Rob Simmons

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I simply want to add my support for this legislation. Prior to coming to this body as a Member of Congress, I was in the U.S. Army Reserves for a number of years, over 30 years. I have had the experience, the personal experience, of commanding a unit that received an activation notice; and I have had the personal experience of being involved with not only deployed soldiers but soldiers whose families have been left behind. I have received that phone call from the wife of a deployed soldier saying, I cannot afford to pay the rent. My husband made more money in the civilian sector than he made as a deployed soldier, and I am behind in my rent, and I run the risk of being evicted. And I have had to wrestle with that issue even to the point of offering to pass the hat among those unit members who stayed behind to see if we could help her stay in her home while her husband was overseas defending our Nation, our people, our values, and our interests. I have had a deployed soldier come back to find that there was no job even though he thought his job was guaranteed. In fact, the job he had as the head of a division of a larger corporation was restructured and reorganized. So the division was no longer there; so the job was no longer there. It is incumbent upon us as Members of Congress to ensure that these anecdotal, but horrible, stories do not occur again. It is incumbent upon us as Members of the Committee on Veterans Affairs to ensure that the public policy of this Nation treats our veterans, our reserves, and our National Guard fairly and equitably when they are called up, activated, and deployed to fight for us in foreign lands around the world, to ensure that their jobs are waiting for them when they return, to ensure that their families are not put under a financial burden as a consequence of their service. This is not an issue relative to one party or another. This is not a Republican or a Democrat issue. This is an issue which we as Americans must address, and that is what this legislation does. I thank my colleagues in the committee for their bipartisan approach to this issue. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record copies of letters between our committee and the Committee on Financial Services regarding section 207(d) of H.R. 100, as amended. House of Representatives, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC, May 1, 2003. Hon. Michael G. Oxley, Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding section 207(d) of H.R. 100, as amended, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. I understand your concern about the section's definition of the term ``interest'' and will amend it to reflect the substance of the current provision on interest in section 206 of the current Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act. While the Committee on Veterans' Affairs has jurisdiction over soldiers' and sailors' civil relief under clause 1(r) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I appreciate the interest of the Committee on Financial Services in all matters under its jurisdiction including those stated in your letter. Our letters will be included in the record during floor consideration of H.R. 100, as amended, and you may be assured of my continued consultation on these matters. Sincerely, Christopher H. Smith, Chairman.

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

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a member of my staff for his tireless efforts on behalf of the good people of Connecticut's Second Congressional District. Lieutenant Commander Glenn Sulmasy will soon conclude his service in my Norwich, Connecticut office and become a distinguished teacher of International Law at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Since my term started, Glen has been a liaison in my office to the Coast Guard Academy. As the vice-chairman of the Coast Guard Subcommittee, I came to rely on this relationship. What's more, I rely on his input and his perspective--built from years of expertise and driven by his faith in our country,. Glenn's commitment to me and to my congressional office should be no surprise--he has long had a passion for public service. A 1988 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and 1997 graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law, Glenn has given 15 years of service as a ``coastie'' in the U.S. Coast Guard--with time spent in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm, and more recently as a teacher of law at the Coast Guard Academy. Using his experience to enhance that of our other cadets, Glenn demonstrates an admirable loyalty to his values and the Coast Guard tradition. He has also taught at the Roger William School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island and serves on the Board of Directors of the Center for International and Comparative Law, the National Coast Guard Museum Association, the New London Parks Conservancy, and the Connecticut Anti-Terrorism Task Force. Mr. Speaker, Glenn Sulmasy lives by the daily commitment of the Coast Guard's core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty. And while I will miss Glenn's presence in my Connecticut office, I wish him well and feel confident that I can still count on him. On behalf of the rest of my staff, I wish to express our affection and gratitude to Lieutenant Commander Glen Sulmasy for his dedicated work. Glenn, thank you for your service to me, best wishes and Semper Paratus.

