Peter Visclosky

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of House Resolution 298, the Maintain United States Trade Law Resolution. There have been a number of pieces of legislation introduced this Congress aimed at strengthening our trade laws. While some of these bills have been very technical in nature, we have before us today a resolution that is so simple and straightforward that there can be no hidden agenda. It sends forth one basic, yet vital, message from the Congress to the Administration, and that message is this--do not allow the current antidumping and countervailing duty laws to be weakened. Just over a month from now, the WTO will convene at the Seattle Ministerial to launch a new round of trade talks. An agenda has been set for these negotiations that does not include the antidumping and countervailing duty rules, yet there are a number of countries seeking to expand the agenda in order to debate them. The existing rules were concluded only with great difficulty during the Uruguay Round, and have hardly been tested. In no way have the existing rules been proven to be defective. Therefore, it would be clearly a rash decision to reopen them at this point in time. Fortunately the Administration seems to have recognized the importance of maintaining these trade laws and has stated on a number of occasions that they will not allow them to be reopened at this next round of talks. Apparently, some Members in this House feel this is enough assurance, but I speak today on behalf of the almost 200 cosponsors of this resolution who know the Congress must vocalize their support for the Administration's stated approach. We must show our trading partners that we wholeheartedly support and endorse our negotiators and their position at the Seattle Ministerial. On a number of occasions, I have heard people state their concern that there is a growing protectionist tide in the U.S. and around the world. There are even those out there who believe this resolution will help fuel this tide, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Free trade must be synonymous with fair trade, and our antidumping and countervailing duty laws target only illegal imports, not those that are fairly traded. If you really want to see a growing protectionist tide in this country, go down the road of weakening our fair trade laws and just watch what happens. Weakening these laws will lead to a flood of illegal imports like we have never seen, and the result will be scores of American companies out of business and innumerable American workers without jobs. We will then see an unprecedented discontent with foreign manufacturers and, in no time, a movement toward closing our doors to foreign imports, fair and unfair alike. If you're looking for a recipe for protectionism, weakening our existing trade laws is the quick and easy way to get there. Nothing good can come out of reopening the antidumping and countervailing duty rules, yet there is a very real possibility that it could happen. There is a Constitutional responsibility for Congress to join with the Administration in a unified approach and let it be known that we will not sit idly by and watch our fair trade laws be bargained away. Supporting this resolution is a way for us to say that we believe American farmers and manufacturers deserve to be on an equal footing with their counterparts around the world. I mentioned earlier that these trade laws are the backbone of America's open-market policy. Well, it is now time for this Congress and the Administration to show that they have a backbone when it comes to negotiating the future for all Americans. I urge my colleagues to stand with me today in support of the Maintain United States Trade Law Resolution.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Reverend Benedict J. Benakovic on the 50th Anniversary of ordination into the priesthood. On Sunday, October 17, 1999, the parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker Croatian Catholic Church in Gary, Indiana, will honor its jubilarian priest. Father Benedict's 50th Anniversary festivities will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a Mass of Thanksgiving at the church, followed by a reception in the church hall. Father Benedict was born on January 18, 1923 in Slavonski Brod, Croatia. He entered the minor seminary of the St. Jerome Province of the Croatian Conventual Franciscans on September 6, 1935, and pronounced his solemn vows on December 26, 1945. He completed studies in philosophy and theology at the Archdiocesan Seminary in Zagreb, Croatia, and was ordained a priest on June 29, 1949 in the cathedral in Zagreb. Father Benedict offered his first Mass on Sunday, July 3, 1949 in Zupanja, his family's hometown. After one year of military service, Father Benedict was appointed assistant pastor at St. Anthony Church in Zagreb. In 1962, he was sent to the United States to minister to the faithful in a Croatian parish. On February 13 of the same year, he came to Gary, Indiana, where he has lived ever since. The very Reverend Andrew G. Grutka, Bishop of Gary, appointed Father Benedict assistant pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Croatian Church in Gary, Indiana. In 1972, Father Benedict was appointed Pastor, and has remained in that position for the past 27 years. Father Benedict has never believed that his work as a priest was limited to Sunday mornings. Even though he is extremely dedicated to the people of his parish, Father Benedict has never restricted his humanitarian activities to only his parishioners. Instead, he aids as many people as he can, no matter what the circumstances are. In fact, in October of 1994, Father Benedict was awarded the Columbian Award by the St. Thomas Council, a Catholic fraternal organization based in Hobart, Indiana for his outstanding service and commitment to the community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating Reverend Benedict on his 50th Anniversary of ordination into the priesthood. