Charles Taylor

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, if we can have an agreement that the time of the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Largent) would be 15 minutes, the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) would be 10 minutes, and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) would be 10 minutes, and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) will be 30 minutes equally divided between the two sides, if the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran) would agree to that, we could proceed and save a lot of time.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, we have reviewed the gentleman's amendment on this side, and it is a good amendment and we will accept it. We will work with the gentleman in the conference to get the report language that he desires.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I join the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) in her statement. Certainly I support the striking of this provision. It was in the full committee that this measure was added. And I know there is a strong feeling on both sides, but throughout this country we have major cities that have residency requirements. This act did not, for instance, affect established workers. It only is for the new employees, new hires. It also provided a broad exemption for hard-to-fill positions. And so the City Council has asked for something in this case that is truly a local consideration. In many of the items where money was involved, the Congress has, I repeat, the Congress has the duty to respond if it feels the money should not be spent. But clearly in residency requirements this should be an authorizing decision, and the authorizing committee did not act upon it, and the Committee on Appropriations should not.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Resolution 469.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, America is strong because of its millions of citizens who work hard and provide futures for themselves and their families. They build professions, businesses, jobs, and they build strong communities through endless hours of service. It's my privilege today to recognize one of those individuals who has been a leader in his profession, his community, and a respected and revered father and grandfather, William Boyd Owen. Born in Dellwood, North Carolina on August 16, 1918, W. Boyd Owen was the youngest of three physician brothers in a medical family which spans several generations and includes his son, William B. Owen Jr., a Haywood County, North Carolina orthopedic surgeon. Boyd attended Canton, North Carolina public schools before entering Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, North Carolina where he displayed many talents. Young Boyd played basketball, and played the saxophone and clarinet with an orchestra while in college. In 1939, he played for Wake Forest in the very first post season NCAA basketball tournament. After graduation, he entered the Wake Forest Medical School, later transferring to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School where he earned his medical degree at the age of twenty-three. Dr. Owen interned at Philadelphia General Hospital, then entered the United States Army Medical Corps in 1943. He remained in the medical corps until 1946, attaining the rank of major. He served in Hawaii, the United States and the Philippines, and after leaving active duty, he remained in the inactive reserves for six years. In 1946, he opened a general medical practice in Waynesville. In 1947 he ``covered'' the Canton practice of his older brother Dr. Charles Owen. Meanwhile his own practice grew until he built the present Owen- Smith Clinic in 1954 after being joined by Dr. A. Heyward Smith. In 1962 he was elected to the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners, serving for six years including the last year as president. Dr. Owen's career has spanned the time period when he could not get a new car because of war-time conditions and he was paid with chickens and wood, to present-day medicine which utilizes computers, lasers and high-tech surgical procedures. He is a member and founding fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice, life member of the North Carolina Medical Society and the North Carolina Academy of Family Practitioners. Dr. Owen has been a member of the Wake Forest Board of Trustees since 1954, longer than any living member. He served on the Trustee Athletic Committee as chairman and was also on the Executive Committee. In 1991, Dr. Owen was made a life trustee. For two decades he belonged to the Wake Forest President's Club, and he worked as class agent for several medical classes. Dr. Owen was president of the Bowman Gray Medical School Alumni and earned a citation for distinguished service. In 1989, he chaired the Medical Center Board which encompasses the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest and the North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Active in the First Baptist Church of Waynesville, Dr. Owen has served as deacon, trustee and chaired a variety of committees. He has been a member and former president of the Lions Club, the Waynesville Chamber of Commerce, the ``30 Club'' and is now a member of the Rotary Club. Dr. Owen recently retired after fifty-one years in active practice and resides in Waynesville. His wife of more than 50 years is the former Helen Bryan. Their four children are: Elizabeth Owen Taylor, William Boyd Owen, Jr., James Griffin Owen and Mary Owen Davis. All four children graduated from Wake Forest University as did his wife, Helen. Helen's father, D.B. Bryan, was Dean of Wake Forest College for 26 years. He is the proud grandfather of eleven grandchildren one of whom is now enrolled at Wake Forest University.