John Shimkus

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues to urge the administration to complete an agreement with Japan to liberalize air service as soon as possible. As a new legislator, I am amazed at the arcane and outdated restrictions on air services to and from Japan. The restrictions agreed upon over 40 years ago severely limit the number of flights between Chicago's O'Hare airport and Japan. One might think that at the world's busiest airport, serving approximately 118,000 passengers a day, a wide range of flights to Japan would be available. Yet with 42 weekly flights, even smaller urban airports in Detroit and Minneapolis offer more service than O'Hare. In fact, recently a San Francisco-based firm was looking into relocating to Chicago. However, because of the limited number of flights to Japan, the decision was made not to relocate. The effects of this restriction are felt not only in Chicago, but throughout the rest of the State. According to a study recently completed by Arthur Andersen, O'Hare misses out on tens of thousands of passengers annually. Since 4 of Illinois' top 10 export markets are in Asia, just one additional flight between Chicago and Japan would generate up to $503 million annually in total economic impact. A new agreement would unleash tremendous economic potential for the Asia-Pacific region and enable the Midwest to capitalize on the fastest growing economic market in the world. Again, Mr. Speaker, I urge the administration to complete an agreement with Japan which would liberalize air service and allow the Midwest to share in expanded service to Asia.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a true gentleman and educator from the 20th District in my hometown of Collinsville, IL. This man is Neal Strebel, who, after 37 years of teaching music and directing school bands, has retired from his profession. Mr. Strebel dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to directing the ``Marching Kahoks'' band, leading the Illinois High School Association concert bands, and instructing some of the best student musicians in the State of Illinois. He has instructed over 100 all-State band members, and his students are consistently rated among the best in the State. During his 37 years, Mr. Strebel directed 500 pep band and more than 200 concert band performances, splitting time between the elementary, junior high, and high school bands for many years. As band director, he also raised nearly $500,000 for band trips and music equipment. In his first 25 years, Mr. Strebel devoted himself and his time without winning a single trophy or award. As he said in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ``That wasn't the motivation. I think you can learn more about music with the emphasis on fundamentals and concert band.'' Mr. Speaker, every one of us can learn a few lessons from Mr. Strebel's attitudes and ideas about music, and I commend him for his service.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to several constituents that recently received national recognition. Lockmaster Stan Wallace, Assistant Lockmaster Dave Hood, and Equipment Mechanic Bill Cross have been awarded the Department of Energy's Hammer Award, for their innovative work. These gentlemen have pioneered a new procedure that raises each of the 109 wickets on the Illinois River in a less dangerous, physically easier, and more efficient process. Raising the wickets, which previously took 16 to 18 hours, now only takes 1 or 2 hours and, as a result, will save taxpayers $1 million over the life of the dam. The new process includes loading a backhoe onto a barge and floating it out to the dam. The backhoe uses a specially rigged hook to catch and raise the wicket. I commend these gentlemen for their original thinking and hard work. I also encourage the Department of Energy to continue fostering ideas that emanate from their local employees who are closest to the problems. Stan Wallace, Dave Hood, and Bill Cross are an excellent example of how American ingenuity and hard work pay off, not only for their fellow colleagues, but also for the taxpayers of this great Nation.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, saying goodbye to colleagues and friends is rarely enjoyable and yet we must do it so often. I rise today to say goodbye to an icon of the business community, Dr. Richard Lesher. At age 63, Dr. Lesher has decided to retire to his boyhood home in Chambersburg, PA. Since taking the top spot at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 22 years ago, Dr. Lesher has directed and expanded this group into a powerful voice for American businesses in Washington and around the world. I can state today without reservation that the chamber's positions on issues are well respected in the eyes of Members of Congress and often play a part of the many decisions made in the Nation's Capitol. Some of the major achievements of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce during the tenure of Dr. Lesher include the implementation of a weekly communication network which includes television and print media. For example, the Voice of Business, a newspaper article, is distributed nationwide to over 600 newspapers. In addition, programs like First Business and It's Your Business reach the Nation's business men and women through cable and network television. With this strong communications network in place it is little wonder that the chamber's membership has swelled to 300,000 and its budget expanded from $40 million to $70 million during