Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. No, no, no. In his activities in having patrols acting against the submarines of the Nazis at the time in the North Atlantic. Does that ring a bell?

Mr. SKELTON. My next question, if you recall, deals with a bit of history back in the 1940 era, early 1941, when President Roosevelt made certain actions, particularly with the United States Navy. How would the War Powers Act have affected him?

Mr. SKELTON. But would the gentleman answer my first question. Please explain what you repeal and the basic reason therefor.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, I have been in the Committee on National Security this afternoon listening to testimony by the Secretary of Defense and by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and so I missed the earlier part of this debate. I wonder if the gentleman from Illinois would answer some inquiries, some questions that I have regarding his amendment. The first is, would you explain as briefly as possible just what you repeal. Second, would you please explain the purpose behind that. I would like to add, if I may, is it not correct that Presidents in recent years, and my recollection is that during my term in Congress, which is the same as my friend from Illinois, that the Presidents have complied with the notification portions of the War Powers Act without acknowledging its force and effect.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, last night America lost a great military thinker and I lost a friend. The death of Les Aspin, former Democratic Congressman from Wisconsin and Secretary of Defense, shocked our Nation. Les Aspin was my friend. I enjoyed my association with him while we worked together in the House Armed Services Committee and later while he was Secretary of Defense. He was a genuine defense intellectual who understood military and strategic issues. More important, he recognized the threats we face in a dangerous and unstable world. As chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, he helped fashion the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986. He also supported the use of American arms to bring an end to the regime of Manuel Noriega in Panama in 1988 and to eject Saddam Hussein from Kuwait in 1991. He shaped the Bottom-Up Review which is the framework of today's force structure and our national strategy. I was active in his campaign, his election, and reelection as chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services. While chairman, he was kind enough to appoint me to head the military education panel which examined all 10 of America's war colleges. I shall miss him. We shall miss him. America has lost an outstanding expert in military and national security. And I have lost a good friend.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize an outstanding group of students from Central Missouri State University's forensics team. The forensics team recently won the national 39th biannual Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament. The tournament was held from March 22- 25, 1995 at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Pi Kappa Delta is a national honorary fraternity that symbolizes the benefits of a forensics education. Twenty-three students represented Central Missouri State University in the competition. The team placed first in debate and second in individual events, winning 32 individual event awards. This is the first national championship in the team's 73- year history. I know that the Members of this body join me in congratulating the Central Missouri State University forensics team for their accomplishment. The students on the forensics team should be applauded for all the hard work, dedication, and perseverance it took to win the tournament.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to honor an outstanding Missourian, William O. Hiatt, Jr., of Sedalia, who was recently the recipient of the Center for Human Services' Life Achievement Award. This lifetime achievement award is a tribute for his many years of service to the Children's Therapy Center located in Sedalia, MO. Hiatt has been involved with the center since 1967. During those years he has been a member of the board and served as president from 1982 until 1992. Hiatt worked for Missouri Public Service, until his retirement 8 years ago. He is also actively involved with other community organizations, such as the United Way, Lions Club, and the Boy Scouts. The Center for Human Services has benefited from the countless contributions by William Hiatt. I urge my colleagues to join me in commending him for his dedication and perseverance on all his achievements through the years.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to pay tribute to a member of the U.S. Air Force 510th Fighter Squadron, Capt. Mark P. McCarthy, who died while participating in aerial combat maneuvers over the Adriatic Sea on January 26, 1995, Captain McCarthy was a devoted aviator who faithfully served the Air Force and his country. Hand-picked to assist the 510th Fighter Squadron as assistant operations officer, Captain McCarthy displayed leadership qualities which earned him the utmost respect as an aviator. In addition, his superb instructional abilities led to the squadron's 100-percent success rate supporting U.N. resolutions by enforcing the no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Captain McCarthy's commendable military record is reflected through his abundant accomplishments. He was named distinguished graduate at the pilot instructor course, AT-38 Fighter lead in, F-16 RTU, and Squadron Officer School, and Squadron Top Gun on many occasions. In addition, he was twice named Air Training Command Professional Performer. His decorations include the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with one devise. I know that the Members of this body join me in sending the deepest sympathy to Captain McCarthy's entire family. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife Patricia, his three children, Bryan, David, and Christina, his parents, General and Mrs. McCarthy, his sisters, Kathleen, Susan, and Ann, his brother Michael, and Patricia's parents, Colonel and Mrs. Harry MacGregor.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, what does this do to the nature and extent of the injuries such as someone with an amputated foot?

