Zach Wamp

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. A lot of emotion in the House today, and there will be all through the day. This is the end of a long process, I believe, and the closer we get to finality, the higher the temperature gets. So let us try to stay calm and look at these issues. A lot of discussion about Enron. I agree: Enron would not have changed, I do not think, even if our bill had been signed into law. It was an auditing, business scandal. There is no evidence it is a campaign finance scandal, but that does not mean that it should not point out the need for reform, because other corporations and large powerful groups in this country will try to use these large contributions to influence us, and they have, and they do, and they will, and it needs to stop. It is a loophole. This is the best effort in a generation to bring about change. There is an old saying that the devil is in the details. It is a matter of history now that on this issue, because it affects the majorities, it affects the parties, and it affects our own reelection; it is not the devil in the details, it is death in the details, and that is why the only way to bring this about is to work through these debates and to keep some kind of bipartisan coalition together to do this. Now, it is a weird marriage between certain people here in the House, but we need to transcend the divisions between the parties and put the voters, the taxpayers, and the people ahead of the parties. There are about 250 people in this House that have now agreed over and over again on the principles that are in this bill. There is going to be a lot of noise about these details that we have worked through to bring us to this point. People who say that money is speech need to understand, if that is true, there are a lot of people in this country that cannot be heard. Money is not speech. We need to stand up for the first amendment and treat these groups and these people playing politics in elections the same as the candidates themselves. That is the underlying message, and that is what this legislation actually does. They can talk until they are blue in the face or wrap themselves in the first amendment all they want to. This bill is fair to everyone, and we need to consider it and pass it today.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, as a Hamilton County Commissioner, a small businessman and community activist, Harold Coker has spend decades working to improve the school system, promote economic development and enhance the quality of life for all that live in Hamilton County. Before being elected to the County Commission, Mr. Coker was a successful business owner and was elected President of the Antique Automobile Club of America. Because of his dedication to the industry, he was also elected president of the National Tire Dealers Association. In 1982, when Mr. Coker was elected to the Hamilton County Commission, he went to work for efficient and more effective government and attacked abuse of power and corruption in local politics. He served as county commission chairman in 1985-86, 1995 and 1998-99 and throughout his service he has saved the taxpayers millions of dollars. For over twenty years Commissioner Coker's goal has been to bring about progress and make Hamilton County a better place to live. Harold and his wife Lill became involved in making the streets of our community safe. They urged the use of seat belts and strongly advocated against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Harold was successful in obtaining a federal grant of $500,000 to form the DUI task force. In 1986 he was named by President Ronald Reagan to serve on the National Highway Transportation Safety Advisory Committee. While serving on the NHTSA board, Harold was instrumental in getting the child safety restraint bill and seat belt law passed in the state legislature. Tennessee was the first state in the nation to pass the Child Safety restraint bill and the bill became a model for the rest of the nation. He should take great satisfaction in knowing that many lives have been saved across the country because of this legislation. In 1986, Commissioner Coker also began an effort to improve the image of Chattanooga by working to create a river port and a river walk to add to the city's growth, development and livability. He only hoped to live long enough to see this project fully realized. I am pleased to report that the project will be completed this year before he leaves office in August. Another one of Commissioner Coker's primary concerns during his 20 years of public service has been economic development. He was instrumental in establishing industrial parks, enterprise zones, and citizen action groups that will benefit the area for generations to come. Harold believed that a good education directly contributed to his success as a business owner and he was inspired to increase funding for schools as a County Commissioner. He voted for increases in teacher pay and as a result starting teacher's salaries have more than doubled during his tenure on the County Commission. The Coker family was awarded the Great American Family Community Award in 1983; he received the Sertoma Service to Mankind Award in 1985; he was named Volunteer of the Year for the Heart Association in 1987; and he was the recipient of the Public Education Foundation Award in 2000. Commissioner Coker will leave office at the end of his final term in August of 2002. I would like to personally thank him for his tireless efforts to make a difference in the lives of the people who live in the Tennessee Valley. We will miss his leadership, but his vision and principled stands will serve as a legacy and a lesson for all who are fortunate to be called a ``public servant.''

