Bart Stupak

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Delahunt] on his inquiry. If we look at the report put forth by the gentleman from Florida [Mr. McCollum] and the Juvenile Crime Control Act of 1997 out of the Committee on the Judiciary, they lay out on page 78, despite the fact he claimed he had no knowledge of it tonight, but on page 78 it says, we propose this program for several reasons. First, as written, it appears only 12 States, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, I know that is under some dispute with the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Watt], Vermont and Wyoming, would possibly qualify for funding. The other 38 States and the District of Columbia do not qualify. It is 1.5 billion spread among 11 or 12 States.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Doyle] who was a valuable asset in drafting this legislation and as a member of the Committee on Science certainly understands it. (Mr. DOYLE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia, Chairman Bliley, and members of the committee for working together in taking this major step forward on moving this very important bill. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Dan Schaefer, and his staff. We have worked together well the past Congress and this Congress to put forth this leaking underground storage tank legislation. The Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program is one of the most important and least known environmental programs run by the Federal Government and the States. The act regulates the use of large underground tanks that hold petroleum products. One need only to go to their local gas station to find tanks regulated underneath this act. This is the National Water Quality Inventory Report to Congress. In this report, which list each State, this report states that the leaking underground storage tanks are the most frequent cause of groundwater contamination. Unfortunately, the Committee on Appropriations does not feel our Nation's groundwater is as high a priority as many of us here in this Chamber believe tonight. In fiscal year 1997, the Committee on Appropriations cut the President's request by more than a third for the funds necessary to help us clean up leaking underground storage tanks. The Committee on Appropriation's actions are even more frustrating because the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program is funded, as the gentleman from Ohio pointed out, from a tax on petroleum products. Currently, the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund, or LUST, as it is called, has a billion dollar surplus. I will continue to join with my colleagues, especially the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Dan Schaefer, in the fight to increase the appropriations for this program. In Michigan, my State, the State's leaking underground storage tank fund is insolvent due to improper management and funding. In Michigan, the fund is not accepting new claims, and cleanups on leaking underground tanks have all but ceased. Although I believe the legislation being discussed here tonight is an important step in cleaning up leaking tanks, it is my hope that States, and Michigan in particular, will renew their commitment to this program. Beyond any doubt, H.R. 688 will make improvements to the program. These improvements will increase the amount of funding available for contaminated sites, increase the amount of money for State enforcement, and guarantee that the money Congress appropriates for this program will get to the States. This legislation does not completely turn the program over to the States. We have maintained a strong role for the EPA in this legislation by preserving the current cooperative agreement process between the States and the Federal Government. This bill does not decrease the Federal role in the LUST program. Rather, it will strengthen the Federal-State partnership that has been successful since the program's inception. The bill before us today will not require the Committee on Appropriations to direct more resources to this problem. However, it will strengthen the EPA's partnership with the States and increase EPA's flexibility to use this money for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program and get that money back to the States. I would like to comment briefly, if I may, just on a few points that the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley] made about the Superfund Program and its comparison with the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program. Although we are certainly not here to debate Superfund issues tonight, it is clear that in order to achieve our mutual goal of improving the Superfund Program, we must take a full and fair look at the program as it exists today. I have heard too many times from my Republican friends that very few Superfund sites have been cleaned up despite heavy expenditures. These statements are no more than old, worn out political rhetoric. The facts reveal an entirely different landscape: Out of the 1,335 National Priorities List sites, 1,100 of those sites have had significant on-site, physical cleanup work performed. Those 1,100 sites break down as follows: At 400 sites, all cleanup construction has been completed; at 500 sites, actual cleanup construction is under way, such as construction of a slurry wall for installation of a treatment system; and at 200 sites, significant removal work has been completed to abate an imminent hazard. Mr. Speaker, in my district, Manistee Harbor, we were just there the other night to sign the final documents between the State of Michigan, industry, environmental groups, and the Federal Government, because we have taken a site that was on the Superfund that put PCBs out into Lake Michigan, and in less than 3 years we have most of it cleaned up. Everybody has agreed upon a solution. It is being done, and it has been a record cleanup for a Superfund site. That could not have happened without the help of my friends on the Republican side. Mr. Speaker, Superfund expenditures to date have totaled $13 billion, not the wildly inflated figures we hear. It is my hope, and if we take Manistee Harbor as an example, that our mutual efforts on this bill here tonight will serve as an example of how we can work together on the more difficult issue of Superfund reauthorization. We