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend him for his service and dedication to our country, and especially the citizens of Indiana's First Congressional District.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend two of Northwest Indiana's most distinguished citizens, Rabbi Stanley Halpern and Rabbi Michael Stevens. On Sunday, October 17, 1999, Rabbis Halpern and Stevens will be honored for their exemplary and dedicated service to Northwest Indiana and to the State of Israel. Their praiseworthy efforts will be recognized at the Northwest Indiana-Israel Dinner of State, as they receive the Shema Yisrael Award. The Shema Yisrael Award is given to worthy recipients who demonstrate their dedication and outstanding service of Israel and their community. Rabbi Stanley Halpern, a resident of Portage, Indiana, came to Temple Israel in Gary, Indiana, in 1988 from Central California where he served as the Executive Director of the Bureau of Jewish Education in Sacramento. Rabbi Halpern is very involved in several organizations, including: the Jewish Deaf Congress, the Gary Interfaith Clergy Council, and the Interfaith Alliance of Northwest Indiana. He also serves as chaplain of the Gary Police Department. Additionally, he serves on the board at the Northwest Indiana Open Housing Center, the Bio-Ethics Committee of Munster Community Hospital, the Liheyot panel of the UAHC Committee on Family Concerns, and the CJF Special Committee on Accessibility. Though Rabbi Halpern is dedicated to his career and his community, he has never limited his time and love for his 16-year-old daughter, Sasha. Rabbi Michael Stevens, a native of Brooklyn, New York, received both a bachelor's and master's degree in music, as well as a master's degree in Hebrew literature. In 1976, Rabbi Stevens was ordained as a Rabbi at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. Before coming to Northwest Indiana in 1987 to serve the Temple Beth-El in Munster, Rabbi Stevens served as Rabbi of Beth Israel Temple Center in Warren, Ohio, and of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Montreal, Quebec. He also served as Interim Rabbi of Congregation Keneseth Israel in Allentown, Pennsylvania. While Rabbi Stevens has dedicated considerable time and energy to his work, he always made an extra effort to give to the community. He has served on the Lake County AIDS Pastoral Care Network, reviewed concerts of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, composed music for the Temple Beth-El choir, and has played the role of the Rabbi in a production of ``Fiddler on the Roof.'' He has served for many years on the faculty of the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute camp in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and currently teaches in the Department of English and Philosophy at Purdue University Calumet. Rabbi and Judy Stevens are the proud parents of four wonderful children, David, Joshua, Andrea, and Aaron. The special guest at this gala event will be Mr. Uriel Lynn. Mr. Lynn is a distinguished lawyer and businessman and a former highly regarded member of Israel's Knesset. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Rabbis Stanley Halpern and Michael Stevens for receiving the Shema Yisrael Award. Their dedicated service to both the State of Israel and our Northwest Indiana community is commendable and admirable.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I want to rise in support of the legislation and commend the authors of it for taking a positive approach in enhancing our ability to export goods and jobs overseas. I am also here to lend my strong support to an amendment that will be offered a bit later in the debate by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) to, I think, improve the legislation before us. Unfortunately, U.S. companies simply cannot compete in foreign markets if they are denied market access and forced to brave horrible conditions. There are a number of examples that we are all familiar with. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) earlier this year and I introduced legislation to try to improve these circumstances. An element of that bill is going to be offered as an amendment to ensure that we have the necessary information to open markets for companies and workers in the United States. Priority will be given, as far as those investigations and studies to countries which have a trade deficit with the U.S., priority will be given to markets which will result in significant employment benefits for U.S. producers. Priority will be given to critical technology sectors. Too often, I think, we do focus on ensuring that people play fairly in the U.S. market. It is time we ensure they play fairly in their own home markets so we can enhance and increase our exports in job opportunities. I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) in his initiative and join strongly in supporting his amendment as well as this legislation.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Norwood-Dingell bipartisan consensus bill. Ann is a 60-year-old diabetic from Lake Station, IN who had always taken care of her condition. She refused to drink or smoke, and carefully monitored her insulin and sugar levels. However, the disease continued to progress and her doctor scheduled regular kidney tests to make sure that her kidney function did not deteriorate to emergency levels. Then Ann switched to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), lured by promises of lower costs and prescription coverage. Her first primary care doctor continued the same regimen, keeping a close eye on her kidneys and monitoring her heart function and sugar levels as well. This doctor was dropped from the HMO. The new doctors she was allowed to see did not think regular testing was necessary. In fact, when Ann came down with an infected foot, a common symptom in diabetics whose condition is worsening, the approved doctors she visited were unmoved. Finally, a member of Ann's family realized she was in potential danger and took her to the emergency