the tenure of Dr. Lesher. Another program that Dr. Lesher designed, and one that I believe has profound impacts on policy and politicians in Washington, is How They Voted. This program earmarks votes that are critical to the chamber and rates Members of Congress based on those key votes. While I am a new member of Congress, I have learned quickly to pay special attention to the chamber's key votes because of this program. Finally, the National Chamber Litigation Center, a public policy legal arm, represents business interests in the Federal court system and provides services where there would otherwise be a void. In closing, I commend Dr. Richard Lesher for his long-term commitment to the chamber and for playing a critical part in the policies of this Nation. Saying goodbye is rarely enjoyable, but today we should celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Lesher.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, this debate speaks highly in support of tax reform, a fairer, flatter, simpler Tax Code, but as a new Member this debate has also been very disheartening. As a West Point cadet I lived by a motto: I will not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those who do. As an Army officer we said an officer's word is his bond. I am here to tell my colleagues 75 percent of these tax cuts go to those who make $75,000 or less. Let us reject the Democratic proposal and continue the work that the American people sent us here to do.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a growing group of Americans who are at the heart and soul of America's thriving economy, America's small business owners. During this week, Small Business Week, I want to recognize small business owners for their contributions to our economy, our society and our communities. At the heart of every small business owner is the entrepreneurial spirit which our forefathers founded and build this country. It is this spirit and heart which has kept our business competitive for the past 200 years. In today's marketplace we can see large multinational corporations facing competition from small businesses making use of the Internet to expand their markets and competing with their counterparts from across the world. When we have small business owners striking out on their own trying to make a life and a living for themselves, we cannot afford to stifle the entrepreneurial spirit by overtaxing them. Small businesses constitute 98 percent of all businesses in America. They employ nearly 60 percent of the work force. In addition, small businesses have created about two-thirds of the net new jobs in the American economy since the early 1970s. However, the government continues to impose policies like the burdensome death tax on small business people who wish to pass their business onto their children. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, we must recognize and assist those who make small business work for America, those who show the drive, initiative and imagination to make themselves, their business and their communities a success so that our economy can continue to grow. One of these individuals is a young woman from Rushville, Illinois, a small town in west central Illinois. Judy Robbins was a hopeful small business owner in Rushville who wanted to start a dance studio but really had no plan, knowledge on how to start one. Judy decided she would take the initiative herself, and she signed up for a 4-week course at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs under the Small Business Development Council. During the 4 weeks of her small business course training, Judy learned how to formulate a business plan, pool her resources and start a business of her own. She spent the next 4 months attempting to convince a bank to finance her business plan, finally finding an institution which would finance her idea for a dance studio. Shortly after, Judy started the dance center, dance studio, and I am happy to say that hundreds of dance steps are being performed on a daily basis in downtown Rushville today. Mr. Speaker, Judy Robbins is a shining example of a classic American dream coming true. The American entrepreneurial spirit can and will thrive without excessive paperwork and burdensome taxes. Small business is the epitome of what is right with America and what is right with the free market. The more regulated and burdened this market becomes, the more small business owners will be unable to do their jobs and create jobs for others. We must stop overtaxing our small businesses and hurting our economy by retaining the death tax. When we see a small business owner from our districts this week, thank him or her for contributing to the growth of our communities and our economy.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to again commend the leaders of Congress and the President for coming together on a consensus to balance the budget and to encourage them to keep up the work. This issue is too important to allow it to be sidetracked. Although a lot of discussion here in Washington is about deficit reductions and long-term economic impacts, I have found many of my constituents and many Americans would like to know how the balanced budget plan affects them and their families. To these people I would say that the balanced budget agreement will have tremendous benefits to them, their families and generations to come. Experts have predicted a balanced Federal budget will help to lower the interest rates in our country and our economy. Having lower interest rates means paying off our credit cards, buying a car, funding education, or buying a home becomes more affordable. A balanced budget means all Americans are one step closer to making these investments. By placing the American dream within the reach of every American without creating more expensive government programs, we will bring our friends, families and communities closer. In short, Mr. Speaker, I want each and every one of my constituents in Illinois and every American to know that the balanced budget plan of 1997 benefits all Americans and helps all Americans to help themselves, which is truly the basis upon which our country was founded.