Nick Smith

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I ask that we vote against this motion to allow the State of California to be the only State exempted from the Clean Air Act. Mr. Chairman,I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. I find it is ironic that the California delegation, which fought so hard for the Clean Air Act provisions, should now ask this body to exempt their state from those requirements. For example, during the debate of the Clean Air Act amendments in 1990, the gentleman from California, Mr. Waxman, said ``One of the most important provisions of the clean air bill is the provision requiring reformulation of conventional gasoline.'' The Environmental Protection Agency already denied California's appeal for a waiver. The EPA has determined that the addition of oxygen to gasoline improves air quality by improving fuel combustion and displacing more toxic gasoline components. Ethanol, a clean-burning, renewable, oxygen-rich fuel can help California meet the Clean Air Act requirements and help American farmers at the same time. Ethanol is a fuel that reduces carbon emissions, reduces smog, reduces particulate, and expands the domestic fuel supply by more than 300 million gallons. A much better approach would be to adopt fuel performance standards, not specific fuel formulations, to meet emissions reduction targets. But these performance standards should apply in the entire country. This is the debate Congress should be having, not one on a special carve-out for just one state. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. Today, the Nation imports an estimated 56 percent of our petroleum energy, and we are more dependent on foreign sources of oil than ever before. Relying on foreign sources of oil is a national security issue of the greatest importance. This bill allows oil development within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Opponents of this provision are concerned about the impact it will have on a pristine area. Nevertheless, the imperatives of the Nation's energy situation dictates that we must seek new sources of domestic energy production, including oil. This amendment would set aside no more than 2,000 acres of ANWR to oil development. This is about the area that would be needed to tap oil resources located there, potentially tens of billions of barrels. This area represents about one hundredth of one percent of the land area in ANWR--about the area of medium-sized farm. This seems to me to be a reasonable and responsible compromise. It would shut off the vast majority of ANWR from development while at the same time allowing oil development to move ahead on a very small portion of land. Developing 2,000 acres, an area less then two miles square of ANWR vast area would improve America's energy security while leaving the remainder of the refuge untouched. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. Today, America is more dependent on foreign sources of oil than ever before--1 million barrels a day from Saddam Hussein's Iraq. This oil reserve represents 30 years of Iraq's oil supply and 25 years of Iran's. This is a national security issue as much as an energy issue. The President's energy plan calls for the opening of a small portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to reduce America's dependance of foreign oil. Opponents tell us that opening ANWR would destroy the refuge, despite the fact that 99.99 percent of the refuge would be untouched by oil exploration. They also tell us that the polar bears and caribou that live in the refuge would be harmed, despite the fact that these animals have been thriving at Prudhoe Bay and are believed to exist in record numbers in the region. Opponents have also told us that the native people of the region oppose opening ANWR. However, 75 percent of Alaskans and 78 percent of the indigenous residents of Katovik in ANWR favor oil development on the coastal plain. In addition, opening ANWR would generate as many as 736,000 new jobs across the Nation. That is why the labor unions have backed this proposal. I am confident that oil and gas exploration can be accomplished without harming the environment. Developing ANWR's coastal plain would improve America's energy security and create high-paying jobs. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, as a former member of the Presidential Oil Policy Commission, I have seen how energy policy mistakes can contribute to supply disruptions and high prices. This legislation supports my vision for a broad portfolio of energy options by making traditional sources of energy cleaner, by researching and making alternative and renewable sources of energy more available, and by educating the next generation of scientists. The Committee on Science has contributed to this legislation by authorizing the research and development programs that will help increase supplies of clean, renewable, and affordable energy. Coal is an abundant domestic source of power that plays a truly critical role in electricity generation in States like Michigan. However, we do need to make it cleaner and more efficient, and this legislation's provisions for clean coal technology point us in that direction. Nuclear power, which accounts now for 28 percent of the Nation's electricity, is a critical energy source that produces nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions. However, we are in danger of losing international leadership in nuclear technologies, and that is why I support the nuclear R&D provisions in this bill. Mr. Chairman, this is a good bill that will ensure that we have the energy needed to power the economic growth of the future.