Christopher Shays

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 425 recognizes and honors the deserving firefighters in southern California for their response to the devastating wildfires there which have affected so many lives. The raging fires have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres and burned thousands of homes in one of the worst disasters in California history. Regrettably, 22 people have lost their lives due to the fires. Mr. Speaker, the devastation of the blazes has been overshadowed by the vigilance and bravery of the men and women who have fought the fires nonstop over the last 2 weeks. These firefighters have endured extreme heat and dangerous smoke in saving countless lives and properties. Their incredible work will help all California citizens go back to their everyday lives once the fires are fully extinguished, and, indeed, the fires may be nearing the end. Due to the firefighters' efforts, many believe that the blazes are becoming contained and the worst is over. People are already returning home, children are going back to school and interrupted utility service is resuming. These facts are a testament to the determination of the Southern California firefighters for their unyielding efforts. The firefighters have indeed earned the thanks of a grateful House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, the President joined many of our colleagues yesterday during a visit to the ravaged area. I think the President thoughtfully summed up the situation in California during his tour when he observed, ``I see human tragedy and heartache. I see the loss of a lot of material possessions. However, I see a strong spirit which exists here. I see people who are resolved to rebuild their lives. Amidst their tears they do see hope. And that is a great tribute to the people in this part of California.'' Mr. Speaker, we commend the firefighters in California for their invaluable lifesaving work. The thoughts of the Members of this House are with the resilient citizens of California during this extraordinarily trying time. I urge adoption of the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her introduction of this legislation, and I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa). (Mr. Issa asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf).

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 3379 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3210 East 10th Street, Bloomington, Indiana, as the Francis X. McCloskey Post Office Building. Congressman Frank McCloskey, a six- term Representative from Indiana, sadly passed away at age 64 on Sunday, November 2, 2003. Mr. Speaker, I want to join with the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) in offering the deepest sympathies to the family of Frank McCloskey and to say to the Chair and to the other Members of this House, Frank was an extraordinarily caring individual, tremendously hardworking, a gentle man and a very effective Member of Congress. Mr. Speaker, he was a devoted Member of this body, with whom many of us served, and we are all saddened to hear the news that he had passed away on Sunday and are grateful for the opportunity to remember him here today. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 3379. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I join with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) in thanking the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) for introducing this resolution and thanking our colleagues for coming to the floor of the House and reminding us of what Mr. McCloskey has done, just some of what he has done, and to again urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence). (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3379) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3210 East 10th Street in Bloomington, Indiana, as the ``Francis X. McCloskey Post Office Building.''

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, protecting our environment is one of the most important jobs I have as a Congressman. Unfortunately, the conference report before us today weakens several significant land and water protections. Language in this conference report will roll back our moratorium on offshore drilling by allowing new oil and gas drilling in Bristol Bay. It will reduce judicial review on Tongass timber sales by placing a 30- day statute of limitations on challenging those sales in court. It will remove language included in the House bill that would have reduced the scope of an environmentally-destructive rights-of-way rule published by the Department of the Interior in January. In addition, the conference report waives National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review for expiring grazing permits, which will further discourage agencies from complying with environmental laws and could lead to continued degradation of sensitive public lands. Finally, H.R. 2691 reduces funding for valuable Land and Water Conservation Fund acquisition programs by $142 million. I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation. Congress can and must do a better job protecting our environment. We simply will not have a world to live in if we continue our neglectful ways.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, thanking Members for their cooperation, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1591) to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 48 South Broadway, Nyack, New York, as the ``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige Post Office Building.''

