John Sullivan

Mr. SULLIVAN

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

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of House Resolution 544. As a sponsor of this legislation, I feel it is important for Congress to make permanent the Economic Growth and Tax Reconciliation Act passed into law last year. I would like to thank my distinguished colleagues, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin), for spending several years crafting this bipartisan legislation. This measure includes significant pension reforms aimed at modernizing retirement security. The law is scheduled to sunset after December 31, 2010. People throughout the First District of Oklahoma and all across America are restricted in planning for their retirement because of an arcane Senate rule that makes the entire tax relief package, including the retirement savings provisions, expire in just 10 years. Retirement plans are based on rules that need to be consistent over a career, not just 10 years. I do not base my future retirement plans on the next 9 years, so I do not expect to legislate and encourage that standard for my constituents and all Americans. The law, as passed last year, gives employees the additional resources to appropriately plan for their retirement. The act contains many significant provisions that will be extremely beneficial to employees. First of all, we allowed workers to invest more money into their 401(k) and pension plans, as well as IRAs, from $2,000 to $5,000. Secondly, the House modernized pension laws to meet the challenges of an increasingly mobile workforce that is likely to have several jobs during their career. The resolution also allows workers to become vested in their pension plans faster. In addition, the measure allows workers age 50 and older to make catch-up contributions, a provision that will significantly help women who are more likely to spend more time away from the workforce. Finally, the bill modernizes pension laws and provides regulatory relief to encourage more small businesses to offer retirement plans. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to adopt this measure.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today in strong support of banning partial-birth abortion. As a citizen of this great country, I am ashamed that this barbaric act occurs in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America, the greatest civilized country in the world. And I stand here as a parent, as a lawmaker, and I feel a moral obligation to stand up to fight for the rights of the unborn. I want to describe this horrific procedure. First, the doctor sticks forceps into the mother and grabs ahold of the baby's feet so they can turn it around and pull it out. They pull the baby into the birth canal by its legs and the baby does feel pain at this point. They get the baby out and at this point the doctor has to make sure that he blocks the head before it can come out because if he does not, he cannot murder the baby, it is considered a live birth. He blocks the head into the mother and sticks scissors into the back of the skull, opening the scissors and the baby is withering around at this point because it is feeling the pain and sticks a tube, a suction tube, into the skull and sucks the brains out, collapsing the skull, killing the baby, the baby goes limp and then they pull the baby out dead. This is a horrible act and I think we should support this bill. People on the left talk about the life and health of the mother. What about the life and health of the baby? We ought to be protecting them and thinking about them. It is a human life. It is a human life. I have heard my friends on the left as well stand up and fight harder to protect laboratory rats. These are human beings. We have a moral obligation to stand up and fight for them. I urge my colleagues to support banning this horrific act, partial-birth abortion.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, the House of Representatives passed a prescription drug benefit under Medicare. Since this has happened, I have received hundreds of calls from seniors thanking me for voting for this very important measure. A significant number of seniors in the First District of Oklahoma are forced to live on a fixed budget. In order to live within their means, some skip a meal, some turn off their air conditioners, and some only take half the prescriptions that have been prescribed to them, to save. It is a simple fact that seniors need permanent prescription drug benefit from this Congress. But simple is not always synonymous with easy, especially when politics are involved. The House has passed a good bill, and I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to follow the House's lead. Our bill was based on simple, common sense principles. They are: To lower the cost of prescription drugs now and in the future; guarantee all seniors prescription drug coverage under Medicare; improve Medicare with more choices and more savings; and strengthen Medicare for the future. Our seniors need a prescription drug benefit this year. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will follow suit.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Deficit Reduction Safeguard Resolution. The House Deficit Reduction Safeguard Resolution will allow Members of Congress to reduce the federal deficit by crediting money to the Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance. Under current budget and House Rules, when a Member offers an amendment to reduce spending the money saved is left on the table and available for someone else to spend on another program. Members are not allowed to offer amendments and direct the savings to deficit reduction. As a result, there is little incentive to reduce wasteful spending in order to reduce the deficit. The Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance would correct this problem by amending House Rules to permit a Member to dedicate the money saved from any amendment to be dedicated to reducing the deficit. The Deficit Reduction Safeguard Balance only amends House Rules. It does not require approval by the Senate. This Resolution applies to both mandatory and discretionary spending. We have maxed out Uncle Sam's credit card and until we pay down the debt it is shortsighted for us to continue spending without restraint. This Resolution is about honesty with the American public. A dollar saved should actually be a dollar saved, not a dollar added to another program. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this Resolution.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 4635, the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act. It is vital that we give the pilots and passengers of American commercial aircraft a fighting chance against would-be attackers. An armed pilot is the final line of defense against terrorist hijackers. Under H.R. 4635, the use of force may be employed only in the defense of the cockpit. At this point, Mr. Chairman, terrorists would have already seized the aircraft. In the last few moments before hijackers use this plane as a weapon, we have a difficult choice to make. Currently our Air Force has standing orders to shoot down any plane captured by terrorists. Mr. Chairman, we are at our last resort. Why would we not allow our pilots the opportunity to protect themselves, their passengers, and thousands of American lives? Let us face it, the days of the hijacking thugs or terrorist thugs on our airplanes demanding money or the release of their cohorts is over. The airplane is now the coward's weapon of choice. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, we must secure our airplanes from these cowards and protect our people from harm. The greatest way to fight off terrorists is to arm those who know the aircraft the best, and that is our pilots. H.R. 4635 will augment the military background that many pilots already hold by providing rigorous training for all armed pilots. This training is much like the training that Federal air marshals receive with an emphasis on marksmanship, defensive maneuvers, and weapon retention. Currently, Federal air marshals patrol our skies armed, and have done so since 1985. In addition, foreign airlines who arm their pilots are allowed to travel to our airspace and land on American soil. To suggest that American pilots are somehow incapable or less qualified than those who already carry arms aboard aircraft is ridiculous. Mr. Chairman, our people want this legislation, our pilots want this legislation, and America deserves this last line of defense. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4635.