Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed from the list of cosponsors of House Resolution 396.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that our colleague in the House of Representatives, Colonel Robert N. Clement, will retire from the Tennessee Army National Guard on April 30, 2000, after more than 31 years of exemplary military service. Colonel Clement began his career as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. In January 1969, he entered active duty for his Officers Basic Course in the Adjutant General's Corps. Upon completion of the school at Fort Benjamin Harrison in March, he attended Middle Managers training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Colonel Clement remained at Fort Gordon to serve as the Assistant Adjutant at the United States Civil Affairs School, where he received a Certificate of Achievement for his performance. He completed his active duty service with the Army Forces Entrance and Examination Station at Nashville, Tennessee. During this time, he earned promotion to first lieutenant and received the Army Commendation Medal. Colonel Clement joined the Tennessee Army National Guard in January 1971 when he became a Personnel Management Officer in the 530th Administration Company. He was promoted to Captain while serving as a Special Services Officer in that unit. In 1975, he became an Assistant Information Officer in the 118th Public Affair Detachment. Shortly thereafter, Colonel Clement was reassigned as a Race Relations and Equal Opportunity Training Officer in the Headquarters, Tennessee Army National Guard, Nashville, Tennessee. He then served the Headquarters as Race Relations and Equal Opportunity Officer for the next six and one half years. He was promoted to Major during this assignment. In 1983, Colonel Clement was named Chief, Enlisted Personnel Branch, Headquarters, State Area Command, Tennessee Army National Guard. After receiving significant experience in personnel actions over the next three years, he became a Selective Service Officer and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. His next assignment was as a Plans and Operations Officer in the Plans, Operations and Training Division. After completing four years in this assignment, he was promoted to Colonel and detailed as a Special Plans and Operations Officer. In July 1995, Colonel Clement became the Deputy Director, Plans, Operations and Training Division. One year later, he was assigned as the Senior Medical Operations Support Officer in support of MEDIGUARD Operations and served admirably in this assignment until his retirement. Mr. Speaker, Colonel Clement has dedicated over 31 years to the military, serving with honor and distinction. I wish him all the best in the days ahead as he continues his public service by representing the people of the state of Tennessee. I am certain that the Members of the House will join me in paying tribute to this fine officer.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Command Sergeant Major George E. Cutbirth is retiring after 30 years of exemplary service in the United States Army. He has served his country with dignity, honor, and integrity. Command Sergeant Major Cutbirth is a native of Southwest Missouri. He graduated from Hurley High School in 1969 and entered the Army in April 1970. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He has held positions of increasing responsibility during his career, to include: Squad Leader; Repair Control Supervisor; Platoon Sergeant; Drill Sergeant; Senior Drill Sergeant; TAC Sergeant; Instructor; First Sergeant; and Battalion Command Sergeant Major. He has also served as the Commandant, Ordnance Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Command Sergeant Major Ordnance Center and School, Ordnance Corps Regiment Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major Combined Arms Support Command. Currently, Command Sergeant Major Cutbirth is serving as the Command Sergeant Major for the United States Army Materiel Command. He is the first ordnance soldier to hold that position. Command Sergeant Major Cutbirth has served in a variety of overseas and stateside assignments. They include tours in Okinawa, Vietnam, Italy, Korea and the Federal Republic of Germany. He also served in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Within the United States, he has been assigned to: Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; and Fort Lee, Virginia. Command Sergeant Major Cutbirth is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, the 3rd Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy, the Drill Sergeant Academy, and numerous technical and functional courses. He also earned an Associate of Arts degree from Columbia College, Missouri, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland. Command Sergeant Major Cutbirth's awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star; the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the Army Commendation Medal; and Army Achievement Medal; the Good Conduct Medal (tenth award); the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Southwest Asia Service Medal; the Humanitarian Service Medal; the Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral three; the Army Service Ribbon, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four; the Vietnam Campaign Medal; the Kuwait Liberation Medal; the Master Parachutist Badge; the Drill Sergeant Badge; the Mechanic Badge; and the Belgian Parachutist Badge. Mr. Speaker, Command Sergeant Major Cutbirth deserves the thanks and praise of the nation that he had faithfully served for so long. I know the Members of the House will join me in wishing him, his wife of 30 years, Catherine, and his three children, Laurie, Paul and Matthew, all the best in the years ahead.