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1591 introduced by Senator Charles Schumer of New York, designates this postal service facility in Nyack, New York as the ``Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, Peter Paige Post Office Building.'' The three namesakes of this post office designation were tragically killed during a malicious robbery of a Brinks Corporation armored vehicle on October 20, 1981, 22 years ago today. This bill has already passed the other body, and I am pleased the House is taking it up today. On that dreadful October day in 1981, a gang attacked a Brinks armored car in broad daylight outside a shopping mall in the New York City suburb of Nyack. The two guards, Peter Paige and Joseph Trombino, were both shot, and Paige died from his wounds. The ruthless gang also shot and killed Nyack police officers Edward O'Grady and Waverly Brown, who courageously responded to the robbery. Mr. Speaker, this senseless, wicked crime ended the lives of these three men who were each carrying out their daily duties 22 years ago today. With the enactment of S. 1591, this post office in Nyack will forever carry the names of these three slain heroes. Peter Paige dutifully served the Brinks Corporation for 25 years as a security guard prior to the 1981 robbery. He was a gentle, yet diligent man, who was known by his colleagues, friends, and family for his selflessness. Waverly Brown was a caring and disciplined Nyack police officer who earned a reputation as a no-nonsense law enforcer. In addition, Officer Brown was known for his aptitude in the kitchen, as he regularly prepared meals for his fellow officers at his station. Edward O'Grady also served with the police force in the Village of Nyack. Prior to his police service, Mr. O'Grady was a Marine who served two tours, two tours, in Vietnam. He also selflessly worked with the Volunteer Fire Department in his hometown of Nyack. Mr. Speaker, I commend the Senator from New York for helping us all to remember the wonderful lives as well as the sacrifices of Edward O'Grady, Waverly Brown, and Peter Paige. I also congratulate the Senator for having S. 1591 considered by the House, and I want to recognize the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for introducing an identical piece of legislation, H.R. 3167, in this body. He, certainly, also should be commended for his work to commemorate the lives of these three men. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all Members to support the passage of S. 1591. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for his help in passage of both these pieces of legislation. I also know the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris) badly wanted to be here for consideration of H.R. 3068. I commend her for her work on this bill. Mr. Speaker, this legislation honors a devoted American patriot, Brigadier General John H. McLain. I, along with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), urge all Members to support its passage.

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

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3068.

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3068) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2055 Siesta Drive in Sarasota, Florida, as the ``Brigadier General (AUS-Ret.) John H. McLain Post Office''.