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn) for all his hard work in making this bill possible and making the government accountable to the people in America. This bill is extremely important. When we talk about accountability from the Federal Government, this is exactly the kind of bill that America thinks of. An improper payment, as defined by the bill, includes overpayments, underpayments, duplicate payments, payments to ineligible recipients, payments for ineligible services, and payments for services not received. Countless billions of dollars of taxpayer funds are wasted each year through improper payments. However, the extent of improper payments in the Federal Government is unknown since Federal agencies are not required by law to estimate or report them. In 1990 and 1994, Congress passed important pieces of legislation to make government more transparent to its stockholders, the American people. Twenty-four agencies are required to prepare audited financial statements, and several agencies voluntarily prepare such statements. H.R. 4878 will require executive agencies to identify all spending programs that may be vulnerable to significant improper payments and to annually estimate the amount of improper payments involving those programs. This is an extremely important topic, given the tightening of the Federal belt of late and the need to keep our country strong during this time of war and economic concern.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. 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. 445, just adopted, and on H.R. 5018, passed earlier today.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, seniors in the first district of Oklahoma and across America cannot afford the rising cost of prescription drugs. In order to live within their budget, some skip a meal, some turn off their air-conditioning, and some consume half the prescriptions that they need. Without a doubt, I believe the Republican prescription drug plan is the only plan that will give our seniors prescription drug coverage they need at a cost that the Nation's budget can afford. The Republican prescription drug plan provides a two-tiered approach that allows seniors to start saving on their prescription drug bills immediately. By grouping seniors together, Medicare can negotiate discounts from manufacturers. This is projected to save seniors about 10 to 20 percent upon the signature of the President. The second part of the plan will come as a comprehensive and voluntary Medicare-based prescription drug benefit. The Republican plan will significantly reduce the costs of prescriptions and save seniors approximately 70 percent of their out-of-pocket drug costs. The House Republican prescription drug plan will work for seniors today, tomorrow, and for the rest of their lives. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 445) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with regard to the United States National Soccer Team and its historic performance in the 2002 FIFA World Cup tournament, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 445 introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) expresses the sense of the United States with regard to the United States national soccer team and its outstanding performance in the 2002 World Cup tournament. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. soccer team's performance in the 2002 World Cup was the most successful in the history of our Nation's participation in the tournament. The American team surprised the world by reaching the quarter final round, indicating that it has become a leading competitor in international soccer. I wish to recognize Bruce Arena, the head coach of the United States soccer team, and every player on that team for their dedication to excellence and for representing our country with such integrity on and off the soccer field. I congratulate the US soccer team for its historic performance in the 2002 World Cup. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of House Resolution 445.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 455) honoring the life of John Francis ``Jack'' Buck, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 455 introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) honors the life of John Francis ``Jack'' Buck. The resolution is co-sponsored by the entire House delegation from Missouri along with other Members. For nearly 50 years, Jack Buck was known as the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals. He became one of the most respected sports broadcasters in the industry and an institution among baseball fans everywhere. A decorated veteran of World War II, Jack Buck began his broadcasting career in 1948 while attending Ohio State University where he was a play-by-play announcer for football, basketball and baseball. He was hired by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1954 and began his 48 year career of announcing Cardinals baseball on KMOX radio. He brought baseball to life to millions of fans throughout the Midwest during his tenure in the booth. Jack Buck announced 8 World Series, 17 Super Bowls, numerous baseball All Star and play-off games, and many other major sporting events. He has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame and the Radio Hall of Fame. Jack Buck was a leader away from the stadium as well. He spent over 30 years as the campaign chairman for the St. Louis chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for which he helped raise more than $30 million to fight the disease. On June 18, 2002, Jack Buck passed away after a distinguished career in broadcasting and a long life in which he touched the lives of millions of Americans. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons I urge the adoption of House Resolution 455.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to talk about an issue that is very important to the First Congressional District of Oklahoma and all across America: the need for a prescription drug benefit for our seniors. During the last few weeks, the Republican plan has been criticized by my Democrat colleagues with a number of half-truths about our plan. I have received several calls from constituents and family members who are scared about the Democrats' misstatement about higher prices for their prescriptions. They are using this issue for political gain during an election year. I ask the other side of the aisle to please stop scaring my grandmother and millions of seniors who buy prescription drugs. For the past few months, I, along with several Members of Congress of this body, have been visiting with seniors about their wants and needs and a prescription drug benefit. From these conversations, the House Republicans have developed a plan in line with helping seniors receive coverage immediately. I ask the Democrats to stop scaring my grandmother and my constituents for political advantage. The House Republican plan is the only plan that lowers drug costs for seniors through best-price competition and the promotion of generic drugs. Recently, the Health and Human Services Department released a study that shows an average senior would save nearly 70 percent of the money spent on their current coverage under the GOP plan. The liberal Democrats say our plan is a meaningless benefit that protects the pharmaceutical industry, but studies done on this issue say just the opposite. The Republican plan uses a best-price competition model that will lower the dollar amount through competition, cutting into the pharmaceutical company's bottom line. I ask Members on the other side of the aisle to stop scaring the Nation's seniors. The House and Senate Democrat plans fail to use any competition measures. Instead, the Senate plan calls for a copayment on the prescriptions. Seniors would pay $10 for generic drugs, $40 for name- brand drugs, and the government would pick up the rest of the cost, regardless of the price. Without price competition, the drugmakers will be able to dictate and raise their price whenever they want. And of course the Democrats want the American taxpayer to pick up the tab on the price difference. This could potentially cost Americans more than a trillion dollars. I call on the Democrats to stop scaring my grandmother and millions of seniors in our Nation who are looking for a workable plan from Congress. This is not a political issue. It is a life issue important to seniors throughout our Nation. I urge Members to support the House Republican prescription drug plan.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. 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. 3034 now being considered.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3034) to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 89 River Street in Hoboken, New Jersey, as the ``Frank Sinatra Post Office Building.''