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Chairman, we have heard this debate at the subcommittee level, at the full committee level, and now on the House floor; and it is an appropriate debate, a good debate. I, too, want to thank our distinguished ranking member for the time that he has invested in all of our preparedness issues, not just since September 11, but prior to that, and the gentleman from Texas for his continued advocacy for nuclear nonproliferation and the investment that is required by our Nation and a responsible Congress in this area. I represent Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the home of the Y-12 weapons plant, and we have had some division about moving monies around. We are adequately funding our preparedness in this country. I understand the comments of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey). I understand his comments about us not spending enough money. But if you are looking at the nuclear weapons in the world and the stockpiles that we must maintain in order to have this deterrent, you could not hardly spend enough money to guarantee globally at all times total safety, unequivocally, no matter what, whenever, however. You could not possibly spend enough money. So it is kind of an arbitrary thing. One thing I am proud of is this defense bill adequately funds the needs that we know of today with a full commitment that when the administration that is responsible for the leadership of foreign policy and the determination of the levels at which nonproliferation will bring us to, I love to see President Putin and President Bush together, coming together, talking about reductions, talking about maintaining safety and security for any weapons stockpiles there or here and what is going to be necessary. But I want the administration to tell us what will be necessary in a timely manner and for the Committee on Appropriations to respond to the administration, not to arbitrarily come up with a figure and say that this is it. We need to do it in the right time, and we will. This is a responsible bill. We need to vote down the Obey amendment and pass the bill that is on the floor today.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, this is not a partisan issue, even though it is divided close to partisan lines. As a matter of fact, one of my most distinguished constituents is a man named Jim Hall, who served for 6 years as the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board under President Clinton. He actually is the foremost authority on airline security in the country, and earlier this week he wrote an editorial in support of the flexibility to contract out the security in the airports. Mr. Chairman, I include for the Record his editorial, but I also want to read a portion. He says, ``While there are persuasive arguments being made on both sides of this issue, I believe that private sector contractors are fully capable of handling the job if there is a system of government oversight that will provide adequate levels of funding to put in place the newest technology and to implement a positive bag- match program. It also must ensure high levels of preemployment screening, ongoing training and, most important, accountability. ``There are many examples of the effective uses of private contractors in high security areas. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, for example, allows the use of private security personnel to safeguard the Nation's nuclear reactors, materials and waste facilities. This approach succeeds because private contractors operate under an oversight system that holds them to high professional standards and does not force bargain basement competitive bidding. ``The point is that the litmus test on the best way to increase aviation security should not be on whether airport screeners are Federal employees. Rather, it should be on which system has the best chance of succeeding and guaranteeing security over the long run.'' Mr. Chairman, he knows this issue as well as anybody, and he knows that the best system is the system in Great Britain. He recommends that system. The referenced article is as follows: How to Improve U.S. Air Security (By Jim Hall) A very important debate is taking place in Congress on the issue of strengthening commercial aviation security. Unfortunately, much of it is centered on the question of whether pre-board screening organizations at the nation's airports should be completely federalized. While the sometimes partisan debate over federalizing airport screeners is well-intended, it has in my view focused on the wrong subject. The main focus should not be on whether screeners should be government employees or private contract workers, but rather on what caused the problem in the first place. The inadequacies of our aviation security screening are the result of a deeply flawed system caused by the collective failure of the government and the airlines to provide a structure that is adequately funded and contains provisions for accountability. These problems cannot be explained simply by pointing a finger at private-sector screening personnel. Rather, they are the result of the government--at the urging of the airlines--leaving the responsibility up to the individual airports and airlines, which in turn demand private bid packages that force contractors to pay hourly wages barely competitive with fast-food hamburger chains. As a member of the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security during my tenure as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, I toured and studied airport-security programs at several domestic and international airports. It was apparent then, as it has become painfully so now, that the American system was woefully inadequate. A multitude of recommendations were made to begin improving the safety of our air transportation system, including increasing the professionalism of passenger screeners. Although some have been implemented, more work needs to be done. As part of the multifaceted response to the Sept. 11 tragedies, the Senate has approved legislation that would make preboard-screeners federal employees. The House of Representatives, meanwhile, is preparing to debate the status of screeners as part of its version of aviation-security legislation. Many House conservatives and moderates are opposed to staffing passenger-screening posts with a new cadre of federal workers. While there are persuasive arguments being made on both sides of this issue, I believe that private-sector contractors are fully capable of handling the job if there is a system of government oversight that will provide adequate levels of funding to put in place the newest technology and to implement a positive bag-match program. It also must ensure high levels of pre-employment screening, ongoing training and, most important, accountability. There are many examples of the effective uses of private contractors in high security areas. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, for example, allows the use of private security personnel to safeguard the nation's nuclear reactors, materials and waste facilities. This approach succeeds because private contractors operate under an oversight system that holds them to high professional standards and does not force bargain basement competitive bidding. The point is that the litmus test on the best way to increase aviation security should not be on whether airport screeners are federal employees. Rather, it should be on which system has the best change of succeeding and guaranteeing security over the long run. Only through a systemwide approach can we ensure the timely implementation of technology and the highest level of security for all Americans. I believe the solution lies in a public-private partnership that puts together the advantages of both. The best model for this can be found in the United Kingdom. Under the British system, either private-sector contractors or airport personnel perform pre-board passenger screening under strict government oversight. They are held to very high standards. The system works. Regardless of what Congress decides on this particular issue, it ultimately must address the aviation-security system as a whole. The responsibility for implementing this new system and ensuring that new regulatory standards are met should be placed in the new Office of Domestic Security, where clean lines of accountability could be established. It should not be buried within the multilayered bureaucracies found in the departments of justice and transportation. Additionally, I believe an independent board or agency that would function much like the NTSB should be created that would serve as an integral part of a new system of checks and balances. It in essence would be a watchdog on behalf of the American public regarding aviation security. The U.S. aviation safety system has been a model for the world because of the hard work of FAA regulators and the dedicated employees of the NTSB, who continually monitor the system through investigations of accidents and incidents. The independent safety board has never been afraid to speak out to protect the interest of the traveling public. There needs to be a similar independent voice to ensure that those responsible for aviation security are held accountable. As it deliberates, Congress needs to remember that the system failed--not individuals. If a new security system, such as the one I have described, is implemented, concerns regarding private-sector passenger screeners will be moot. The time for decisive action is now. It is imperative for Congress to make the systemic changes that are needed, not only to address the problems of the past, but also to create a model of security that is strong enough--and flexible enough--to keep us safe and to rebuild confidence in the future.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I have been privileged for the last 43 years to call Chattanooga, Tennessee my hometown. Chattanooga, the word, is a derivative of a Creek Indian word which means ``rock coming to a point,'' because what those Native Americans saw there above the Tennessee River as it meanders through the foothills of Appalachia is Lookout Mountain coming to a point. They had a Creek Indian word that later became ``Chattanooga.'' If we stand on the northern tip of Lookout Mountain at Point Park, which is part of the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park where the Civil War was fought, and we overlook the City of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River, we literally look right down on this boot, this moccasin called Moccasin Bend. It is a peninsula that is rich, I mean rich, with human history. As a matter of fact, anthropologists say that there is not another unit in the National Park System that is as rich. They call it a constellation of human habitation through the various time periods dating back 10,500 years. That is the known human habitation and human history of Moccasin Bend. But when we looked down at Moccasin Bend when it was just raw land, it was beautiful. It is still beautiful today, but as the gentleman from West Virginia says, it actually has been cut up somewhat because of buildings that have been built on it and different infrastructure that has been placed there. However, it is time, long past time, to preserve this particular asset through our National Park System. Mr. Speaker, about 5 years ago, as a member of the Subcommittee on Interior of the Committee on Appropriations, we were able to insert the money for this study that our chairman, the gentleman from California, referred to. The study came back and clearly determined the national significance, the suitability, and the feasibility of adding Moccasin Bend to the National Park System. When we look back on the human history, believe it or not, we have proof that hunters, human hunters, hunted mammoth and mastodon here on Moccasin Bend; then later white-tailed deer. Then we know the history that the Native Americans actually lived there. As the Spanish explorers DeSoto and DeLuna came through this part of our country on their way, DeSoto to the Mississippi River 450 years ago, their colleagues and their contemporaries actually made a home here on Moccasin Bend. Then the Trail of Tears crossed Moccasin Bend not once but twice as that tragic chapter in American history took place. The Civil War, different assets of the Civil War are there. There were actually gun embankments there and emplacements there on Moccasin Bend. So it is rich with human history, and it needs to be preserved and protected. Two main barriers existed. With regard to the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Center, we found a way to grandfather that in, and even to free up the State of Tennessee to go ahead and convey all the property except where the buildings actually sit, so that the park can go ahead and establish its boundaries. Also, there is a municipal golf course there that the city and county jointly own. We allowed it to be left alone, and at a later time, whenever there is no longer a golf course there, the property can be added. The Secretary of the Interior can just take it. So in both cases we had to find a compromise, so we were building consensus, and we have. Part of the bill specifically addresses an interpretive center where we can interpret the Native American history. If Members have been to Chattanooga lately, they know what a wonderful place it has become. In the last 15 years, it has been transformed into a people place. All up and down the Tennessee River are river walks and trails. This national park addition will very much compliment what has already been done there with public-private partnerships and a tremendous infusion of private capital to bring people back to the river and reclaiming our heritage. The beautiful Tennessee Aquarium is one of the largest tourist draws in the Southeast there. So many activities have taken place, and this fits right into it. The compromise ends up being about 900 acres into the National Park System. It has been supported by our city, by our county; the State of Tennessee is in favor of this. We have unanimous support from the Tennessee congressional delegation, both parties. The cultural committee of the five civilized tribes of Cherokees and Native Americans have supported this proposal. The group that kept this dream alive from 1950 until now, and see, this original legislation passed in 1950 to add this to the National Park System, but Governor Frank Clement at the time decided to build a mental health center there. He did not sign the legislation. Now our colleague, his son, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement) is cosponsor of the legislation to finally add Moccasin Bend into the National Park System. We are encouraged by that greatly. Over the last 50 years, organizations have tried to bring this back up, but in the last 6 years or so an organization called Friends of Moccasin Bend have done yeoman's work in making this a reality. We commend Mickey Robbins and Jay Mills, Bob Hunter, Mike Mann, Meg Beene, and many others: City Councilpersons Sally Robinson and John Taylor; our new Mayor, Bob Corker; County Executive Claude Ramsey. We have done very well to bring all these people together. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the committees very, very much: the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen); at the subcommittee level, the gentleman from Colorado (Chairman Hefley), and now the gentleman from California (Chairman Radanovich), and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), have worked with us to try to dot our I's and cross our T's. There has been excellent staff support: Robb Howarth and Tod Hall; on the minority side, David Watkins has been very helpful. At the subcommittee level of the Committee on Appropriations, both in the Subcommittee on Interior and the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, where I serve, all of our staff members have been extremely helpful. This is a great day in the history of our city and our region because Moccasin Bend needs to be a separate unit in the National Park System, a national historic site. Today, with bipartisan support, I hope we will pass this bill through the House of Representatives and send it to the United States Senate, and get in line so that when President Bush lifts the moratorium on new additions into the National Park System, we would maybe be behind the Ronald Reagan boyhood home. So the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) gets his wish first, and I get my wish second. I thank my colleagues for working with me on this most important step toward preserving a real American treasure, the Moccasin Bend National Historic Site.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I think it would be appropriate tonight with this many Members present and with our new Members present and on the job, if we as a body, in a unified way, stood together for a moment of silence in memory of the Postal Service employees that have lost their lives; and in honor of all of the families and all of those U.S. Postal Service employees around the country that work for us day in and day out, that we would bow our heads as the United States Congress in their honor and in their memory and pray for our country at this time in our country's history. Please stand.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, in the rugged region of Central Asia, two nations have been dealing with proposed changes to current religion laws. In both Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic, new religion laws have emerged partially in response to real concerns about terrorism and state security. After the events of September 11, our whole country has a very clear understanding of the threat terrorists pose. Still, our commitment to democracy and religious freedom stands firm. Consequently, I want to highlight and praise both countries for seeking assistance from the OSCE Advisory Panel on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The choice to seek assistance and working to ensure the new legislation is in line with protecting human rights is a mark of wise governance. Even more, I want to encourage these governments to continue their close co-operation with this body of experts, and to continue to strive to uphold OSCE commitments and international norms for religious freedom. In Kazakhstan, there has been great discussion over a proposed amendment to its 1992 law ``On Freedom of Religion and Religious Associations.'' The Kazakh Government has been responsive to critiques of the law and removed it from consideration during this past summer. Furthermore, it has listened to the comments made by the OSCE Advisory Panel and modified some of the more troubling sections of the proposed law. However, concerns still exist in the area of registering Islamic religious groups by the Kazakhstan Moslem Spiritual Administration. It seems likely that with the various Islamic religious groups that are at odds over purely theological issues, registration could be denied for merely being out of favor with the Spiritual Administration. This is problematic; religious organizations should not be denied registration solely on the basis of their religious beliefs. Before the proposed law is reintroduced, I hope Kazakhstan will address these issues, so as to ensure its compliance with all OSCE commitments. The Kyrgyz Republic is currently considering a proposed law entitled ``On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations,'' which would replace the 1991 Law on Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations. In the Kyrgyzstan's short history of independence, it has consistently joined international human rights covenants. As one of the 55 participating States in the OSCE, the Kyrgyz Republic agreed to abide by the Helsinki Final Act and all subsequent agreements, in which clear language concerning religious freedom exists. This new legislation, made long before the events of September 11, was in response to real fears about terrorism. With religion often being used as a guise to legitimize criminal activities, I recognize the genuine concerns of Kyrgyz authorities about religious organizations existing in their country. However, while the United States has new understanding of the threat of terrorists, I want to encourage the Kyrgyz Republic from overreacting and unnecessarily limiting religious freedom. While the current law on religion is generally in line with its OSCE commitments, it is my concern that if the new law is enacted, Kyrgyzstan will no longer be in compliance with its international obligations. This is especially true concerning the provisions addressing registration of religious groups. In its current form, the draft law's use of registration requirements appears complex, confusing and convoluted. The two step process of registering religious groups appears to be more an exercise for government involvement rather than a well outlined procedure for recognizing religious communities. The vague requirement of ``record-keeping'' registration is especially problematic, as it could serve as a major obstacle for successful registration that the government can utilize to block an application. Clear and transparent guidelines would be a superior way to prevent arbitrary tampering by government officials in the process of registration. In closing, I hope both the Kazakh and Kyrgyz Governments will be mindful of 1989 Vienna Concluding Document, (para 16.3), which states that governments are obligated to ``grant upon their request to communities of believers, practicing or prepared to practice their faith within the constitutional framework of their states, recognition of the status provided for them in their respective countries.''