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, there are a couple of concerns that I have about this legislation: One, it does mean absolutely that we are going to raid the Social Security and Medicare Trust Fund lockbox next year. So that is a real concern. Regardless of the kind of scoring, it is going to take the $15 billion coming from someplace. And so that is real money and that comes out of the surplus because it is dollars that are going to be given to this fund. My second concern is that eventually, sometime, someplace, somewhere down the road we take the American taxpayer off the hook and say, Look, you're not going to be responsible for this private pension plan anymore. It dates back to 1934 when we started Social Security. At that time railroaders were put under the Social Security Act. Railroaders had already started a pretty good pension forum, and so they came to Congress with significant political influence, as they have today. They came to Congress and said, Look, we want you to allow us to have the equivalent of a Social Security deduction on our payroll, but we want to go into our own private account. So by 1937, the Congress changed the law and allowed them to have this sort of quasi-governmental retirement system. The other problem that I think is significant, by not taking the American taxpayer off the hook to bail out this system again, we are looking at a situation that by 2028, the revenues coming into the trust fund are going to be way below what is needed to meet the requirements of benefits. The simple bottom line fact is this bill increases benefits, it increases benefits to widowers, and says that you only have to be 60 years old now to receive full benefits if you put the required number of years in service. So we increase the benefits, where in Social Security instead of 60 years old, you have got to go till 67 years old eventually down the road. That is the bill that we passed. So we are reducing the revenues contributed by railroad management, and we are increasing the benefits to retirees; and we are taking $15 billion out of our surplus money. That means we have got to go into the lockbox, and we are simply never taking the American taxpayer off the hook. So when these taxes are required to go up to 40 and 50 percent in the year 2028, what do you think is going to happen in terms of the railroaders coming back to Congress to say, Look, having that kind of a payroll tax is impossible? I would like to ask somebody sometime, why do we not consider taking the American taxpayer off the hook? Let me just give Members the statistics on what the gentleman from Texas was saying in terms of the Federal contribution. The railroad retirement system has spent more than it has collected in payroll taxes every year since 1957, an average of $4 billion a year they spend in benefits more than they take in in their payroll contribution towards that benefit plan. The cumulative shortfall now exceeds $90 billion. But because of taxpayer subsidies for this railroad fund, we end up with an accounting that in the trust fund is $20 billion, $15 billion of which we are going to take and say it is going to help solve the problems of the railroad retirement system. Everybody wants fairness for every pension plan. The question is, how often, how much should the American taxpayer be asked to fund this system? And so with interest it is the equivalent of $90 billion now and the $15 billion is going out of the lockbox of Social Security and Medicare. I think the challenge for us is certainly to assist the railroad retirees but not in the way that it is going to jeopardize the benefits of future Social Security recipients.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, they are having a real problem with railroad retirement, but almost every corporation and company that is in the United States, as people live longer, as our medical technology allows them to live longer, we end up having problems, whether it is Social Security or other pension plans. To say that the Federal Government should bail out this private pension plan I think is probably an unfair imposition on the rest of our taxpayers and on the Social Security system. Now, Social Security right now has three workers, we are down to three workers, for every one retiree. Thirty years ago we had 30 workers financing every one retiree. Today there are three workers financing Social Security. Guess what it is in the railroad system? There is one worker trying to fund three railroad retirees, one worker in railroad trying to fund three retirees. Mr. Speaker, that is a huge burden, but, still, they have to run their own pension system. They cannot keep coming back to government. Again, $4 billion every year that they pay out in benefits more than they withhold in their taxes.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is a great morning, but I am going to talk about a disconcerting bill that we might be taking up today or maybe tomorrow. It is the private pension bill for the railroad workers in this country. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) and I are sending out a dear colleague this morning, Mr. Speaker. I hope all staff and workers and Members who are concerned about reaching into the Social Security- Medicare trust fund next year will take a look at this dear colleague, and then take a look at the railroad retirement bill that cost $15 billion. I have been working on Social Security since I came here in 1993. In working with the Social Security system and researching its origins back to 1934, I discovered that the railroad employees were included in the social security system at that time in 1934. The railroad workers and employers who were tremendously influential politically back in the 1930's as they are today, came to Congress and said we do not want to be part of the Social Security system, we want our own pension system. So government passed a law and took them out, and it became sort of a quasi-governmental pension system for this private industry--the only private industry that has sort of this government back-up of a private pension system. The railroad retirement system was established during the 1930's on a pay-as-you-go basis just like Social Security; but unlike Social Security, which now has three workers to support every one retiree, the railroad retirement system has three beneficiaries being supported by every one worker. That is why they have come back to Congress so many times to ask the American taxpayer to bail out their pension system. The disproportionate ratio of beneficiaries to workers is a direct result of historical decline in railroad employment. Since 1945, the number of railroad workers has declined to 240,000 from 1.7 million. So we can see as there