Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), the chairman of our Subcommittee on Military Construction.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I might add just a footnote to what my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) said regarding the B-2. An article was written not long ago about the success of that weapons system, and that it was a great surprise in this conflict regarding Yugoslavia. However, to those of us that did work hard and long, it is not a surprise that it is working just as planned. We are very, very pleased with those at Whiteman Air Force Base and those pilots and the ground crew who operate the B-2 system. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in very strong support of H.R. 1401, the National Defense Authorization Act. For some time now I have been saying that we must make this the year of the troops. This bill goes a long way towards showing the men and women in our military that we are committed to taking care of them and committed to taking care of their families. This is an excellent bill, the best defense bill that we have had in this Chamber since the early 1980s. It deserves support from every Member in this House. Let me commend our colleague and friend, the Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence), and thank him, as well as the subcommittee chairmen and the ranking members of our committee, for their leadership and diligence in putting this legislation together. The overwhelming committee support, a vote of 55 to 1, approved this bill, demonstrates that we on our committee were successful in the efforts in drafting a truly bipartisan measure. This bill is a very strong bill for our United States national security, which builds upon the President's proposal to increase defense spending by $112 billion over the next 6 years. But, most important, Mr. Chairman, the bill addresses the quality of life issues that are at the top of the agenda for the service members and their families. This is the year of the troops. The compensation package, which includes a 4.8 percent pay raise, pay table reform, and reform of the retirement system, will help address the problems in our Armed Forces. Other provisions will help in recruiting and retention, which is very, very important. Improvements in the Tricare military healthcare system and an increase in funding for military family housing, all of these go toward quality of life and helping to make life better for those who work in uniform as well as their families. In addition to quality of life improvements, I am pleased this bill includes increases for funding for procurement of weapons, for ammunition, for equipment, for research and development and for operations and maintenance. This will enable us to modernize our forces to where they should be. Mr. Chairman, the only reservation about this concerns problems relating to issues about the Federal Republic of Yugoslovia. In particular, section 1006 of this bill prohibits the use of funds authorized from this legislation for the conduct of either combat or peacekeeping operations in the Federal Republic of Yugoslovia. It is way too restrictive. It could result in funds being cut off while our troops are in the field. As we speak, we, America, the NATO forces, are on the one foot line and they are there nearing a victory. We do not walk away from the ball game with a victory well in hand. Moreover, it sends the wrong message to our troops, to the President of Yugoslovia, Mr. Milosevic. If this language remains in the DOD authorization bill, it will be subject to a veto by the President. Therefore, I urge all Members to support an amendment which I will have which requires a striking of section 1006. Mr. Chairman, there are other amendments that I would oppose of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler), both relating to Yugoslovia. I would urge people to support the amendment of the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor), which outlines the goals for our operations in Yugoslovia. Basically, Mr. Chairman, this is an excellent bill, with the one wart which I spoke about. Let us pass this bill, but let us also pass the amendment I offer to strike that section which really does not belong here. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me this time and allowing me to speak on this rule. As the ranking Democrat on the Committee on Armed Services, I fully endorse this rule. I fully endorse the provisions that have been made therein. The rule, as my colleagues know, was pulled some several days ago. The Committee on Rules went back, rewrote the rule, allowed several amendments, and I think that they did the right thing and I thank them for it. The gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), and the others on that committee, I think, wrote a proper rule, which I do support, with the proper amendments. The second thing I wish to mention is that this is an excellent bill. I have been on the Committee on Armed Services for a number of years and, in my opinion, in looking at the legislation, in light of the fact that we have won the Cold War and there is an uncertain future and there are those in uniform today that are questioning whether they stay in or whether they make a career of it, this bill gives great incentive for them to reconsider and consider making a career of the military, because we are doing some very good things for them in the pay, in the pension and for their families. In my opinion, this bill is the best that we have had since the early 1980s. I am very, very pleased and I thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) for his leadership as the chairman, and it is a privilege to work with him and others on the committee that have been excellent to work with. It is a bipartisan committee. We sent this bill out of committee with a 55 to 1 vote. I see my friendless gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Procurement of the Committee on Armed Services. He and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Sisisky) work so well. As a matter of fact, they did such good work there are no major amendments touching the procurement part of this legislation. It is a tribute to them, and to all of those who worked very, very, hard on this legislation. Of course, the staff did a wonderful job, and I cannot brag about them enough, a bipartisan staff, and I thank them. But I must say, Mr. Speaker, in all sincerity, this bill has a wart on it. It is a major wart. We can cut it off by an amendment that I am offering, or I will offer sometime during this debate. It is interesting to note that we are winning or we have won, NATO and America, the battle of Kosovo of 1999, and yet there are those, sadly, with great melancholy in my heart, I see that they want to pull defeat from victory by cutting off funds for those wonderful young men and young women and what they are doing to secure peace in Europe, which has a direct effect not only in the rest of Europe but on the United States. So with that, I will vote for the rule, and I urge support on my amendment when that comes to pass.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Sisisky).