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in commending the work of a very special group of individuals from Cleveland, TN. The Board of Directors for the Scott C. Ratterman/C. Edward Shell Memorial Scholarship Fund has provided college funds to many high school students in Cleveland and Bradley County area for 15 years. On June 21, 1986, Scott Ratterman passed away. To honor his memory, his friends and colleagues created a college scholarship fund that would award one deserving Cleveland High School senior $1,000 for his or her college graduation. When Ed Shell--a very active board member of the Ratterman Memorial Scholarship Fund--passed away in July 1990, the Board of Directors renamed the fund the Scott C. Ratterman/C. Edward Shell Memorial Scholarship Fund. With Mr. Shell's passing, an additional scholarship was added to include Charleston High School. In 1995, the Board of Directors expanded and created 4-year scholarships. To mark the 11th anniversary of Mr. Ratterman's death and the 7th anniversary of Mr. Shell's death, an additional scholarship to a Bradley County High School student was added to the fund. The Board of Directors has since expanded again to include Cleveland State Community College and Middle Tennessee State University. Over the past 15 years, the Ratterman/Shell Memorial Scholarship Fund has raised and contributed over $101,000 to deserving local students. A majority of the contributions come from a golf tournament that is held every second Friday in October. Again this year, many citizens in Bradley County will come together as a community to help raise money to defray the cost of a college education for hard-working students. When a noble idea is coupled with a dedicated group of people--great things can happen. I want to thank all those involved in the Scott C. Ratterman/C. Edward Shell Memorial Scholarship Fund for their vision and hard work.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the critical problems facing lawmakers, law enforcers, and social, civil, and religious leaders in our nation. These problems are being addressed by the International Bible Reading Association, as well as by Senators, Representatives, and civic, religious, and national statesmen who are confident that the Bible contains the answers to our nation's dilemma. The great American scholar Noah Webster wrote: ``All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.'' Noah Webster stated the facts over 150 years ago; but, because of the increased pace of our society over just the past 50 years, reading the Bible has declined and violence and immorality have accelerated. The Bible has had a monumental impact upon the development of our Western civilization, whose literature, art, and music are filled with images and inspiration that can be traced to its pages. More importantly, our laws, our sense of justice, our charity, and our moral standards all find their origin in the Bible. Bible reading impresses upon the minds of readers the principles of morality, truth, justice, and respect for the sacredness of human life. The Bible, which is a fundamental part of our national heritage, has had a more profound affect on the moral fabric of American society than any other document. It was the basis for our Founding Fathers' belief in the inalienable rights of the individual--rights which they found explicit in the Bible. This same sense of individual freedom and justice permeates the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The influence of both the Old and New Testaments has formed the basis of our laws, our national character, and our system of values. It was the biblical view of man-- affirming the dignity and worth of the human person made in the image of our Creator--which inspired the principles upon which the United States is founded. Many historians credit George Washington with identifying the United States as ``One Nation Under God''; therefore, today we inscribe In God We Trust on our coins. Responding to a Joint Resolution of the House and Senate, in a 1990 Proclamation, President George Bush wrote: ``I invite all Americans to discover the great inspiration and knowledge that can be obtained through thoughtful reading of the Bible.'' The Bible has not only influenced the development of our nation's values and institutions, but has also enriched the daily lives of millions of men and women who have looked to it for comfort, hope, and guidance. Mr. Speaker, because of the overwhelming acceptance of the Bible in the history of our nation, I invite my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in commending the International Bible Reading Association for its request to George W. Bush, President of the United States, to proclaim 2002 as the Year for all America to read through the Bible.