Tyler Rogers. Amanda Rudd, Dominic Rupprecht, Taurean Snow, Mark Spong, Hilary Styer, Diane Sutherland, Melanie Tate, Alissa Turnipseed, Xavier Vanegas, Marisa Vasels, Charlotte Vasquez, Amelia Williams, Krystle Williams, and Gregory Wright.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to ask the Page Class of 2001 and 2002 to come down and take the seats in this first and second row, and try to congregate in the middle, if they can, and, Mr. Speaker, at the conclusion of this I will include for the Record the names of the entire graduating class that will be graduating tomorrow. Tomorrow is the end of a long year of working together, and it is an honor to stand up, as chairman of the Page Board, along with a lot of my colleagues, to do that hard part of saying good-bye. For me, this is my first time chairing the Page Board, and so you are a very special class, one that I will remember forever, and hopefully you all will remember this experience. As chairman of the House Page Board, it is my privilege to acknowledge and thank you, an outstanding group of young people, but it is difficult to let this group of pages go. This year's class has faced challenges and struggles unlike any other class in history. Just several days into your page experience, you experienced challenges that tested the strength of every American. Before you even had a chance to acclimate yourselves to your new home in Washington, your senses of safety and security were threatened. The events of September 11 left us all feeling frightened and unsure about our future, but you were role models, not only for your peers but for many adults as well. You recognized that the work of your country must go on despite the attempts of others to halt it. I know my colleague, the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson), is not here, but I want to personally thank her for spending time with you all, as you will remember, on September 11. It was a very important time for a Member to take time out to work with you, and she has my gratitude for fulfilling that role as a member of the Page Board. We owe you a debt of gratitude for persevering with your work and for doing so with grace, enthusiasm, and, as I found out, good humor. There is no question that you are all destined for very bright futures. You have made us proud, and you have shown us that the human spirit is inextinguishable in the face of adversity. Surely you have made your family, friends and communities back home proud as well, and I am certain that they will be glad to get you back. As difficult as it is to say good-bye, I trust that you will take with you memories, experiences and friends that will last a lifetime. Take with you also our sincere thanks for a job well done. Your hard work and dedication have proven that you are young people with strength, courage, character and love of country. I like all those words: strength, courage, character and love of country. You are true patriots in the very best sense of the word. You are serving your country now, and we are asking you to continue to serve your country as good citizens and as good role models. We look forward to hearing about all your many successes in the future. Please come back and visit us. Best wishes for safe travels home, good luck in your senior year in high school. Much happiness always. May God bless you all. I am not the only Member here to say good-bye to you; and I would like to recognize, and he took great lengths to come back to the floor from another meeting, and I appreciate the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) coming back and sharing his thanks with you. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, many Members want to speak of that great love and concern who have visited with the pages throughout the year, and I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) to say good-bye.