room. There she was found to be in congestive heart failure. She was also anemic and her kidney function had dropped to a dangerous level. The painful process of kidney dialysis became necessary. Several days later, Ann received a call from her HMO. Although her daughter had taken her to an approved hospital, neither the emergency room physician nor the two specialists she saw were on the approved list. Ann was forced to pay out of pocket for this emergency care. Sadly, Ann's case is not unique. Certainly, many HMOs provide excellent medical care at a reasonable cost. However, there are far too many which routinely abuse their members, refuse to pay for necessary treatments, and, in many cases, prevent doctors from conducting treatments that they consider too costly. Ann's story and others' from Northwest Indiana demonstrate just how desperately we need to reform the managed care industry. I believe doctors and patients should make decisions about health care, not insurance company bureaucrats. That is why I support the Norwood- Dingell Bipartisan Consensus Bill. Certainly not all HMOs abuse their patients, but there are far too many horror stories from real patients to think all HMOs act in a responsible and reasonable manner. The Norwood-Dingell bill will set a standard in which emergency room coverage is guaranteed as long as the prudent layperson considers the situation an emergency. Along with guaranteed emergency room care the Norwood-Dingell bill outlines common sense patient protections that provide access to specialty care, continuity of care, opportunities for patient grievances and appeals, and accountability for decisions made by HMOs regarding patient care. This bill has the support of approximately 300 organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Public Health Association. I am glad to see that the leadership of the House has finally addressed this important issue. I have been fighting to see that real HMO reforms be addressed in the House for the past three years. I am glad to see that we finally will be allowed a straight up or down vote on real HMO reform.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the name of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Sawyer) be removed as a cosponsor of H. Res. 298.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce today, the selection of three teens from Northwest Indiana to participate in the Voices Against Violence Teen Conference in Washington, D.C. Megan Smith, a senior at Chesterton high school was selected along with Darlene Turner and Dawn Yerger, both seniors at Emerson School of the Performing Arts in Gary. These three teens will join over 400 youths from across the country as they work with lawmakers to develop youth violence prevention strategies. The interest that has surrounded this conference is proof enough to me that our teenagers believe that preventing youth violence is a top priority, and want to be empowered in creating solutions to this emerging national crisis. These three students represent the very best in our young people and I eagerly look forward to working with them during their trip to Washignton. I have the utmost confidence that these three students will represent Northwest Indiana and the First Congressional District with dignity and leadership. Megan Smith is a senior at Chesterton High School in Chesterton. Megan ranks first in her class of 439 students. She has excelled in varsity basketball and soccer at Chesterton. Megan is also active in her church, student government, SADD, and Chesterton's academic superbowl team. Darlene Turner is a senior at the Emerson School of the Performing Arts in Gary where she ranks in the top quarter of her class. Darlene is active in a number of extracurricular activities at school, including the academic superbowl and spellbowl teams, Christians in Action, and the National Honor Society. She is also involved in her community as a church youth leader and a member of the Gary Civic Youth Orcestra. Dawn Yerger is also a senior at Emerson School of the Performing Arts in Gary. Dawn ranks in the top quarter of her class and is active in extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Science Club, and Christians in Action. She is also involved in The Jesus Club, the International Thespian Society, and the Delta Teen Lift Organization. Congratulations to these three exceptional young ladies and I look forward to their trip to our Nation's Capital.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, relative to the legislation, I would like to point out that important changes have happened since our House approved this legislation on July 27. Additional funding was added to the original House bill, a total of $1.2 billion. As a result, important water- related infrastructure projects not funded in the Senate's version of the bill were retained in the final conference agreement. I am pleased that we were able to assist so many Members with important water- related projects in their individual congressional district. On the matter of national policy, I would point out that two legislative provisions in Title I of the bill were modified by the conference committee late last week during intense negotiations. Specifically, legislative language had been included in the conference report creating in statutory language a new administrative appeal system in the Corps of Engineers related to jurisdictional determinations for wetlands. Again, as I indicated in my earlier remarks, there are a number of other very worthwhile provisions in this legislation, and I would encourage my colleagues to support the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen). (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Packard), all of the Members on both sides of the aisle of the subcommittee, for their diligent work. I would also want to thank all of the members of the staff. I would suggest to the membership this is a good bill and I would encourage them to vote for it. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards).

