Louise Slaughter

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento). (Mr. VENTO asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 123, 124, 125, 126, 127 and 128. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' or ``aye'' on rollcall votes 124, 125, 126 and 127 and ``no'' or ``nay'' on rollcall votes 123 and 128.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 121 and 122. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both rollcall votes 121 and 122.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 116, 117, 118, 119, and 120. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' or ``aye'' on rollcall votes 118 and 120 and ``no'' or ``nay'' on rollcall votes 116, 117, and 119.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' or ``aye'' on rollcall votes 108, 110, 111, 112, 113, and 114 and ``no'' or ``nay'' on rollcall votes 109 and 115.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 105, 106, and 107. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' or ``aye'' on rollcall votes 105, 106, and 107.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 103 and 104. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' or ``aye'' on rollcall votes 103 and 104.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present today for rollcall votes 98, 99, 100, 101, and 102. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' or ``aye'' on rollcall vote 98, and ``no'' or ``nay'' on votes 99, 100, 101, and 102.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to present today for rollcall vote No. 97. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller). (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce) for yielding me the customary time. Mr. Speaker, even as the Committee on Rules was considering the rule to accompany H.R. 800, the Education Flexibility Partnership Act, an unspeakable tragedy was unfolding in Littleton, Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I am a parent, and my grandson is visiting me here this week. We know what is truly precious in our lives, and we are literally heartsick over what has happened to the people of Littleton. Our prayers are said for them, and our hearts are heavy for them, and the Nation mourns their terrible loss and ours. Mr. Speaker, we have children and family members in our schools across the country, and parents are afraid to send their children to school. But we are also members of our communities in which we live and who send us here. Here on this floor, we are elected officials with the responsibility to do what we can to guard against future tragedies. As we continue to discuss how to improve our schools, we have got to redouble our efforts to keep our children from slipping through the cracks. I have offered legislation to provide students, educators, and communities constructive activities that they can be involved in, not just during but after-school activities to steer our children away from guns and drugs and violence. I implore this House to pass it. This and the tragedies that other communities have endured all too recently remind us that we have children living their lives in the shadows, on the edges, children who may not be reached by traditional means, who may not be involved in traditional school activities; too many guns, too much violence in the media, too little love in our hearts, who knows for certain? But, sadly, we really cannot yet explain what is truly unexplainable. We really do not know what makes children who have lived so little feel so hopeless about the rest of their lives, but what we do not know we are obliged to try to learn. Our efforts at after-school education and education in general cannot focus solely on students whose behavior might more readily identify them as in need or at risk. We must also cast the light of caring and concern into those shadows where our children have retreated. By doing so, we can begin to help them build the self-esteem that is crucial in their ability to respect themselves and others. Mr. Speaker, as the author of after-school legislation, I will urge this House and this Congress to set aside funds for school districts who want to provide their students more counseling and mentoring opportunities as well as tutoring. That request and my efforts in that regard are in keeping with the legislation which we are considering today, legislation giving schools more flexibility to do what works while being accountable for the results. Earlier last month the House passed a bill to extend the eligibility of the Ed-Flex program to all 50 States. This program, which has broad bipartisan support, allows State education agencies to waive a wide range of requirements that generally apply to certain Federal elementary and secondary education assistance programs. Along with many of my colleagues, I stood in this very well and urged Members to consider the importance of accountability when undertaking such an endeavor. I am pleased that, during the conference on this legislation, the majority agreed to make two important changes to this bill. First, they chose not to include language which would have reversed the decision of this body to hire and train 100,000 new teachers so that we may begin to reduce class size in the early grades. Mr. Speaker, study after study has told us the importance of doing just that. Second, they allowed a provision requiring that Title I funding must continue to give priority to schools with more than 75 percent of their children below the poverty line. This bill is an improvement over what passed last month and, as a result, I will not oppose it. But I will remain concerned with its timing, particularly with the decision to bring it forward when the majority knows full well that these decisions will have to be reevaluated as Congress continues work on reauthorization of all of our elementary and secondary education programs. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the rule. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer).