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. America is strong because of its millions of citizens who work hard and provide futures for themselves and their families. They build professions, businesses, jobs, and they build strong communities through endless hours of service. It's my privilege today to recognize one of those individuals who has been a leader in his profession, his community, and a respected and revered father and grandfather, William Boyd Owen. Born in Dellwood, North Carolina on August 16, 1918, W. Boyd Owen was the youngest of three physician brothers in a medical family which spans several generations and includes his son, William B. Owen Jr., a Haywood County, North Carolina orthopedic surgeon. Boyd attended Canton, North Carolina public schools before entering Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, North Carolina where he displayed many talents. Young Boyd played basketball, and played the saxophone and clarinet with an orchestra while in college. In 1939, he played for Wake Forest in the very first post season NCAA basketball tournament. After graduation, he entered the Wake Forest Medical School, later transferring to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School where he earned his medical degree at the age of twenty-three. Dr. Owen interned at Philadelphia General Hospital, then entered the United States Army Medical Corps in 1943. He remained in the medical corps until 1946, attaining the rank of major. He served in Hawaii, the United States and the Philippines, and after leaving active duty, he remained in the inactive reserves for six years. In 1946, he opened a general medical practice in Waynesville. In 1947 he ``covered'' the Canton practice of his older brother Dr. Charles Owen. Meanwhile his own practice grew until he built the present Owen- Smith Clinic in 1954 after being joined by Dr. A. Heyward Smith. In 1962 he was elected to the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners, serving for six years including the last year as president. Dr. Owen's career has spanned the time period when he could not get a new car because of war-time conditions and he was paid with chickens and wood, to present-day medicine which utilizes computers, lasers and high-tech surgical procedures, He is a member and founding fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice, life member of the North Carolina Medical Society and the North Carolina Academy of Family Practitioners. Dr. Owen has been a member of the Wake Forest Board of Trustees since 1954, longer than any living member. He served on the Trustee Athletic Committee as chairman and was also on the Executive Committee. In 1991, Dr. Owen was made a life trustee. For two decades he belonged to the Wake Forest President's Club, and he worked as class agent for several medical classes. Dr. Owen was president of the Bowman Gray Medical School Alumni and earned a citation for distinguished service. In 1989, he chaired the Medical Center Board which encompasses the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest and the North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Active in the First Baptist Church of Waynesville, Dr. Owen has served as deacon, trustee and chaired a variety of committees. He has been a member and former president of the Lions Club, the Waynesville Chamber of Commerce, the ``30 Club'' and is now a member of the Rotary Club. Dr. Owen recently retired after fifty-one years in active practice and resides in Waynesville. His wife of more than 50 years is the former Helen Bryan. Their four children are: Elizabeth Owen Taylor, William Boyd Owen, James Griffin Owen and Mary Owen Davis. All four children graduated from Wake Forest University as did his wife, Helen. Helen's father, D.B. Bryan, was Dean of Wake Forest College for 26 years. He is the proud grandfather of eleven grandchildren one of whom is now enrolled at Wake Forest University.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, it's said that tragedy can bring us together and result in stronger bonds than existed before. The tragic deaths of Officers Chestnut and Gibson have brought a most heartfelt expression of the appreciate we all have for the heroic efforts of not just Officers Chestnut and Gibson, but all of our law enforcement officers throughout the nation. Sue Stover Gaither, a volunteer chaplain with the Asheville, North Carolina Police Department was asked to sing at the Department's Annual Awards Banquet. Sue asked her brother, Jim to write a song meaningful `just for them.' Sue made a special effort through my office to share a recording of ``Heroes in Blue,'' with the Chestnut and Gibson families; noting in her letter to the families, that while the title of the song is ``Heroes in Blue,'' it was written and is performed in appreciation of all law enforcement officers, no matter what color their uniform or department in which they serve. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share the lyrics of ``Heroes in Blue,'' by Jim Stover. Heroes in Blue To the footsoldier faithfully pounding the beat The one in the blue and one cruising the street Laying your life on the line, protecting mine There's always somebody who's breaking the rules Thugs in the alley and drugs in the schools In a war that never ends, you hold the line Chorus: To every hero dressed in blue Thank you all for everything you do Each and everyday you risk your lives And that makes you a hero in my eyes And when we fail to acknowledge the good deeds you do It may be that many are known to only a few You keep the faith, you fight the fight You teach the kids that right is right Into the dark, you bring some light Footsoldiers pounding, blue and whites cruising Good guys are winning, bad guys are losing Almighty God is on your side! Chorus: To every hero dressed in blue Thank you all for everything you do Each and everyday you risk your lives And that makes you a hero . . . Each and everyday you risk your lives And that makes you a hero And that makes you a hero And that makes you a hero in my eyes!