are fewer workers, but all the existing retirees are living longer life spans, it has come to a tremendous burden on that workers asking each worker to have the kind of contribution that would support three retirees, so they have not been able to do it. Declining employment. Many benefit increases have produced chronic deficits. The railroad retirement system has spent more than it has collected in payroll taxes every year since 1957. I want to say that again. The railroad retirement system has spent more than it has collected in payroll taxes every year since 1957. The cumulative shortfall since 1957 is $90 billion. That $90 billion has come from other taxpayers paying into this private taxpayer system. So I think everybody can believe me, Mr. Speaker, when I say the influence of the railroad workers and the railroad system has been very influential in the United States Congress. Although railroad workers and their employers currently pay a 33.4 percent payroll tax excluding Medicare and unemployment, the railroad retirement system still spends $4 billion more than it collects in payroll deductions each year. So every year we are subsidizing and putting money back into the railroad retirement system out of the general fund. Despite the payroll tax shortfall, the railroad retirement system remains technically solvent thanks to these generous taxpayer subsidies. The American taxpayer has bailed out the retirement system to the extent that those retirement funds now claim a $20 billion surplus, not a $90 billion deficit. So this bill that is proposed to come up takes $15 billion out of the general fund next year and gives it to a railroad retirement board investment effort where they invest it and spend it for current retirees. But the challenge is while we are passing these bills, we are reducing the payroll tax that these workers pay in and we increase benefits. We have increased benefits for widows, and we allow those workers to retire in the railroad system, under this proposed legislation that is coming before us, to retire at 60 years old with full benefits. Of course, on Social Security what we have done over the years is we have increased that, and now we are in the mode of taking that full benefit eligibility up to 67 years old for Social Security. So in this railroad bill, we have reduced the tax they pay; we have increased the benefits. I hope everybody will study this issue very closely because if we are going to pass this kind of legislation, we should at least take American taxpayers off the hook in the future.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. First of all, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and certainly the gentleman from Texas, the ranking member on our subcommittee. It is a goal in the Committee on Science to work together, and I think that kind of an effort is good, because it moves us ahead to get some of this legislation passed and to the president. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1858. It is a bill that was favorably reported out of the Committee on Science Subcommittee on Research last month and a couple weeks later passed out of the full committee. In opening that markup, I noted that the bill addresses an issue that is at the heart of our national security and our national prosperity. The math and science education we provide our kids is so important. We are in the midst of a technological revolution that has driven our economy, improved our productivity and helped us live longer and healthier lives. But it is a revolution fueled, in large part, by our investment and our past investment in research and development. But this research and development is, in turn, dependent on how we inspire our kids to take up math and science education and the quality of education and teachers. We furnish that inspiration by giving them a quality education in math and science. This bill takes important steps to manage that investment. I am also pleased, as I mentioned, that the bill before us today represents the work and input from many members, from the Democrats and Republicans of the Subcommittee on Research and the full Committee on Science. Certainly the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), in moving this bill ahead, I thank him for his willingness to include provisions important to me and other members of the subcommittee in this particular bill, particularly for his inclusion of language establishing the Centers on Research on Learning and Education and Education Research Teacher Fellowships that originally appeared in my education research legislation, H.R. 2050. These provisions address the need to bridge the gap between the basic research on how our children learn and actual classroom practice, a gap we have explored in several hearings before this subcommittee. I would like to tell my colleagues that witnesses at those hearings testified that the fire that started in these kids to make them sometimes not afraid of math and science, but, more importantly, to make them pursue that math and science education, is so important. You can have great teachers, but if the kids are not interested in math and science and do not take it up, it does not happen. Here is an interesting result of the questions that I asked our witnesses. I said if education is more the lighting of a fire than filling of a container, when is that fire lit for math and science? Two of the witnesses said probably between kindergarten and the third grade. If those kids do not get a little bit of that fire, that lighting up of interest between kindergarten and third grade, then they are probably not going to pursue math and science. But it is important, the work that this committee has done. I would also mention the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) has been a catalist for legislation helping assure quality teachers that will ultimately make a big difference whether those kids have a good math and science education. You know, as First Lady Laura Bush said last week at a speech at the start of a 2-day summit of leading education researchers, ``The topic of our children rises above partisan politics and turf battle. Teachers, especially pre-kindergarten and early education teachers, need to have the latest information on the science of learning in order to teach effectively.'' Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer my support to this bill today, and once again thank the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Boehlert) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), as well as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Research, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), for all of their efforts. My suggestion today is that with the technology that is evolving, every student in every class regardless of the career they pursue, needs to take a little more math and science. A basic in math and sciences will be instrumental in their ability to communicate, to produce and in their ability to achieve success in the developing new world of technology.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, as chairman of the committee that oversees the Federal Fire Administration, I would like to suggest that it is about time we really started helping communities across America by helping firemen. Today in the United States there are over 1 million fire fighters and 77 percent are volunteers. If we had to pay all of these volunteers, we would be spending billions of dollars more in property tax coming out of taxpayers' pockets. Last year I worked with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) and others to get $100 million into this program. This amendment is going to increase that by $50 million to $150 million. I think it is important to mention that in 1999 there were 45,000 fire fighters injured and 112 fire fighters killed in duty-related incidents. These men and women are American heroes. They are truly our first responders. They are the ones that are at the scene when there is natural disasters. They are the ones at the scene when there is shootings in school, chemical spills, terrorism, looking for lost kids, or getting the kitten out of a tree. We give billions of dollars to law enforcement in this country. It is time we gave a few dollars to help local communities and help the first responders of this Nation. This amendment would increase the funding allocation to help local fire departments hire new firefighters, purchase new safety equipment, and provide improved training. These men and women are American heroes. They are truly first responders. They are part of national security. Mr. Chairman, this seems to me to be an easy choice to make. Either we fund more bureaucracy or fund more help for firefighters. The increased funding for the fire grants program could be used for new equipment to fight fires, new training so that our firefighters are brought up to speed on the latest firefighting techniques, advanced safety equipment that can help prevent firefighter injury or death. This type of support is especially critical for volunteer fire departments that often must supplement their sources of funding with bake sales and the like. Despite the risks, the million men and women of the fire services continue to guard against fires, accidents, disasters, and terrorism. We in this body must continue to get them the support they need. It may come as a surprise to many of the people viewing tonight, but the United States has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world at 13.1 deaths per million population. In 1999, 3,570 Americans lost their lives and another 21,875 were injured as the result of fire--more Americans than were killed in all natural disasters combined. The National Safety Council ranks fires as the fifth leading cause of accidental deaths, behind only vehicle accidents, falls, poisonings, and drownings. The total cost of fire to society is staggering--estimated over $100 billion per year. This includes the cost of adding fire protection to buildings, the cost of paid fire departments, the equivalent cost of volunteer fire departments ($20 billion annually), the cost of insurance overhead, the direct cost of fire-related losses, the medical cost of fire injuries, and other direct and indirect costs. Direct property losses due to fire was estimated at $10 billion in 1999. The top three causes of fires in the U.S. are smoking (22 percent), incendiary and suspicious (or arson) (21 percent), and heating (11 percent). The leading cause of injuries is cooking (22 percent), followed by arson (13 percent), and children playing (11 percent). On the front lines, protecting the public from fire, are the Nation's over one million firefighters, three-quarters of whom serve as volunteers. Every day, these men and women place their lives on the line to protect their neighbors. Every 17.3 seconds, a firefighter in this country responds to a fire. In my State of Michigan volunteer firefighters are very important. Between 1995-2000, eleven Michigan firefighters--both volunteer and professional--lost their lives fighting fires. Last year alone, four Michigan firefighters lost their lives--Ronald Haner of Portage, David Maisano of Mio, David Sutton of Fraser, and Gail VanAuken of Holland. Firefighter Sutton was killed by an arsonist who ignited combustibles on the first and second floors of a Fraser apartment building. Mr. Sutton had sought to save a resident of that apartment building, who was trapped on the second floor, and was also killed by that fire. This fire was one of six arson fires that occurred in the same general area over a two day period of last year. For their bravery and sacrifice, we owe first responders and their families a debt of gratitude. Our Nation's founders were deeply committed to the idea that the individual had an obligation to serve the community and the country. Those who serve as first responders exemplify these ideals every day. It is unfortunate that today many now consider duty and honor relics of a bygone age. While our society lavishes praise on athletes and rock stars, we tend to forget about those who stand ready at a moment's notice to risk their lives to keep our communities safe. It is only after disaster strikes that we appreciate fully the contributions they make. They have kept faith with us, and we in this body must continue to keep faith with them by getting them the support they need. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Research, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Fire Administration, I am pleased that last year we were able to pass legislation reauthorizing USFA. This legislation is helping get USFA back on the right track so that it can provide the training and research our firefighters need. In addition, last year, many of us worked to get more help to firefighters. These efforts led to the passage of unprecedented legislation to benefit America's fire service, much of which was reflected in my Help Emergency Responders Operate--HERO--Act. This type of support is particularly important to volunteer fire departments that often do not have adequate funding. Many volunteer departments have to supplement their local funding with bake sales and other activities just to keep themselves afloat. The VA/HUD appropriations bill for fiscal year 2002 provides another $100 million for this purpose. Like the gentleman from Pennsylvania, I was hoping that we can increase that amount to $150 million, and I am still hopeful that we can get some more funding as the bill moves through conference. Remember that each year fire results in $10 billion in property loss and more than 3,500 deaths in the U.S. I have also cosponsored legislation offered by the gentleman from Connecticut, Mr. Larson, that would set up special tax-free retirement accounts, similar to IRA's, for volunteer firefighters. Increasingly, we are asking firefighters to take on expanded responsibilities--to respond to terrorist attacks or to help stem environmental disasters, for example. It is important that as we ask them to take on more, we stay committed to insuring we support them as best we can. I thank the gentleman for his efforts on behalf of firefighters and thank him for bringing this issue before the House tonight. I urge my colleagues to support this amendemnt.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the chairman and ranking minority member of the VA/HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee, Mr. Walsh, the gentleman from New York, and Mr. Mollohan, the gentleman from West Virginia, for producing a bill that will ensure that the National Science Foundation (NSF) stays at the forefront of innovation. For fiscal year 2002, H.R. 2620 provides $4.8 billion in funding for NSF, an increase of 9.3 percent over the fiscal year 2001 appropriation. Specifically, the bill provides about $3.6 billion for research, $135 million for research equipment and construction, and $885 million for education and human resources. NSF is the government's premier science agency. It supports cutting- edge research to answer fundamental questions within and across scientific disciplines. Often the potential for failure is as great as that for success. But by encouraging such risks, NSF has helped fuel new industries and jobs that have propelled economic prosperity and changed the way we live. Maintaining the Nation's leadership in science will require keeping open the pipeline of new ideas and innovations that flow from fundamental research. Although the private sector provides most of the research funding, which is expected to top $180 billion this year, its spending focuses largely on applied research with a near-term payoff. The Federal Government, therefore, has a significant role to play in supporting the long-term research the private sector needs but has little incentive to pursue. We also need to increase the pool of talented scientists in our universities and workforce. Today, over half the graduate students in science and math at American universities are foreign born, and we are becoming increasingly reliant on foreign workers to fill critical jobs. Further, it is estimated that by 2020, 60 percent of the jobs will require the skills only 22 percent of the workforce has today. We can and must do better. NSF is the Federal Government's only agency dedicated to the support of education and fundamental research in all scientific disciplines from physics and math to anthropology and zoology. Today's NSF-led research in nanotechnology, advanced materials, biotechnology, and information technology are laying the groundwork for the technologies of the future, and in the process training the scientists, engineers, and technology entrepreneurs of tomorrow. It is important that we continue to support NSF as part of a balanced federal research portfolio. Large science budgets at mission agencies like the National Institutes of Health, while welcome, are not enough. As former NIH director Harold Varmus noted last year, breakthroughs in the biomedical field are increasingly dependent on breakthrough in other fields--computer science, chemistry, physics, and engineering-- traditionally funded by NSF. Nowhere is this more evident than in the unraveling of the human genome, a remarkable achievement that could not have occurred without advances in computing and networking technologies funded by NSF and other agencies. This bill helps restore some balance. I do have some concerns, however, about NSF's management of large scientific construction projects, and I will be offering an amendment to the bill that I hope will help NSF get the expertise it needs to oversee these large projects. I believe that the addition of some experienced federal project management professional would improve the institutional memory and accountability within NSF, and I look forward to working with Chairman Walsh to see that NSF gets the expertise it needs. Mr. Chairman, during its first 50 years, NSF-supported research has improved our lives in countless ways. By further investing in basic research today, we can ensure that over the next 50 years our kids and grandkids will profit from the innovations of tomorrow.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I look forward to continue working with the gentleman from New York (Chairman Walsh), and certainly the ranking member, to assure that we maintain the high standards for quality in research equipment and construction projects as has been very evident in the excellent past work of NSF in research.