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to join with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) to introduce H.R. 3068, which was introduced by my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris), which designates this U.S. Postal Service facility in Sarasota, Florida, as the Brigadier General John H. McLain Post Office. The entire delegation from the State of Florida has signed on as cosponsors to this legislation. Mr. Speaker, Brigadier General John McLain was a national hero who this body appropriately recognizes today. A veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, General McLain served his Nation in the U.S. Army for 37 years. He earned countless honors during his career, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit. John McLain was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 21, 1919. After finishing high school, he enlisted in the Army in 1940. His very enlistment at this time exhibited bravery and a love of country, as Hitler's Nazi Germany had already invaded several countries in Europe by this time at the outbreak of World War II. Sure enough, McLain was soon sent to Europe as part of General George Patton's Third Army. He fought bravely during the infamous Battle of the Bulge that began in December 1944 and was promoted to the rank of captain for his valor. When he returned to his hometown following World War II, McLain enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated with honors in 1947. As war erupted in Korea, Captain McLain volunteered for active duty, despite being a Reserve in the Army. During the war, he served as a senior advisor with the Korean Military Advisory Group. After he returned safely home from his second war in 1953, he returned to the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his second degree, this time a master of arts. The Korean War concluded General McLain's distinguished combat service, but he remained in the Army Reserves until his retirement in 1977. He deservedly earned the rank of brigadier general in 1972. It is important to note that the general spent much of his years following his active duty teaching. He taught English classes at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Petersburg High School in Edgewood, Pennsylvania. He also returned to his alma mater to teach English history classes at the University of Pittsburgh. From the time of his retirement until his death, General McLain lived in Sarasota with his wife of 50 years, Patricia Ann. He contributed to his community by volunteering countless hours at schools and organizations in the Sarasota area. Mr. Speaker, for all these reasons, I urge all Members to support passage of H.R. 3068 that will name this post office after Brigadier General John McLain. General McLain will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on November 5 with full military honors. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for her work toward honoring General McLain through this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, the commander of the Army's 101st Airborne Division in Iraq, Major General Petraeus, likes to remind Congressional visitors that money is ammunition in the battle to stabilize Iraq: money to reopen the cement factory outside Mosul, money to buy ice and food from local merchants, money to productively employ the now-idle hands of former Iraqi Army officers, money for 1,000 other local projects that capitalize on the boundless potential of the Iraqi people and arm them to defeat their most entrenched, insidious enemies, powerlessness and despair. This bill provides the ammunition needed to wage and win the next critical battle in the war against terrorism and oppression in Iraq. Building on the administration's original request, the committee has met our first obligation, to arm and equip U.S. warfighters to prevail in this complex mission while fueling construction of a viable, sustainable civil society in Iraq. During two trips to Iraq since April, I saw the strength and courage of our forces as they worked alongside Iraqis rebuilding schools by day and risking their lives patrolling those same streets by night. The dedicated men and women of our Armed Forces know their quickest route home goes through as many markets as minefields, and that their victory over tyranny will be secured as soon as Iraqis are running their own democratic nation. We are stewards of Iraqi sovereignty. With the reconstruction, economic development, and public diplomacy funds in this bill, we make wise investments to preserve and grow the precious assets in our trust. But the deed of trust is not indefinite. The window of opportunity to build on an oasis of hope in that troubled region will close. This bill reflects our national commitment to meet history's challenge and set Iraq on an inevitable course toward democracy and economic vitality. Fiscal pressures here at home cannot change the harsher fact that Iraq faces its new future encumbered with a crushing debt burden estimated to be as high as $220 billion. Adding to that debt would be wrong morally and politically. Imposing debt without consent of the governed is the way despots and conquerors build monuments to themselves and past glories. That was how Saddam Hussein built his palaces. Liberators leave behind memorials to generosity and investments in a better future. That is what this bill will buy. Our investment will be returned manyfold by a free and prosperous Iraq.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday, China celebrated its National Day, recognizing the 54th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples' Republic of China. On this occasion, I wish to applaud Taiwan for its support of the United States in our war against global terrorism and for Taiwan's pledge of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and Iraq. In recent years, we have witnessed Taiwan seek to return to the United Nations and World Health Organization. In my judgment, we should give Taiwan all of our support in these endeavors. Taiwan is a true democracy that guarantees the rights of its citizens. Furthermore, Taiwan is one of the most important economic entities in the world. Despite a population of just 23 million people, Taiwan has financial resources surpassing many Western countries. On Taiwan's National Day, I hope Taiwan and the People's Republic of China will one day be reunited under the principles of freedom and democracy, and that this relationship will foster lasting stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I wish to submit for the Record a speech delivered by Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed, Under Secretary General of the United Nations and a distinguished resident of Greenwich, Connecticut. Ambassador Reed's remarks were made at a ceremony at the Greenwich Town Hall commemorating Bastille Day on July 14, 2003. The Ties That Bind Citizens of the Town of Greenwich and the French Community of our Town are thankful to be commemorating a date that is both significant and symbolic in the shaping of our two countries. Allow me to paraphrase a few words spoken by President George W. Bush on May 30, 2003, during an interview with a French journalist. France and the United States share the same objectives on all vital subjects. Regarding security in our democracies, peace in the world and international commerce, we are largely in agreement. President Bush was echoing those famous words from President Franklin D. Roosevelt: ``no two nations are more closely bound by the ties of history and mutual friendship than the people of France and that of the United States of America.'' On July 4, 2003 citizens of France deposited a red rose on each of the 60,511 graves in honor of the American soldiers buried in eleven cemeteries, who died in France during World War I and II for the preservation of French freedom. We celebrate the sovereignty and dignity of our two nations with our respective national anthems.