John Sweeney

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a young man on an exemplary achievement. Allastair John Bensen, known to his friends and family as A.J., was selected as a member of the 2000 Junior Olympic Team for Archery. This honor comes after many years of practice and dedication. A.J. began shooting for fun with his father, John, when he was five years old. As his skills improved, they began competing in the Capital Land Bowhunters 3-D Shoots as well as other archery competitions throughout the Capital Region, the Hudson Valley, the Adirondacks and the Catskills. Over the years, A.J. has won a number of trophies, medals and several plaques, including more than fifteen first place finishes. In 1999, A.J. and his father placed second in the father-son category of the DARE shoot, held in Middleburgh, NY. This spring A.J. participated in the Triple Crown, an event where participants compete in three separate shoots. Overall, A.J. placed higher than any other competitor and secured the Triple Crown Trophy. For A.J., placing first at the regions paramount archery event transformed a weekend hobby into an opportunity to compete on the national level. A.J. was selected to compete in the United States Junior Olympics and National Association of Police Athletic League Youth Festival held in Detroit, Michigan from July 18-24, 2000. The regional team of archers is sponsored by the Albany Police Departments Police Athletic League program. Under the coaching and direction of Officer Jim Teller, the team has prepared rigorously for this nationally acclaimed event. There young people should be commended for their dedication and achievement. A.J. and his parents, John and Jeanne Bensen, reside in Greenville, New York, within the 22nd Congressional District. In addition to his archery accomplishment, A.J. is a first class Boy Scout, a Black Belt in Budokai (traditional Japanese) Karate and an honor student at Greenville Central Middle School. A.J. is twelve years old and is an energetic and motivated young man whose efforts deserve recognition. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate A.J. Bensen on his selection to the Junior Olympic Archery Team. I hope my colleagues will join me as I commend this achievement and wish A.J. the very best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. SWEENEY