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to the men and women at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, for their outstanding performance in Operation Allied Force. Whiteman Air Force Base is the home of the 509th Bomb Wing, led by Brigadier General Leroy Barnidge, Jr. The men and women of the 509th Bomb Wing flew their B-2 Stealth Bombers into harm's way for the first time during Operation Allied Force. The air crews, maintenance crews, and the bombers performed magnificently. The B-2 bomber demonstrated unparalleled strike capability, dropping nearly 20 percent of the precision ordnance while flying less than 3 percent of the attack sorties. They flew some of the longest combat missions in the history of the Air Force, a non-stop 31-hour sortie from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to directly over the skies of Yugoslavia and back. The B-2 bomber not only proved itself in combat operations, but it put teeth in the Air Force's ability to project global power. The B-2 can carry sixteen 2,000-pound bombs or eight 5,000-pound bombs that can be delivered stealthily, with precision, against difficult targets such as ``bunker busting'' of underground compounds. Because the B-2 flies from and returns to Missouri, its deployment is unaffected by base crowding issues such as those that had to be worked out in Europe. Its maintenance budget is tight, particularly when you look at the number of aircraft and associated maintenance required as an alternative to a B-2 strike. While the role of the B-2 as a combat system was impressive, the performance of the men and women of Whiteman Air Force was simply stellar. They deserve the gratitude of the American people for their indispensable role in Operation Allied Force. Mr. Speaker, I am certain that the Members of the House will join me in paying tribute to fine men and women of Whiteman Air Force Base.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the accomplishments of a truly outstanding individual, Major General Morris J. Boyd, U.S. Army. General Boyd will soon be completing his assignment as the Deputy Commanding General of III Corps and Fort Hood, which will bring to a close a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Army. It is a pleasure for me to recognize just a few of his many outstanding achievements. General Boyd, a native of Oakland, California, entered the Army in April 1965. Upon graduation from Officer Candidate School in March 1966 as a Distinguished Military Graduate, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Field Artillery. He has served in a wide variety of Field Artillery and Aviation assignments in Infantry, Air Cavalry, Mechanized, and Armored Divisions. He has commanded at battery, battalion, and brigade levels and served as Deputy Commander, V Corps Artillery, Frankfurt, Germany, and as Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. Staff assignments have been at battalion through Department of the Army. His most recent staff tours include an assignment as Deputy Chief of Staff for Doctrine (Headquarters, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command), followed by assignment to Washington, DC, as the Army's Chief of Legislative Liaison. Major General Boyd's overseas tours include Greece and Germany; two combat tours in Vietnam, one as a field artilleryman, the other as an aviator; and one in Southwest Asia, where he commanded the 42nd Field Artillery Brigade as part of VII Corps, during Operation Desert Storm. General Boyd served a tour of duty at Fort Hood during 1971-1972 with 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery, 2d Armored Division, as Battalion S-3 and Battery Commander. Major General Boyd holds Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees in Business Administration. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, the Fixed Wing Aviator Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal (12th Award), Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. He has also earned the Parachutist Badge, Senior Aviator Wings, and Army Staff Identification Badge. Major General Boyd and his wife Maddie live at Fort Hood, Texas. They have one son, Ray, who resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Speaker, General Boyd has devoted his life to preserve the peace that we enjoy. He is truly a great American and has served his country with honor and distinction. I wish him well in the days ahead and am proud to recognize his achievements today.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to three excellent physicians who have devoted most of their lives to healing. These dedicated doctors practiced together at the Gunn Clinic in Versailles, Missouri for over forty years. Dr. Jack Gunn is a fourth generation physician extremely passionate about his work. He was a true pioneer in his field, in a time when there were few medical specialists. Dr. Gunn made house calls around the state and performed difficult surgeries when internal medicine was still a largely unexplored territory. This exemplary citizen thrived on working long hours, and his shifts often lasted 36 hours, with only 12 hours off. Additionally, Dr. Gunn served as the coroner of Morgan County for 16 years. He continues to be fascinated by the world of medicine and loves the daily challenges it presents him. Dr. Gunn and his wife Glenda