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay special tribute to the World War II United States Naval Armed Guard Veterans. Created in World War I and expanded in World War II, the Naval Armed Guard performed the vital service of protecting our merchant vessels and their precious cargo from enemy attack. Without these service-members' heroic and inspirational service, the United States' overseas supply lines would have been compromised and our Nation's efforts abroad would have been impeded. Indeed, the United States' owes its ultimate victory in the preservation of freedom and democracy to the struggles and sacrifices of the 144,900 members of the Navy serving in the Armed Guard during World War II. Although lacking the best available weapons and technology, these servicemembers insured the safe passage of thousands of troops overseas by manning the guns on both Army and War Shipping transports. By sheer determination, these members transcended the harrowing dangers involved in riding slow cargo ships across what German U-boat captains called the ``shooting gallery'' and fought off countless enemy planes, submarines, and other enemy vessels. In these efforts nearly 2,000 servicemembers lost their lives and thousands more were wounded or taken prisoner. Many nations like Great Britain, France, Russia, and the Philippines have awarded high honors to the members of the Naval Armed Guard for their valor and accomplishments in aiding these nations during World War II. It is now long past due that the United States follow suit and commend these service-members for their invaluable service in the preservation of freedom and democracy and in the protection of our troops abroad. I therefore ask that my colleagues pause with me to honor the World War II Naval Armed Guard Veterans. I am greatly honored to join many others throughout the world in saying thank you to the Naval Armed Guard veterans for their vigilance in defending our great country. We salute you for your service to our nation, and your willingness to sacrifice your lives and safety so that others might enjoy your legacy of freedom. Your efforts will not be forgotten.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, in today's business world, maintaining a productive workforce is a vital function. Workplace injuries seriously hamper the efficiency of both the employer and the employee. Workers hurt on the job need assistance in returning to their positions and aid in preventing future injuries. Occupational therapists have long been in the forefront of providing these vital services to companies and their workers. April 1 marked the beginning of Occupational Therapy Month. I would like to take this opportunity to hail the men and women who serve as occupational therapists, including, I am proud to note, my own daughter. Occupational therapists are skilled in task analysis and ergonomics. They advise businesses on cost-effective ways to reduce the likelihood of worker disability. Occupational therapists work to prevent injury by modifying work areas, teaching techniques to alleviate physical discomfort, and developing equipment to simplify work. As the computer becomes more integrated in the daily lives of Americans, the occupational therapist can advise on how to set up a computer workstation that allows healthy computing. Using the right equipment and posture can prevent neck and shoulder pain, as well as damaging hand and arm conditions that can result from computer overuse. Occupational therapists improve the effectiveness and health of businesses and their employees. In recognition of the critical role these individuals play in supporting the American workforce, I salute the 60,000 members of the American Occupational Therapy Association during their special month of April.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, the budget resolution was presented to the Committee on Rules past the stroke of midnight last night and can only be fully considered by my colleagues who have a graduate degree from the Evelyn Woods School of Speed Reading. It makes some pretty important decisions, which one would think would keep my friends from acting like a teenager who broke curfew by sneaking into the House through the basement door. But here it is, so I rise to speak on the rule and to encourage opposition to this budget resolution offered by my friends on the other side of the aisle. Thanks to many tough choices and some very difficult votes, some of them bipartisan but too often only from this side of the aisle, we are no longer running budget deficits and are in a position to secure the future for seniors, children and working Americans across our economy. The budget surpluses which are now projected give us new opportunities to make more, smarter, and tougher fiscal decisions. But this budget resolution resolves to do less with more. The conference report does nothing to make sure Social Security will be solvent for the next generation. It will not extend the solvency of Social Security by even a single day. In fact, to borrow a phrase, instead of making sure that Social Security is solvent, this budget resolution makes sure it goes broke on schedule. The motion to instruct conferees to deal with Social Security first was ignored and the reconciliation instructions put tax cuts at the head of the line. The budget resolution fails to protect Medicare from insolvency, even though Medicare is in danger of running short of funds in less than 10 years. This resolution calls for Medicare reforms but makes no recommendations and commits no resources for the solvency of Medicare. This budget resolution is unrealistic in calling for new spending without saying how those bills will be paid or what programs will be cut to make room for the new spending. Its authors want us to believe that there is more for education, but, in fact, discretionary spending for education, training, employment and social services is cut by $200 million below the 1999 level. In fact, it would require deep cuts in employment and training and Head Start and the higher education programs such as Pell Grants and Work Study. It claims to put more in health but it cuts funding for discretionary health programs by $402 million in fiscal year 2000. It claims to provide more for veterans, but in fact cuts discretionary funding for veterans by $2.3 billion over 10 years as compared to the 1999 level. And it provides less budget authority for defense over 10 years than the President has requested. Mr. Speaker, we have finally freed ourselves from the budget deficits of the 1980s and the 1990s that threatened to strangle our economy. We are in a position to address long-term challenges to Social Security and to Medicare. But the budget resolution before us today squanders this opportunity and ignores our responsibilities. This budget resolution proposes tax cuts which will exhaust the on- budget surplus. After 5 years, these tax cuts begin to exceed the projected on-budget surpluses, and then they will cause the greatest harm in the years between 2010 and 2014. Before we even count the first non-Social Security surplus, this budget resolution proposes to spend it. I fear that my friends have already forgotten the lessons taught by the bad habits of the 1980s and the big debts of the 1990s. We should strike while the surplus iron is hot and make good on our promises that we would save Social Security and Medicare, which are more than words and represent more than entries on a balance sheet to the people who depend on them for the quality of their life. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott). (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) for yielding me the customary time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. SLAUGHTER