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Republican leadership, the President, and the Democratic leadership on coming together to balance the Federal budget and also to commemorate Tax Freedom Day for all taxpaying Americans. Mr. Speaker, before being elected to represent the 20th district of Illinois, I spent 6 years as the Madison County treasurer. After inheriting an office of 30 employees from the previous treasurer, I reduced the office staff to 20, automated the office, and returned a $20,000 pay raise to the people of Madison County. This was not easy for me or my family to do, but I felt the sacrifice was necessary to begin streamlining what I thought was a bureaucratic office, while providing better, more efficient service, and saving the hard-earned money of the taxpayers of Madison County. However, this kind of sacrifice is not uncommon in Madison County or America. Mr. Speaker, every year millions of taxpaying Americans must tighten their belts to make the car payment, pay off the mortgage on their homes, feed their children, and pay their taxes. However, we should endeavor to change our budget and tax codes so that Americans might better provide for their family, instead of working over 5 months of the year simply to pay taxes to the Government. Because of the recent balanced budget agreement made by our Nation's leaders, almost every taxpayer will better be able to provide for their family without worrying about an ever increasing debt to be handed to our children. Mr. Speaker, if we continue to spend at our current rates and if we continue to let our deficit balloon, our children and my children will inherit a debt from which they may never recover. If they are not in bed tonight, my sons are watching. To David, who is 4, and Joshua, who is 2, I say, I am working late tonight to secure your future. I love and miss you and will see you soon. It is my hope that on Tax Freedom Day, May 9, 1997, we can celebrate the resurgence of a budget philosophy which we have not adopted since 1969, and that is to spend only as much as we take in, as does every American taxpayer. For the future of our country and for the future of our children, we must sacrifice and tighten our belts. Mr. Speaker, as the Government, as a body, and as representatives of the people, we have an obligation to the American people to hold the line on taxes and wasteful Government spending. We have an obligation to work to move Tax Freedom Day to April 9, and then to March 9, and so on. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the people of the 20th district and I want to again thank the Republican and Democratic leadership and the President for agreeing on a balanced budget plan. We thank them for confronting unnecessary tax burdens, making it easier for working families and the forgotten middle class to provide for their children and for working to ease the burden which rests on the shoulders of the American taxpayer. The family farmers thank them for working for relief from the death tax. The small business owners, homeowners and entrepreneurs thank them for capital gains tax relief. The seniors thank them for saving Medicare, guaranteeing its solvency into the next century. Millions of children thank them for the $500 per child tax credit. All Americans, including future generations, thank them for planning to balance the budget by 2002.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a young man who exemplifies the hard work and dedication of the people of the 20th District of Illinois. This individual has worked extremely hard for the past 3 years in order to earn himself a spot among the best Class A basketball players in the best basketball State in America. This young man is Abel Schrader, of Okawville, IL. Mr. Speaker, Abel has demonstrated the all-around ability, leadership, and attitude it takes to lead the Okawville Rockets to 20 wins and only 5 losses this past season. As a 3-year starter on the varsity squad, Abel has led the team in 3- point shots, rebounds, assists, steals, blocked shots, and free throws. He scored almost 50 percent of the teams's total points in the past season, he ranks among the top three scorers ever in Okawville history, and he holds the record for the highest scoring average in a season. He also averaged over 27 points per game this past season earning second team All-State honors and the honor of being named the Belleville News-Democrat's Class A Player of the Year. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Abel Schrader and all of the Okawville Rocket basketball team on a job well done