married eight years ago. He has five children. Dr. Ray Lyle served at the Gunn Clinic from August, 1952 until his retirement on August 31, 1995. As a family physician, Dr. Lyle treated patients of all ages with consistent kindness and compassion. His exceptional accomplishments are publically recognized by the medical community, and Dr. Lyle has served as a member and fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, as a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Physicians, and as President of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians. As well as a competent physician, Dr. Lyle has been an active participant in the affairs of his community, contributing to such organizations as the Boy Scouts, the Morgan County School Board, and the medical corps of the United States Naval Reserves. Dr. Lyle is a formidable citizen who has well served the city of Versailles and the Morgan County Community. Dr. Ruth Kauffman contributed overwhelmingly to to Gunn Clinic for over forty years.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I will be very brief. Some in the House may know this, but many may not: Secretary of Defense Cohen just a few moments ago announced that there is a withdrawal agreement by the military forces of Yugoslavia back to Serbia, and the agreement is that they will be completely out of Kosovo in 11 days. I thought the House should know that.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to introduce to the House the guest chaplain who is with us today, the Reverend Dr. Peter M. Kurowski. The Reverend is affectionately referred to as ``Pastor Pete'' by his congregation at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in California, Missouri, which is located in Missouri's Fourth Congressional District. In recent years, I have had the privilege of getting to know Pastor Pete through our discussions of history and the Missouri Tigers. I have found his spiritual guidance to be uplifting as well as inspirational. Pastor Pete, along with his wife of 25 years, Janice, continue to make such an outstanding contribution to their communities. A native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Pastor Pete has attended Oshkosh State University, Concordia College and Fort Wayne Senior College. He later attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He has served congregations in St. Louis, Missouri, Joylston, Illinois, and New Orleans, Louisiana, prior to serving the California, Missouri community. Pastor Pete is the author of the book, Lifelines of Love, and has done script writing for the Lutheran Layman League animated video ``Red Boots for Christmas.'' He has also written a number of theological and sports articles for various periodicals. I am truly proud to have such a distinguished leader from California, Missouri give the opening prayer to my colleagues here in the House this morning.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Robert M. ``Bob'' Rose was honored with the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities during the 1999 academic convocation at Missouri Valley College on Sunday, May 16, 1999. Mr. Rose is a graduate of Marshall High School in Marshall, Missouri. He also earned a degree from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University and is a graduate of both the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. In 1949, Mr. Rose was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and he remained a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army until 1971. His overseas service included Germany from 1950 to 1953, Korea from 1960 to 1961, another tour in Germany from 1965 to 1967 and Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. His service time in the United States was divided among Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Meade, Md., Washington, D.C., and various service schools. Key positions held by Rose while in the U.S. Army included instructor and assistant professor of English at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point from 1956 to 1959, commander of combat units from platoon to division support command in Vietnam and staff officer from battalion to Department of Army headquarters (Pentagon). Rose was promoted to colonel in 1968 and he retired from military service on February 1, 1971. As a civilian, Rose was the managing partner of Rose and Buckner Store on the east side of the Marshall square. Bob was the third generation of the Rose family in this position. The store closed upon his retirement. Other local business and civic offices held by Rose include being past president and board member of the Marshall Rotary Club, serving on the board of directors of Wood and Huston Bank in Marshall, serving on the board of directors of Wood and Huston Bancorporation Inc. in Marshall and acting as past chairman of the board for Corwin Corporation in Kansas City. Rose was also a board trustee of Ridge Park Cemetery Association in Marshall, a board member of the Missouri River Chapter of the American Red Cross, executive board member of the Great Rivers Council of Boy Scouts of America, past chairman of the Missouri Valley College Board of Trustees and a member of various military, veteran and civic organizations. Rose in an active member of First United Methodist Church in Marshall. He and his wife Betty are the parents of one son. Mr. Speaker, I know the Members of the House will join me in congratulating Robert M. ``Bob'' Rose for his honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities, and for his lifelong service to his community and to his country.