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. VISCLOSKY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for the conference report accompanying H.R. 2605, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2000. This legislation contains $21,279,000,000 ($21 billion $279 million $969 thousand dollars) in new federal funding for programs of the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Power Marketing Administrations, NRC, FERC, and the Appalachian Regional Commission. This funding level is $210 million over the Fiscal Year 1999 Energy and Water Development conference report funding level of $21,069,000,000 billion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fiscal year 1999 The bill includes: Fiscal year 2000 (In millions) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Title I (Corps)................... $4,142,250,000 $4,097,233,000 [+$45] Title II (BOR).................... $808,722,000 $824,596,000 [- $15] Title III (DOE)................... $16,670,246,000 $16,423,000,000 [+$247] Title IV (Ind Agncs).............. $129,000,000 $175,700,000 [- $47] Rescissions....................... $20,749,000 $0.0 [-$20] (Scorekeeping adjustments ................. ................. $450,000,000).................... Grand total:.................. $21,279,000,000 $21,069,000,000 [+$210] ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, today, I, along with over 100 of my colleagues, introduced the Maintain United States Trade (MUST) Law Resolution. This resolution will send a clear message to our trading partners that the President and the Congress will maintain our antidumping and countervailing duty laws. This measure will put the House on record as opposing the renegotiation of these critical trade laws at the upcoming Seattle round of the World Trade Organization. These laws are the cornerstone of a free and fair open market policy, and represent one of the few means of redress for American producers and workers. According to the U.S. International Trade Association, as of March 1, 1999, over 290 products from 59 different countries were under antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Following my statement are a list of over 120 of these products. Throughout the steel crisis, antidumping and countervailing duty laws have represented one of the few means of relief for American steel workers. These laws are far reaching and affect countless products throughout the United States. It is imperative that the administration uphold these important trade laws at the WTO Seattle Round. The World Trade Organization's Ministerial Conference, to be held in Seattle from November 30 to December 3, 1999, will launch a new round of trade negotiations. These talks will focus on reshaping WTO rules regarding agriculture, services, and intellectual property. However, many foreign countries are seeking to expand the agenda in order to debate the WTO's antidumping and countervailing duty laws. The MUST Law Resolution will allow the Administration to attend the Seattle negotiations with a unified statement from the Congress declaring that the United States must not agree to reopen negotiations on any antidumping and countervailing duty laws. The MUST Law Resolution will call upon the President to not participate in any international negotiation in which antidumping and antisubsidy rules are part of the negotiation agenda, refrain from submitting for congressional approval agreements that require changes to the current antidumping and countervailing duty laws and enforcement policies of the United States, and enforce the antidumping and countervailing duty laws vigorously in all pending and future cases. We, as elected members of Congress, have the obligation to protect American producers and workers from unfair foreign trade practices. Consequently, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor and support this resolution to protect free and fair trade. agricultural products Canned Pineapple Fruit, In Shell Pistachios, Fresh Kiwifruit, Fresh, Chilled and Frozen Pork, Fresh Cut Flowers, Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice, Red Raspberries, Preserved Mushrooms, Live Swine, Lamb Meat, Sugar, Pasta, Codfish, Honey, Garlic, Rice, Wool, Agricultural Tillage Tools, Freshwater Crawfish Tailmeat, Fresh and Chilled Atlantic Salmon, Fresh Atlantic Groundfish. industrial products Dry-cleaning Machinery, Carbon Steel Wire Rod, Barbed Wire and Barbless Wire Strand, Line and Pressure Pipe, Oil Country Tubular Goods, Iron Construction Castings, Malleable Cast Iron Pipe Fittings, Brass Sheet and Strip, Industrial Nitrocellulose, Stainless Wire Rod, New Steel Rails, Tapered Roller Bearings, Heavy Forged Hand Tools, Chrome-plated Lug Nuts, Tungsten Ore Concentrates, Compact Ductile Iron Waterworks Fittings, Helical Spring Lock Washers, Brake Rotors, Nitrile Rubber, Mechanical Transfer Presses, Drafting Machines and Parts Thereof, Gray Portland Cement and Cement Clinker, Gas Turbon Compressors, Extruded Rubber Thread, Low Fuming