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I was recently informed by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration that the Lake of the Ozarks SCORE Chapter has been selected the National SCORE Chapter of the Year. As you know, SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth, and success of small businesses throughout this country. SCORE, which is a resource partner with the Small Business Administration, has thousands of volunteers in 389 chapters who serve as ``Counselors to America's Small Business.'' Working and retired executives and business owners in local SCORE chapters, like the one at the Lake of the Ozarks, donate their time and expertise as volunteer business counselors and provide confidential counseling and mentoring free of charge. SCORE, which was founded in 1964, assists approximately 300,000 entrepreneurs annually. Each year, the SCORE Chapter of the Year is honored during Small Business Week, which this year is May 21-26, 2000. I know that my colleagues in the House will be pleased to join me in recognizing the outstanding work of the men and women who volunteer their time to this year's SCORE Chapter of the Year--the Lake of the Ozarks Service Corps of Retired Executives.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Vice Admiral Robert Natter will receive the Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award from the United States Naval War College on May 1, 2000. The Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award is presented to a former student of the Naval War College whose accomplishments as a military leader and outstanding service in the national interest have brought honor to his country, the Armed Services and the Naval War College. Vice Admiral Natter enlisted in the Naval Reserve at the age of 17 as a Seaman Recruit. Following one year of reserve enlisted service and four years at the United States Naval Academy, he graduated and was commissioned in June 1967. Vice Admiral Natter's service at sea included department head tours in a Coastal Minesweeper and Frigate and Executive Officer tours in two Amphibious Tank Landing Ships and a Spruance Destroyer. He was Officer in Charge of a Naval Special Warfare detachment in Vietnam and commanded U.S.S. Chandler (DDG996), U.S.S. Antietam (CG 54) and the United States 7th Fleet. His shore assignments included Company Officer and later Flag Secretary to the Superintendent at the Naval Academy; Executive Assistant to the Director of Naval Warfare in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; staff member for the House Armed Services Committee of the 100th Congress of the United States; Executive Assistant to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, during Operation Desert Storm; Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for officer and enlisted personnel assignments; Chief of the Navy's Legislative Affairs organization; and the Chief of Naval Operations' Director for Space, Information Warfare, Command and Control. Vice Admiral Natter currently is the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans, Policy and Operations. His personal decorations include the Silver Star, two awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, five awards of the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, Purple Heart, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V, and various unit and campaign awards. Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my congratulations to Vice Admiral Natter for this most deserved award. His life is an example to all Americans, most particularly students--past, present and future--of the United States Naval War College.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Delbert Best will retire as the athletic director and track coach on June 30, 2000, after 25 years of coaching and teaching at Wellington-Napoleon High School in Missouri. Delbert grew up in my hometown of Lexington, Missouri, and graduated from high school in 1966. Shortly after graduation, he joined the Marines and served a tour in Vietnam during his three years on active duty. In 1969 he returned to civilian life and enrolled at Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg where he also was a member of the track team. He graduated in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in education. After completing his student teaching at Odessa High School, Delbert worked for the local water company in Lexington while waiting for a permanent teaching position to become available. In January 1975, Delbert took a job teaching science in the Wellington-Napoleon School District. That spring, he began his association with the varsity high school track team as their assistant coach. He was named head coach the next year and the school won its first I-70 Conference boys track meet and the school's first district track championship the year after that. He coached the boy's track team to the state championships in 1985, 1987 and 1991. They took second place in 1986 and 1987, and third place in 1993 and 1996. The girls' track teams took second at the state championships in 1992 and third in 1993. Delbert has been honored for his commitment to coaching many times. He was named the State 1A Boys Track Coach of the Year eight times and the State 1A Girls Track Coach of the Year three times. In 1994, he was recognized as the Region 5 National Boys Track Coach of the Year, which included not only Missouri, but six other midwestern states. In 1998, Delbert was inducted into the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame during ceremonies at Columbia. Mr. Speaker, Delbert Best has dedicated 25 years to teaching and motivating talented young people. I wish him and his family all the best in the days ahead, and I am certain that the Members of the House will join me in paying tribute to this fine Missourian.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) for yielding me this time so that I might have this moment to support this concurrent resolution declaring the American G.I. to be the person of the century. I commend the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) for introducing this resolution and the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) for the work that he has done to further its cause today. Last December, I joined more than 100 of my House colleagues in urging Time Magazine to select the American G.I. as its Person of the Century. And although the magazine did not select the G.I. for its end- of-the-century cover story, it is more than fitting that the Congress of the United States recognize our Nation's men and women in uniform for their contributions. The American G.I. changed the course of world history in helping to defeat fascism and communism. Victorious in World War I, World War II, down through Operation Desert Storm, bravely fighting in Korea, Vietnam, and confronting the struggles of the Cold War, U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have protected our freedom and given hope to freedom-loving people around the world. The American G.I. has played an indispensable role protecting freedom and preserving the peace through the course of the 20th century. I have no doubt the American G.I. will continue to make all of us proud in the next hundred years. On a more personal note, Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to note that my family has been represented in the first World War, as my father was aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in 1918 and our son was in Operation Desert Storm as a member of the First Cavalry Division. So I am pleased to say that our family has, through this century, been a part of the opening and the closing of those victorious moments that made the American G.I. the person of the century, in my opinion.