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise this morning to acknowledge an exemplary group of young athletes from Illinois who have persevered in reaching a common goal for the second year in a row. This group of young women have demonstrated the true hearts of champions, and have aspired once again to the highest level of sportsmanship and competition. This team of student athletes hailing from Carlyle, IL, are known as the Lady Indians basketball team. In March the Lady Indians won the Illinois high school Class A women's basketball championship. En route to their second State championship and third straight visit to the Illinois finals, Mr. Speaker, the Carlyle Lady Indians rolled to a record 33 wins and no losses, including the championships in the Cahokia Conference Tournament, the Mascoutah Holiday Tournament, and the Highlands Invitational. In the last three seasons the Carlyle ladies high school team has racked up an impressive 94 wins to only 8 losses, which demonstrates a selfless commitment to excellence and a willingness to forsake individual accolades for the good of the team. Mr. Speaker, this team, led by Courtney Smith, the 1997 Illinois Ms. Basketball, and Angie Gherardini, the Illinois Class A coach of the year, is an outstanding example of hard work, dedication and excellence which every young athlete can learn from, and truly symbolizes the selflessness and devotion of all the people of the 20th District of Illinois. So today Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate these 12 devoted players and the assistants who guided this team to their second straight Illinois State Championship in 1997: Michelle Donahoo, Leslie Dumstorff, Heather Hitpas, Kristin Hustedde, who recently visited my office as part of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, Tara Kell, Erin Knuf, Summer Knuf, Lindsay Macon, Stacey Pollman, Jessica Robert, Brie Sheathelm, and Courtney Smith.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, as a former U.S. history teacher, I taught that the U.S. Constitution was a living document, let it live. This debate is about the Federal Government's ability to raise taxes. It should be very hard to do and it should not be easy. As a new Member, one of my great privileges is to run on an issue, be able to cosponsor an issue, work for its passage and eventually vote on its passage. The people in my district want this amendment to make it harder to raise taxes. It is time to match political will with political strength. Let us pass this amendment.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air in this Nation is getting cleaner. Major metropolitan areas are experiencing fewer and fewer days of dirty air, and it is time to thank the EPA for a job well done. In fact, according to the EPA, in almost every major city in America, air pollution levels have been dropping. Nationally since the EPA was established, the combined total of all causes of dirty air have decreased by 29 percent. This reduction occurred even as the Nation's population has grown by 28 percent, people drove more than twice as many miles, and the economy doubled in size. Our Nation is on the right track to cleaner air. But if you talk to the EPA, you would think the sky was falling. This agency has proposed tightening the standards for ozone and particulate matter even more. This new standard, which may take effect without congressional approval, will not clean the air faster. In fact, it will cost the American economy jobs, erode local tax bases and provide nominal positive health effects. Our Nation does not need new regulations which may force people to car pool to work and increase regulations on our Nation's industries and family farms. Our Nation needs regulations that are based on sound science, not emotionally driven, feel-good politics. Indeed the scientific community is not unified in its support of these new regulations. While the EPA has a study that claims it can save thousands of lives with these new rules, the National Institute of Environment Health Sciences, another government agency, came to the conclusion that high rates of pollution do not increase rates of asthma. This information directly contradicts the fundamental basis for the new regulation. In addition, the EPA's own scientific advisory board, which is made up of industry, academic and medical experts, told the EPA that its new standard for particulate matter, quote, ``does not provide a scientifically adequate basis for making regulatory decisions for the setting of National Ambient Air Quality Standards and related control of particulate matter in the Clean Air Act,'' end quote. We must also ask ourselves why, when the air is getting cleaner in America, the number of people being admitted to hospitals with respiratory complications are increasing? Why is a good thing having a bad effect? Our Nation needs regulations that do not needlessly destroy jobs. Five of the 19 counties which I represent rely on coal as a substantial part of their economies. The coal industry has been hit hard by the EPA and stands to be eliminated in southern Illinois if stricter standards are implemented. Unemployment levels in some of my counties would climb even higher than the current 7, 8 to 9 percent that they are now. Not only would these new regulations mean more jobs lost in areas already suffering, but prices on consumer goods will go up as well. Conservative estimates on the direct cost of this regulation on Americans will be around $10 billion every year in higher costs for cars, farm equipment, electricity, and countless products that Americans rely on every day for their well-being. Mr. Speaker, as a newly elected Member of Congress, I can say that I am truly amazed and disappointed that the EPA would impose such high costs on the American people without little benefit. Our Nation's air is getting cleaner, the economy is growing, and the unemployment averages on the national level are at an all time low. Controversy surrounds the EPA studies, and all they can do is offer more regulations. Mr. Speaker, it seems that the EPA is more interested in political agendas and self-preservation than in creating good national policy.