Brazing Copper Wire & Rod, Industrial Nitrocellulose, Industrial Phosphoric Acid, Professional Electric Cutting/ sanding/grinding Tools, Collated Roofing Nails, Antifriction Bearings, Calcium Aluminate Cement & Cement Clinker, Large Newspaper Presses & Components, Industrial Belts, Industrial Phosphoric Acid, Pressure Sensitive Plastic Tape, Brass Fire Protection Products, Internal Combustion Industrial Forklift Trucks. Manufacturing Materials Silicon Metal, Ferrosilicon, Silocomanganese, Elemental Sulphur, Pure and Alloy Magnesium, Potassium Permanganate, Chloropicrin, Barium Chloride, Manganese Metal, Sodium Thiosulfate, Sulfanilic Acid, Sebacic Acid, Furfuryl Alcohol, Glycine, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Anhydrous Sodium Metasilicate, Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin, Roller Chain Other than Bicycle, Methione, Synthetic, Melamine in Crystal Form, Calcium Hypochlorite, Benzyle P- hydrosybenzoate, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Film, Aramid Fiber of PPD-T, Uranium, Titanium Sponge, Ferrovanadium and Nitrided Vanadium, Solid Urea, Animal Glue, Inedible Gelatin, Electrolyte Manganese Dioxide, Persulfates.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate some of the most dedicated and skilled workers in Northwest Indiana. On September 18, 1999, in a salute to their workers' durability and longevity, the Hammond Carpenters Union Local 599 will recognize their members with 25 years or more of dedicated service. They will be recognized at a pin ceremony during their 100 year anniversary celebration banquet to be held this Saturday at the Operating Engineers Local 150 Hall in Merrillville, Indiana. These individuals, in addition to the other Local 599 members who have served Northwest Indiana so diligently for such a long period of time, are a testament to the proto-typical American worker: loyal, dedicated, and hardworking. The Carpenters Local 599, which received its charter in 1899, will honor members for their years of devoted service. The members who will be honored for 60 years of service include: Frank E. Caise and Frank Rueth. The members who will be honored for 50 years of service include: Willard Rains and Wayne Verble. The members who will be honored for 45 years of service include: Ronald Carlson and Leo Ceroni. The members who will be honored for 40 years of service include: Ezequile J. Lopez and Walter Wisinski. The members who will be honored for 35 years of service include: Donald Archer, Robert L. Farkas, Paul Hornak, Joseph W. Komoroski, Robert Lowry, Harold G. McMillion, Bernard Ritchey, Edward T. Scheeringa, Darrell E. Sills, and John Verbeek. The members who will be honored for 30 years of service include: G.A. Argentine, Charles A. Gibbs, Raymond J. Maida, Rudy Medellin, and William R. Underwood. The members who will be honored for 25 years of service include: Daniel R. Brown, Timothy P. Foley, and John S. Perz. As Orville Dewey said, ``Labor is man's greatest function. He is nothing, he can be nothing, he can achieve nothing, he can fulfill nothing, without working.'' The men and women of Local 599, in addition to all of the local unions in Northwest Indiana, form the backbone of our economy and community. Without their blood, sweat, and tears, Indiana's First Congressional District would not be the place I love, nor would it be my proud home. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating these dedicated, honorable, and outstanding members of the Hammond Carpenters Union Local 599, in addition to all the hard- working union men and women in America. The men and women of Local 599 are a fine representation of America's union men and women; I am proud to represent such dedicated individuals in Congress. Their hard labor and dauntless courage are the achievement and fulfillment of the American dream.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, It is a great pleasure to congratulate Central Baptist Church in Hobart, Indiana, as it celebrates its 90th anniversary as a parish this Sunday, September 19, 1999. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Reverend Webb, senior pastor, on this glorious occasion. A church of humble beginnings, Central Baptist Church was established as First Baptist Church in 1909, and celebrated its first service on January 20, 1909, in the home of Mrs. Harriet Cathcart. The parish's first pastor, Reverend George Griffin, having caught a vision while visiting Mrs. Cathcart, helped in the organization of the church. During his six months of service with the church, Reverend Griffin was influential in the purchase of three lots for $950, which provided a suitable site for the church. After Pastor Griffin left in June 1909, the Indiana State Board (Northern Baptist) sent Reverend J.E. Smith to serve the congregation. The Women's Missionary Board of Indiana lent the church $5,000 to start constructing a building for the new church. Many parishioners contributed time, talent, money, and raw materials to help construct the