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, my congratulations to Sfc. Jerry Seabaugh of Jefferson City, MO, who was recently awarded the prestigious Soldier's Medal, the Army's highest peace time medal for valor. Sergeant Seabaugh, a member of the Missouri National Guard, saved the life of State Representative Sue Shear from flooding waters in Jefferson City. Sergeant Seabaugh rescued Mrs. Shear from her car which was nearly submerged by the high water. This award, approved by the Secretary of the Army, is rarely given, and I know that the Members of this body join me in saying a job well done to Sergeant First Class Seabaugh. His heroism not only makes the Missouri National Guard proud, but all Missourians as well.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island for yielding this time to me. Mr. Chairman, this is the culmination of a great deal of effort that I have been personally working on for more than a decade. At the outset, let me thank and compliment my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Ewing, for his efforts, for together we have cosponsored legislation regarding the original Regulatory Flexibility Act for some time. I also thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Gekas, the ranking subcommittee member, the gentleman from Rhode Island, Mr. Reed, the gentlewoman from Kansas, Chairman Meyers, and the ranking member, the gentleman from New York, Mr. LaFalce. I applaud their efforts and again thank Tom Ewing for the opportunity of getting this hearing. The Regulatory Reform and Relief Act, which had my support and on which I worked, was signed into law back in 1980. Later I was chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee, and I held hearings on this in the mid-1980's concerning how the Regulatory Flexibility Act was working. We got mixed reviews. As chairman of that, I found that most agencies were making an honest, diligent effort to comply with the law. Others came before us and testified and said, ``It does not apply to us,'' or they were giving it, as we say back home, a lick and a promise. We put out a report that found that those complying with the law found that they were actually writing better regulations when they considered the impact on small businesses. Also, they found and concluded that it saves these agencies time, saves them money when good regulations are written from the beginning rather than waiting to have them questioned by small businesses. We need to make adjustments in the law, to improve it, to give it teeth. That is why the portion that Mr. Ewing and I have been working on throughout the last few years deals with judicial review and primarily states that the agencies should understand that they can actually be challenged if they write regulations that are more than cursory--take more than cursory consideration of the impact on small businesses. It is unlikely that many cases would ever come to court because the threat, the sword of Damocles that would be hanging over them. I think it would be a very, very important step, and that is why I fully support the efforts for judicial review and a change in the law as set forth in this proposal.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, local public service the cornerstone of democracy. The country depends on the willingness of good people who will stand for election and assume the responsibility of public office. The Blue Springs R IV School District in Jackson County, MO, is honoring one of its leaders who is completing two terms of service on its board of education. Tom Evans' leadership potential was recognized early in his tenure and he served as treasurer, vice president, and twice as president of the board in his 6 years on the board. During the time Tom Evans served on the Blue Springs Board of Education the district was in a dynamic period of growth in its physical facilities and its programs. The district opened a second high school, conducted a patron survey, established an alternative school, initiated a homework hotline, developed a business/patron/school partnership program, initiated a Saturday school detention program, established the CHOICES program and a youth offender unit, initiated an Air Force ROTC program, originated a senior seminar class, established a community education program, was selected as the first Missouri Goals 2000 community, established a school of economics and implemented the TechNet 2000 computer program. In addition the district passed a levy and four bond issues in his tenure. Clearly, the public had justified faith in the leadership of its school board. It is fitting for the board to pause and reflect on the outstanding record of service and leadership established by Tom Evans. I am pleased to note that record and offer it into the Congressional Record that others may be aware of it and seek to emulate this man's accomplishments.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. My friend, the gentleman from Florida, will recall on two occasions last week, I spoke as strongly as I possibly can in favor of taking care of the troops. I think that your measure today is a giant step in that direction. One of the items that you could have very well mentioned is the fact that several hundred millions of dollars was taken out of training for the Army in Europe and put into family housing, in taking care of the troops there. But when we cut back on training, that cuts back on readiness. I think that this is a measure in the right direction. I wish the gentleman well.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would add a section to 604 requiring the President to assess the number, types, and costs of NATO armed forces that would be required to defend the country and the number, types, and costs of U.S. Armed Forces; also whether the United States is prepared to provide a nuclear guarantee to the country; and also the likelihood that the country may become involved in disputes or armed conflict in neighboring countries in that region. I would hope that the majority will accept this amendment. We have discussed it.