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Debra Phillips of Golden, IL. Last month, Dr. Phillips was named the Illinois Rural Health Practitioner of the year by the Illinois Rural Health Association. Dr. Phillips received this award in recognition of her outstanding care, involvement in the community and her lasting contribution to the rural health care system in Illinois. Raised in rural southeast Iowa, Dr. Phillips knows the benefit of rural health care providers. After finishing her undergraduate and medical education at the University of Iowa, Dr. Phillips did her residency in family practice. In the late 1980's, Dr. Phillips developed a model practice for a rural area. Working with Southern Illinois University and Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL, which I visited last week, she helped to create the East Adams County Rural Health Clinic in May 1991. Today this clinic serves a rural population of 7,200 people. Since the nearest hospital is 30 miles away, this rural clinic is vital to the health and well-being of many people. I am very happy to report that Dr. Phillips still spends half her time caring for patients at this facility. In addition, she is the Associate Professor of Clinical Family Practice at the SIU School of Medicine, where she is also the Associate Director of the Quincy Family Practice Center residency program. There are 15 current physicians in this residency program. Dr. Phillips also spends a considerable amount of time teaching resident physicians and medical students in the area of rural health care. She has been influential in helping to promote rural health and encouraging physicians to practice in rural areas. Additionally, Dr. Phillips is a medical director of three nursing homes in rural Adams county and even practices medicine out of her farmhouse after hours. As if that was not enough, Dr. Phillips is married to Duane Phillips, and the mother of two children, 9-year-old Katherine and 6-year-old Jacob. I would like to take this special opportunity to recognize Dr. Phillips for her tireless work and congratulate her for receiving this award. I look forward to her advice and counsel as we move forward in addressing rural health care issues. But most of all, I would like to thank Dr. Phillips for her dedication to the rural residents of Illinois.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that the Tax Code hurts our economy. We all know that Americans who try to save get penalized and that most Americans need a tax attorney to help them file their returns. I want to speak briefly, however, on a part of the Tax Code that is particularly mettlesome to constituents in my district: The death tax, which was first enacted in 1916 on estates larger than $50,000, which in today's dollars would be about $720,000 at a top tax rate of 10 percent. Today, under the tax and spend policies of the past, this tax has grown to include estates valued as low as $600,000 with a top tax rate of 55 percent. The goal of this tax is to prevent families from amassing huge estates and to promote wealth redistribution. That may sound like a good goal on paper, but in practice this tax does not have that effect. In fact, the estate tax hurts middle class, family owned businesses and farms by making it harder for the business to be passed on to the next generation. Back in my district, in Illinois, the Buesinger family, from Christian County, have recently found out how terrible this tax can be. After Glen Buesinger, Sr. passed away, his three sons and wife were left to manage the farm. The family almost lost their farm and is still hurting from the costs, aggravation, and frustration this tax has placed on them. The rich in this country, at which this law is aimed, simply evade this tax legally by using complex estate planning techniques and tricky lawyers. Since many of these techniques are costly and require long lead times to implement, those with the largest estates have the greatest ability to engage in this practice. A disproportionate burden of the death tax falls on those with recently acquired assets, such as farmers and small business owners. Imagine, if you will, owning a family farm in southwestern Illinois which you have worked for 30 years. You have built and developed the land with the hope of passing it along to your children so that they may have a better life. But after your death, your children tragically find that the farm will not be staying in the family. In fact, most of the farm must be sold off to pay the Federal taxes due on the property. This tax costs Americans a great deal back in Illinois but the sacrifice shows up for very little in Washington tax coffers. According to the Office of Management and Budget, the estate tax raises little more than 1 percent of the total Federal revenues. In addition, costs to the Government to collect this tax can be as high as 65 cents of every dollar. Mr. Speaker, this tax policy is not an effective way to help America create jobs and grow the economy. This policy taxes the middle class and destroys the dreams of countless families. It is time we abolish this tax and start letting Americans know that their dreams can come true and not end up in the hands of some big-spending bureaucrats in Washington.