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I was shocked and deeply saddened by the news last weekend of a federal law enforcement official's murder in my district. Ranger Joseph David Kolodski, 36, of the U.S. Park Service was killed in cold blood while serving our nation and keeping Western North Carolina communities safe. Unfortunately, legislative business will keep me from attending Thursday's memorial services, so I am sending members of my staff to convey our sympathies and promise that this senseless act will not go unpunished. A six-year veteran of the Park Service, Ranger Kolodski epitomized the dedication and sacrifice that protect and maintain our nation's natural resources. He was a devoted father and family man. Joe was also a dedicated member of his community. He served in his community church, First Baptist Church in Bryson City, North Carolina. He also volunteered with the Cherokee Emergency Medical Services. I plan to inquire of National Park Service officials what equipment upgrades or resources could prevent another tragedy from occurring. We need to guarantee that our National Parks and Forests remain safe for visitors and personnel. In the 82 years of the National Park Service, Ranger Kolodski is the third to fall in the line of duty. We need also to be sure the men and women who keep them safe have the tools they need to protect themselves! Finally, my thoughts and prayers are with Florie--Ranger Kolodski's wife of 17 years who is also a Park Ranger--and Rachel, Joseph and Sarah--Joseph's children. For them, Ranger Kolodski was a devoted husband and father. At this time of grief, I urge Members to join with me in conveying our sympathies to this young family and work with me to see that our Park Rangers have the tools they need to be safe.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, every day in America police officers keep the peace in our communities. They stand as guardians of that line that too many thugs and hoodlums dare to cross. Tragically, in the line of that duty, some of these brave protectors are killed. Today we have passed legislation to provide assistance to the men and women out there on the job in our neighborhoods. We passed a measure to make it easier for communities to give their police the protection of bulletproof vests. We also expressed our deepest gratitude to those who have died and our greatest affection for the loving families left behind. As a grateful nation, we should all take a moment to remember the heroes in blue that have given their lives so that we may enjoy a little more security in ours. This week, as we observe the annual memorial for police officers that died on duty, there will be a number of services here in our nation's capital. Tomorrow evening, I am honored to lend my voice at a candlelight vigil where the names of those fallen heroes will be read. In addition to reading their names tomorrow, I want to take this opportunity to add North Carolina's fallen peace officers to the Congressional Record so that we may always remember their sacrifice. North Carolina is a better place for the efforts they made. Their names and the year they lost their lives are as follows: James H. Becton, February 22, 1908; Samuel J. Brothers, May 6, 1939; Thomas William Buck, April 3, 1963; Daniel C. Chason, March 2, 1907; Mark A. Conner, October 24, 1910; Charles Woodson Easley, August 20, 1940; Willis Jackson Genes, March 16, 1939; William Earl Godwin, May 22, 1997; Paul Andrew Hale, July 11, 1997; Willard Wayne Hathaway, July 18, 1997; David Walter Hathcock, September 23, 1997; Melvin Duncan Livingston, November 14, 1892; Owen Lockamy, March 2, 1907; Lloyd E. Lowry, September 23, 1997; James Woodard McLaurin, March 3, 1951; Wat G. Snuggs, January 22, 1917; and Mark Allen Swaney, December 25, 1997.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, due to transportation difficulties beyond my control, I was not present for the votes on H. Con. Res. 218, S. Con. Res. 37, and H.J. Res. 102. Had I been present, I would have voted aye on H. Con. Res. 218 concerning the need to establish a cease fire in Afghanistan and begin the transition toward a broad based multi-ethnic government that observes international norms of behavior. I would have also voted aye on S. Con. Res. 37 expressing the sense of the Congress that Little League Baseball Incorporated was established to support and develop little league baseball worldwide and that its international character and activities should be recognized. Finally, I would have voted aye on H.J. Res. 102 expressing the sense of the Congress on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the modern state of Isreal.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on roll call vote 83, H.R. 2608, to protect individuals from having money involuntarily collected and used for political activities by a corporation or labor organization, I was recorded as voting ``no.'' It was my intention to vote ``yes,'' to require the written and voluntary consent from an employee or union member before using any portion of their dues or fees for the organization's political activity.