John Shimkus

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the residents of the tiny town of Brussels, Illinois for being named as a National Historic District. On October 4th, citizens of Brussels celebrated this honored event with displays reflecting the town's history and a festival where people dressed in period customs. Brussels, which is located between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, has a unique and special quality that is missing in many cities today. In our time of highly advanced technology it is refreshing to see a community like Brussels cherished for its heritage and history. Again, I would like to congratulate Mayor Sarah Kinder and the residents of Brussels, Illinois for making this town special, not only because of its great history, but because of its great people.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. And I thank the gentleman from Georgia. I just want to cut to the chase because a lot of us have been here, and I know you all have some preparation to get covered. But my concern comes from my background as being a former Army officer and now a reservist and having friends and colleagues who are in the uniformed services of our country, and in this book that I have had a chance to start going through by a colleague from the other body he mentions this: Concerns include the corrosion and readiness that results from the high level of operational tempo, increasing depot level backlogs, underfunded quality of life for military personnel, underfunded manpower strength, manpower turbulence and insecurity, underfunded base maintenance and repair, underfunded equipment modernization, underfunded training and excessive reliance on simulation, underfunded major equipment life cycles, underfunded munition stocks, excessive reliance on emerging but unrealized technology, the funding of operations at the expense of readiness and the expenditure of savings before they are realized. That is from a colleague in the other body who is a well-respected military war hero about the readiness of our Nation our military forces. This budget agreement addresses a major concern that many of us who have served who have seen the hollowing out of our military forces and our military readiness, that we re-energize our military forces, we empower them, we support them with the needed funds to do the multitude of missions that we require them do, that they are putting their life on the line on a day-in-day-out basis, and I want to congratulate the leadership and the White House for making military readiness a critical issue in this budget negotiation. And with that, I look forward to the continued debate in the next day or so. I appreciate my colleague from Georgia scheduling this time and allowing me to join in, that we do have a lot of things to be proud of, and I will have a lot of things to be able to go back to my district and talk about the great accomplishments of the 105th Congress.

Mr. SHIMKUS. I thank my colleagues, and I think my colleague from Arizona brings up a good point that the public needs to remember, defining the surplus and then the difference between our goal of giving a small amount of money back to the taxpayers, and it was a small percentage, versus more government spending. That is what separates the two parties, a view of bigger government, more taxes, less freedom versus our basic ideology which is less government, individual responsibility, lower taxes. I want to highlight some things. We all bring our own special backgrounds, life experiences as Members of Congress. As we have had a lot of time, many of us who were not in the closed-door sessions and hashing out the final agreements to go through our in boxes, I came upon a document from a colleague in the other body that talked about military and military readiness. I just want to highlight a few items.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Dan Schaefer) and I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) for their hard work and persistence in bringing S. 417 to the floor today. Included in this legislation is language which the gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. McCarthy) and I authored to promote the use of biodiesel fuel. Our legislation would afford vehicle fleet managers affected by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 more flexibility to comply with the onerous mandates of this act by allowing them to substitute actual biodiesel fuel used for vehicle acquisitions. This legislation would also enhance our national energy security by developing an environmentally friendly diesel fuel which is made in America. As many of my colleagues know by now, biodiesel is derived from agricultural products such as soybeans, rapeseed or beef tallow. Some producers even make this fuel out of reprocessed deep fryer fat. In short, biodiesel will reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil imports. This legislation is supported by numerous organizations, including the American Soybean Association, the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, the American Farm Bureau Federation and many others. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank a staff member of the House Commerce Committee, Joe Kelliher. He has done excellent work on this issue and has always made his services available to me and my staff. Thank you, Joe.