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the work of a very special group of people, the Friends of Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. In September 1863, Union and Confederate soldiers fought over access to Chattanooga in what was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. In 1890, Congress established the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park as the country's first national military battlefield park. Those petitioning for its establishment were veterans of both sides who came together in a spirit of reunion and brotherhood to memorialize the hills and fields where their brothers had fought and died. What is now known as the Chickamauga Battlefield is bisected by a two-lane portion of U.S. Highway 27, a major north-south artery extending from Michigan to Florida. Over the years, heavy commercial and commuter traffic has created a threat to the cultural, historical and abundant natural resources in the national park. On December 24, 1987, Public Law 100-211 was enacted to authorize the relocation of a 5.7 mile section of U.S. Highway 27. This new section of road, on the western perimeter of the Chickamauga Battlefield, will be officially dedicated on October 12, 2001. Its successful completion is the result of a partnership among the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division of the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation; the National Park Service, Department of Interior; and the Georgia Department of Transportation. In honor of this accomplishment, Friends of the Park is presenting a weekend of activities to celebrate the opening of this new road that will allow Park visitors to experience this historical Battlefield more safely. Mr. Speaker, the Friends of the Park was one of the first National Park support groups in the nation and has, in its 15 years, raised more than $4.6 million for capital projects at the Park while pursuing its goals of advocacy, educational programming and fundraising. I applaud their effort and hard work to protect and preserve this land. Their dedicated membership assures continued support for the protection of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park for years to come.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, we know that fear is one of the most powerful forces in the world today. Yesterday, the lowest of the low, the dregs of our international community, used fear to carry out inhumane acts on all of humanity. Today, we claim the truth that one force is greater than fear. That is love. Throughout the ages, love has conquered fear over and over again. Our love for our fellow man will overcome fear of these outrageous criminals. Our love of freedom will overcome our fear of tyranny. Our love of country will overcome our fear of terrorism. Our love of God will overcome our fear of Satan himself. Our love of goodness will overcome our fear of evil. Our love of peace will overcome our fear of war. Mr. Speaker, today we stand together, our President, the United States Congress, and 270 million people, mourning those lost, comforting those left behind, praying for our Nation at this dark hour. Yesterday, our House Chaplain, Father Daniel Coughlin, prayed that ``In God we trust,'' our Nation's motto, but that today, may it be our strength. Much of our character has been born from adversity. An even stronger America must rise from the ashes of these fiery crashes so that good does once again triumph over evil. May the peace of God that passeth all understanding be with us now and forevermore.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, July 2, 2001 in the historical federal courthouse where a consummate young reporter named Dick Kopper gained his reputation for accuracy, integrity and style, many of his friends and admirers gathered for his memorial service. They laughed and cried together in his honor and memory. Prominent citizens from law, government, journalism and academia came to remember the unique life and times of a brilliant journalist, press secretary, friend and associate who loved life and who was loved by all that came to know him well. They remembered a man of unfailing honesty, of incurable curiosity and a keen sense of humor. For more than 6 years, Dick Kopper served as my Press Secretary, but he was much, much more than that. He was a valuable resource. If I needed to find a quotation from Sir Winston Churchill or President Ronald Reagan--I would simply ask Dick. If I needed sound policy advice on a difficult decision pending before the House--I would ask Dick. Even if I needed to know where a semicolon went instead of a simple comma--I would always ask Dick. His institutional knowledge consistently amazed me. As I said at the memorial service, if you knew Dick you would know that he loved Episcopal High School, The University of the South, The Chattanooga Times and it's reporters, the Republican Party and this great nation. He read, he wrote and he ran (3 miles or so) virtually every day. He also loved to tell stories, do impersonations and he especially loved to talk politics. Before joining my Washington staff in 1995, Dick was a reporter for The Chattanooga Times for 23 years. During the time that he covered the federal courts, many of his colleagues fondly remember Dick making his way through the courthouse--extremely tight lipped--so as not to let on to his latest story. Dick's extensive political knowledge was also useful in the successful 1994 campaign of Senator Fred Thompson--where he served as the Tennessee Press Secretary. Even at the end, Dick was courageous and unselfish. He knew that his illness was serious but he downplayed its effect on his life. Before going into the hospital, he worked every day and insisted to many people that if the doctors hadn't told him that he was sick, he would not have known it. He was a professional in every sense of the word. Dick's spirit was inspiring and his grace was impeccable. He was indeed, a unique (and some might say eccentric) person, but in my opinion the world needs more folks like Dick Kopper . . . colorful and full of joy. I will miss my good friend.