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I wish to pay special commendation to my friend and my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), for introducing this resolution. I might also note, besides being a very active member of our committee, he was a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam and served his country well and with dedication during the Vietnam era and during that conflict. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Kuykendall) for his strong support of this resolution. Although it may not seem it, 25 years have elapsed since the United States military forces fought in Vietnam. While not everyone may agree that the United States should have participated in the conflict, the matter is we did. More important, hundreds of thousands of patriotic Americans gave their lives or were wounded while serving this country. Still others remain unaccounted for. It is only fitting that we recognize their sacrifice on behalf of our great Nation. This resolution honors the service of the military members and civilians who served during the Vietnam era and also recognizes and honors the families who suffered during this conflict. The heroism and sacrifices made by these individuals deserve to be recognized, and this resolution takes that step. In these days when we consider how best to improve access to health care for our service members and our military retirees, we must not forget that our efforts are really aimed at fulfilling a commitment to servicemen and women who served not just in Vietnam but also in the Second World War and Korea and the Persian Gulf and elsewhere around the globe. We owe them for their service and for the promises our government made to them. We cannot and must not let them down regarding the very serious issue of health care. Mr. Speaker, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and civilians who served in Vietnam did their duty to protect our freedom and gave hope to the oppressed people of that country. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam conflict, it is wholly appropriate that we commend the service and sacrifice of those who served. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of Chuck Blackwell, a former Lexington, Missouri, resident and graduate of Wentworth Military Academy. He was 84. Chuck, a son of the late Horace F. and Berrien Menefee Blackwell, was born on February 17, 1916. He attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Missouri- Columbia in 1936. While in college, he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Then, he attended the University of Michigan Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif and a member of Phi Delta Phi law fraternity. Upon graduation in 1939, he joined a law firm then called McCune, Caldwell & Downing. Chuck left the law firm in 1942 to serve his country during World War II. He rose from the rank of second lieutenant to major while assigned to the Fourteenth Armored Division, Army of the United States, from 1942 until 1946. A war hero, his military service was recognized with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, a Purple Heart and three battle stars. In 1948, Chuck rejoined the law firm, known for many years as Blackwell, Sanders, Matheny, Weary & Lombardi, where he served as a managing partner. Professional affiliations developed during his 57 year law career included the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Missouri Bar and the Lawyers Association of Kansas City. He also served on many corporate boards. Chuck was also involved in many civic and charitable activities in his community. He was a University Trustee of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art from 1957 to 1991. Additionally, Chuck was a member of the Board of Governors of the American Royal Association, Vice President and Director of the Charles R. and Minnie Cook Foundation, board member of the Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation and the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Trustee of the Loretta M. Cowden Foundation and the Midwest Research Institute, and Director of the Starlight Theatre Association. Furthermore, Chuck was an avid hunter and fisherman and loyal Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and Missouri Tigers fan. Chuck married the late Mary Lou Harris Blackwell of Kansas City on April 25, 1942. They were married for 56 years and had one son, the late Stephen M. Blackwell. Mr. Speaker, Chuck Blackwell was my good friend and a great American. I know the Members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to his family.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I think that this amendment is an important one because it helps point out the fact that the strategic thought on the fight against drugs is being directed in the wrong place. What should happen and should, of course, come from the Colombian military and their government is to put a stop to the traffic, the drug traffic coming across the Andes by air as the Peruvians stopped, and through the three, and only three, mountain passes through the Andes. Instead, we might find ourselves enmeshed in a civil war, going after one-third of the guerillas who, of course, are being supported by the drug trafficking. The proposed strategy is a 6-year strategy; that should not be. It should be one where you shoot down the airplanes as they fly over the Andes and stop up the three passes and then should we look at assisting in going after the guerillas if that be our policy. Let us go the first things first.