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, most Americans do not think it is extremist to want to reduce the size and power of the Federal Government. In fact after 40 years of Democratic control in which the Federal Government got bigger and bigger, more costly, more out of touch, more meddlesome and less accountable to the people, the majority of Americans finally had had enough in 1994 and they have not looked back since. What has the Republican majority in Congress done since 1995 to reverse course? A Republican-led Congress passed the first balanced budget since 1969 and the first tax cuts in 16 years after it ignored the charges of extremism and warnings that it could not be done. A Republican-led Congress passed welfare reform after years of hearing the other side defend a system that everybody knew was broken, again after ignoring the other side cry ``extremism'' at every opportunity. And a Republican-led Congress reformed Medicare for the first time ever, something that should have been done a long time ago, so that our seniors would be able to retire with peace of mind. I think the American people are right. It is not extremist, but responsible good government.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich), my cosponsor, cochairman of the Baltic Caucus, and also those Members who signed as cosponsors of this resolution. The Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, over the centuries have been occupied, terrorized and vilified. At the hands of the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, these countries were illegally annexed under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of World War II. With this concurrent resolution, I hope that we may be able to provide some security to the region by once again denouncing the illegal annexation of the Baltics and to pledge the United States' continued support. Most people do not realize what happened in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia during World War II. During their occupation, there was the rigging of elections, seizing of bank accounts, censoring of the press, and suppression of religious worship. Additionally, many law-abiding citizens, including teachers and police officials, were imprisoned, sent to labor camps or executed. This was all part of a systematic campaign to transform the Baltic way of life into Russian. However, this illegal annexation had no basis in international law. In fact, during the Soviet occupation of eastern and central Europe, the U.S. Congress continued to pass resolutions asking Americans across the country to join in recognizing the fundamental freedom and independence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Even after all the hardships, the Baltic people valiantly reestablished their independence through peaceful means. In 1991, the United States recognized their independent governments. But the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact continues to haunt these free countries. Recently, Russian leaders have stated on the record that all territory formerly designated part of the Soviet Union should be considered part of an exclusive Russian sphere of influence, untouchable by NATO or anyone else. The United States, and more specifically this body, must demonstrate that we support the Baltics and do not condone Russia's actions. We can do this by approving this concurrent resolution. House Concurrent Resolution 320 simply supports the Baltics. Specifically, it reaffirms the United States policy of not recognizing the occupation of the Baltics; urges Russia to renounce the Molotov- Ribbentrop Pact in the spirit of democracy; welcomes the signing of the U.S.-Baltic Charter last winter; and calls on the President and the Secretary of State to work to ensure that Russia understands that the pact should be considered illegal, null and void. I would encourage all my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution so that we may continue to support the emerging democracies of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, on August 25 Edwardsville American Legion Post 199 not only went into the history books by winning the American Legion World Series in Las Vegas, but they beat the 5,300 to 1 odds which were against them. During their remarkable run to the first national championship, Post 199 finished with a season record of 41 and 7 and won their regional state championships as well. After getting off to a solid start in the first inning, they briefly fell behind in the second inning. However, their character as a team pulled through. They rallied behind the pitching tandem of brothers James and Ben Hutton to begin a comeback in the fifth inning and to take the lead in the sixth inning. A pair of convincing runs in the ninth inning sealed their 9 to 4 victory, giving their coach and Edwardsville their first national championship. After the game, pitcher James Hutton said, ``The whole team responded tonight. This is a team win, and it will always be a team win. The pitcher gets more of the glory, but I don't deserve more than anyone else on the team.'' Congratulations to Edwardsville.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, Harris has been a true friend and fellow Illinoisan, and I will miss him. There is some benefit to being a new Member of Congress, and that is getting a chance to meet some of the great personalities of this Republic. And I include Harris Fawell in that. A real ``Pork Buster'' before pork busting was cool. And as we have now a conservative Congress that looks at saving money, he was in the trenches long before many of us realized the importance of that fight. But I am really here to read a statement from your staff, Harris, that they have asked me to read. And it is a great honor for me to carry this message from your staff to you in this opportunity. Envision me as your staff. They are a little more efficient than I am. ``We count ourselves tremendously lucky to have worked for you. Your kindness and humility, quiet leadership, the fact that you listen to us and care what we say shows us each day what it means to be a true public servant. ``In these cynical times, it is easy for staffers to become disillusioned with government service. Working with you has shown us how an honest and caring man of integrity can still make a difference here in Washington. Our time