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I commend to your attention this article written by Will Haynie for the Asheville Citizen-Times--a newspaper in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District. It provides a persuasive argument against the American Heritage Rivers Initiative as proposed by President Clinton. [From the Asheville Citizens-Times, March 22, 1998] Old Man River Doesn't Need the Feds (By Will Haynie) The song says that Old Man River, he just keeps rolling along. In today's political environment permeated by hype and hysteria, some say that may be easy for an old man, but a French Broad needs federal help. After the American Heritage Rivers Initiative was announced, the result was a knee-jerk reaction to jump on the federal bandwagon to do something nice for rivers. Not for all of America's rivers, but just for the ten whose communities jump through the federal hoops required for a chance to be personally picked by the president. And with this president, how could ours lose with a name like French- Broad? The American Heritage Rivers initiative was announced by President Clinton in his State of the Union Address in February 1997. This is an executive branch program, the details of which I viewed at the web site maintained by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (the address is http://www.epa.gov/rivers). The efforts to nominate the French Broad for American Heritage River status sparked a healthy local debate over the role of the federal government and its control over our lives and property. This debate combines the best lessons from history and social studies along with some environmental science topics thrown into the mix. With such a precious natural resource as the focal point, it's tempting for even the most conservative of us to respond by supporting what looks at face value to be a good intention. But one thing I learned spending a lot of my youth around water is to look before you leap. Sometimes smooth surfaces hide harmful obstacles. One obstacle in this initiative is that it comes straight from the executive branch of the federal government and involves the allocation of the funds and assets. When our constitution was framed, the representative branch was given such powers. One of the initiative's stated goals is to ``protect the health of our communities by delivering federal resources more effectively and efficiently.'' Two of the most famous lies in the world are ``the check's in the mail'' and ``we're from the federal government and we're here to help you.'' Add another one to that list: ``we will deliver federal resources more effectively and efficiently.'' Sure, like the speed of the Post Office, the thriftiness of the Pentagon, and the courtesy of the IRS. Is this to say that paying our federal taxes and acting in a law-abiding manner are not enough reasons to get effective, efficient service from federal agencies? Do we now have to petition the feds and hope for special designations just to get what we are owed? The third stated requirement for communities whose rivers receive the designation is ``the willingness . . . to enter into new, or to continue and expand existing partnership agreements.'' The EPA also states ``designated rivers and their communities will also receive a commitment from federal agencies to act as `Good Neighbors' in making decisions that affect communities.'' That statement raises another question: where does that leave communities who either don't seek or seek but don't achieve American Heritage status? They better not count on the feds to be their good neighbors. They didn't buy an indulgence. Proponents of The American Heritage Rivers Initiative swear it is not a federal land and power grab. Yet the initiative lists ten contact agencies involved with the program, and the only state agency listed is the North Carolina Historical Preservation Office. The biggest mystery in this initiative is the statement that federal agencies will support local communities ``within existing laws and regulations.'' Really? Then, why must we approach the federal government by pleading and petitioning and promising to play by their rules so we can get protection for our river? Nobody wants the French Broad River to be an open sewer. But running to the executive branch so all the king's horses and all the king's men can put it back together again is not the only solution, and it certainly isn't the best solution. Our congressman is called a representative because that's what he does for us in Washington. Rep. Charles Taylor has presented a viable plan for the French Broad that will use existing channels to make all applicable agencies do their jobs for us without having to be petitioned to do so. The river is not yet in perfect condition, but it's a lot cleaner than it was fifty or even twenty-five years ago. We're making too much progress to call in the feds, even if they are ``here to help us.''