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to three excellent physicians who have devoted most of their lives to healing. These dedicated doctors practiced together at the Gunn Clinic in Versailles, Missouri, for over forty years. Dr. Gregory Gunn is a fourth generation physician. He began as a country doctor, making house calls from Jefferson City to Sedalia. He performed difficult surgeries when internal medicine was still a largely unexplored territory. He thrived on working long hours, as his shifts often lasted 36 hours at a stretch, with only 12 hours off between them. Dr. Gunn also served for 16 years as the coroner of Morgan County, Missouri. He continues to be fascinated by the world of medicine and loves the daily challenges it presents him. Dr. Ray Lyle served at the Gunn Clinic from August, 1952, until his retirement on August 31, 1995. As a family physician, Dr. Lyle treated patients of all ages with consistent kindness and compassion, whether treating the sick, saving lives, making house calls or delivering babies. He served as a member and fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, as a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Physicians, and as President of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians. As well as a competent physician, Dr. Lyle has also been an active participant in community affairs, contributing to such organizations as the Boy Scouts, the Morgan County School Board, Chairman of the Versailles Industrial Trust, Morgan County Coroner, Mid-Mo P.R.S.O. Chairman and charter member of the Rolling Hills Country Club. He also served his country as a Lieutenant Commander in the Medical Corps of the Naval Reserve. Dr. Ruth Kauffman also selflessly served the people of the City of Versailles and Morgan County as a family physician with the Gunn Clinic from 1949 until her retirement on August 2, 1996. In her first year of practice, she performed 65 home deliveries. She served as a member of the American Medical Association, the Missouri State Medical Association, and was both a member and fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She, too, was active in the community as Methodist Civic Chairman, Morgan County Coroner, Medical Director at Good Shepherd Nursing and Family Planning doctor at the Morgan County Health Center. She was also involved with Girl Scouting and was a charter member of the Rolling Hills Country Club. Mr. Speaker, I know the Members of the House will join me in paying tribute to these fine Missourians for their unselfish dedication to the people and community of Versailles, Missouri.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to congratulate the City of Lebanon and Laclede County on its Sesquicentennial birthday. Through the 1830's and 1840's pioneers chiefly from North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky filtered in to fertile little valleys along streams and creeks in an Laclede County, Missouri. These settlers were farmers with only the bare necessities, and few tools, who relied upon their energy, efficiency and resourcefulness to overcome deficiencies. In 1849 Laclede County was organized out of three neighboring counties, Pulaski, Wright, and Camden. A donation of 50 acres of land by Berry Harrison and James Appling established the county seat on what is now Old Town hill. A courthouse, jail, general store, and various office buildings were eventually added to this beautiful setting. The county changed with the arrival of the Frisco railroad. The railroad was established three quarters of a mile out on the muddy prairie, which caused the railroad to be located a quarter of a mile outside of the town. Businesses eventually moved toward the railroad and in a couple of years a new business center grew up and Old Town became simply the first ward of new Lebanon. Small towns grew up and along the railroad each taking its quota of trade that the first years had given to Lebanon. After 150 years Laclede County can boast of prosperous farms, schools within the reach of every child, churches for every community, and prosperity over the entire county. Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my congratulations to the residents of the city of Lebanon and Laclede County. It is with great pride that I honor their achievements on their Sesquicentennial birthday.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of Paul N. Doll of Jefferson City, Missouri. Paul Doll was born on April 4, 1911, in Hamilton, Missouri, a son of Ernest E. and Emma Louise Colby Doll. He was a 1928 graduate of Hamilton High School and a 1932 graduate of Kidder Junior College. He received a bachelor's degree in 1936 and a master's degree in 1937 in agricultural engineering from their University of Missouri-Columbia. In 1984, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Missouri. Doll's career in public service and agriculture began immediately after his graduation in 1937. He was a county extension agent with the University of Missouri Extension Service for several counties from 1937 to 1944. A resident of the Jefferson City area since 1944, he was employed with the Missouri Department of Resources and Development from 1944 to 1947. He was manager of the Missouri Limestone Producers Association from 1947 to 1954. From 1954 until his retirement in 1976, he was executive director of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers. Paul Doll was also active in the community. He was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church, treasurer of the Presbyterian Synod and president of the Men of the Presbyterian Synod. He was past president of the Jefferson City Rotary Club and a district governor of Rotary International. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho and Tau Beta Pi fraternities. Active in many University of Missouri organizations, Paul Doll was a board member and past officer of the Agricultural Engineering Council and a board member of the Engineering Advisory Council and the Alumni Alliance. A member of the Alumni association, he received its Distinguished Service Award in 1979. He also was a registered lobbyist for MU. Mr. Doll was an Eagle Scout and merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America; board member and committee chairman of the Jefferson City Engineers Club; board member of the Central Missouri United Way; volunteer for Meals on Wheels; chairman of the Greater Jefferson City Committee; and a registered engineer in Missouri. Paul Doll is survived by his wife, Mary R. ``Meg'' Doll; his son, Robert; two daughters, Mary Beth Huser and Anne C. Comfort; and eight grandchildren. I know that this body joins me in expressing sympathy to the family of this great Missourian.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time remains on each side?

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant). (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to continue very, very briefly, and then I will yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Sisisky). At today's motion I would like to, and I hope we all understand that the technology needed to develop an ICBM capable of delivering a warhead of mass destruction against large portions of these United States is today, in the hands of at least one so-called rogue actor nation. Worse, much of the needed technology has already been demonstrated, and now I believe it is not only possible but probable that significant portions of the United States will be threatened by ICBM-delivered warheads of mass destruction sometime before the year 2005, the time the administration says is needed to deploy a suitable limited national missile defense system. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Sisisky).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to merely say that much has changed since the Strategic Defense Initiative debate was born some 16 years ago, and a lot has changed since last year. So I ask all of the Members, Madam Speaker, to approach this bill, H.R. 4, as amended, with an open mind, as a good-faith effort to establish a bipartisan consensus on defending America. I intend to vote for it. I urge all of my colleagues to do the same. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the motion to concur with the Senate amendments to H.R. 4, an act to declare it the policy of the United States to deploy national missile defense. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews). (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for yielding time to me. First let me say that I agree very much, this is an American, this is a NATO conflict. We in this House should speak with one voice and not be putting it on political terms. I feel very, very deeply about this. I support this bill. At the end of the day, I support this bill. It is a major step toward my goal of making this the year of the troops, the year in which we recognize the needs of those who serve in uniform. I also support it because it ensures that our military has more than adequate resources to carry out the Kosovo air campaign. It bolsters the military readiness of our forces in the Balkan theater and the Armed Forces as a whole. It provides the resources to help address the tragic humanitarian situation in Kosovo. The basis of this bill was a $6 billion administration request in emergency funding. The request was based on four categories, military operations in and around Kosovo, Kosovar refugee relief, munitions and readiness munitions, and Desert Thunder and Desert Fox military operations. In addition to the administration's original request, our colleagues on the Committee on Appropriations have seen fit to add to the President's request, both to the humanitarian request and the matter request. There are some problems that our colleagues had on the Committee on Appropriations, and they have tried to address them. They have added certain categories. Mr. Chairman, allow me to comment on two major additions to the original request. First, this bill sends the right signal to our men and women in uniform by providing $1.8 billion to fund the administration's military pay and retirement package, of course, conditioned upon the enactment of authorizing legislation through our Committee on Armed Services. Second, this bill provides for $1.1 billion in unrequested funds for overseas military construction in Europe and Southeast Asia. The inclusion of these projects is similar to the inclusion of the administration's pay and retirement package.