should examine the facts and the progress of the Superfund Program today in order to achieve a bipartisan consensus on improving Superfund. I look forward to working with the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Oxley, the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Dan Schaefer, and their staffs, as we work this bill the rest of the way through, through the Senate, and on to the conference committee, and even to the White House, and I hope we can do the same with Superfund. On today's bill, I would like to thank the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Dan Schaefer, and his staff person Patrick O'Keefe, as well as Alison Burkes of the minority staff; Fred Eases from the majority and Matt Berzok on my staff for all their hard work over the past year on this very important program, the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Dan Schaefer, once again for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to bring to the attention of the House of Representatives and the American public the distinguished record of service to Michigan's disabled veterans by Michigan State Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Eugene Clark, of St. Ignace, MI. Mr. Clark is a friend and a constituent of mine from the First Congressional District. As he concludes his term as State Commander this June, I wish to call the Nation's attention to this dedicated veteran. Entering the U.S. Army in 1966, Mr. Clark served in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division and its 2/14th Infantry. He was involved in several major conflicts, including the Tet Offensive, Manhattan, and Junction City. Mr. Clark's love of country and dedication to the military earned him 2 separate Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, and 4 Presidential Unit Citations during the 24 months he served in Southeast Asia. Upon his discharge, Mr. Clark joined Local 324 of the Operating Engineers where his outstanding work was always acknowledged and appreciated. He was employed as a superintendent of the American Dredging and Construction before retiring. In his role as DAV State Commander, Eugene Clark has led the 42,000 Michigan DAV members with dignity, compassion, and decisiveness. While motivating the DAV membership, Mr. Clark has confidently and respectfully promoted the goals and ideals of the DAV throughout his tenure. Mr. Clark has dedicated his life to veterans and their families and his service as State Commander will serve as an example for his successors. I know I speak for all veterans in thanking Eugene Clark for his work on behalf of veterans, especially Michigan veterans, and wish him well in his future endeavors.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, when I came down here I was going to speak about extradition and the concerns I have, but as I have listened to the debate, what has gone on here, being a former law enforcement officer for 12 years, I want to tell the Members a little what I see here. What I see here today is everybody pointing fingers. Everyone is saying this person is corrupt, that person is no good, this policy is wrong. Mr. Speaker, if we take a look at it from a law enforcement point of view, they are probably very cynical about what is going on here. They are probably very frustrated about what they see in the U.S. Congress. We cannot be changing policy every 2 years and expect to win a drug war. It is going to take more than 2 years; it is going to take more than 5 years. It is going to take more than 6 or 7 years. From a law enforcement point of view, we cannot be fighting a war on drugs or crime in the United States if we are changing policy. We are going to have an amendment later today, the Hastert amendment, which basically condemns the administration. In 1993 the administration put forth a crime bill. I did not agree with all of it, but it passed. It became the law of the land. So what happened in 1995? We tried to repeal it. What is going to happen in 1997? We are going to try to repeal it again. What happens in 2000? We will have a new President and they come with a new drug policy, a new drug war, a new get tough on crime. Mr. Speaker, if we are serious about fighting drugs, whether it is here in the United States or abroad, we must have a sustained policy. By sustained I mean more than 2 years, more than the next election. I know it is not politically expedient, but I ask Members to look at the long-term effect of what we are doing here. It is going to take more than 2 years. Mr. Speaker, I would hope that as we vote today, I would hope we would all recognize there is no magic bullet in the war against drugs. If there was, we would have recognized it by now and we would not have a drug problem here in the United States. I would hope that we take a look at what is going on, that we set a course, a policy, and stick to it more than the next election, longer than the next Presidential term, but look at it over the long haul and put our resources and our investments in education, in economic opportunities for everyone, and in working with our partners abroad to fight the drug war. Mr. Speaker, I do not think Mexico has been there, but let us take a bigger view. Let us take a broader view of this whole thing. Again, from the law enforcement point of view, we are not helping any of us by changing policy every 2 years. The poor ATF agent, the CIA, DEA, ATF, the Customs, the Secret Service, they do not know if they are on foot or horseback, because we keep changing policy. We share some responsibility here. Before we all point fingers, I hope we would just at least look at what we are doing. I implore the Members to put forth a long-term policy, more than one election's worth. Mr. Speaker, as we debate whether to disapprove the certification of Mexico as fully cooperating in antinarcotics efforts I feel compelled to voice my concerns on a related matter, the extradition of criminals to the United States from Mexico. Although I am pleased by recent State Department reports suggesting improvements have been made regarding Mexico's compliance to extradition agreements, I am still extremely concerned with the low number of extraditions being fully carried out. There are currently 110 pending extraditions that the United States Government has requested from Mexico. Fifty-two of these requests are related to drug