First Baptist Church. With the help of the parishioners, the first service was held in the new auditorium, which was a basement with dirt floors on December 9, 1909. The furnace was a coke salamander with no stack which regularly filled the room with smoke. In addition to this, the roof leaked when it rained and when the Aetna Powder Company blew up, there were no windows left. Conditions were bleak, but the ministry had survived its first year. Pastor Smith left in June of 1910. Several months passed without a pastor. The church, then made up of 50 members, decided to discontinue services until the Mission Board could send them a new shepherd. On January 1, 1912, Reverend Wilson was sent to help revitalize the church. With the help of Reverend Wilson the attendance rose from 13 to 128 during the first year of his ministry. Because of the large number of Baptist families arriving to the area, a new building was started in August of 1912 and dedicated in September 23, 1913. By 1920, the membership had grown to 350 parishioners under the direction of Pastor O.B. Sarber. The church was without a pastor for exactly one year when Pastor William Ayer came to Central Baptist Church in 1927. During Pastor Ayer's tenure with the church, he started a radio ministry and ``The Little Brown Church'' was mounted on a Ford and used for street meetings throughout Gary. In 1932, Pastor Ayer left a thriving church with more than 700 members. Over the years, the church moved from Gary to Portage township due to a shift in population and was led by a variety of pastors. In spite of its many changes, the loyal parishioners continued to grow and prosper. The present facility, including the Sanctuary, was erected in stages. The first stage which included the gym, kitchen, and several classrooms was completed in May 1974 and phase two was completed in October of the same year. Ground was broken in April 1987 and the Hines Sanctuary was dedicated on January 9, 1983. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating the parish family of Central Baptist Church, under the guidance of Reverend David Webb, as they prepare to celebrate their 90th anniversary. All past and present parishioners and pastors should be proud of the numerous contributions they have made out of the love and devotion they have displayed for their church throughout the past 90 years.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to congratulate some of the most dedicated and skilled workers in northwest Indiana. On September 17, 1999, in a salute to their workers' durability and longevity, the Sheet Metal Workers Local #20, of Gary, Indiana, will honor their members with sixty, fifty, forty, and twenty-five years of continuous service. These individuals, in addition to the other Local #20 members who have served northwest Indiana so diligently for such a long time, are a testament to the prototypical American worker: loyal, dedicated, and hard-working. The men and women of Local #20 are a fine representation of America's working families. I am proud to represent such dedicated men and women in Congress. The Sheet Medal Workers Constitution states, ``* * * to establish and maintain desirable working conditions and thus provide for themselves and their families that measure of comfort, happiness, and security to which every citizen is entitled in return for his labor, from a deep sense of pride in our trade, to give a fair day's work for a fair day's pay.'' For sixty years, Edward Shirnko and Denator Migliorini have followed this creed. For fifty years, the following individuals have followed this creed: Mike Busika, James Cameron, Earl Chance, Melvin Crook, Marvin Forsythe, Vernon W. Hoehn, Eugene Hornrich, James Kocman, Eugene Koontz, Richard McClelland, Marcus Meyer, Charles D. Meyers, James Moscato, Raymond Mueller, Joseph E. Mullholland, William D. Nielsen, Chester Nowak, Ray Ritthaler, William Singel, Joseph Zeman, and Thomas M. Zimmer. In 1959, Jack Bacon, J.B. Bugg, Melvin Earnhart, Willima K. Hart, Vernon W. Hoehn, Louis Holzli, James R. Hood, Dellis Ivers, Leroy Johnson, Homer Keller, Robert Kish, Gordon LaBounty, Frank Macewicz, Jr., Clyde Martin, Gilbert Mecchia, Terry Messenich, Donald O'Dell, Homer Rachford, Lorne Rearick, John Sisco, and Daniel Wracker began their forty years of service to northwest Indiana and membership in the Sheet Metal Workers trade union. In addition to the great service and dedication displayed by the sixty, fifty, and forty-year continued service members, the members with twenty-five years of continued service that will be honored include: Daniel Bajda, Frank Beigelbeck, Lloyd Bielski, Timothy Bolster, Joseph L. Byres, Dan Gross, James Hirschfelder, Ted Jones, Vincent Macielewicz, James Odle, Peter Nielson, Larry P. Long, Tom Lopez, Donald McAuliffe, James Moskalick, John Moskalick, Leo Plawecki, Glen Shanks, Benito Torres, David Towasnicki, Thomas D. Zimmer, Melvin Lolkema, and William J. Singel. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in congratulating these dedicated, upstanding members of the Sheet Metal Workers Local #20 for their hard work in fulfilling the American dream. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to these individuals, as they have worked arduously to make this dream possible for others. They have proven themselves to be distinguished advocates for the labor movement, and they have made northwest I a better place in which to live and work.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct conferees.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I bring this motion to instruct conferees to the House floor today and would argue four points on its behalf. First of all, I again would want to compliment the gentleman from California (Mr. Packard) and the staff on both sides and members of the subcommittee because I think we in the House have put together a very good work product. I would hope that we collectively in the House could protect our prerogatives during the conference. I would, first of all, point out as far as water projects that are important as far as the economic viability and future of this country, as well as to individual Members and their constituencies, our figure is $454 million over the Senate figure. Because of the misallocation between the two bodies, there is a $1.2 billion difference between the House and Senate versions. And, essentially, if we factor that $400 million in, the differential as far as protecting Members' interest is about 1.6. So I think it is very important that we make the point today to the other body that we want to hold firm to protect the economic infrastructure of this country and Members' prerogatives. Secondly, since this House passed the bill to the other body, the Water Resources and Development Act has been signed into law and that has placed even more demand as far as the limited resources we have. The third point I would make is that, even with the higher water figure in the House, we are $320 million under what the Corps' capability is if we would fund all of the Corps' capability and projects on the boards. Those include such important economic improvement such as harbor dredging, commercial and navigation as far as our economic infrastructure, including flood control to prevent the loss of life and property damage. It includes environmental restoration. And we have some major projects in the proposal of the beach nourishment. We recently had tropical storms and hurricanes devastate portions of the United States. Finally, the important issue of water supply. I would close this portion of my remarks by simply saying again, given the misallocation and higher allocation with the other body, given their preponderance to oversubscribe for Department of Energy programs, I would want to protect the prerogatives of this institution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend one of Northwest Indiana's most distinguished citizens, Ramon Sanchez, of Merrillville, Indiana. Mr. Sanchez will be honored by the Lake County Council for his exemplary and dedicated service to our community on September 14, 1999. Born in Villalba, Puerto Rico, Mr. Sanchez is the eldest of four children born to the late Francisco and Candida Sanchez. Ramon, fondly referred to as ``Ray'' by his many friends, has been an active and visible leader in the Hispanic community since his arrival to the United States in 1951. Mr. Sanchez began his career in the United States as a steelworker at Inland Steel, a job from which he retired in 1989 after 38 years of service. From 1972-1995, he served as Chief Bailiff with the Gary City Court. Most recently, Ramon Sanchez retired from the Merrillville Town Court after two years of service as Bailiff. Outside of his professional career, Ramon Sanchez has devoted a large portion of his life to the betterment of Northwest Indiana. Mr. Sanchez is committed to improving the standard of living in Northwest Indiana, particularly in the Hispanic community. He has played an instrumental role in representing the needs of the community and has been an advocate of minority rights. Mr. Sanchez is a well recognized and respected figure in Northwest Indiana's political arena, having served the City of Gary in various capacities including a 20 year term as precinct committeeman. He has spearheaded various political campaigns and is affiliated with numerous civic organizations throughout Northwest Indiana. While serving the community has always been an extremely important part of Mr. Sanchez's life, there can be no comparison to the dedication he has for his family. Ramon and his loving wife, Nancy, have raised four wonderful children, Amy, Ingrid, Mishelle, and Zayda. He is also a proud grandfather of nine grandchildren which provide an eternal source of joy and love for both he and his wife. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending Ramon Sanchez for his dedication, service, and leadership to the people of Indiana's First Congressional District. Northwest Indiana's community has certainly been rewarded by the true service and uncompromising dedication displayed by Mr. Ramon Sanchez.