spent with you has maintained our faith in leadership. You have forever influenced our understanding of policy with your dedication to thorough analysis and your commitment to knowing what is right, or as you sometimes put it, `20th century stuff.' We watch you earnestly and tirelessly advocating for these things. ``You inspire us to think harder, care more about each policy or person we come in contact with. We feel lucky that we have been included in the Fawell family, privy to your oatmeal recipe, popcorn lunches with stories about growing up as a ``Fighting Fawell,'' Ruth's snickerdoodle cookies, and late-night show tunes and quotes from Broadway plays. ``Among us we do not know anyone who has worked for you, or works for you, who would not do anything for you. Harris, they say that the ship reflects the captain. We count ourselves lucky to have been on the Fawell ship. We can only hope that we have been a reflection of you and that we will be, even as you sail on other seas.'' I think that is a great tribute, Harris, and I appreciate the opportunity to convey those messages from your staff.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Pleasant Hill Chapter of the Future Farmers of America for the celebration of their 50th anniversary this past August 19th. The goal of this organization is to train and develop future leaders in the agricultural community, a very valuable commodity in the 20th Congressional District of Illinois. The work of the FFA has not just turned high school kids into agricultural leaders but also into leaders of our communities. One way that I am trying to assure that the FFA has a market is by encouraging the use of bio-diesel fuel, which is made with soybeans. Again, I congratulate the Pleasant Hill Chapter of the Future Farmers of America for reaching its 50th year anniversary and wish them all the success in their future endeavors.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay my respects to my Illinois colleague, Congressman Sidney Yates, as he nears the end of this, his 24th and final term as a Member of this body. Congressman Yates has been a true patriot in the very best sense of the word. He has been a stalwart advocate for issues near and dear to his heart and those of the people he has so ably represented over the years. In 1996, Congressman Yates told the Chicago Sun-Times that, ``my promise is to fight, and I did that.'' Indeed he has done so. Sidney Yates has been a tremendous advocate for the arts, for our environment and for our nation. His work has made a difference for all of us but has a particular impact on our home state of Illinois. Back home, Sidney Yates is regarded as a living standard of excellence in public service by which the rest of us only hope to be measured favorably. Not long ago, Congressman Yates showed me a certificate from a congressional baseball game that game he had played in back in 1950. It amused me because I hadn't even been born when that game had been played. As a current participant in the game, I will play hard and play to win as Sidney did back in 1950. It humbled me by the notion that I was standing next to a man who had played the game and played it well for so many years. Sidney Yates stands among us tonight as a reminder of the fact that age and experience can never be matched or duplicated, but can be a learning tool for those of us who attempt to follow it. From your downstate admirers, let me say thank you to an illustrious career whose full measure has yet to be realized.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be from Illinois and the 20th district. Today I want to mention three reasons why. The first integrated school in the Nation is about to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. The addition of Hamilton School in Otterville, Illinois, was recently announced by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Behind the history of the school is a heartwarming story of unselfish brotherly love between a young black slave and his master. Silas Hamilton, a white doctor, founded the Hamilton School. Not having any children of his own, he freed a six-year-old black slave, George Washington, and raised him as his own child. Two years later, in 1836, when he was old enough, Washington began attending classes at the formerly all-white school in Otterville and grew up to be a successful farmer in Jersey County. When Washington died, he left a fund to have a monument erected in Hamilton's memory on the lawn of the school. Today, Washington and Hamilton are buried together; not as master and slave, but as friend and friend. The large stone crypt is visible from the window of the Hamilton School, and serves as a symbol of the friendship between a white and a black man, and the beginnings of American racial harmony. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, while most rural post offices are seeing a decline in customers due to the resent technological advancements of e- mail, Internet and fax machines, the Texico Post Office's business just seems to keep growing. The Texico Post Office will be celebrating its 100th year of service on Monday, the 5th of October. The celebration will include an open house, refreshments and a special commemorative postmark celebrating the 100th anniversary, which will be available for 30 days. Fred Young has been the postmaster of the office for over 30 years and has seen a lot of changes during his tenure. ``There is a lot more paperwork involved, and there have been several rate changes. Also since I've been here our rural route delivery has doubled,'' said Mr. Young. The Texico office is undoubtedly quieter than some of the bigger offices. The rural route only covers 75 miles. However, they are able to serve their patrons with just one rural carrier, Sondra Coldwell, her substitute, Marla Saupe, and the office's clerk, Terri Pemberton. Even