Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of Bill Hamann, former resident of Lexington, Missouri. He was 87. Bill, a son of the late William G. and Mary Curtis Hamann, was born in Henrietta, Missouri, on October 12, 1912. His dedication to football began on the Richmond High School football team and continued at Graceland Junior College in Lamoni, Iowa, where he also lettered in basketball. His greatest satisfaction as a player was playing center for the Missouri University Tigers under coach Don Faurot, A special influence in his life. After graduation, Bill coached football at Odessa High School for two years before joining the United States Navy during World War II. He served in the Navy until November 1945, making lieutenant before he returned to Missouri University to complete his master's degree. In 1946, Bill moved to Lexington and began coaching football in earnest at Lexington High School. In his first year, he led the team to their first undefeated season in Lexington history. He was head football coach for 22 years, winning four more Missouri River Valley Conference (MRVC) championships. Bill also served as Athletic Director, basketball coach and track coach during this time. He was head basketball coach for six years and assistant basketball coach for ten years, winning one MRVC championship. Bill also had great success as a track coach, winning State meets twice and numerous District and MRVC championships. He was one of a select few Missouri coaches who won championships in three major sports for one school. Bill retired from coaching football in 1968, but continued to coach track until 1972. In addition to coaching, he taught driver's education, physical education and history. He retired from teaching in 1979 after 32 years at Lexington High School. Bill was one of the first coaches named to the Missouri High School Hall of Fame in 1992, and as Hall of Fame Coach for Track in 1993. He is one of only two coaches named in more than one Hall of Fame in all of Missouri. Bill also served as President of the MRVC, was twice honored as Coach of the Year at the Kansas City Area Night of Sports, and was named a life member of the West Central Coaches Association. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri Athletic Administration. Bill was President of the Lafayette County Teachers and a member of Phi Delta Kappa at Central Missouri State University. He was a former president and member of the Lexington Retired Teachers. Additionally, Bill was a member of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, and very active in the Lexington Historical Society. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Lexington and served as Chairman of the Church Board. Mr. Speaker, Bill Hamann will be greatly missed by all who knew him. I know the Members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to his family: his wife of 58 years, Betty; his daughter, Sally; his two sons, James and John; his two brothers, Herbert and Charles, and four grandchildren.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, recently Dr. Virginia M. Mahan of Waynesville, Missouri, was named Armed Services YMCA National Volunteer of the Year during the Thirteenth Annual Recognition Luncheon held on Thursday, May 11, 2000. Dr. Mahan has been a volunteer for the Fort Leonard Wood Armed Services YMCA, where she is on the Board of Management and is a past Chairperson, since 1984. Among her many contributions, Dr. Mahan created a spin-off of Uncle Sam in the character of ``Aunt Samantha.'' She is recognized in the Fort Leonard Wood area by her patriotic red, white and blue outfit. She appears frequently at community events, grand openings, birthday parties, and other events to raise money for the Armed Services YMCA. Prior to her present involvement with the military, Dr. Mahan served as an officer in the United States Air Force. She also was the Deputy Public Affairs Officer and Community Relations Officer at Fort Leonard Wood for thirteen years. Additionally, she has been a teacher, civil servant and special education consultant. Dr. Mahan earned her doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati in 1980. Currently, she is co-owner of a retail antique store and serves as an adjunct instructor at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Mahan is dedicated to the Pulaski County Armed Services YMCA and generously volunteers her time to ensure that members of our nation's Armed Forces--especially young enlisted members--enjoy a better quality of life. I know that all the Members of the House will join me in showing our appreciation for her commitment to our troops.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support permanent normal trade relations for China. I will vote in favor of PNTR, not only because of the benefits that American farmers and businesses stand to gain in terms of increased trade, which are substantial, but also because of the impact approval of PNTR will have for U.S. national security and stability in Asia. A solid trade relationship with China, with its huge potential markets, is important to Missouri. In 1998, China was Missouri's sixth most important export market and the United States' fourth largest trading partner. From 1991 to 1998, U.S. exports to China more than doubled. The agreement that the administration reached with China last November concerning China's accession to the World Trade Organization commits China to eliminate export subsidies and lower tariffs dramatically, reduce its farm supports, and play by the same trade rules as we do. Further concessions recently gained by the European Union would increase the benefits, as the agreement would apply to all parties to the WTO. During the first 6 years of the agreement, USDA estimates U.S. agriculture exports to China will increase a total of $7.5 billion. In the first ten years of the agreement, USDA projects one-third of U.S. export growth will be in U.S. agricultural products destined for China. China is the last major untapped market for American agriculture. As China moves from an agrarian economy to a modern economy, someone must fill the gap. As the standard of living increases in China, the Chinese people will be able to buy more U.S. products. To gain these advantages, Congress must approve PNTR status for China. If Congress does not do so, the only winners will be our international competitors who would welcome the chance to gain market share that would otherwise go to U.S. farmers and benefit the entire agriculture community. Congressional approval of PNTR also have implications for U.S. national security. Early this year, I led a small House Armed Services Committee delegation on a trip to the Asia-Pacific region. Although we did not visit China, we did find in our meetings will officials how much other nations in Asia value America's presence and engagement in the region to promote stability. The state of U.S.