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I had planned to offer an amendment regarding the National Science Foundation, an amendment that would help assure some much-needed expertise in scientific project management for the National Science Foundation. Rather than offer an amendment that might not have an appropriate dollar amount, I would like to engage in a colloquy with the distinguished gentleman from New York concerning the construction of scientific facilities and instruments provided in the National Science Foundation appropriation. First let me congratulate the gentleman from New York and the Committee on Appropriations as well as his staff for the well-thought- out NSF appropriation. As he knows, NSF's primary mission includes funding peer-reviewed, investigator-initiated research by individuals or small groups. This is an operation that the NSF has managed well. However, NSF has seen its role in funding larger projects such as the construction of radio and optical telescopes expand significantly in recent years. Problems encountered in the management of some of these projects and concerns raised by the NSF inspector general suggest that the NSF may not have an adequate plan, adequate experience or adequate resources with which to effectively oversee these large-ticket projects. Indeed, language in the President's budget blueprint directs NSF to develop a plan ``to enhance its capability to estimate costs and provide oversight of project development and construction.'' Does the Committee on Appropriations share these concerns?

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment. The gentleman from Florida proposes to reduce research funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) by $92 million and funding for the Department of Veteran Administration's (VA) General Operating Expenses account by $25 million. For fiscal year 2002, this appropriations bill adds $4.3 billion to VA's fiscal year 2001 budget of $47 billion, and increase of over 9.2 percent. That $4.3 billion increase is nearly equal to NSF's entire budget. To this increase, the gentleman wishes to add $25 million by taking $92 million from NSF's significantly smaller appropriation. Each year when the VA/HUD bill comes to the floor, amendments are offered that would strip NSF of funding to pay for other programs--some worthy, others not. I believe that this practice is shortsighted. This House has continually recognized the important role NSF and basic research have played in our Nation's economic and technological development. NSF is the government's premier science agency. It supports cutting- edge research to answer fundamental questions within and across scientific disciplines. This research has helped fuel new industries and jobs that have propelled economic prosperity and changed the way we live. Maintaining the Nation's leadership in science will require keeping open the pipeline of new ideas and innovations that flow from fundamental research. NSF is the Federal Government's only agency dedicated to the support of education and fundamental research in all scientific disciplines, from physics and math to anthropology and zoology. Today's NSF-led research in nanotechnology, advanced materials, biotechnology, and information technology are laying the groundwork for the technologies of the future, and in the process training the scientists, engineers, and technology entrepreneurs of tomorrow. While I agree with the Gentleman on the need to reduce the backlog of VA benefits claims, I do not think that cutting the funding of the Nation's premier science agency is the way to do this. Therefore, I oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to oppose it as well.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Reclaiming my time, I think that is excellent. The National Science Foundation is currently drafting a facilities management and oversight plan and is expected to present a final draft to the National Science Board at their August meeting. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Research, I will be holding a hearing early in September to review this policy and try to ensure that it will adequately address concerns with regard to accounting, appropriate management, and construction oversight of NSF projects. Scientific experiments are, by their nature, high-risk ventures that challenge the state of the art, if you will, in a number of technologies. As a result, these projects require rigorous cost and schedule control systems so that management can identify problems early and minimize the impact on the total project cost and success. Just as importantly, these projects require a management team that is extremely knowledgeable about the underlying science and has extensive experience in the management of large-scale, complex scientific projects. I hope that our two committees can continue to work together to ensure that NSF has the resources and personnel it needs to manage these large, taxpayer-supported projects.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, it is such a disservice to the American people to make this issue a political issue. It is easy to demagogue because seniors are frightened about the possibility of losing their Social Security benefits. The facts are very clear: Thirty years ago it took 33 people to come up with the funding for every one retiree through their Social Security taxes. Today it takes three people to come up with the taxes to accommodate that Social Security benefit for every one Social Security retiree. And the estimate is in another 15 to 20 years it is only going to be two people working in the United States to have to pay enough taxes to accommodate every single one retiree. To suggest that we should do nothing now because we might ruin the system is ridiculous. There are a lot of ways that maybe we could help cure the program. What the President has suggested, what the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and others and I have suggested in the several bills we have introduced, in the last 7 years I have introduced three bills that have been scored, each of which has been scored by the Social Security Administration, to keep Social Security solvent for the next 75 years. Every time I introduce a bill, from the first one in 1994 until the one last year, the solutions