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3034, introduced by our distinguished colleague from New Jersey, designates the Post Office located in Hoboken, New Jersey, as the Frank Sinatra Post Office Building. Members of the entire House delegation from the State of New Jersey are cosponsors of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill that honors Frank Sinatra. It is appropriate that we name the Post Office in Hoboken, the birthplace of Frank Sinatra, after him. Born in Hoboken in 1915, Sinatra quickly became one of America's favorite entertainers. Not only is Sinatra known for his timeless classics like ``Love and Marriage,'' ``The Lady Is a Tramp,'' and ``Strangers in the Night,'' to name a few, he also has had a successful film career, appearing on the big screen over 60 times. In 1994, Sinatra was awarded the Grammy ``Legend Award'' which was a culmination of a career that saw him win nine Grammy awards. I would be remiss if I did not mention his timeless classic ``New York, New York.'' His words about New York and the York City area have taken on a new meaning in the past year as we saw our fellow Americans from the New York area fight back in the face of terrorism. It is appropriate that we honor a man who embodied that spirit in his music and we name a Post Office in Hoboken, New Jersey, after him. Even in his death, Frank Sinatra's music continues to entertain and inspire all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of H.R. 3034. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 424) commending the patriotic contributions of the roofing professionals who replaced, at no cost to the Federal Government, the section of the Pentagon's slate roof that was destroyed as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Concurrent Resolution 424.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 424, introduced by my distinguished colleagues, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), honors the hard work of the roofers who helped rebuild the Pentagon in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Mr. Speaker, September 11 is etched in our minds for all time. That terrible day brought destruction and cast a dark shadow over the entire country and world. In the midst of those acts of evil, the Pentagon was severely damaged. Over the past several months, this body has acknowledged and thanked those who have helped rebuild New York and the Pentagon in so many ways following the terrorist attacks. Today we recognize the diligent work of the roofing professionals, mostly small businesses, who have banded together to volunteer their time, labor and materials worth one-half million dollars to rebuild the section of roof destroyed in the attack on the Pentagon. The fire from the attack ruined more than one acre of slate roofing over the Pentagon in addition to the section of structure that was damaged. Today, the full 20,000 square foot area of roof over the Pentagon now has replacement slate. They completed this work before the deadline at no cost to the taxpayers. The House commends the patriotic and generous contributions these roofing professionals have made to the rebuilding of the Pentagon. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo).

Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I commend the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) for introducing this resolution and working so hard to ensure its passage. I thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the House Committee on Government Reform chairman; the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), ranking member; the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Service, Census and Agency Organization, for expediting the consideration of this resolution. Again, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution to commend the extraordinary generosity and patriotism of the professional roofers who helped rebuild the Pentagon. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.