-China relations is critical to the future stability, prosperity, and peace of Asia. Encouraging China to participate in global economic institutions is in our interest because it will bring China under a system of global trade rules and draw it into the world community. It is in our long term interest to develop a relationship with China that is stable and predictable. China will enter the WTO based upon the votes of all 135 WTO members. Denial of PNTR by the U.S. will not affect China's entry into the WTO, but rejecting PNTR after last year's negotiated agreement will diminish our credibility and our ability to make a difference in China. WTO memberships will bring China into the system of trading rules and standards that apply to all other major trading partners in the world. Congress should approve PNTR so that American farmers, workers, businesses will be able to take advantage of opening markets in China and so that our continued involvement in China can help in working toward other reforms. For all of these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support PNTR.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that H.R. 3639 has come before the House. This bill, which I introduced along with my fellow Missourian (Mr. Blunt), would name the State Department Headquarters Building in honor of our 33rd President, Harry S. Truman. I especially thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for bringing this bill to the floor. I came to personally know President Truman through my father, Ike Skelton, Sr., who developed a friendship with him some 71 years ago at the dedication of the Pioneer Mother Statue, the Madonna of the Trail, located in my hometown of Lexington, Missouri. Through the years, I developed my own friendship with this genuinely nice person we call the ``Man From Independence.'' President Truman was a man of strong personal character who held deep regard for his country and for the American people. He was a man of great devotion to his wife and life-long sweetheart Bess and to his daughter Margaret Truman Daniel. He was politically courageous, and during the critical years that ended and followed World War II, Harry Truman was faced with many difficult and often politically unpopular decisions. However, he faced these obstacles head on and established a foreign policy that guided the United States of America through the duration of the cold war. Most importantly, Truman guided the United States away from our established pattern of peacetime isolationism in order to assist European economic recovery and security. During his presidency, Truman launched the Marshall Plan and established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization under which Western Europe remains protected to this day. President Truman also displayed significant courage in standing up to the communist aggression that marked the beginning of the cold war. The Truman Doctrine made it clear that the United States would not stand idly by in the face of communist aggression. Truman's commitment to the democratic rights of free people was also made clear as the U.S. provided essential supplies to the people of Berlin during the Soviet blockage and when Truman made the agonizing decision to use American troops to lead the United Nations resistance to the communist invasion of South Korea. These actions earned the praise of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who said to Truman, ``You, more than any other man, have saved Western Civilization.'' Harry Truman understood well the importance of America's effective diplomacy as a complement to our strong economy and military forces. Time and time again during his presidency, President Truman spoke eloquently to the American people about the lessons of history and the responsibilities of leadership. In 1947, Truman said, ``We have learned by the costly lessons of two world wars that what happens beyond our shores determines how we live our own lives. We have learned that, if we want to live in freedom and security, we must work with all the world for freedom and security.'' America is truly grateful that the right leader was in the right place when President Franklin Roosevelt's extraordinary life ended. Associating Harry S. Truman's name with the United States Department of State is a fitting tribute to him. He contributed so much to the American people and to the citizens of the world. I am proud to say he will always be Missouri's favorite son.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support permanent normal trade relations for China. I will vote in favor of it, not only because of the benefits that American farmers and businesses stand to gain in terms of increased trade, which are substantial, but also because of the impact approval of PNTR will have for U.S. national security and stability in Asia. A solid trade relationship with China with its huge potential markets is important to Missouri. In 1998, China was Missouri's sixth most important export market, and the United States' fourth largest trading partner. From 1991 to 1998, U.S. exports to China more than doubled. The agreement that the administration reached with China last November concerning China's accession to the World Trade Organization commits China to eliminate export subsidies and lower tariffs dramatically, reduce its farm supports, and play by the same trade rules as we do. Further concessions recently gained by the European Union would increase the benefits, as the agreement would apply to all parties to the World Trade Organization. Congressional approval of PNTR also has implications for U.S. national security. Early this year, I led a small House Committee on Armed Services delegation on a trip to the Asia Pacific region. Although we did not visit China, we found in our meetings with officials how much they told us the value of America's presence and engagement to the region is important. The state of U.S.