trafficking. I am most concerned with Mexico's lack of willingness to extradite Mexican nationals. The Mexican Constitution prohibits extradition of Mexican nationals except under ``extraordinary circumstances.'' Mr. Speaker, no Mexican national has ever been extradited to the United States. In September of last year, Mexico's President Zedillo delivered his State-of-the-Nation address. In this address, he emphasized the need for a ``new culture of respect'' for law and law enforcement officials in order to fight crime. We need more than just words to foster an atmosphere of respect. By continuing to allow these criminals freedom from extradition, Mexico is actually endorsing criminal activity. Until the Mexican Government fully follows through with their promises to extradite criminals, a culture of respect will not be possible. I am truly hopeful that recently held talks between U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey and President Zedillo which did address this problem, will result in drastic improvements in the area of extradition. I am aware that President Zedillo's administration has made tremendous strides. Before President Zedillo's administration we never saw any extradition from Mexico, but in 1995 we saw 5, and in 1996 we saw 13. If we vote to decertify, there is no reason to believe Mexico will continue on their path of progress, or that we will ever see an extradition of a Mexican national. Although the Mexican Government is far from where it should be, we cannot ignore, and should acknowledge the progress they have made. It is because of this progress that I will vote against House Joint Resolution 58.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, today there will be a lot of rhetoric, and I hope civil rhetoric, from the other side of the aisle about the President's budget. My Republican colleagues will go as far as to demand that the President submit another budget. Mr. Speaker, the American people know that the Constitution says, and I quote, ``All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.'' It is our duty, it has been our obligation, and will continue to be this House's responsibility to approve all appropriation bills, including the budget. Republicans are now demanding that the President resubmit his budget. This is a complete reversal of their approach of the last Congress. The American people certainly remember how the Republican majority virtually shredded the President's proposals in pursuit of a radical agenda. I call upon my friends to seize the moment, steer the proper course, and use the President's proposal as an historic opportunity to balance the budget. The President wants this done, Democrats want this done, and the American public wants it done. I believe that beneath their current political rhetoric the majority wants a balanced budget as well.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, before the gentlewoman from New York retires from the floor I would just like to add that as a member of the congressional arts caucus I certainly do support her position here tonight, and I enjoyed listening to her special order, and I would just like to add that I think that the arts signify the heart and soul of a nation and its people, and the U.S. Congress should continue its funding of the arts and humanities, and I join with you in that effort. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to announce that last week I reintroduced legislation which would prohibit the mail-order sale of bulletproof vests and body armor to all individuals except law enforcement or public safety officers. My legislation, H.R. 959, would require that the sale, transfer, or acquisition of body armor to anyone other than law enforcement or public safety officers be conducted in person. In essence, what my bill does, it prevents the mail order of body armor. You can still purchase it, but you would no longer be able to purchase it through the mail. My bill is entitled the James Guelff Body Armor Act of 1997 and is named for a San Francisco police officer named Guelff who was killed in 1994 by a gunman wearing a bulletproof vest and Kevlar helmet. More than 100 police officers of the San Francisco police department were called to a residential area where the gunmen fired in excess of 200 rounds of ammunition. Several officers actually ran out of ammunition in their attempt to stop the heavily armed gunmen and heavily protected gunmen. Mr. Guelff, who was killed, was raised in my northern Michigan district in Marquette, MI. As a former law enforcement officer, I know all too well the challenges confronting those who serve to protect public safety and fight crime. We all saw the vivid and terrifying film from the botched California bank robbery last week, demonstrating that body armor gives criminals an unfair advantage during gunfights with police. Eleven Los Angeles police officers and six civilians were injured in that gunfight. Thousands of rounds were fired by two criminals, both of whom were wearing full protective body armor. Witnesses from the crime scene reported that the bullets fired from the police officers' guns bounced off the bank robbers and mushroomed as they fell to the ground. Had my legislation become law in the 104th Congress, it would have made it more difficult for those criminals to obtain body armor that protected them during the gunfight with police. We just do not have to look to California for examples of the way criminals use body armor. Last year in Michigan a 14-year-old driving a stolen car in the early morning hours was dressed in body armor from head to toe. You do not need body armor to steal a car, and police believe that the youth was going to kill an individual. It was a contract murder. I have heard from law enforcement officers all across America about the increasing occurrences of drug dealers and other suspects who possess and use body armor in their confrontations with the police. Criminal elements are being transformed into unstoppable terminators with virtually no fear of the police or other people who are trying to apprehend them. These heavily protected criminals are capable of unleashing total devastation on civilians and police officers alike, and the increasing availability of body armor in the wrong hands portends a future of greater danger to America, greater danger to the American people, and a