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

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise with this motion to recommit with instructions with a heavy heart. I do so with the background, Mr. Speaker, of having stood with my friends on the other side of the aisle, lo, those many times in the cause of national defense. I stood with those on the other side of the aisle concerning the Nicaragua crisis. I stood with those on the other side of the aisle in the gulf war issue that was so important to our then President George Bush and to the American people and to freedom throughout this globe. I find, though, there are parts of this bill I would individually vote for; the part concerning the command and control of American troops is to be commended, but the weight of this bill overall, Mr. Speaker, causes me to offer this motion to recommit. This motion to recommit is in favor of the troops. This morning we had the sad news of 4 soldiers giving their lives in training in Eglin Air Force Base in the Ranger course. The job that we call those in uniform to do is a dangerous job. This is a motion to stand by those young men and those young women from whom we ask so much and who should be given the very best of our efforts. Mr. Speaker, this is the Montgomery/Skelton language that states that the Secretary of Defense must certify to us, to us the Congress of the United States, that the Armed Forces are properly sized, equipped, housed, structured, and filled with readiness to do the job that the Commander in Chief and our national interest requires of them. This is putting the troops first. This is saying to those young men and women in uniform, ``We care for you. We want to stand by you.'' This does not cut off national missile defense programs, it allows for the year 1996 to have a $400 million program, where we make sure that those troops are ready and able to do their job. My case was made by my friends on the other side of the aisle when they said that we are not ready. My friend from California [Mr. Cunningham] spoke eloquently of the need for readiness. That was my speech. That was my point. That is what we need to do Churchill who once said that war comes very suddenly. This past year we came within an eyelash of having armed conflict three times, once involving North Korea, once involving Haiti, and one with Saddam Hussein. These young men and young women we send in harm's way should be fully ready and every penny should go toward their training, readiness, their quality of life. We should not, as we have seen, have young men and young women on the rifle range, who do not have enough bullets to fire, cancel training so that they are not able to fulfill their duties. In Europe we learned just a few weeks ago that the Army had taken from its training account in Europe $300 million to put in the maintenance account. That is a lack of readiness. We need to pay attention to that and not offer these dollars up to something in excess of what we can fairly spend. I ask everyone here, Mr. Speaker, to vote for this motion to recommit. It will send the message to the young men and young women we are so proud to call Americans, those in uniform that ``we want you to get the best training, the best possible advantage should you have to walk onto that battle field.'' And if there is a lack of training, if there is someone that is injured or sadly loses his or her life because of lack of readiness, let it not be a reflection of today, let us stand with them, let us work with them, let us vote to recommit this with the instructions on the Montgomery-Skelton language. It is the least we can do for those fine young Americans.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit with instructions.

Mr. SKELTON. Absolutely.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. I would like to again speak for the troops: $1.5 million will take care of a lot of taking care of their homes, their roofs, their refrigerators, the bathrooms, the quality of life. It will take care of a lot of ammunition for them to shoot on the rifle here. The Constitution tells us we are in charge, not a commission. I speak for the troops again.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, does the gentleman really see anything wrong with all of our troops being ready to fulfill the national military all in the world I want.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?