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

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Our friend from Ohio said that we should assert ourselves and send a message. Let me tell my colleagues what that message would be. The message would be that raising the possibility of American troops withdrawing from Kosovo encourages extremist elements in Kosovo and Belgrade who are determined to see NATO's mission fail in the Balkans. This amendment would damage the readiness of our armed forces for the rest of the fiscal year and for the rest of our efforts there. Sure, European allies should and they will do more to meet their commitments in Kosovo. We should continue to encourage them to do so. But we do not by this amendment want to surrender to foreign nations the ultimate decision-making authority on the deployment of United States' troops. Congress and the executive branch should make that decision. Cutting off funds and forcing the withdrawal of our forces from Kosovo should not be an automatic based on what the Europeans do.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, let me take this opportunity to associate myself with the comments of the chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young). He is right on on this. What this amendment does is absolutely ignores the history and the role the United States has played since the days of Harry Truman, and I think that opposition to this amendment is proper and just and it must be defeated.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I speak in favor of this amendment. No one will take a back seat to me when it comes to drug eradication or no one can take a back seat to me in fighting drugs. I use this opportunity to explain that there is a better alternative, a better way of doing things in fighting drugs in the country of Colombia. As the strategy is now explained to us, it is called ``Push Into Southern Colombia.'' It is a 6-year plan. It is one that is aimed at the guerillas and not one that is aimed primarily at eradicating the drug traffic. For example, this package appears to be focused on guerilla- controlled coca-growing areas to the exclusion of areas controlled by the paramilitaries and other narcotraffickers. The paramilitary groups linked to the drug trade will continue to operate with impunity until the last 2 years of this 6-year plan. This cannot be the case. We must do a better job in strategic thought on how to fight these drugs and the drug trafficking. What we must do is to follow the strategy that was successful in the country of Peru. There is an alternative to the so-called Push Into Southern Colombia strategy that needs to be considered and it is the experience of reducing the coca cultivation by the country of Peru by doing three things. Number one, an aggressive air interdiction of drug traffickers. In other words, if you fly, you die. Number two, a comprehensive AID alternative crop development program. And, number three, crop eradication. The Colombian government has not yet matched the Peruvian government's demonstrated willingness to interdict the drug traffickers' aircraft. The Colombian government should be encouraged to match that commitment. When combined with a successful effort to interdict the air bridge, a strong ground interdiction strategy at the three main points that drugs must have to cross the Andes Mountains, the road to Pasto, the road through Florencia and the road through Villavicencio, ground interdiction focus must be kept on those three areas. We cannot do this by piecemeal. I think that those military thinkers, whether they be Colombian or whether they be American who make suggestions can do a much better job. We must interdict the drugs in the air, force them through the three Andes passes, and stop them and eradicate them there. That is the only sound way of getting at the drug trafficking. This other way, the strategy that I think is an erroneous one, is one that will last some 6 years and might cause us well to find ourselves involved in a guerilla warfare; and the last thing in the world we want to do is to have American young men and young women involved in that. I doubt the American people would support a counterinsurgency campaign, and yet that is where we are headed. The administration's continued insistence that the package is entirely counternarcotic, however, has made impossible any debate on the merits of counterinsurgency. Let us get this strategy right; let us think it out; let us interdict it by air and through the three passes as opposed to the manner in which they suggest. I therefore will vote for and urge my colleagues to vote for this amendment.