growing threat to our institutions. For the past 3 years now I have advocated the passage of this legislation. Despite some verbal assurances, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime, the gentleman from Florida, has not allowed a hearing on my bill. I hope he will now reconsider. So tonight I urge my colleagues and the folks listening at home to support and urge their Members of Congress to cosponsor my new bill, H.R. 959. It is a good step toward making our streets safer for America and the law enforcement community. Let us quickly pass my new bill, H.R. 959, and prevent these kinds of gunfights from happening in the future. I would like to give special tribute tonight to police officer Kurt Skarjune for his continual efforts in helping me in our effort of trying to ban the sale of mail-order body armor. I hope the U.S. Congress will join with me and Officer Kurt Skarjune in this 3-year fight, and hopefully we can have the mail-order body armor banned so no one can obtain it through the mail. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, anytime there is a celebration of a golden wedding anniversary, it is a special event. It is one marked with thoughtful remembrances, expressions of congratulations and best wishes for many more years of happiness. As society standards have changed in recent years, a golden anniversary has become even more rare. As special as these events are, it is even more special when it occurs in one's own family. On December 2, 1996, the golden anniversary of Ken and Elaine Olsen of Escanaba, Michigan will be celebrated with family and friends. Ken and Elaine are constituents of mine, but more importantly, they are the parents of my wife, Laurie. It is an honor for me to call them Mom and Dad. I want to bring this very special event to the attention of my colleagues in the House of Representatives and extend on their behalf our most sincere congratulations. Raised in the Escanaba area, Mom and Dad met after the completion of Ken's tour of duty in World War II. The courtship lasted about two years and they were married on December 2, 1946 in the rectory of St. Patrick's Church in Escanaba. Shortly thereafter, Ken followed in the footsteps of his father and other family members and began his life long career with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. Dad retired on December 16, 1983. Mom worked briefly for a local accounting firm before becoming staff secretary in the Escanaba office of the International Union of Operating Engineers, and retired in January of 1986. In 1954, Mom and Dad were blessed with their only child, Laurie. I am pleased to say that both Ken and Elaine are in good health and enjoy an active life. Mom is very interested in politics at all levels and is well versed in the issues of the day. Dad is an avid hunter and is always ready to travel to the family's homestead to hunt deer, with his son-in-law, daughter and two grandsons, Ken and BJ. During the colder winter months, they reside in Tucson, AZ. Mr. Speaker, Ken and Elaine Olsen epitomize the kind of love and commitment that in many cases is missing in our society today. They serve as examples to follow for many, including their daughter, me and their grandsons. Again, I want to take this opportunity to extend to them our most sincere congratulations, love and best wishes for many more years together. Happy Golden Anniversary, Mom and Dad.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I bring to the attention of the U.S. House of Representatives and this Nation the retirement of Sheriff Joseph Maino, an outstanding member of the law enforcement community in my northern Michigan congressional district. I also have the opportunity to relay to you and the Nation the many contributions Marquette County Sheriff Joseph U. Maino has made to his community, fellow officers, and the State of Michigan. Sheriff Maino was born and raised in Negaunee, MI, where he attended St. Paul's School. Following graduation, he served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army. In the military, he spent 3 years in the military police stationed in California and later in France. Upon leaving the service in 1967, he joined the Marquette County Sheriff's Department in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Sheriff Maino quickly worked his way up through the ranks, first to sergeant and then undersheriff. In 1976, at age 34, the people of Marquette elected him sheriff and he became one of the youngest law enforcement officials in the State of Michigan to guide a law enforcement agency. Presently, Sheriff Maino is serving his 20th year as sheriff marking him the second longest active serving sheriff in the State of Michigan. Sheriff Maino has worked diligently over the past two decades to enrich his community and educate them on the dangers of drinking and drug use. During his first year in office, Sheriff Maino implemented the Narcotics Enforcement Team for the County of Marquette. In 1987, he pioneered the first DARE program for the Upper Peninsula. In addition, he served as executive director of the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team during the outbreak and victory over the dangerous drug ``CAT.'' Presently, Sheriff Maino is the project director for Marquette County Team Voice which teaches young people about the lethal combination of drinking and driving. Sheriff Maino has not only been an asset the Marquette County, but also to the State of Michigan. He has been an active member of the Michigan Sheriff's Association, serving as president in 1981-82. He is a member of many other community service organizations including: The U.P. Children's Coalition, United Way, Kellog Youth Initiatives Partnership, U.P. Law Enforcement Officer's Association, Marquette County Chief's Association, U.P. Law Enforcement Development Center, Public Safety Institute, Marquette General Hospital Mental Health Advisory Board, Alger-Marquette Human Services Coordinating Body, and the Central U.P. Planning and Development Criminal Justice Committee. The Marquette County Sheriff's Department has earned several awards under the leadership of Sheriff Maino. They have received the National Recognition for Public Service Award for drunk driving enforcement, a resolution of tribute from the State of Michigan for its drug enforcement activities, and obtained over $4 