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I have been in public life 30 years. I used to strongly oppose vouchers because I believed the arguments that we have been hearing in opposition without really frankly thinking them through. And then I opposed vouchers because I did not want to lose the support of the Connecticut Education Association and the local education associations because they opposed the concept of allowing our young people to have choice. But it started to really bother me because I felt that my opposition was based more on politics than on sound educational judgment. I really believe that it is important to give choice to parents. I really believe that you have a better public education system if you give choice to parents. I really believe that the argument that we would be taking away from the public schools does not add up. If you do not have students in a public school, you do not have the expense of having those students in a public school to have to provide an education for. And every voucher system I have seen and every choice system I have seen spends less on the student in a private setting or parochial setting than it spends if they were in the public school system. So the school systems in the public sector gain from it. They do not have to educate that student at a cost greater than the amount of money that is being given to the private or parochial school. Another factor that impacts me is that I always hear politicians, of which I am one, and proud to be, talk about the need to make sure that we do not have choice in public schools and a number of them send their kids to private schools. I have never quite understood this issue between rich and poor. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle sometimes say that we on the Republican side of the aisle want to focus on the wealthy and not those who do not have wealth. Yet we are giving those who do not have wealth an opportunity to do what rich folks do, but somehow then it is not allowed. I strongly oppose taking this money out. I strongly oppose the Norton amendment. I strongly support what the gentleman from Virginia has done. I am very proud of what my chairman has done. He recognizes that in Washington, D.C. the government, the Federal Government, functions like a State functions. We have an obligation to improve the school system in Washington, D.C. We spend a fortune on schools in Washington, D.C. We give hundreds of millions of dollars to the Washington school system. We are not shortchanging the Washington school system as is implied by some. We are merely saying, why not try out $10 million extra dollars, and they are extra dollars, they would not be in the budget unless they were for this program only, and see its impact. I have come to the conclusion that the opponents of choice, the supporters of the Norton amendment and the opponents of the Davis amendment, fear one thing. They fear that it is going to work. They fear that their arguments against this program simply will be found to be fallacious. I have another sense. It is such a small amount relatively, why not give it a chance? Let us say I am wrong. Let us just say others of us are wrong. But the bottom line for me is I believe in accountability, I believe in choice, I believe in contrast, I believe in having different models in play to see how they work and what works. And I would like for the poor people, those with the least amount of resources in Washington, D.C., to have some of the same choices that some of the wealthy folks in Washington, D.C. have. Oppose the Norton amendment. I support strongly the Davis amendment. I thank him for offering it. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to Congresswoman Norton's amendment. We all know too many kids in our Nation's capital are not getting the education they need and deserve. Many students in the District lack basic language and math skills. Standardized test scores remain stagnant for D.C. public schools, and the average SAT score is more than 200 points below the national average. Additionally, the National Assessment of Educational Process just released a study which showed the District's school children were ranked as the worst readers in the country. The D.C. Choice Program would provide scholarships of up to $7,500 to eligible students to cover the cost of tuition, fees, and transportation expenses. These scholarships are assistance to the students, and not the schools. And because all funding for the scholarship program comes from new funds, no public, private or charter school will be drained of its funding. It is time to give parents of these children what every parent wants--the opportunity to give their child the best education possible. I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of Chairman Davis' amendment to a School Choice program in D.C. Too many kids in our Nation's capital are not getting the education they need and deserve. There is little doubt that D.C. public schools are in serious crisis, but it is not a crisis by a lack of resources. D.C. public schools spend more per pupil than surrounding school districts in Virginia and Maryland. Clearly, alternatives to increased funding should be tested. By promoting a competitive model, all schools will be forced to improve academically, provide better quality services, and create an administrative structure that operates efficiently. I oppose directly spending federal tax dollars on private schools. But, just as I support providing Pell Grants to college students for use at the university of their choice--public or private, including religious schools--I also support school choice programs that provide parents with similar choices for their elementary and secondary school children. Opponents of school choice argue such a proposal could drain public schools of money and students. I think they're dead wrong, but there's a simple way for us to see. Why not establish a handful of demonstration projects that will help determine whether school choice improves our education system? If the projects are unsuccessful, we will terminate them. But if the programs are successful, they can and should be expanded. The D.C. Choice Program would provide scholarships of up to $7,500 to eligible students to cover the cost of tuition, fees, and transportation expenses, if any. The scholarship would be considered assistance to the students and not the schools. In order to ensure accountability, an evaluation would be conducted that would consider the impact and academic achievement attained by the program. The goal of school choice in the District of Columbia is to be an addition, not a subtraction. We all want the District's education system to improve, and this amendment will provide what every parent wants--the opportunity to give their children the best education possible. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.