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, let me first say that I compliment the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) our chairman, our friend, for his excellent statement a few moments ago. His care for the young men and young women in uniform today who have and who continue to serve our country so well have been represented so finely by his eloquent words through the years, and we thank him for his continued service for them. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Lewis-Murtha-Spence- Skelton amendment. I thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Lewis); the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha); our ranking member, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence); and those who have worked on this key issue for so long. This is a good news story because it is something that is truly needed in three areas: health care and quality of life, readiness, and maintenance. First, I do not think it is any secret that the military health care system is in crisis, whether it is active duty service members or whether it relates to military retirees. We made a promise to the retirees that we must keep. This amendment is a major step for helping those who are active duty, those families, and those military retirees. It is very, very important that we take this step in addressing this situation by appropriating the monies in this amendment. The quality of life issue is so very important. We do not enlist soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, but we enlist families and these measures will help ensure quality of life issues for our military members and their families. Mr. Chairman, military readiness is a great matter of concern. With ongoing deployments in the Middle East, Bosnia, Kosovo, the operational tempo of our forces has been steadily rising and I say, we are wearing the young men and young women out who are stationed abroad as well as in this country. We have to make sure that the readiness accounts are there for their training, their exercises, their maintenance, and their military operations. The high operational tempo associated with these deploying forces is straining our readiness, and we must do our best to keep their equipment and the spare parts and their training at high level. Equipment maintenance is important to us. As we deploy our forces more often, we are simply wearing out much of that equipment. It is important, Mr. Chairman, that the Committee on Armed Services' ability to authorize the programs necessary to protect our national security interest depends on having sufficient resources. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), the gentleman from California (Chairman Lewis), the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence), and I term this amendment as a readiness and operational necessity. We hope that every Member of this House will vote in favor of it.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of an outstanding Missourian, Hollis Ketchum of Jefferson City. He was 81. Hollis Ketchum was born July 4, 1918, in Downing, MO, a son of Ellis and Melvina Donaldson Ketchum. He graduated from Downing High School and Kirksville State Teachers College. As an Army veteran of World War II, Mr. Ketchum received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters. He entered the Army Reserve and then transferred to the Missouri National Guard. He retired at the rank of colonel after 34 years of military service. Prior to entering the service, Mr. Ketchum taught school in Schuyler County for 4 years. Upon his return from the war, he was employed at the Division of Liquor Control for 19 years, serving as the director for 12 years. After that, he was employed by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States for 18 years and acted as director of field activities for the last 10 years. Mr. Ketchum was an active member of his community. He belonged to the First Baptist Church, Jefferson Lodge 43, Capital Shrine Club and the Moolah Temple in St. Louis. Additionally, he was a member and past president of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, the Missouri State Skeet Association, Capital City Square Dancers Association, and the United Sportsman Club. I know the members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to his family: his wife, Bobbie Nail; his daughter, Jackie Soltys; his son, Randy Ketchum; his stepson, Dr. Roger Nail; his stepdaughter, Patricia Stokes; his brother, two grandchildren and five step grandchildren.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I want to point out that the Kasich budget has not one cent in that budget for the military retirees and the Spratt budget does. We have got to think of our military retirees. They have given us so much.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, would the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) please explain that, in his budget, we do take care of military retirees, as opposed to the Kasich budget, which does not.