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

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the golden anniversary of the Stuyvesant Fire Company No. 1, located in Stuyvesant, NY. For 50 years, the members of this great company have selflessly dedicated their lives to helping their neighbors and friends, often putting their own safety on the line to do so. It is with great pride that I share a bit of their history with you and my fellow colleagues today. July 18, 1950, marked the beginning of the Stuyvesant Fire Company No. 1. The first company meeting, held at the Stuyvesant Hotel, was attended by 38 members. At this meeting it was decided that dues of $0.25 would be assessed to the charter members. The ensuing months were dedicated to establishing by-laws and a constitution for this promising new company. Fundraisers were held, earning the company the funds that were needed to build the house that would proudly bear the name of the company. In 1952, the Stuyvesant Fire Company No. 1 house was erected. The first official meeting was held within its walls on March 11 of the same year. Fundraising has been a major theme of the firehouse, empowering the members of the community to take an active role in the betterment of this vital service. The diligent fundraising efforts of the company through events such as roast beef dinners and raffles, have allowed the company to make continuous improvements, thus improving its service to the citizens of the community. In fact, as a result of these efforts, in 1974 the firehouse was able to build a bay for a new fire truck at no cost to taxpayers. In 1982, the fire company endorsed George Treitler as a director of the Columbia County's Firemen's Association and the next year he was elected as a director, which subsequently brought the 67th annual Columbia County Firemen's Association Convention to Stuyvesant in 1992. This honor was the culmination of years of hard work. Not only was the 67th Convention a great success, it set the precedent by which future conventions would be judged. In addition, the funds generated by the convention enabled the fire company to complete many projects and purchase needed equipment in subsequent years. The Stuyvesant Fire Company No. 1 continued its tradition of excellence in 1996 and 1997 by winning the coveted Edward Rowe Trophy for best overall appearing fire company in the county. Winning this prestigious award in two consecutive years placed the company in an elite group of county fire companies with only two other companies being able to boast such a claim. Mr. Speaker, the Stuyvesant Fire Company No. 1 has achieved epic levels of success. They stand as proof that with hard work and dedication, great things can happen. I would like to thank them for their commitment to excellence and wish them many more years of prosperity.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a pleasure to welcome Father Peter Colapietro, Pastor of the Holy Cross Church located in New York City's Hell's Kitchen. Mr. Speaker, Father Peter has participated in a number of capacities, including having been with Holy Cross Church for the past 8 years. Father Peter Colapietro is a very accomplished man, and I would like to just highlight a few of those accomplishments for Members of the House. In 1992, he was appointed as member of the Mayor Citizens' Committee for Midtown. He has served in several capacities as chaplain in New York City departments and continues to serve a wide variety of our citizens, including serving as chaplain these days in the Department of Sanitation. In addition, Father Colapietro was the president of the Washingtonville Neighborhood Association, chairman and cofounder of the Washingtonville Housing Partners, Incorporated, and a board member of both the Narcotics Guidance Council and Larchmont Mamaroneck Student Aid Fund. Father Peter is a friend, a fellow New Yorker, a priest of the street, a priest of the people and comfortable in any situation, as we can tell today. It has been a pleasure to have him here, and I welcome his participation today.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I have the distinct pleasure to welcome Rabbi Linda Motzkin of the temple Mount Sinai in Saratoga Springs, New York, as she offered today's opening prayer. Rabbi Motzkin was ordained by the Hebrew Union College Judiciary Institute of Religion in 1986. She has a BA in Hebrew Language from the University of California at Berkeley and an MA in Hebrew Letters from HUC-JIR. Prior to her arrival at Skidmore in 1986, she taught the Judaic Studies department at the University of Cincinnati. She is also coauthor of two Hebrew language textbooks, the First Hebrew Primer and Prayerbook Hebrew: The Easy Way. In addition to serving as Skidmore's Jewish chaplain, she is co- rabbi, together with her husband, Rabbi Jonathan Rubenstein, of Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, a Reform Jewish congregation. Rabbi Motzkin has a close relationship with all three local Jewish congregations and works to foster connections between Skidmore students and the local Saratoga Springs community, as well as all of those who live in New York's 22nd Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased to have her here and welcome her participation today.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, this is one of the most challenging periods of time in the last 10 years for apple growers. Low prices, labor issues and regulatory actions are posing significant barriers to success in this important sector for agriculture. For example, Mr. Chairman, according to USDA, U.S. apple growers have suffered losses of $760 million over the last 3 years. Also, in the past several years, apple prices have been at the lowest levels in over a decade. These extreme, unprecedented, economic losses are due to a variety of factors, including the loss of markets, unknown fair competition from below-market imports from China, and lastly, weather-related disasters which have reduced yields, as well as quality and prices. The cumulative losses have resulted in dire financial conditions. Mr. Chairman, many financial institutions are no longer willing to provide new loans to apple growers who are now seen as high risks. As a result, many growers will be forced out of business without aid. In the last 2 years, Mr. Chairman, Congress has provided $22 billion in emergency farm relief to address low commodity prices in natural disasters. An additional $7 billion has recently been advanced as part of the crop insurance reforms. Despite all of this, apple growers have received none of the assistance, even though they have suffered losses just as severely as any other ag sector. This is why I am so pleased that $115 million has been provided in the ag appropriations bill to assist apple and potato growers and I thank the gentleman from New Mexico (Chairman Skeen) for his good work and support in this effort. While this funding is enormously helpful, Mr. Chairman, and long overdue, there are even greater challenges facing a significant group of farmers in my district and throughout New York State. Just last month, massive hailstorms struck the Hudson Valley region of New York, bringing widespread and extensive crop damage to Columbia, Dutchess, Orange and Ulster Counties, some of which I viewed firsthand and it was truly devastating. Mr. Chairman, allow me to quantify that damage. Apple production losses are estimated at over 2 million bushels on approximately 7,450 affected acres. As a result, growers intend to completely abandon over 2,100 acres of fruit this season, further resulting in losses such as $19.8 billion in lost production revenue, $13.1 million in lost farm worker wages. Area growers are working closely with local and State farm service agency offices to document losses. In New York, Governor Pataki has requested disaster designations from the Secretary of Agriculture for these counties. We are currently awaiting those designations. Let me point out, Mr. Chairman, there are problems with disaster programs at USDA. Although New York apple growers have suffered $41 million in weather-related losses prior to this year, they received only $1.8 million in Federal crop-loss disaster assistance from USDA. Area farmers have experienced losses needing at a minimum three action items taken in order to rectify them. The first being a disaster designation as soon as possible to make affected growers eligible for short-term disaster relief aid. Secondly, implementation of reforms to crop insurance to ensure that fruit growers have cost-effective insurance coverage for catastrophic losses; and, finally, direct grant aid to offset the catastrophic losses based on actual crop loses. I would like to ask the gentleman from New Mexico (Chairman Skeen) for the opportunity to work with him and his subcommittee through conference in ensuring that USDA is devoting the appropriate resources to the growers in need in New York State.