have to be more drastic because we are running out of time. We are wasting these kinds of funds that are coming in. The problem is real. The demographics are real. There are more seniors in relation to the number of people that are paying for those benefits. If we do not do something, if we use this issue to scare people politically, we are doing a disservice to this Chamber, to the American people, and to those people on Social Security. There are only two solutions to fix the problem, or maybe three solutions to fix the Social Security problem: Either bring in more revenues, so one can afford the payments, or reduce the amount that is going out in payments. The real key date is not some date off in 2033, when it says the Social Security Trust Fund is becoming insolvent. The real date that we have to pay attention to, the latest estimate is 2016, when there is less money coming in from the Social Security taxes than is required to pay benefits. With the downturn in the economy, the next estimate is going to be less than that year of 2016. Let us move ahead. Let us make sure if there are any private investments that they be limited to safe investments. Let us make it clear to the American people that we are not using any of the disability insurance funds, the disability insurance or the survivor benefit trust funds. That is off the table. That is not being considered. How do we get a better return than the 1.7 percent that future retirees are going to get from the Social Security taxes the employees and employers have paid in?

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. H. Res. 201 honors four United States Forest Service firefighters who gave their lives fighting the Thirtymile Fire in the Cascade mountains of Washington State earlier this month. For their bravery and sacrifice, the nation owes a debt of gratitude to these four fallen heroes--Tom Craven, Karen Fitzpatrick, Jessica Johnson, and Devin Weaver--and to their families. When asked to risk their lives for the Nation, these four answered the call and paid the ultimate price. To the families of these four heroes, I want to take their opportunity to say that our prayers are with you and that we will never forget their-- and your--sacrifice. We owe a great debt to our firefighters--federal and municipal, paid and volunteer. Our Nation's founders were deeply committed to the idea that the individual had an obligation to serve the community and the country. Our first responders are needed every bit as much as those who don the Nation's uniforms for our national defense. It is unfortunate that today many now consider duty and honor relics of a bygone age. While our society lavishes praise on athletes and rock stars, we tend to forget about those who stand ready at a moment's notice to risk their lives to keep our communities safe. It is only after disaster strikes that we appreciate fully the contributions they make. Despite the risks, the 1.2 million men and women of the fire services continue to guard against fires, accidents, disasters, and terrorism. They have kept faith with us, and we in this body must continue to keep faith with them get them the support they need. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Research, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Fire Administration, I am pleased that last year we were able to provide $100 million to help local fire departments hire new firefighters, purchase new safety equipment, and provide improved training, I hope we can improve on that this year and so make sure that those who risk their lives have the best equipment and training available. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Washington, Mr. Hastings, for bringing this resolution before the House, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Tracy Egnatuk, winner of the 2001 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future. As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship, Tracy is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. Tracy is an exceptional student at Albion High School and possesses an impressive high school record. Tracy has received numerous awards for her excellence in academics, as well as her involvement in swimming and track. Outside of school, Tracy is a tutor for the HOSTS Program and a church volunteer. Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Tracy Egnatuk for her selection as a winner of a LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship. This honor is also a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence he has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Travis Ebel, winner of the 2001 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future. As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship, Travis is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. Travis Ebel is an exceptional student at Lakeview High School and possesses an impressive high school record. Travis's involvement in both the Lakeview High School and the Battle Creek Math and Science Center curriculum is truly outstanding. He participates in high school athletics, as well as being a member of the Board of Directors for the Battle Creek Art Center. Travis is also an active volunteer in Calhoun County, dedicating more than 800 hours to community service. Therefore, I am proud to join with his many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Travis Ebel for his selection as a winner of a LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship. This honor is also a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to his success. To this remarkable young man, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all his future endeavors.