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, during this time of war, our thoughts are constantly with our active duty military personnel overseas, and also with all of the men and women who wore the uniform of the United States military through the years. I rise today to honor an individual who will retire this month following a long tour of service to this country. Lieutenant Thomas A. Petrella enlisted in the United States Navy in 1980 and served as an intelligence specialist aboard four different aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and a nuclear attack submarine. Thom served 10 great years of commissioned service using his knowledge and extensive experience to better his community. Throughout his successful 23-year career, Thom focused on his duties to aid our Nation and the United States Navy. He concludes his spectacular career as a Vietnam War analyst at the Department of Defense where he analyzed cases of Americans missing from the Vietnam War, including that of Captain Arnold Holm, a resident of Connecticut's Second District of whose greatness I have spoken here before. Lieutenant Petrella epitomizes the type of person we would like to have serving in our Armed Forces, someone who believes in this country, in its values, someone who believes in faith and family and hard work, and someone who has a great appreciation for the blessings of freedom and who worked during his years to promote the values that have made this country a great place to be. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and congratulating Lieutenant Thomas Petrella for his dedicated and committed service to this Nation. Your best years are still to come. I would also like to extend these wishes to his wife Renee and their children Kara, Ryan and Cody.

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, l rise today in support of the naming of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outreach Clinic, located on the grounds of the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, as the ``John J. McGuirk Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.'' As an enlisted salvage diver in the United States Navy during World War II, John McGuirk worked his way across the South Pacific from Pearl Harbor to Manila, Philippines aboard the USS Layson Island. For his service, John was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal and Philippine Liberation Medal. When John J. McGuirk's contractual obligation to the United States Navy ended with an honorable discharge, his personal obligation to his country and fellow veterans' remained engraved upon his heart and became a lifelong commitment. His efforts helped to contribute to the VA Connecticut Healthcare system planning and operating a series of CBOC's across the state, providing primary care on a daily basis. Additionally, John played an instrumental role in the opening of the Veterans' Outreach Clinic located at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. John actively served in Post #9 American Legion for the remainder of his life: twice as the Legion's Commander, additionally as the Finance officer and the Service officer. He was also a member of the Disabled Veterans of America and U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. Mr. Speaker, John J. McGuirk was constant in his mission to serve his nation and fellow veterans. On behalf of the Members of the Connecticut House delegation, Disabled Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and AMVETS, I would like to extend the opportunity for Members of the Subcommittee to support this measure and honor the memory of John J. McGuirk.

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to introduce my ``Stick A Cork In The Cork Tariff Act of 2003,'' a bill that will assist small business and sportsmen by reducing the unfairly high import duty on cork. Makers of fishing rods, and particularly fly-fishing rods, are under pressure to significantly increase the price of their equipment because of prohibitively high duties on cork. Cork is the primary component of a fishing pole's grip. It is not available domestically and must be imported. While the tariff on already-finished cork is 6 percent and lower, unfinished cork is subject to a 14 percent duty. Such unfinished cork is imported and subsequently handcrafted by American workers onto the custom-made fly fishing rods that so many sportsmen enjoy. Mr. Speaker, it just doesn't make sense that Customs would charge a 6 percent tariff on a pre-finished product while levying a much-higher 14 percent duty on a good that is finished with American hands. In my own district, REC Components of Enfield (CT) employs more than twenty highly skilled individuals to create such fly fishing rods. Mr. Speaker, REC Components and the working men and women at the company are dependent upon imported cork. The current duty being levied upon such cork jeopardizes this company and these jobs. Other manufacturers in this industry face the same problem. Whether in Wisconsin, Washington, Montana, or Georgia, small businesses are being made to bear this unfair burden for no good reason. This is why my legislation has such bipartisan, national support, including the American Sportfishing Association, the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. Mr. Speaker, It has always been my understanding that Customs duties were established to protect American industry. If cork is not available in the United States and it is the only product that can be used to manufacture the grips on fly fishing rods, I fail to see why we are charging such a duty. At a time when many Americans are still experiencing economic insecurity, it is critical that we take steps in the Congress to create more jobs and strengthen the ones we have. While Congress is working to craft a jobs and growth package, we also must consider other measures that, although less comprehensive, similarly take steps to boost our economy. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of small businesses, American workers, outdoor retailers, sportsmen everywhere. Support the ``Stick A Cork In The Cork Tariff Act of 2003.''