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New Mexico. At this point, these types of issues affect practically all regions and sectors of agriculture over the course of time. We are also at this time seeing significant rains negatively affect many sectors of agriculture in the Northeast. As we have worked together on other issues affecting New York agriculture, I look forward to continuing to work with the gentleman on these issues affecting New York apple growers. Amendment No. 32 Offered by Mr. Allen

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Helen Restino as she retires from her service to the town of Hoosick Housing Authority. Mrs. Restino, of Hoosick Falls New York, retires after 27 years of dedicated duty. During that time, she brought happiness to many senior citizens in the 21nd congressionaL district. Her housing programs are nationally recognized and greatly appreciated by the local community. Mrs. Restino positively impacted the town of Hoosick. As executive dirrector of the Housing Authority, Helen provided general supervision over all administrative and business affairs. She managed the ``Housing Project'', directed and coordinated the administration of the Section 8 Voucher Program, and supervised the Low and Moderate Income Conventional Housing Program. Helen directed all aspects of the Housing Authority's daily operations and activities, including finance, procurement, maintenance, property management, modernization, personnel management, planning and development, and resident and community relations. I commend Mrs. Restino for her outstanding performance over the course of her career. As a direct result of her actions, the town of Hoosick Housing Authority was recognized four times for superior achievement by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Her organization won the Certificate of Excellence in Management Operations and High Performer Designation in 1995 and 1996, the Outstanding Performance Award in 1998, and Secretary's Commendation as High Performer in 1999. Mrs. Restino has set the example for all other housing authorities. Mrs. Restino's most important role was in bringing joy to senior citizens who reside in the housing authority's centers. She undertook her job with fairness and compassion for all. The concerns of the residents were always Helen's top priority. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication to duty will be missed by all. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Helen Restino for her selfless service to the town of Hoosick Falls and congratulating her as she retires. Also, please join me in wishing her the very best of luck in all her future endeavors.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Miss Noelle Schiller, an outstanding young student and District Winner of this year's RespecTeen Speak for Yourself Award. RespecTeen's program encouraged students to write a letter to their Representative in Congress. Miss Schiller is an eighth grade student at Millbrook Junior/Senior High School in Upstate New York. Her award-winning letter compassionately outlined the problem and detailed her selfless action concerning homeless children in our nation. Miss Schiller's letter described the way she personally assisted homeless children in America. Through a church sponsored program, Noelle collected items which would be of use to homeless children. Her words speak best to the impact of these small gifts: ``The articles seemed like so little, but to these children they mean so much.'' As a member of the United States House of Representatives Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee, I share Noelle's desire to find safe and affordable housing for all. I applaud her leadership in this noble cause. I commend Miss Schiller's interest and enthusiasm in addressing one of this country's most serious issues. RespecTeen's Speak for Yourself program encourages students like Noelle to learn more about America's government. The purpose of the letter writing project was to learn more about our democratic system of government and encourage young people to interact with government officials. The program obviously had a positive impact on Noelle and provided her first hand experience of our democratic process. Noelle and her parents, Katherine and James, reside in Salt Point, New York, within the 22nd Congressional District. In honor of her superior achievement, RespecTeen awarded Miss Schiller a United States Savings Bond. Noelle is an intelligent young student who deserves high praise. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Noelle Schiller on her receipt of the RespecTeen Speak for Yourself Award. Also, please join me in wishing her the very best of luck in all her future endeavors.