million in grants from local, State, and Federal sources to better serve and protect the citizens of Marquette County. In addition to his dedication to the public sector, Sheriff Maino is a proud husband and father. His wife Jean was also born and raised in Negaunee and graduated from Negaunee High School. Jean is active in the Negaunee Booster Club & Iron Range Hockey Association. In addition, the Maino's son, Ryan, has been involved in community athletics including basketball, baseball, football, and hockey. A family of avid sports fans, they enjoy, fishing, hunting, and Joe's passion for horseshoes. Mr. Speaker, Sheriff Joseph U. Maino will be retiring from the Marquette County Sheriff's Department on December 31, 1996. As a former city police officer and a Michigan State Trooper, I have had the honor of working with and personally knowing Sheriff Maino. He is one of the fairest, honest, and dedicated law enforcement professionals I know and I wish to thank him for all he has accomplished during his career. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of northern Michigan, the State of Michigan, and the Nation, I would like to extend best wishes for an enjoyable retirement to Marquette County Sheriff Joseph Maimo.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, on October 25, 1996, the Escanaba High School Eskymos football will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. In September of 1897, Escanaba won its first game against St. Joseph Catholic School. It was not the type of football we think of today. At the turn of the century the usual procedure for organizing a football team was to find a ball, improvise some equipment and find an open field. Most of the uniforms were handmade. What little padding the players had was soft and sewn into their jerseys, and headgear was almost non-existent. Most times the games were arranged by students, as faculty regarded football as a waste of time which interfered with their education. Players would improvise and quarrel over which rules to follow. It was a fast-paced and brutal sport. Michigan high school football traditionally revolved around fierce rivalries. As documented in 1994 by Michigan History Magazine, Michigan football fans witnessed, the beginning of one of the greatest rivalries and most exciting games in Michigan football history when Escanaba met Ishpeming in 1901. Escanaba played in Ishpeming, a small northern Michigan mining community, and during the second half, two linemen began fighting. Then the two coaches stormed onto the field, followed by fans from both sides, bringing the game to a halt. Police were forced to restore order. Conceding defeat, the Escanaba players walked off the field with 12 minutes left to play, saying that they feared for their lives. In 1903 Escanaba won its first Upper Peninsula championship and went on to challenge for the State championship title but coming up a little short against Benton Harbor. Escanaba would rebound to win the State championship in 1904, and again in 1907. In 1908 the Eskymos were 5-0, but the lower Michigan champions from Ann Arbor refused to acknowledge or play the Eskymos for the State championship. By such an unsportsman-like tactic, Ann Arbor wound up becoming the State champions. In 1910 the Escanaba Eskymos won eight games against other Upper Peninsula teams, outscoring their opponents 131 points to 10. Escanaba won the Upper Peninsula championship but Detroit Central High School would not play Escanaba for the championship and erroneously, Detroit would hold the State title that year. Until formal playoffs began in 1975, there would be no more championship games between Upper Peninsula and Lower Michigan teams. In 1920 Escanaba beat Ishpeming 103 to 0 and one of the star backs on the tam put his name into the record books. Marmaduke ``Duke'' Christie scored 10 touchdowns and 6 extra points for a total of 66 points in one game. This record stands today in Michigan record books as the most points in one game for an individual player. Beginning in 1962, the Eskymos were coached by Jerry Cvengros, a native of Ironwood, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and a letterman in football. Coach Cvengros would go on to coach the Eskymos for the next 23 years and set the all-time winning record for the Eskymos. His teams won 79 percent of their games, won the Upper Peninsula football title nine times, and became runner-up in class A high school football in 1979. They would not lose a single game in 1981 en route to winning the Class A State Title. Escanaba's last title was in 1989 as the Upper Peninsula football champions. In the 99 years that Escanaba has fielded a football team their all-time record of 512 games puts them in third place for all high schools in the State of Michigan. This October 25th, the Escanaba Eskymos will host the Menominee Maroons for the 100th meeting of these two long-time rivals. Mr. Speaker, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, please join with me in congratulating all Escanaba Eskymo team members, coaches, teachers and fans, past and present, on 100 great seasons! The Eskymos have continued to display their devotion to the game, their sportsmanship and pride in their school teams. The Escanaba Eskymos and their outstanding record of success have made a lasting impact on their community, the Upper Peninsula, the State of Michigan and this Nation. We wish them continued gridiron success!

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, the Chair indicated that the extraneous material which is proposed to be put into the Record would be in accordance with the rules of the House; is that correct?

Mr. STUPAK. In particular, it would be in accordance with the rules of the House, in particular rules XVII and XVIII concerning Special Orders and the insertion, if I may quote from the footnotes thereafter, a Member may not read or put forth extraneous material critical of Members, and it goes on to include the President or the Presidential family. Would that be a correct parliamentary inquiry as to the wishes or the directions of the Chair?

Mr. STUPAK. With that direction from the Chair, I will withdraw any objection I may have. 

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman asked for unanimous consent. I stand to object if the gentleman is going to put that extraneous material into the Record.