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is a sincere pleasure to recognize the finalists of the 2001 LeGrand Smith Scholarship Program. This special honor is an appropriate tribute to the academic accomplishment, demonstration of leadership and responsibility, and commitment to social involvement displayed by these remarkable young adults. We all have reason to celebrate their success, for it is in their promising and capable hands that our future rests: Jonathan Andert of Battle Creek, Michigan. Jared Bignell of Reading, Michigan. Rachel Carpenter of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. Leslie DeBacker of Pittsford, Michigan. Jeremy Fielder of Blissfield, Michigan. Andrew Grasley of Deerfield, Michigan. Nicole Hephner of Hillsdale, Michigan. Lindsay Karthen of Lansing, Michigan. Gabriel Lopez-Betanzos of Lansing, Michigan. Alison McMullin of Battle Creek, Michigan. Timothy Miller of Quincy, Michigan. Julie Porter of Addison, Michigan. Josh Richardson of Brooklyn, Michigan. Meghan Sifuentes of Charlotte, Michigan. Anna Watkins of Coldwater, Michigan. Janine Woods of Marshall, Michigan. The finalists of the LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship Program are being honored for showing that same generosity of spirit, depth of intelligence, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. They are young men and women of character, ambition, and initiative, who have already learned well the value of hard work, discipline, and commitment. These exceptional students have consistently displayed their dedication, intelligence, and concern throughout their high school experience. They are people who stand out among their peers due to their many achievements and the disciplined manner in which they meet challenges. While they have already accomplished a great deal, these young people possess unlimited potential, for they have learned the keys to success in any endeavor. I am proud to join with their many admirers in extending our highest praise and congratulations to the finalists of the 2001 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship Program.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Mindy Englehart, winner of the 2001 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future. As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship, Mindy is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. Mindy is an exceptional student at Eaton Rapids High School and possesses an impressive high school record. Mindy has received numerous awards for her excellence in academics, as well as her involvement in 4-H, tennis and golf. Outside of school, Mindy is an active volunteer at Hayes Green Beach Hospital and the Red Cross. Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Mindy Englehart for her selection as a winner of a LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship. This honor is also a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Ashley Percy, winner of the 2001 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future. As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship, Ashley is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. Ashley is an exceptional student at Camden-Frontier High School and possesses an impressive high school record. She is involved in the National Honor Society, as well as volleyball, basketball and softball. She has received numerous awards for her excellence in academics as well as her involvement in athletics. Ashley also served as a Congressional Page for the United States House of Representatives. THEREFORE, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Ashley Percy for her selection as a winner of a LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship. This honor is also a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is a sincere pleasure to recognize the finalists of the 2001 LeGrand Smith Scholarship Program. This special honor is an appropriate tribute to the academic accomplishment, demonstration of leadership and responsibility, and commitment to social involvement displayed by these remarkable young adults. We all have reason to celebrate their success, for it is in their promising and capable hands that our future rests: Nicole Albain of Deerfield, Michigan Laura Banks of Adrian, Michigan Zoe Bliss of Jackson, Michigan Jonathan Chapman of East Leroy, Michigan Bethany Decker of Adrian, Michigan Elizabeth Flack of Jackson, Michigan Benjamin Green of Morenci, Michigan RaeAnn Herman of Manitou, Michigan Alexander Kennedy of Adrian, Michigan Chelsey McConn of Bronson, Michigan Ingrid Meye of Pittsford, Michigan Martin Muntz of Manchester, Michigan Rebekah Preston of Quincy, Michigan Lisa Sellers of Battle Creek, Michigan Kristen Taddonio of Manchester, Michigan Bethany Wheeler of Morenci, Michigan The finalists of the LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship Program are being honored for showing that same generosity of spirit, depth of intelligence, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. They are young men and women of character, ambition, and initiative, who have already learned well the value of hard work, discipline, and commitment. These exceptional students have consistently displayed their dedication, intelligence, and concern throughout their high school experience. They are people who stand out among their peers due to their many achievements and the disciplined manner in which they meet challenges. While they have already accomplished a great deal, these young people possess unlimited potential, for they have learned the keys to success in any endeavor. I am proud to join with their many admirers in extending our highest praise and congratulations to the finalists of the 2001 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship Program.

Mr. SMITH of Michigan

Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I rise to salute Amanda Parker, winner of the 2001 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future. As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Congressional scholarship, Amanda is honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. Amanda Parker is an exceptional student at Quincy High School and possesses an impressive high school record. Amanda has received numerous awards for her academic achievement and her success as a young athlete. She is active in student government, as well as volunteering her time to various community service projects, such as helping to collect donations for a food drive to provide area families with a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner. Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Amanda Parker. This honor is also a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.