Mrs. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to take a moment to call attention to the outstanding accomplishments of a dedicated team of students from the Rochester region. In March 1999, the Webster High School Science Olympiad team competed in the New York State Science Olympiad championship and finished in first place. This is the second time in 3 years that students from Webster have been victorious in this challenging and difficult competition. In addition, this year's victory is the 5th year in a row that the team has placed first or second state-wide. The Science Olympiad focuses on confronting the critical situation of declining academic achievement in science classes nationwide. The rigorous academic competitions are dedicated towards the goals of improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. The atmosphere surrounding these events strikes a balance among science facts, concepts, skills, and applications, while simultaneously encouraging teamwork and enthusiasm. Since the first national tournament in 1985, this organization has helped to create a significant increase in student interest in science. As members of the Student Olympiad, this group of Webster students have committed themselves to these goals. Their exemplary performance is a clear indication of their hard work and dedication, as well as an example of their commitment to academic excellence and intellectual achievement. In March they competed against 40 high schools in 25 events focusing on topics such as biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, problem solving, and technology. It is my distinct privilege to recognize the members of the Webster High School Science Olympiad team as residents of my district. Their accomplishments create an academic standard which all students should strive to attain. I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the students and the coaches on their victory in the 1999 Science Olympiad New York State championship.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 130, a resolution expressing the support of the House of Representatives for our American troops engaged in military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Last year, I traveled to the Balkans as a representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. There, I was able to see firsthand the violence and destruction caused by a deep-seated hatred between ethnic groups, and more specifically, by the policies of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and his oppressive regime. For the past 2 years, the world has watched as the ethnic Albanian people in Kosovo have been subjected to numerous killings, rapes, torture, and other forms of violence and human suffering. I strongly believe that something must be done to bring about a permanent end to the egregious human rights violations that are occurring against these people. I support the President's decision to allow our troops to participate in NATO air strikes against Serbian forces within Yugoslavia. I am closely monitoring this situation and offer my hopes and prayers for all of our young men and women who are bravely serving their nation in the name of peace.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for rollcall votes 67-71 yesterday. Had I been present, I would have voted :``yea'' or ``aye'' on rollcall votes 68 and 71; I would have voted ``nay'' or ``no'' on rollcall votes 67, 69 and 70.

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to combat the crime of international trafficking, a fundamental violation of human rights to which this Nation has a responsibility to act. Trafficking involves the use of deception, coercion, abuse of authority, debt bondage, or fraud to exploit persons through forced prostitution, sexual slavery, sweatshop labor, or domestic servitude. Faced with difficult times in their home countries, women are often lured by advertisements for job opportunities overseas. Women will often answer these ads hoping to make enough money to take care of their families and fulfill their dreams in far away places. Unfortunately, these dreams soon turn into nightmares as the women have their passports seized, are sold for profit, and then forced to sell their bodies to recover the cost of a debt they did not incur. In many cases, they are constantly monitored and supervised to prevent them from escaping. Trafficked women are often subject to physical and mental abuse including, but not limited to battery, cruelty, and rape. The legislation I am introducing today builds on my efforts over the past several years to bring attention to the problem of trafficking, particularly with respect to the sale of Burmese women and children into brothels in Thailand. Unfortunately, as we learn more about this problem, it is becoming tragically clear that trafficking knows no national or regional borders. Throughout the regions of Southeast Asia, as well as within a number of nations across the former Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact, criminal organizations are capitalizing on poverty, rising unemployment, and the disintegration of social networks to exploit and abuse women and children. This legislation would create an Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking within the Office of Secretary of State, that would submit an annual report to Congress on: (1) The identification of states involved in trafficking; (2) the complicity of any governmental officials in those states; (3) the efforts those states are making to combat trafficking; (4) the provision of assistance to victims of trafficking; and (5) the level of international cooperation by such states in internal investigations of trafficking. It would also bar police assistance to governments that are involved in this practice, and would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow trafficking victims brought to the United States to remain here for three months so that they may put their lives back together and at the same time testify against their traffickers in both civil and criminal proceedings. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and Senator Wellstone, who has introduced the Senate companion legislation, in supporting this bill to end the abhorrent practice of trafficking both home and abroad.

Mr. SLAUGHTER

Mr. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 51 on H.R. 774, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. SLAUGHTER

Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).