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, the Speakership of the gentleman from Georgia, Newt Gingrich, like the 104th Congress and the Contract on America, are all beginning to unravel. The ethics probe has been dramatically expanded, and now the committee believes that the Speaker may have been lying to the outside counsel. Even committee Republicans, who have seen all the evidence and who still refuse to release the report, supported the decision to expand the probe. Republicans obviously have decided to throw the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Gingrich] overboard, as long as they can postpone the bad news until after the election. Throw Newt overboard, use their little gray buckets to bail themselves out with the American people. The charges are very serious: Tax fraud, money laundering, corruption, and now, lying to the outside counsel. So much for personal responsibility, so much for a reform-minded Congress, and so much for the Republican-controlled 104th Congress.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. I thank the gentleman and I thank the gentleman for his leadership over these past 20 months as we have tried to point out in the 104th Congress, and I think we are all proud to be Members of Congress, but I think what we have been seeing here tonight, a lack of notice as to intent of legislation, lack of hearings, I think that unfortunately is a trademark of this 104th Congress. And you and I both sit on the Committee on Commerce. Besides being active participants in crime issues, we also sit on the Committee on Commerce which deals with Medicare and Medicaid. We talk about changes and how we get the Federal budget under control and deficit reduction and all that, and I think whether you are in the majority and you are running Congress or whether you are having a hearing, I think the change that the American people want is a change that is based on common sense and shows some compassion. Unfortunately, there was no near miss in the Committee on Commerce about a year ago when you and I were there and Mr. Pomeroy spoke of near misses, it was no near misses when 13 senior citizens were arrested at the start of a Committee on Commerce markup on the Medicare bill which had $270 billion in cuts that we had never seen until we walked into the hearing room that day. And so 1 year ago the Republicans ordered the Capitol Police to arrest this group of 13 senior citizens who tried to participate in this single day markup. Not realizing the difference between markup and hearing, they tried to participate and ask questions about this Republican plan to cut Medicare by $270 billion in the Committee on Commerce. I went down with them after these 13 seniors were arrested, I guess a chance to see the lockup over here in DC. Being a former police officer, I have seen plenty of lockups, but I have never seen one in Washington, DC. So since we could not get hearings with the new majority, what did we do as Democrats? We actually went out on the lawn because we were denied a hearing room within the Capitol and the buildings that we have surrounding this Capitol and we went out on the Capitol lawn for open hearings on the Republican bill. We had to have open hearings so seniors and health care experts could tell us what all this stuff meant as it was laid out before us shortly before we had to vote on it. Why did we have the hearings? None of us ever were able to participate or see what was in the bill. The Republican plan to cut Medicare by $270 billion was really written behind closed doors. It is hard to believe that in a single day in the Committee on Commerce where you and I sit, it was going to be the only hearing scheduled and that was the markup to pass the bill which was the centerpiece of the Republican budget to cut $270 billion so they could give a $245 billion tax cut to the wealthiest 1 percent of this country, the billionaires and the zillionaires. But did we have hearings in this Congress? Oh, yes, we had hearings. We had hearings, 59 days of them spent on Whitewater. We have been investigating that for 4 years. But they got 59 more days on that, one which there is no big demand to have that. Twelve days on Waco. Fourteen days of hearings on Ruby Ridge. But not 1 hearing on Medicare. Why are the Republicans so terrified of having a hearing on the public hearing on the Medicare bill? Because they know that the American public does not believe in cutting Medicare by $270 billion and doubling the seniors' Medicare premiums just in order to give a tax break to the wealthiest 1 percent of this country. Where are we now? We have the Dole economic plan? We hear so much about it. But are we having one hearing on the Dole economic plan? No. Once again, this is hot stuff. They do not want to have a hearing on something where someone may ask a question. The Dole economic plan, which is $548 billion, twice as much as the previous plan to cut Medicare, they do not even want to give us a sneak preview. But the Dole plan is a sneak preview of the upcoming cuts in Medicare. Most Republicans are not saying much about the Dole plan. They refuse to hold any hearings on the cuts necessary to finance the tax breaks for which once again favor the wealthiest 1 percent of this country. So once again we Democrats have stepped in with a series of hearings on the Dole economic plan. Democrats have been reinforced by a statement by the Senator from New York, Senator D'Amato, the cochair of the Dole campaign, who admitted last month, and if I can quote him, his quote was, ``You can't just be cutting all the discretionary spending. You're going to have to look at Medicare. I would never say, if I were him, meaning Dole, until after the election, no way, no way, absolutely, I am not running this year, so I can say it and tell the truth. You take a look what the American people have seen, and the truth is now starting to come out, what has happened over these pass 20 months. I really believe that is why you see our Republican friends walking around with these buckets the last few days. I think they are walking around with the buckets because they are trying to bail themselves out with the American people, because they know we are having the election in about five weeks. So I appreciate, and I guess I have learned a little bit being in the minority, that if you bring forth legislation, include the American people. Let them have hearings. Let them ask questions. Use some common sense, and show some compassion. Whether it is our veterans, our seniors, trying to protect the environment, trying to protect the cops on the street that we ask to go out day in and day out and put their lives on the line, or trying to help your son, daughter, grandchildren to get an education. We can make these cuts, and we have done it. But you have to use common sense, and you have to show some compassion, something that was lacking in this 104th Congress. The things that were important to them, like Whitewater, Waco, Ruby Ridge, we have hearings on. The things that are very important to the American people, like proposed cuts in Medicare, we have no hearings. So I appreciate the opportunity to join you, as we have in these last 20 months, not only join you on the Committee on Commerce, but also having these hearings, to try to get forth at what is really happening behind the closed doors with this new Republican majority. I hope they continue to walk around with their little gray buckets as a symbol of their achievements in this Congress, because those buckets, once again, mean they are trying to bail themselves out before November 5th.