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing a new measure, the ``Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act,'' that I intend will begin to address what has become a troubling and lingering problem in our Nation's veterans health care facilities: a crumbling and substandard patient-care infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, for the past several years, we have noted that the President's annual budget for VA health care has requested little or no funding for major medical facility construction projects for America's veterans. As we indicated last year in our report to the Committee on the Budget on the Administration's budget request for fiscal year 2004, VA has engaged in an effort through market-based research by independent organizations to determine whether the present VA facility infrastructures are meeting needs in the most appropriate manner, and whether services to veterans can be enhanced with alternative approaches. This process, called ``Capital Assets Realignment for Enhanced Services,'' or ``CARES,'' has entered into its second phase within the Department of Veterans Affairs. While VA has set an aggressive schedule for completing this process, we believe it will require several years before bearing fruit. Mr. Speaker, some VA hospitals, health care and research facilities need additional maintenance, repair and improvements to address immediate dangers and hazards, to promote safety and to sustain a reasonable standard of care for our Nation's veterans. In addition to reports from outside consultants and VA about the serious risk of seismic damage, VA has also identified $57 million in improvements needed to address women's health care; another report concluded that VA should be spending (at a minimum) from 2 percent to 4 percent of its ``plant replacement value'' on upkeep and replacement of its health care facilities. This value in VA is at least $35 billion; thus, VA should be spending from $700 million to $1.4 billion each year to keep pace with its capital needs. In fact, in fiscal year 2003, VA will spend $137 million for these purposes. While Congress authorized a number of major VA medical construction projects over the past three fiscal years, very few have received funding through the appropriations process. I understand that some of the more recent deferrals of major VA construction were intended to permit CARES to proceed in an orderly way, avoiding unnecessary spending on VA health care facilities that might not be needed by veterans in the future. I agree with this policy in general, especially for those larger facility projects, ones that ordinarily would be considered under our regular annual construction authorization measure. We need to resist wasteful spending, especially when overall funds are so precious. But I believe that I have a better plan. Mr. Speaker, when I assumed the Chairmanship of the Veterans' Subcommittee on Health earlier this year, I asked what steps my colleagues and I might take immediately that could help veterans. The legislation that I am introducing today is part of this answer. This bill sets up a three-year program of delegated authorizations that would update, improve, establish, restore or replace VA health care facilities where needed. The Secretary would be given this authority to approve the individual facility projects, based on recommendations of an independent capital investments board and on criteria detailed in our bill that place a premium on projects to protect patient safety and privacy, improve seismic protection, provide barrier-free accommodations, and improve VA patient care facilities in several specialized areas of concern, such as privacy needs, specialized care programs and other high priorities of Congress, in order to meet the contemporary standard of care our veterans deserve and need. The bill would require the Secretary at the end of the process to report his actions to this Committee and to the Committee on Appropriations as well. The bill would also mandate a review of this delegated-project approach by the General Accounting Office, to ensure this is an effective mechanism to advance some VA medical construction during and after the CARES process. Mr. Speaker, our bill would authorize appropriations of $500 million in fiscal year 2004, $600 million in fiscal year 2005, and $700 million in fiscal year 2006, to accommodate construction projects under the authority provided. The total amount authorized matches that recommended by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to the Committee on the Budget earlier this year in our views and estimates for fiscal year 2004. I believe we can make the case for this approach by doing something urgently needed by veterans, in the best traditions of our commitment to them, while staying consistent with the intent of the CARES process. I want our work to assure all our veterans, that in as many situations as possible, their health care and research facilities, and the critical maintenance and repair needs of these facilities, will not go unnoticed and unfunded by this Congress. Mr. Speaker, I trust that my colleagues will agree with me that this is a worthy bill. Last year, VA quickly identified 20 projects that would be appropriate for consideration under terms much like those contained in this bill. I am certain that in all sectors of the VA health care system there are more meritorious projects that need funding, and enactment of this bill would give the Secretary an opportunity to identify, consider, approve and develop them appropriately, with the authority and funds to do so. Many VA facilities need funds right now, on an emergency basis, for major construction and repair projects; other facilities have more chronic needs for restoration and capital improvements that have lingered unfunded for years. New VA health care and research facilities are also needed. In my judgment, we cannot afford to wait several years before beginning to meet these needs, when these projects confront the VA system, veterans, and Congress today. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill and help enact it as a high priority early this year.