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my special order.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the people of Lithuania, who, through tireless perseverance, are celebrating their independence on Sunday, February 16. Referred to as the crossroads of Europe, with the geographical center of Europe just to the north of the capital of Vilnius, Lithuania is a fascinating and diverse country rich in history and tradition. I am proud to be a descendent of a Lithuanian immigrant to the United States. My great grandfather, Casper Shimkus, came to this country in hopes of finding the American Dream. It is my pleasure to carry on his name and his Lithuanian heritage, a heritage strong in work ethic, personal responsibility, and the ability to overcome adversity. As Americans, there are certain rights we take for granted, all of which can be found in our Bill of Rights. Lithuanians have struggled for these rights, a struggle which has expanded the centuries. Since the founding of the first Lithuanian state in 1236, Lithuania has been occupied by czarist Russia for a majority of the time, an occupation which lasted continuously from 1795 to 1915. During that time, the people of Lithuania were subjected to many hardships, including being unable to use the Latin alphabet, lack of religious freedom, and desecration of their cultural identity. With the collapse of czarist Russia at the end of World War I, Lithuanians took advantage of the opportunity to regain their independence. On February 16, 1918, the Lithuanian National Council met and declared the restoration of Lithuania's independence. After defending itself against foreign armies traveling across the territory after the war, by the early 1920's Lithuania was a free nation rebuilding its own political culture and economic life. This freedom was short-lived for the Lithuanian people. On August 23, 1939, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany entered into a pact which placed Lithuania in the Soviets' sphere of influence. On June 15, 1940, in violation of international law, the Soviet Union invaded Lithuania. The occupation by the Soviet Union lasted for about 1 year until Nazi Germany forced the Soviets out and then occupied this country. It was during the next 3 years of Nazi occupation that most of Lithuania's 200,000 Jewish citizens were murdered. After the fall of Nazi Germany, the Soviets stepped in and again occupied Lithuania. However, the idea of an independent Lithuania never died. In the late 1980's, as changes were taking place throughout the Soviet Union, Lithuanians organized a powerful independence movement. After four decades of suppression of their culture and heritage, the Lithuanian people rose up in peaceful protest. The continued protest and push for independence finally culminated in 1990, with proindependence candidates winning a clear majority in elections to the Parliament of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. On March 11, 1990, the reestablishment of an independent Lithuanian State was proclaimed. After a final, unsuccessful coup attempt by a few Soviet military units in 1991, Lithuania took its rightful place in the international community as a vibrant, independent country. Now led by a parliamentary democracy, the determined Lithuanian people are beginning to feel the full benefits of freedom, religious freedom, a taste of democracy, and movement toward an effective free market economy. The United States must lend its full support to not only Lithuania, but to all the Baltic States now. This is not the time for our administration to waver on its position toward the Baltics. With the instability of the political situation in Russia, it is in the long-term interest of the United States to promote democracy and free markets in the region, in hopes that it may counteract possible instability. It is now time for the United States to recognize the struggle the Lithuanians have had for freedom and democracy, and support these brave people for their determination and moral principles they exemplify, rather than sidestep the issue so that we do not jeopardize our relationship with Russia. At this time, Lithuania is looking for an invitation for at least one Baltic country in the first round of NATO enlargement at the Madrid summit this July. This invitation would promote an alliance between Western ideas and the Baltic region, providing security so that the Baltic States may continue with their pro-Democratic reforms. As Americans in the post-cold-war era, we all should be trying to promote peace, democracy, and free-market enterprise in the region, which could be achieved with the NATO expansion, including part of the Baltic States. It is for these reasons that I am a strong supporter of the concurrent resolution offered by the gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon], recommending the integration of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania into NATO. Most of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate all Lithuanians on their independence, and ask that my colleagues join in supporting this proud Nation. The fate of their liberty now rests on the determination of the Lithuanian people to preserve and protect a democratic government. As Americans, we should not only congratulate this country for their newly emerging democracy, but support their efforts to become a member of NATO. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California [Mr. Cox].