Mr. STUPAK. Their contract of America, you never hear them talk about that anymore. You never hear them brag about it, as they did for the first 9 months, this contract is going to do this and that. They are running away from that contract, because it was not a Contract with America, it was a Contract on America. Now you do not see them campaigning on it. There are not all these wild promises, extreme positions. I think the American public, like us, learned in the last 20 months and said the truth has finally come out, as Mr. D'Amato said, and they are trying to bail themselves out with their little gray buckets. We look forward to the next few weeks.

Mr. STUPAK. If I may, if it is based upon the Republican budget that was passed this year, that budget was already vetoed and rejected by the American people and by the President. I am glad to see him stand tough to protect the issues like Medicare, Medicaid, education, the environment and our veterans. If nothing else, for the listeners back home just again, let's go back to Medicare, something that affects all of us, our grandparents, our parents. We cannot have a hearing, but yet we will spend 59 days on Whitewater, 12 days on Waco, and 14 days on Ruby Ridge? Those are hearings that were for nothing more but to divide this country, to foster unfounded allegations, to just rip apart this country. But yet something that affects all of us, that we should be concerned about and actually could unite the country, balance the budget and yet still provide for our seniors and parents and grandparents, we do not get any hearings on that, but we want to talk about Ruby Ridge and Waco and Whitewater. The priorities have been backwards. They have been upside down. So, hopefully, as the fall unfolds, there will be a new majority come January, and we can get back on the right track of looking forward to working with the American people, not against them, not deceive them, not be decisive, but work forward and move this country forward.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 3391, the Schaefer-Stupak Leaking Underground Storage Tank Amendments Act. This bill will provide the States and the Federal Government the flexibility they need to continue the cleanup of leaking underground storage tanks all across this country. First, I want to thank Chairmen Tom Bliley and Mike Oxley, ranking members John Dingell and Tom Manton, for all the support this bill has received in subcommittee and the full committee to bring it before the House today. Most of all, I would like to thank Energy and Power chairman, Mr. Schaefer, for his determination to reach a strong bipartisan consensus on this very important bill. I very much appreciate his efforts to work with me on this measure. The Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program is one of the most important and least known environmental programs run by the Federal Government and the States. The 1994 report to Congress of the National Water Quality Inventory states that leaking underground storage tanks are the most frequent cause of groundwater contamination. Unfortunately, the Committee on Appropriations does not feel our Nation's ground water is such a high priority. Last year the Committee on Appropriations cut the President's request by 40 percent. This year, the Committee on Appropriations once again cut the President's request by more than 33 percent. The Committee on Appropriations' actions are even more frustrating because the Leaking Underground Storage tank Program is funded through a tax collected on petroleum products. Currently, the leaking underground storage tank, or LUST, trust fund, has a $1 billion surplus. I will continue to join with my colleagues, especially the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Schaefer], in the fight to increase the appropriation to this program. This program came to my attention based upon concerns by my constituents, especially up in Trenary, MI, when I discovered that my State's Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program became insolvent due to improper management and improper funding. In Michigan, the fund is not accepting new claims, and cleanups on leaking tanks have all but ceased. Although I believe that this legislation being discussed today is a very important step in cleaning up leaking tanks, it is my hope that States, and Michigan in particular, will renew their commitment to this program. Beyond any doubt, H.R. 3391 will make improvements to the program. The improvements will increase the amount of funding available for contaminated sites, increase the amount of money for State enforcement, and guarantee that money the Congress appropriates for this program is received by the States. This legislation does not completely turn this program over to the States. We have maintained a strong role for the EPA in this legislation by preserving the current cooperative agreement process between the States and the Federal Government. This bill will uphold the Federal role in the LUST Program and strengthens the Federal-State partnership that has been so successful since the program's inception. Mr. Speaker, I once again want to thank the leadership of the Committee on Commerce and this House for expediting this legislation offered by the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Schaefer] and myself. It remains our intent to encourage a more flexible use of Federal resources while continuing to hold polluters responsible for their waste.