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute to an outstanding citizen of Indiana's First Congressional District, Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young, of Gary, Indiana. After forty years of dedicated public service, Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young announced her retirement from the Child Welfare Unit of the Lake County Office of the Division of Family and Children on Friday, August 27, 1999. Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young, along with her friends and family, will celebrate her retirement at a reception on September 18, 1999, at St. Timothy's Community Church Fellowship Hall in Gary, Indiana. Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young has dedicated a substantial portion of her life to the betterment of the people and families of Northwest Indiana. Her distinguished career with the Lake County Division of Family and Children has had a positive impact on our community. For more than forty years, she has served as an important figure within the Division of Family and Children. She has held several positions throughout her tenure, but none as important as Division Manager with the Child Welfare Unit, the position from which she retired in August of this year. A 1945 graduate of Wendell Phillips High School in Chicago, Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young enrolled as a student at Woodrow Wilson Junior College, which she attended for two years. In 1950, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from De Paul University. Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young continued her education by taking graduate courses at Indiana University Northwest with an emphasis in social work. Additionally, she has attended several social work seminars in Chicago as well as at the University of Georgia. In 1958, Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young began her career in social work as a caseworker at what was formerly called the Lake County Department of Public Welfare, which is today known as the Lake County Division of Family and Children. She has held several positions while employed with the Lake County Division of Family and Children, including: Caseworker with the Aid to Dependent Children Unit in Hammond, Indiana; Supervisor with the Child Welfare Unit in Hammond, Indiana; Assistant Division Head with the Child Welfare Unit in Hammond, Indiana; Assistant Division Head with the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Unit in Gary, Indiana; Assistant Division Director with the Child Welfare Unit in Gary, Indiana; and Division Manager with the Child Welfare Unit in Gary, Indiana. After forty years of dedicated service, Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young is retiring as Division Manager with the Child Welfare Unit of the Lake County Division of Family and Children. During her tenure with the Lake County Division of Family and Children, she instituted and organized a foster parent recognition dinner, served on the Corrective Action Committee which initiated new policies and procedures within the Lake County Division of Family and Children, and chaired the foster parent training committee. Additionally, she is an active member of St. Timothy's Community Church. On this special day, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young. Her large circle of family and friends can be proud of the contributions this prominent individual has made. Her exceptional work with the Lake County Division of Family and Children will be greatly missed. I sincerely wish Mrs. Vera Lillard-Young a long, happy, and productive retirement.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would add my comments and wishes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) as everyone else has. I think it is a mark of the gentleman that, this evening, he is here protecting the interest of, not only the people of his congressional district, his State, but all of those in the United States of America who want a good paying decent job for themselves and their families. I think we all owe the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) a debt of gratitude on that. One of the earlier speakers, in his comments said this is not going to create one new job. I would remind all of our colleagues that we are here tonight because we have lost 11,000 jobs since July 1, 1997. There is no end in sight. Those jobs were lost, not because of inefficiency, but because of illegally traded steel that we as a government, the executive branch and legislative branch, did not stop. Those 11,000 individuals with spouses and children do not have a job tonight. We owe them this loan guarantee.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, we concede the point of order.

Mr. VISCLOSKY

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), a valued member of the subcommittee.

Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.