-China relations is critical to the future stability, prosperity, and peace in Asia. Encouraging China to participate in global economic institutions is in our interests because it will bring China under a system of global trade rules and draw it into the world community. It is in our long-term interests to develop a relationship with China that is stable and predictable. China will enter the World Trade Organization based upon the votes of all 135 WTO members.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I was recently informed that the Versailles Chamber of Commerce will present Nona and Bill Caine with the Lifetime Achievement Award on May 26, 2000, in a ceremony at the Morgan County Historical Society Heritage Garden in Versailles, Missouri. Bill owned and operated Versailles Furniture for over 30 years. In addition to running his business, he served as the First Sergeant of the Army Reserve Unit and as the Mayor of the City of Versailles for six years. During his term in office, he oversaw installation of the airport, construction of the water tower and server for the southwestern part of the city and development of the parks system. Bill is also responsible for reviving the Versailles Chamber of Commerce and served as both Chamber President and Board Member. He shared responsibility, along with Rufus Harms, for organizing the Versailles Industrial Trust. Additionally, Bill served as President of the Versailles Lions Club and was twice the Fair Board Chairman for the Morgan County Fair. Bill led three major community fund drives for the Brown Shoe Company, the Sheltered Workshop and the railroad spur. He was involved in the acquisition of Brown Shoe Company, Dixon Ticonderoga Pencil Company and Gates Rubber Company in Versailles. He presently serves on the Versailles Cemetery Board, Good Shepherd Nursing Home District Board and Bank of Versailles Board of Directors. Nona worked for ten years at Wini's Fashions. She was a charter member of the Junior Sorosis, the WIN Investment Club and is a member of the Versailles Women's Civic Club. Nona was very active in organizations that benefit the children of Versailles. She was involved in Girl Scout and Boy Scout activities, was a member of the Parent Teacher Association and participated in numerous door-to-door solicitations for community fund drives. Nona and Bill are both members of the Morgan County Historical Society and the Versailles United Methodist Church, where Nona has served as a Sunday School teacher and President and member of the Young Mother's Circle. They also are Charter Members of the Rolling Hills Country Club and have served several years on the Long Range Planning Committee. Nona served as President and Board Member, President and Golf Chair of the Ladies' Rolling Hills Organization and is Treasurer of the Fifty Plus Women's Golf Association of Central Missouri. Mr. Speaker, Nona and Bill have set an example in the Versailles community for all Missourians to follow. I know that my colleagues in the House will be pleased to join me in congratulating them for their outstanding work.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will yield, the bill does provide very properly and excellently, I think, for other ways to obtain prescription as opposed to just going to military hospitals.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word, and I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I consume. Mr. Chairman, let me reiterate again the words of Marine Corps General James L. Jones, when he wrote ``Positive resolution of the Vieques referendum regarding live-fire training will restore Vieques training to its fullest potential.'' Mr. Chairman, this wording in the bill is contrary to what is desired by the Secretary of the Navy. It is contrary to what is desired by the Secretary of Defense. It is contrary to what is desired by the administration. It is contrary to what is desired by the Governor of Puerto Rico. It is contrary to what is supported by the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico. We should adopt this amendment and do what is right. It does not deal with remuneration. It does not deal with the referendum. It merely voids the gutting language and attaches the land transfer only.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), a member of our committee.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor), the sponsor of this amendment.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, we are charged to do our best for the people that we represent, for the people of our country. In this particular case, by voting for the Taylor amendment, unamended, we will be doing our best. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood). (Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), a member of our committee.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, reserving the right to object, I will not object. I would just merely ask for a clarification of the correction that was made thereon.

Mr. SKELTON. I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 15 seconds. Mr. Chairman, all we have to do is go out here at Bethesda Naval Hospital, or Walter Reed Hospital, or Fort Leonard Wood Hospital and we will see those military physicians and technicians and nurses doing their very best to take care of geriatrics, the senior citizen who served his or her country for over 20 years. So I wish to correct my friend from California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Coburn). (Mr. COBURN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)