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Clement] for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, the National Invasive Species Act is an extremely important bill that reauthorizes and improves the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to protect the fragile ecosystems of U.S. waterways by further preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species. As the gentleman from Tennessee said, my district does border in part three of the five Great Lakes, and aquatic nuisance species are a threat to our aquatic ecosystem and the overall health of the Great Lakes and our economic vitality as a region. Aquatic nuisance species are a serious threat to our water systems and the natural balance of our ecosystems. In the Great Lakes region alone, the zebra mussel, the sea lamprey, and the round goby are severely threatening the fishing industry of the Great Lakes and causing millions of dollars in damages to drinking and sewer systems. A recent study of the Office of Technology Assessment estimates that the power industry alone will spend more than $3 billion over the next 10 years just to control zebra mussel infestation in the water intake systems of the Great Lakes. These species are not only invading our Great Lakes region but, as has been pointed out, the zebra mussel is rapidly spreading across the United States, having been found in the Mississippi Valley, the Gulf Coast, the Chesapeake Bay, and in locations as far as away as California, both inland and in coastal waters. H.R. 3217 will provide the vital resources for communities to combat this damaging invasion. Through the implementation of a national voluntary ballast management program for vessels visiting U.S. ports, as the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] has stated, this bill will reduce the threat of aquatic nuisance species by eliminating their mode of transportation. Mr. Speaker, the National Invasive Species Act will greatly benefit the environment, industry, and the public by authorizing funding for fighting as well as improving the methods to fight the introduction and spread of invasive species in U.S. Waters. Finally, I want to extend my thank you to the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. LaTourette], the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar], the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Clement], the gentleman from New York [Mr. Boehlert], the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Coble], and the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Borski], for moving forward this important legislation. I urge the passage of H.R. 3217.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride I bring to the attention of the House and the entire Nation the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Family Church, in Munsing, MI. From its humble beginnings in a community town hall, where Father Anthony Molinari spoke with his congregation from atop a piano for lack of a pulpit, The Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish has grown over the last 100 years to become an integral part of our community. Sacred Heart Church was founded in the fall of 1896 to meet the spiritual needs of rapidly expanding Munsing. The first pastor, Father Anthony Molinari, started the church and spearheaded the initial fundraising efforts to build a permanent sanctuary. To accomplish this, the parish hosted benefit dinners with the slogan: ``A hot meal guaranteed to satisfy, for the price of 25 cents''. Their first benefit alone raised $600. By the following fall, construction on a permanent building began and the church was finished in the spring of 1898. It was a small wooden structure with a towering belfry and living quarters for the priest. On September 11, 1898, the church was consecrated the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. During the following years, the church continued to grow along with the community. A new pipe organ was installed, a Belgian bell was added to the belfry, and a parochial school was build. The Sacred Heart School, offering 8 grades, opened in 1914 with 316 students enrolled. The church also added a convent for the Sisters of St. Dominic in 1924. On April 27, 1933 The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was destroyed by a devastating fire which started by a spark in the chimney. The church was completely demolished, and only the Blessed Sacrament was salvaged. Construction on a new church did not begin until the summer of 1949, and the cornerstone was finally laid on September 4 of that year. On the Feast of the Sacrament, June 19, 1950, the new church was dedicated. In the spring of 1970, the Sacred Heart School was closed after 56 years of operation. To replace it, the Confraternity Christian Doctrine [CCD] program began the following October. Under the leadership of Brother Felix Butzman, of the Christian Brothers, 500 students were able to continue their religious instruction under the program which allowed students to be released early from public schools to attend CCD classes. Since 1975, The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus has been under the spiritual leadership of Father Tim Desrochersm, Father Vincent Ouellette, and Father Raymond Moncher along with a caring parish staff. During these years, the church has continued to flourish and evolve. Improvements include a thriving choir under the leadership of Theresa Chartier, a barrier-free entrance for wheel-chair bound members of the congregation, a new Rogers electronic-pipe organ, religious education classrooms, and the renovation of the Sacred Heart School building into low-income senior citizen housing. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church reaches out into the community through its ministries to the Munsing Hospital, the Superior Health Haven, Superior Shores Nursing Center, Cusino Corrections Facility, and Alger Maximum Security Prison Facility in addition to their own congregation. They also provide religious instruction to adults, teens, and children. Mr. Speaker, The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church has provided a place of prayer, hope, and faith for the Munsing community throughout their 100-year history. The clergy and congregation have worked together to form a long-lasting institution of religious faith in this community. On behalf of the Upper Peninsula, State of Michigan, and the entire Nation. I would like to congratulate The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on their 100-year anniversary and I wish them peace, joy, and happiness now and for future generations.