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

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the Spratt budget alternative that is offered this afternoon. As a ranking member of the House Committee on Armed Services, I believe this alternative is the only one that addresses the critical need to improve access to health care services for our men and women in uniform and for our military retirees who have given so much to the Nation in the past. I also want to express my disappointment that the Kasich budget does not provide adequate funding for our military. In my view, it shortchanges the military by at least $12 billion this year. But let me speak about the Spratt budget and the military health care. Today I speak for those young men and young women, their families, and the military retirees who have given so very much to our Nation, because they are entitled to the best health care available from our Government. The Spratt substitute is the only one that meets the obligation we owe our active duty members, our military retirees, and their families. I am pleased that the Spratt substitute embodies a bill that the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) and I have introduced, H.R. 3655, to provide access to quality health care services for our retirees and for active duty and their families. H.R. 3655 is supported by the Military Coalition, an organization comprised of 28 nationally prominent associations representing more than 5\1/2\ million current and former members of the seven uniform services. The Spratt substitute provides for a comprehensive approach to address the problem of access to military health care, particularly for retirees and family members over the age of 65. It includes a comprehensive mail order and retail pharmacy benefit for all military retirees. It includes an expansion of the Medicare subvention program so that Medicare-eligible retirees may be treated at military hospitals and have the cost of their care reimbursed by Medicare. It includes the elimination of co-payments for active duty family members under TRICARE so that our active duty service members will have fewer out-of-pocket expenses. It also includes expansion of the TRICARE program to remote locations so the service members not near military hospitals may receive better, more affordable health care. Overall, this Spratt substitute provides over $16 billion over 10 years for military health care. How many times, Mr. Chairman, have we heard military retirees say, do something to live up to the obligation? This does it. This provides the money therefor.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, March 16, 2000, during debate of H.R. 2372, the Property Takings legislation, I was unavoidably detained due to a prior family commitment. Unfortunately, I was unable to vote on rollcall votes 53, 54, and 55. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote 53, the Boehlert substitute, ``no'' on rollcall vote 54, the Motion to Recommit, and ``yes'' on final passage of the bill--rollcall vote 55.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. To add a little to this, when the gentleman says there are young men and women, those who are married, on food stamps, that is absolutely correct. There was testimony in our Committee on Armed Services the other day wherein the former Secretary of Defense, Bill Perry, who is highly respected, regardless of the political party, testified to us that this year's budget, in addition to the budget recommended by the administration, this year's budget on modernization, which of course includes procurement, research, development, and spare parts, should be $10 to $20 billion in addition to what has been recommended. There is also a matter of health care, which I know we are all looking at. I testified before the Committee on the Budget the other day suggesting very strongly that there be an additional $10 billion for modernization and $2 billion for health care for military retirees and for the active duty and their families, which of course might very well help in the picture that the gentleman now holds. This is terribly important that we treat the young men and women fairly. It is a morale problem. We can have the finest barracks in the world, the finest places to work in the world, but if we do not have spare parts to fix the helicopters and trucks, it is a terrible morale problem. I appreciate the gentleman's remarks.

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

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are important to Missouri's 4th Congressional District. They represent the backbone of our thriving economy back home and throughout our Nation. It is the responsibility of the government to provide assistance when needed in order for new entrepreneurs to succeed. That is why this legislation, H.R. 3843, should overwhelmingly be passed by this House. It authorizes significant expenditures for programs that impact the would-be and current small businesses in Missouri every day. Under this legislation, the small business development centers, like the one in Warrensburg, Missouri, are authorized at an appropriate level of $125 million each year over the next 3 years. These SBDCs provide invaluable technical assistance to up-and-coming small businesses throughout our country. I might add that the Missouri SBDC, led by statewide director Max Summers, is one of the premier SBDC programs in America. H.R. 3843 authorizes steadily increased funding for the 7(a) 504 Microloan and SBIC programs. In addition, this measure provides for funding the administration's New Market Initiatives, the National Women's Business Council, the HUB Zone program, the Drug-Free Workplace program, and the SBA's authority to continue the small disadvantaged business certification program. It also authorizes significant funding for the disaster loans, surety bond guarantees, and the regular salaries and expenses for the SBA. Missouri's 4th Congressional District thrives as a result of a growing economy, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to success due in part to the small business owners and their families. Let us pass this rule and let us pass the bill, H.R. 3843.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that retired major league baseball pitcher Tom Henke, of Taos, Missouri, was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on February 6, 2000. Tom began his major league baseball career with the Texas Rangers in 1982, then continued with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1985. He became the Blue Jays career leader with 217 saves during his eight years in Toronto, including a save during the 1992 World Series. In 1993, Tom returned to the Rangers and recorded a career-high 40 saves. He spent the final year of his sterling career pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals, the team he cheered for while growing up in Missouri. His 1995 season was one of the finest of his 15-year professional career. Tom was named to the National League All-Star team, was voted the Cardinals Player of the Year and won the Rolaids National League Relief Man Award. He donated the $25,000 award to the Taos Parks and Recreation Board and St. Francis Xavier School, and now devotes a portion of his time to helping local high school baseball programs. Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my congratulations to Tom Henke for his most deserved induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.