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word in opposition of the amendment. Mr. Chairman, again, I applaud the intent of the author of the amendment to increase our accounts for renewable energy, but as the Republican cochairman with the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) of the House Renewable and Energy Caucus, a caucus that includes 180 members, in a bipartisan way we have worked tirelessly with the cooperative efforts of the gentleman from Alabama (Chairman Callahan) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), ranking member, to increase these renewable accounts by $100 million above the President's request. This is even by those in the renewable energy field being applauded as a great victory at this point in the process. Now, if there are future victories to be had for renewables, and I hope there are this year, they need to take place at the conference committee where we have an increase in the allocation on the Senate side, and I believe still room for debate on the final funding levels for these important renewable energy functions. I will be there at that conference advocating on behalf of further increases in these renewable accounts. But here we go taking the money again out of an absolutely essential function of our Federal Government. Our nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship is critically important for the good of this country and, indeed, the entire free world. If we are going to be able to test these weapons without firing these weapons, then facilities like NIF must be supported. Granted, the management of the project itself has not been stellar, and it has had to be improved, but the fact is the imperative is there to finish the project, to continue to support our nuclear weapons stockpiling stewardship, and to be able to maintain these weapons and test these weapons without firing these weapons. We increased at this subcommittee these nonproliferation accounts that the gentleman referred to by $71 million. Again, we have done a very good job at the subcommittee of balancing all of these needs because we agree with the gentleman on the points that he made. But we have already done that work. What the gentleman's amendment actually does is takes it further and cuts into our national preparedness, something that we cannot afford to do. There is no question that some people would come to the floor today and oppose anything nuclear. But, Mr. Chairman, our country wants us to maintain a safe and reliable nuclear stockpile. Our country desperately needs to invest in NNSA-related programs so that these plants that have built up our nuclear weapons and today maintain them for the potential future use, God forbid it ever happens, but it is that deterrent that has brought about the global peace that we see today because that deterrent was, indeed, deployed. It was never deployed, but it was built up to the point where it never had to be deployed. So our nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship is at risk here with this amendment, and we must maintain this. We must support the NNSA and all of its different programs, and this would certainly take away from that. So I respectfully agree with the intent of the gentleman, but stand in strong opposition and applaud the subcommittee work because it is balanced and responsible and supports our national security missions, and it also supports the need to have a balanced energy strategy, including increased funding for renewables.

Mr. WAMP. I do, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher).

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Callahan) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member, for hearing our bipartisan plea to increase the funding for renewable energy sources in this bill. We increased the funding $100 million above the President's request. We worked overtime to make sure that this appropriation bill matches the national energy policy from a balanced comprehensive approach. And as the cochairman of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Caucus with the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall), I thank them for hearing our plea to increase renewables. The result is good and balanced, but the other side of the well- intended amendment of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey) is that it takes funding from our nuclear stockpile stewardship and management. Our country must maintain a safe and reliable stockpile for nuclear weapons. That decision has been made. That is not even debatable, frankly, in this country, in terms of the consensus of Americans that expect us to have a reliable nuclear weapons stockpile. We must maintain our national preparedness, and we are losing that capability, so we must fight back this amendment in a bipartisan way.