Mr. SWEENEY

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

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a small group of citizens dedicated to the maintenance of an important public institution in the Twenty-Second Congressional District of New York. One hundred years ago, a small group of residents from Haines Falls and Twilight Park began an effort to establish a small public library to serve their residents. Their mission was simple: ``to maintain a circulating library and reading room for public use of residents of Haines Falls and vicinity.'' Much has changed since this original mission statement was written. The library has seen significant growth over the years. The original gift to two hundred books, by Stephen P. Sturges in 1900, has grown to include over 10,000. A book mobile has come and gone and the library is now filling the growing demand for new technology by offering fax and internet capability. The Haines Falls Free Library is truly a treasure. It offers a unique collection of out-of-print books, photographs and slides of the area. The numerous local family genealogies alone are priceless. Mr. Speaker, while change is inevitable in today's fast paced society, one thing has remained exactly the same as it was one-hundred years ago--the local commitment to the Haines Falls Free Library. The dedication of Haines Falls residents to maintaining and expanding a fully functional library is extraordinary. Indeed Mr. Speaker, the commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the Haines Falls Library is truly a cause for celebration. From its inception, this endeavor to provide a public service available to all citizens, symbolizes the altruistic spirit that has built our great nation. I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating this very special occasion. May the next hundred years allow the residents of Haines Falls and Twilight Park to continue the friendly and specialized services that the Haines Falls Free Library has offered for the last century.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my friend and my neighbor, and I just want to say that the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), does great work for all of this Nation, and we New Yorkers are particularly proud of the work that he does. I rise today, Mr. Chairman, with concerns I have regarding an important issue that affects my region of the country but, sadly, I think, a growing part of the Nation is being affected as well, and it is certainly the greatest environmental challenge for the Adirondack Mountains of New York, and that is the issue of acid rain. The Members of the New York congressional delegation, in particular, my Adirondack neighbor to the north, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), as well as the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), have been very aggressive in combating the toxic rain that is falling on our region and killing our lakes and forests. Specifically, I would like to address three acid rain monitoring programs at the EPA that I fear are currently in danger of being dismantled. First, earlier this year, EPA announced a decision to discontinue funding for the Mountain Acid Deposition Project, MADPRO, under its Office of Research and Development. This program is doing important work in monitoring cloud water chemistry and quantifying the debilitating effects of acid rain on our region. Operating since 1994, the MADPRO cloud monitoring program has located one of its three monitoring sites at Whiteface Mountain, in the heart of the Adirondack Park, I know a place near and dear to the chairman's heart. Thankfully, under pressure from many of us, EPA this month reversed its earlier decision to discontinue funding. However, I remain concerned about the long-term commitment of the EPA to this important initiative. Secondly, I want to express continued concern for the Clean Air Status and Trends Network, CASTNet. In 1997, there was concern that CASTNet was at risk of being defunded; and since that time, Congress has set a floor for the funding of that program. Lastly, I am concerned about important Temporally Integrated Monitoring of Ecosystems/Long-Term Monitoring Network, TIME/LTM, which measures water chemistry in lakes and streams throughout the Adirondacks and Appalachian Mountains. TIME/LTM is the only long-term network which helps us determine whether past emission controls are having their intended effect on the environment. TIME/LTM was initially funded at $2.4 million in 1992, but was cut to $1.1 million in 1995 and received only $900,000 last year. Mr. Chairman, I believe that the dwindling budget for TIME/LTM and EPA's attempts earlier this year to cut funding for cloud water monitoring stations raises serious concerns about EPA's commitment to all three of these important long-term acid rain monitoring programs. I would like to make the point that without the data showing the ecological impact in the field, we cannot effectively seek solutions to curbing acid rain in the future. I believe that the EPA has clearly been willing to halt funding for CASTNet and MADPRO over the past 5 years, and it easily justifies a funding floor for all three of these programs. As my colleague from New York knows, acid rain is a cancer that is eating at the ecosystem of the Adirondack region as well as other areas, stunting our forests and rendering many of our lakes and streams lifeless. So I ask the distinguished Chairman to affirm his commitment to the funding of these programs and ask his help in developing language to ensure the continuation of these critical acid rain monitoring programs.