though the office is a bit smaller and quieter, it not something that Postmaster Young minds. Maintaining the tradition of good quality service for the patrons is Young's priority. Mr. Speaker, in addition to sharing with the Members the information about Otterville and Texico, I want to take this time to make special mention of a loss to central Illinois of a woman that the State Journal-Register called a ``trailblazer'' who opened the doors for women. Josephine Oblinger died last Sunday day at St. John's hospital in Springfield, Illinois. At 85, she left behind a legacy of good works that will likely never be duplicated. Her son Carl said, ``She just did the good things that needed to be done,'' and described her as his ``confidant for life.'' Josephine was a native of Chicago. She attended the University of Detroit Law School, graduating in 1943 Magna Cum Laude. The significance of that accomplishment is lost on many of us today, who forget that there was a time when women were neither expected or even allowed in some cases to pursue a career in the law. In fact, her son Carl remind us that even though she was the class valedictorian, she was not allowed to speak at the graduating ceremony solely because she was a woman. In addition to the law, she was a teacher. She also was elected as Sangamon County Clerk, as an outstanding state representative, and President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. In her later years, she never shied away from continuing to help those in need. Yet, despite all that she has accomplished and all that she did for so many of us in central Illinois, her proudest accomplishment was her beloved son Carl. Since it is true that our greatest legacy is our children and the kind of people they turn out to be, I can tell you that her son Carl has honored his mother and his father in immeasurable terms. My prayers go out to Carl and Marge along with thought, Josephine Oblinger made a difference in our lives, and so do the two of you.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4017, because there is a very important policy change that will benefit the soybean farmers in my district and across the Nation. This legislation allows biodiesel to participate in the energy markets of this oil addicted Nation. To begin, biodiesel is a renewable alternative fuel, primarily derived from agricultural feedstock such as soybeans, conola, rapeseed, and can even be made out of used deep fryer fat from fast food restaurants. In fact, already Columbus Foods in Chicago, a fuel supplier of biodiesel, processes used restaurant grease to make this fuel. This is grease that would otherwise be sent to the local land fill. The Shimkus-McCarthy biodiesel provision of H.R. 4017 would amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and would allow fleet managers to purchase and use biodiesel in vehicles that are owned and operated by their fleets. This legislation is significant, because EPACT is a failure and for the first time we are providing a strong incentive for fleet managers to actually use alternative fuel rather than simply acquire additional alternative fueled vehicles which may never run on the alternative fuel they were designed for. This legislation provides fleet managers the flexibility to operate their heavy-duty diesel vehicles on blends of biodiesel, where the biodiesel component of the blend is at least 20 percent of the volume of the fuel. Fleets may count the biodiesel portion of that blend toward a portion of their annual vehicle purchase requirement. A minimum of 450 gallons of biodiesel must be purchased and consumed by a covered fleet to qualify the use of fuel as a substitute for one vehicle acquisition. No credit is given for the nonbiodiesel portion of the fuel blend. No credit is given for the vehicles operating on the biodiesel blended full. Only the purchase and consumption of biodiesel is rewarded. This bill contains several safeguards to protect the integrity of the existing EPACT alternative fuel vehicle program and to assure full compliance with the fuel purchase provisions of the amendment. Fleets seeking to substitute their biodiesel fuel use for vehicle purchases must provide written documentation to the secretary establishing the total volume of biodiesel blended fuel consumed in fleet vehicles. No credits will be given for biodiesel used in vehicles that have already been counted by a fleet toward its alternative fuel vehicle acquisition requirements in that or any previous year. In addition, no credits will be given for use of biodiesel in any vehicles where the use of that fuel is otherwise required by any other State or Federal laws. Finally to maintain a diversified market for alternative fuel vehicles, fleets may only substitute their accumulated annual biodiesel fuel consumption for up to one half of their total annual alternative fueled vehicle fuel purchases requirements. It is intention of this legislation to establish this program as a pilot that can be used to evaluate new means to utilize the EPACT program to meet its goals of helping our Nation reduce its dependence on imported petroleum. This bill does not create any new mandates or impose any new requirements on covered fleets. Instead it provides more choice and greater flexibility for fleet operators who already are burdened with the responsibility of complying with the requirements of EPACT. It simply rearranges the existing EPACT purchase requirement program to directly reward the use of alternative fuels. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will conclude by thanking the coach, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Dan Schaefer) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) for their support and encouragement, and my colleagues, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. McCarthy), for helping me craft this bipartisan common sense legislation, and to my staff, Dan Blankenburst and Matt Johnson. As a former high school teacher, I have found that teaching how a bill becomes law is a little more tricky than I could have ever guessed. They helped steer me through the political and governmental mind fields. They deserve enormous credit and thanks. I ask all my colleagues to vote yes.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives passed a tax cut package this past Saturday that, not surprisingly, is under vicious attack by liberals. Think about that for a second. The very idea that government could get by with a little less so that families could have a little more is so offensive to liberals who worship at the alter of big government, no matter how much it wastes and no matter how dismal its results. We have heard over and over again that tax cuts are an election year gimmick. This is quite revealing about the different attitudes of conservatives and liberals when it comes to the relationship between the governed and their Washington masters. Conservatives have a respect for work. They believe that it is a fundamental principal of freedom to have the right to the fruits of your labor. Liberals act like people who work extra hard, who go the extra mile to get extra education and are thereby rewarded for those efforts with a higher income, have something to apologize for. In their view tax cuts are not even legitimate. They are nothing more than an election year gimmick. Liberalism speaks for itself.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to congratulate the Donoho Prairie Christian Church for serving the township of Kell for 100 years. The church community celebrated this great achievement on August 23 with food, music and a presentation of the long history of the Donoho Prairie Christian Church. Starting out as a small wooden building funded by 33 members who donated $5 each toward the cost, the church grew to include 11 classrooms, a parking lot and a new belfrey. Throughout 100 years, the church underwent several renovations, but its purpose remained constant: Whether the congregation sung to the sound of an old tuning fork, as they did in 1898, or the new piano they were able to purchase a few years later, the Donoho Prairie Christian Church has continued to serve the community of Kell, Illinois. I wish to congratulate them and wish them many more years of worship and praise to the Lord.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to remember a man who embodied the best of our community, Retired Army Major General George Marine of White Hall, Illinois, who died earlier this summer at the age of 68. After his retirement, he began a career as a farmer, was a driving force behind the Greene County Rural Water District, the Greene County Economic Development Council, and served on the Boyd Memorial Hospital Board. General Marine was also out in the community. One of his last projects was to repair and paint the picnic tables at the White Hall Park. As his retirement was filled with success, so was his active duty. He served in a position in the Pentagon where he spoke with President Lyndon Johnson virtually every day during the Vietnam War. In Korea, where General Marine served with Colin Powell, he earned his first combat infantryman's badge. Mr. Speaker, his family's loss is our loss as well. Greene County Treasurer, Kirby Ballard, summed it up well. ``He was the way we all should retire.''

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Tony Moceri, who is to have the new Boilermakers Local 363 building in Belleville, Illinois, named in his honor. Tony became a proud member of Local Boilermakers Lodge 363 in 1942. During his career, he served as assistant business agent and was elected business manager in 1966, where he served until 1984. In addition to his regular job, Tony served proudly on the State Boiler Board, the Boilermakers Trades Committee, and Senator Charles Percy's Labor Task Force Committee, before retiring in 1984. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Tony for this honor and for his years of service, and I want to wish Tony and his wife, Vera, all the best for another 44 years.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, according to my colleagues, Republicans want to waste the budget surplus on tax cuts. But let us take a closer look. The President announced in his State of the Union Address that every penny of the surplus is to be dedicated to saving Social Security. But what the President said does not appear to be what he is really doing. In fact, the President has proposed to spend billions of dollars on more government programs and services with dollars from the budget surplus. He wants our troops in Bosnia paid with surplus dollars. He wants to replenish the IMF and address the Y2K problem with surplus dollars. He also wants to address embassy security with surplus dollars. Mr. Speaker, I thought when the President pledged ``every penny'' of the surplus to Social Security he meant it. I guess his pledge really depends on his definition of the word ``penny.'' Republicans want to give the American people a tax cut, and we tell them our plan up front. Why cannot the President tell the American people the real funding source of his agenda? For those who think character does not matter, think again.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, in these troubled times, many good things by good people are still being done. As a Cardinals' fan and an Illinoisan, I salute the exploits of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. They have raced up the hill of baseball history with honor and dignity. They are to be commended. My hometown hero, Tim Farneris, retrieved Big Mac's 62nd home run. Giving up a $1 million bonanza, he returned the ball to McGwire. For Tim and his older brother Tino, the game is a moment in their lives that they will never forget. Tim's mother Rita says she believes her son could one day be a millionaire, but not without earning it. I agree with her 100 percent, and want her to know that he is well on his way by earning our respect and admiration by simply doing the right thing. Thank you, Tim.