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. It would give me great pleasure to be able to stand before the American people today and cheer the second anniversary of the signing of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Unfortunately, there is nothing to cheer about. The sound that American consumers hear is the sound of a busy signal. In the two years since the Telecommunications Act was signed into law, the American people have been promised a new era of competition and lower phone rates. Well ladies and gentlemen, the American people are still on hold. Instead of receiving lower phone rates, they have received thousands of pages of new regulations and they have witnessed jurisdictional squabbles and federal court appeals. They have gotten the stingy judgment of regulators and bureaucrats instead of the prosperous judgment of the marketplace. This is not what Congress intended when we passed this legislation. Mr. Speaker, on this important anniversary, I call on the Federal Communications Commission to loosen the shackles on telecommunications competition. It is time for the Federal Communications Commission to trade in its approach of confrontation and punishment, for one that celebrates cooperation and competition. Let us unleash the markets and allow hard-working, tax-paying American people to receive the benefits of the new era of competition they were promised by Congress and the President. Come on FCC, drop a dime and reach out and touch the American people.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize the life of an outstanding individual who spent most of her 83 years in my district. Mrs. Eula Briggs was born in Greenville County, SC, but moved to Madison County, NC, when she was 14 years old. At the age of 18 she married Clarence W. Briggs and reared three sons, all of whom she was very proud. Lee Roy, the oldest, taught school for a while before going to work for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. Bruce earned his law degree, served as a State senator and also as a superior court judge. Her youngest son, Bill, worked several years, for the State of North Carolina and is currently the Madison County clerk of court. As a member of the Madison County Republican Women's Club, Mrs. Briggs was presented the Woman of the Year Award by the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women in 1987. She was the last charter member of Calvary Baptist Church in Mars Hill where she was active in the Women's Missionary Union and taught the nursery Sunday school class for many years. She was affectionately called Granny Briggs by all in the church. Mrs. Briggs passed from this life on September 23, 1997. During her life she was a homemaker and devoted to her family, church, and community. She worked diligently to see that all of her sons received a college education, and she was adored by her five grandchildren, Ashley, Grayson, Kelli, William, and Lydia. She was indeed a virtuous woman as described by King Solomon in Proverbs 31, ``* * * Her children arise up, and call her blessed * * * a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised * * *.''

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Gingrich], the Speaker of the House.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, despite all the loud rhetoric we have heard today, this chairman holds the people of DC in respect. That is why I have so suffered the editorials and the charges in the press, and I sometimes wonder whether the editorial writers are talking to their reporters, because the press each morning runs an article showing problems in the city and at the same time on their editorial page they criticize this body for trying to fix those problems.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Armey], the majority leader.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Lipinski].

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. Watts].

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2-\3/4\ minutes to the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Talent].

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes and 15 seconds to the gentleman from California [Mr. Riggs].

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington [Ms. Dunn].

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Granger].