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to yield, I thank the Chairman again for his commitment to fighting acid rain. It is important to note at this time, Mr. Chairman, a recent GAO report, which I requested, revealed that half of the lakes in the Adirondacks have shown increases in nitrogen levels since the Clean Air Act Amendments were signed into law in 1990. These deposits are at levels far higher than EPA's own worst-case scenario estimates, and we are clearly not doing enough. I believe that the current evidence of the worsening of the acid rain problem shows that this is a time to be strengthening the Federal Government's commitment to acid rain programs, not retracting it; and I once again thank the Chairman for his commitment.

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey) would like us to believe that dredging over 1 million tons of sediment from the Hudson River, disrupting the recovering ecosystem, releasing PCBs downstream, shutting off recreational use of the river, and landfilling 85,000 truckloads of dredge material on dairy farms in the Upper Hudson region is somehow the only reasonable action to be taken in the best interests of New Yorkers in order to remediate the Hudson River. I would advise the gentleman that neither he nor the EPA should feel it necessary nor appropriate to lecture our residents on what is best for their communities. I do not believe we should let politics dictate our efforts to remediate the Hudson River. Simply put, I want to see science and facts applied here. Mr. Chairman, the public has lost confidence in the EPA and in this endeavor. As the chairman mentions, it has gone on way too long. I have brought a couple of charts that will exemplify what we are talking about here. In the first chart here, the level of 10 exists. These are the past dredging experiences that the EPA has conducted. In each of the dredging experiences they have conducted the level of 10, which is now what the upper Hudson River level is, has been met in their most successful operations, meaning that if they dredge now they will have to realize unprecedented successes. The second chart, using EPA science, shows the three ways, the natural recovery, the source control natural recovery, the source control dredging recovery, in terms of remediation of the river. If we look at those lines, we will notice that there is barely a distinction in terms of the kind of recovery. The EPA has lied to the citizens in the upper Hudson valley. They began a covert study to look at landfilling those dredge materials. They have lost the confidence of those people in that area. As the chairman pointed out, the National Academy of Sciences report due out in September needs to be incorporated in so that we have the public confidence regained in this endeavor. I urge a no vote, a strong no vote in this effort.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on Flag Day, to pay tribute to the American flag, our most cherished symbol of freedom and democracy. ``Old Glory'' has stood as a symbol of our patriotic resolve through times of peace and war. The earliest version of the American flag was carried at the battle of Saratoga in my district, which was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. The flag has symbolized our democratic ideals on hundreds of battlefields since Saratoga. It inspired great Americans in places like Gettysburg, San Juan Hill, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Saigon, Kuwait City, and countless other sites around the globe. Thousands of Americans paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend the ideals symbolized by this great flag. Let us pause for a moment to recognize their sacrifice and the flag they successfully defended. Today, our distinguished flag acts as an ambassador of liberty and opportunity to those who suffer under oppressive regimes in far away places. For those whose freedom has been stripped away, the flag stands as a reminder of a compassionate ally. Our flag undeniably represents the supremacy of freedom and democracy over oppression and tyranny. The stars and stripes are the pre-eminent symbol of the broad freedoms established by our Constitution. It is yours and mind, and all American's to guard and protect . . . and to respect. Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting our glorious flag on Flag Day. God bless our flag and this great Nation.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 266 expressing the sense of Congress regarding the benefits of music education. The value of a musical education in our society is immeasurable. Music affords free expression and sharing of ideas and feelings. In this way, music represents our most basic Constitutional right of free speech and expression. Musical performers are ambassadors to other nations who spread the joys of our music and democracy. Music not only provides connections between cultures, but also across generations. Music has allowed me to form a closer bond with my children. Every summer we sit on the lawn of Saratoga Performing Arts Center in upstate New York, introducing each other to the symphony, rhythm and blues, country, Irish folk music, and rock and roll. Our experiences sparked a deep appreciation for music and truly allows us to enjoy the finer things in life. My own musical experiences with the trombone are among my most cherished school memories. These musical studies boosted my self esteem and confidence. Music education still has this same valuable impact on millions of Americans today. I cannot imagine America without music. I encourage my children, and all Americans, to immerse themselves in musical education. Sit down and listen to music together. Invite someone to a concert, musical or recital. Sign up for a music class. Discover the wonders of playing a musical instrument or turn on the car radio and enjoy the freedom music represents. Mr. Speaker, please join me in voting in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 266, expressing the sense of Congress regarding the benefits of music education.