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Education and the Workforce be discharged from further consideration of the resolution, (H. Res. 187) congratulating the University of Connecticut Huskies for winning the 2003 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's basketball championship, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for his remarks and to extend our commendations to his team. It was a tough game, it was a tight game, it was an exciting game. I had promised that if we came up short I would give him an evening's supply of our fine Mystic Pizza from Mystic, Connecticut. Fortunately I do not have to do that. But I look forward to getting some of that fine Tennessee ham.

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson).

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp), a gentleman who is himself a great basketball player and distinguishes himself on the court in congressional play.

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments, for his sportsmanship, and for his encouragement of physical fitness among those of us who serve here in Congress. He is a terrific leader in that regard. Seeing no further speakers on my side, I would ask my colleague if she would like to close.

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, if the gentlewoman wishes to close; and then I will close.

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SIMMONS. That is not ham. That would be what?

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remaining time. In closing, I would like to say that my colleague, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), was unavailable for this colloquy and to speak to this resolution because he is chairing a committee at this time; but I suspect he will submit comments for the Record. I would also like to point out that one of the things that I have always admired about the UConn Huskies as a basketball team was the fact that when we look at their jerseys, and I have a T-shirt in front of me that commemorates their great victory this year, but when you look at their jerseys as they play, you will not see the players' names on the jerseys. You will only see the name of UConn, University of Connecticut. I think that that is important because what it shows is that in spite of the tremendous talent of the members of this team and the tremendous talent of all of the members of this team, they play as a team, not as individuals. And even somebody like Diana Taurasi, who is so talented, so gifted, who plays such a marvelous game of basketball, but she plays as part of the team, and the team does so well for those reasons.

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from the second district of Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and to join all of my Connecticut colleagues to honor the 2003 NCAA Women's Basketball Champion, the University of Connecticut Huskies. This resolution congressionally recognizes a group of young women who have excelled both on and off the court. Connecticut is incredibly proud of them. This is the University of Connecticut's second consecutive basketball championship, only the third time an NCAA women's basketball team has ever repeated as national champions. Led by the NCAA Player of the Year, Diana Taurasi, the Huskies capped a 37 and 1 season by beating the University of Tennessee Tuesday tonight, 73 to 68. All of the State of Connecticut watched with pride as the Huskies claimed their place as the repeat national champions. The University of Connecticut was founded in 1881 and has a rich history of providing educational and athletic opportunities to undergraduates of diverse interests, abilities, and backgrounds. It is with great joy, Mr. Speaker, that as a former teaching assistant at the University of Connecticut I take the floor today to say way to go, Huskies. I wanted to congratulate Diana Taurasi, Maria Conlon, Ann Strother, Jessica Moore, and Barbara Turner. But do not forget the other players on the team who contributed so much to the success and overall efforts of the team: Ashley Battle, Willnet Crocket, Stacey Marron, Nicole Wolff, Ashley Valley, and Morgan Valley. And a special ``way to go'' goes to Head coach Geno Auriemma, associate head coach Chris Dailey, Tonya Cardoza, and Jamelle Elliot, athletic director Lew Perkins, and the parents of all of the members of this national championship team. And finally to my friend, UCONN president Philip Austin, and his administration for fielding such a fine team of scholar-athletes. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 187.