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, there have been numerous discussions on God's ability to forgive sin. All sin. Forgiveness through Christ is complete. Absolute. However, the bible is replete with the consequences of forgiven sin. Follow the children of Israel as they take their 11-day journey to the promised land, only to be turned back, forced to wander for another 40 years. King David's illicit relationship with Bathsheba ended in the death of his child and the challenge to the throne by another child. The thief on the cross asked and received forgiveness, but he still died on the cross for his transgression. There are consequences of forgiven sin.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to commend a constituent of mine from the 20th Congressional District of Illinois: Sarah Doolin of Hillsboro. At the young age of 16, Sarah is already an accomplished leader. As a leader of Brownie Troop 535, which is a position almost exclusively reserved for adults, she earned the J. C. Penny Golden Rule Award. In addition to these exceptional accomplishments, she has also done volunteer work at The Escape, and is a member of the 4-H Club. With all the negative things in the news these days about young people, it is quite refreshing to be reminded there are many Sarahs all over our great Nation, demonstrating leadership by volunteering and taking the initiative in their communities. Thanks for restoring our faith in the future, Sarah.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, we recently marked the first year anniversary of the Taxpayer Relief Act, the first major tax reduction since the Reagan tax cuts of the 1980s. Let us face it, there would have been no tax cut at all were it not for a Republican Congress. In fact, the last time the Democrats controlled Congress they did what Democrats can be expected to do, raise taxes. The Republican Party is the party of tax cuts, the Democrat party is the party of bigger government and higher taxes; two different directions, two different visions of what the people's representatives in Washington should do with other people's money. Last year tax cuts were only a first step. The Taxpayer Relief Act reduced the tax on capital gains, cut the estate tax, expanded IRAs for middle class savers, provided a $500 per child tax cut, and passed into law a host of other tax reductions. But this Congress would like to go further. We should eliminate the marriage tax penalty and pass more tax relief for middle class taxpayers.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in tribute to Illinois VFW Man of the Year, and Collinsville native, Joe Berg. Mr. Berg was selected from nearly 100,000 Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars to be named the 1997-98 Man of the Year and has been a dedicated leader in both his post and the state VFW organization. Mr. Berg has held numerous positions with the VFW, most recently serving as a state public relations director, district commander, and chaplain in local post 5691. Joe also has served the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in many positions and has balanced his life between his church, family, and the VFW. I am proud to recognize this veteran who has answered the call to serve in so many ways throughout his life, and I offer him congratulations and thanks on behalf of all veterans. It is with the tireless efforts of people like Joe Berg that the memories and deeds of those who fought on foreign soil will not be forgotten.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, this West Point graduate salutes my friend and classmate, Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Miles, who took command of the First Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment on July 21, 1998. Lloyd was originally appointed battalion commander 2 years ago, but was sidelined after a grenade explosion took his left leg below the knee during a training accident just a couple of weeks into the job. Now, with a prosthetic that allows him to perform all of his duties, Lloyd has returned to his battalion. Lloyd endured a painful rehabilitation at Walter Reed. Through his rehab, he had one goal in mind: to walk down the aisle unassisted. That is right, Lloyd was in the midst of planning his wedding when the accident occurred. He was determined to keep the wedding on schedule. Not only did Lloyd reach his goal of walking down the aisle, he can now ride a bike. Lloyd credits his success to his wife and both of their families, as well as several generals who were also amputees and had successful careers. Lloyd wants to lead by example, which is exactly what he has done through his courage, dedication and value of family and friends. Lloyd exhibits the best of our alma mater and class: Pride and excellence. Lloyd, well done.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, on August 3, 1846, Abraham Lincoln was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Illinois' 13th Congressional District winning eight of the eleven counties in his district and capturing 56% of the vote against candidates from the Democrat and Liberty parties. Today, my honorable colleague Ray LaHood and I share what was the Lincoln district. Ray has nine of the counties and I have two including the city of Springfield where Mr. Lincoln lived and was subsequently buried. Ray and I have a friendly struggle about possession of the Lincoln District. In essence it doesn't really belong to either of us but rather to the people we represent. But the legacy of Abraham Lincoln belongs to us all.