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. David Ashdown, an outstanding young teacher and recipient of this year's Time Warner Cable National Teacher Award. Mr. Ashdown teaches fourth grade at Cambridge Elementary School in Upstate New York. His award-winning entry, entitled Save the Coelacanths, engaged his fourth grade students' creative abilities through a multimedia presentation on oceans and ocean life. David Ashdown has dedicated the last three years to upholding the hopes and dreams of hundreds of children in his classroom. He is known as the ``technical and computer expert'' throughout his school district. Mr. Ashdown used Time Warner's Road Runner high speed modem and service to create Save the Coelacanths. Each student in Mr. Ashdown's class wrote and illustrated one web-page of the story about the endangered coelacanth fish. The pages were all linked together to form an exciting underwater adventure with multiple outcomes. I commend Mr. Ashdown's innovative approach to teaching. He has made learning fun and exciting in his classroom. His students learn through hands on experience in a technologically sophisticated, yet relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I salute Mr. Ashdown's efforts to provide a rich, intellectually stimulating environment in which children learn the vital skills required to be successful in our society. I also recognize the valuable work Mr. Ashdown does for his school district and for other teachers around this nation. He has dedicated himself to teaching professional development courses to other educators in an attempt to integrate advanced technology into more New York classrooms. His upcoming book, HyperStudio Made Very Easy, is designed to help teachers incorporate multimedia into their everyday teaching plans. His dedication is admirable, as is his desire to see students succeed. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating David Ashdown on his receipt of the Time Warner Cable National Teacher Award. Also, please join me in wishing him and his students the very best of luck in all their future endeavors.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this consensus legislation, H.R. 4489, the INS Data Management Improvement Act. As a Representative of a region highly dependent upon economic ties with Canada, I have long been concerned that the implementation of Section 110 of the 1996 Immigration reform Act would adversely affect commerce, trade, and tourism for the North Country region of New York. I note that New York City and Montreal are the two largest metropolitan areas on the Eastern Seabord. The 22nd Congressional district of New York lies directly between them, providing tremendous economic opportunities for our residents. The compromise today allows for increased data collection and monitoring at our borders without compromising the flow of goods and tourists that are essential to the New York-Montreal trade corridor. New York exported $10 billion in goods to Canada in 1998 and hosted 2.2 million Canadian visitors. This exchange is already hampered today by the outdated facilities and lack of resources and our border crossings in New York. This agreement today ensures that this situation of gridlock at our borders will not be worsened by the implementation of Section 110. I thank the Subcommittee Chairman, Mr. Smith and the cosponsors for their hard work on this legislation.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) for his kind words. Mr. Chairman, this is vital to our national security, and I have to tell my colleagues that, as a representative of the people who have given their lives to this facility, it is important to their lives, and I want to really thank all my colleagues very much for the hard work they have put in, and thanks again to the ranking member for yielding me this time.

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), and the great chairman, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence), and particularly the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) for their hard work and dedication in developing the defense authorization for fiscal year 2001. I also want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) for his leadership in the arms initiative, and my neighbor, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), for working with me to secure the future of the Watervliet Arsenal, which serves the 21st and 22nd Congressional District in upstate New York. I am pleased to point out that H.R. 4205 dedicates $3.6 million for the storage and maintenance of laid away equipment and facilities at Hawthorne Army Depot in Rock Island and the Watervliet Arsenal. These arsenals are an asset to our military and our region. It is important to expand the arms initiative to allow for the option of attracting commercial tenants to these arsenals. I am incredibly thankful for the help of this committee and its great work.

Mr. SWEENEY. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. SWEENEY

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, the answer is no. It is the same language; that is, the State political subdivision is the same definition that is defined in the underlying bill as the local political jurisdiction immediately below the level of State government, including counties, parishes and boroughs.

Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?