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to introduce my ``Cybermolesters Enforcement Act of 2003,'' a bill that would bring today's high-tech child molesters to justice. While the Internet has revolutionized communication and business, it unfortunately provides a tool for child molesters, and loopholes in the current law allow some of these predators to escape without any real consequences. And although it is already a federal crime to cross state lines to sexually molest a minor, in recent years the number of people using the Internet to violate this law has skyrocketed. I call these individuals ``cybermolesters.'' Cybermolesters are not easy to identify. They typically are well educated; middle-class citizens who have no previous criminal record and, as a result, tend to escape with little or no jail time. For example, convicted child pornographers receive ten-year mandatory sentences, but those who use the Internet to meet children and commit criminal sexual acts can receive no jail time at all. This double standard gives lighter sentences to a special set of privileged criminals. My bill would end this double standard by imposing a five- year mandatory minimum sentence for cybermolesters. My bill also provides law enforcement with two important tools to combat those who prey on our nation's children. First, it would allow law enforcement to obtain a federal wiretap on those suspected of committing certain child sexual exploitation offenses, such as transmitting computer-generated child pornography, enticing a minor to travel for sexual activity, and transporting a minor for sexual activity. Second, it would classify child pornography as ``contraband,'' which would enable law enforcement to seize it based upon probable cause and to destroy it automatically after its use, as evidence was no longer needed. This measure has the support of the FBI's ``Innocent Images'' Program, which is on the front lines of the battle against on-line pedophiles. Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago the passage of H.R. 1104 was a clear demonstration of our united support in improving the safety and welfare of our children. We cannot allow our law enforcement to lose step with an ever-evolving electronic society. We cannot allow these sexual predators to get away with the criminal acts they are committing against innocent children. We cannot allow one of our greatest advancements to become a tool for our biggest degenerates. The Cybermolester Enforcement Act will ensure that these ``cyberpredators'' are suitably punished and America's children are properly protected.

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1119.

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share a Connecticut family's sorrow with my colleagues and the nation. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, a 42-year-old Marine from Enfield, Connecticut, was killed along with eight other Marines near the city of An Nasiriyah. Sgt. Jordan died on March 23, when enemy troops, pretending to surrender, opened fire. He served America and the cause of freedom honorably in the first Gulf War, in Kosovo and in Afghanistan. Sgt. Jordan, a constituent of mine, is the first Connecticut resident known to have died in the war. He leaves his wife, Amanda, and a son, Tyler, who is 6 years old. He was laid to rest today with full military honors in Enfield. We mourn his passing but honor his service. This is an old story for Americans. Since our nations birth there have been periods of time in which brave men and women have had to step forward to defend our freedom, our Nation and our Constitution. Yet, the timelessness of the story does not ease the sadness that is felt by those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. It is not only our men and women in uniform who sacrifice for our Nation--their families make profound sacrifices as well. Sgt. Jordan reminds us that the guardians of our freedoms are the sons and daughters and the husbands and wives who volunteer to serve America and the people they love. When called upon, they leave their homes to engage in the dangerous and difficult work that must be done if we are to continue to enjoy the rights we have as Americans. Our men and women in uniform are the threads that bind together our national defense fabric. Without their courage throughout the centuries we would not be in this Chamber today. It is the soldier and his family who above all others desires peace because it is the soldier and his family who bears the heaviest burdens of war. But the soldier and his family also know that there are even heavier burdens than those imposed by war. They know that there are some things worth fighting for and dying for. Sgt. Jordan understood the difference between using force for liberation and defense; and using force for repression and conquest. He will take his place among the ranks of courageous and devoted Americans who gave their last full measure for this great Nation. America will be a safer and more secure nation because of Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan. The America that we love, and that we will not falter in defense of, will forever stand as his monument. He and his family will be in our prayers. We thank them for their service and sacrifice.

Mr. SIMMONS

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Mary Imbriaco of Groton, Connecticut who is celebrating her 100th birthday on April 9, 2003. Mary was born in Italy and traveled to the United States with her family at the age of 13. She grew up in the town of Groton and became a United States citizen in the 1930's. Dedicated to her family and her community, Mary raised four children and worked almost her entire life, only retiring recently at the age Of 85. Just 10 years ago she suffered a stroke. Her strong will and determination have helped her to triumph during this difficult time. Today Mary resides in the same house that she has called her home since 1933. She has a passion for music and singing and brings many gifts to her community and her family. Mary's life is an inspiration to all who know her and I commend her on a lifetime of achievements. Mr. Speaker, I would encourage the Members of the House of Representatives to join me in celebration of Mary Imbriaco's 100th birthday. She is a blessing to our community and to this country. Tanti Auguri!