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Whether coming at the amendment from a budget-cutting perspective or coming at it from an anti-nuclear or non-proliferation perspective, it does not serve our country well today to retreat from our national preparedness, including the ultimate deterrent of a safe and reliable nuclear weapons stockpile. We built it up for a purpose, and we must maintain it for a purpose. The entire free world is depending on us. And, frankly, in closing, I want to say we now have better management for our weapons stockpile than we had 5 years ago. There is no question that NNSA was a good move. It was done by a bipartisan team led by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher), and I applaud their work. Because today, under General Gordon's leadership, the NNSA is responsibly reforming our nuclear weapons programs so that we are prepared for the future. For too long our weapons activities have been put on the back burner. We have been funding through our national security programs weapons, and our personnel on active duty and our Guard and Reserve, but we cannot move our weapons activities to the back burner and expect to have an infrastructure that is capable of the next generation of nuclear weapons if we need them, or a workforce. We have a graying workforce and aging infrastructure throughout the weapons complex. I represent the Y-12 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where bricks fall off the walls and people have to report to work in hard hats because the infrastructure has eroded. Mr. Chairman, we must reinvest in the modernization of these facilities. We have buildings that are 50 years old. We have not adequately funded those facilities. This strikes at NIF, but NIF is at next-generation of being able to test without activating these weapons and testing underground, maintaining the weapons stockpile reliability. We must do this and fight back this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call the Congress' attention to the electoral campaign currently underway in Albania. Albania overthrew its communist government in the early 1990's. Sadly, the current socialist government seems to be repeating the authoritarian actions of the communists. Albanians will go to the polls on June 24th to cast their votes for parliament. Recently, the Washington-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs sent an observer team to Albania. In their report, the delegation wrote that many citizens are not fully aware of the voter roll verification procedures and some voters may ultimately be unable to exercise their right to vote. The democratic opposition coalition, the Union for Victory, has made numerous appeals to the election commission and the ruling party to correct the many flaws in the voter rolls. To this day, those appeals have gone unanswered. The election commission, comprised of socialist party appointees has turned a deaf ear to democracy. The Albanian people deserve better. I hope my colleagues will join me in watching carefully the unfolding events in Albania.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, the entire Alabama delegation is on record supporting Sale 181. Unfortunately, the delegation is in Alabama with the President of the United States and will be unable to vote. I submit for the Record herewith the delegation letters in support of Sale 181. United States Senate, Washington, DC, April 9, 2001. Hon. George W. Bush, President of the United States, The White House, Washington,

Mr. WAMP

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

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of the time to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce and a man who has come up with an excellent work product in this bill.

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, character education makes a difference. Character education works because it teaches time-tested principles like honor, respect, responsibility, and courage. It teaches children to become not only future business professionals, doctors and technicians, but good citizens and decent human beings as well. President Bush clearly recognizes the importance of values in our society and is committed to seeking a better education for our Nation's children. The President has included our character education initiative in his reform proposals. Mr. Chairman, a valueless education is no education at all. At the foundation of all knowledge, there must exist a fundamental set of principles that distinguishes right from wrong and good from bad. As a matter of fact, academia used to believe in a value-neutral or a value- free education, and now many people in academia say that we must have a value-based educational system so that knowledge can rest on the difference between right and wrong. Character education is taught in all 50 States. Thirty-two States have passed legislation either mandating or encouraging the teaching of character education in school. However, some schools do not have enough money to add this important curriculum, and this amendment will give them this capability. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that the character-education movement has grown out of my hometown, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Today, the Center for Youth Issues Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides materials and/or programs on character education to more than 26,000 schools Nationwide and impacts more than 10 million students in all 50 States. Since 1981, this organization, working through its school-based organizations, STARS, Students Taking a Right Stand, has found acceptance and great success in public school systems across America. My wife and I have been involved in STARS, and we really believe in its work. Education experts know well if we teach character and build good citizens, we will not need metal detectors at school entrances, bars on the windows or other measures that are more appropriate for the penal system than for the school system. Yesterday, I participated in a Court TV program on bullying in schools. And, frankly, this character trait of respect, if all of our students embraced it and learned it and know to respect others throughout the educational process, we would not have the youth violence problem that is surfacing in so many schools. Congress must act to support character education. To provide that support, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) and myself introduced H.R. 228, the Character Counts for the 21st Century Act. Mr. Chairman, this is very similar to the language in H.R. 1 which will authorize the U.S. Education Department to provide grants to promote character education. Our amendment before us today is bipartisan. The gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) is a champion of strong public education. Character education is backed by a diverse coalition ranging from Miss America Angela Perez Baraquio to President Bush. I laud the bill of the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the ranking member, that includes $25 million annually for character education. But by doubling it to $50 million, we will double the number of schools that might qualify. Our amendment raises it to $50 million per year. There are 53 million children in our schools. Spending less than a dollar on each child so they learn right from wrong and good from bad is the right thing to do. Much has been asked of American education, and the Congress should settle for nothing less. Improving education has become a priority of both political parties. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the ranking member, and their excellent staffs. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise to talk about an exceptional man in my district, James E. Haun. Jim has served as an electrician for 40 years, with unwavering dedication. Throughout his outstanding career, Jim has demonstrated remarkable ability not only to perform the duties of an electrician but also to motivate others to reach their potential, winning the unbridled respect and admiration of his peers and superiors. He was born in Harriman, Tennessee on November 16, 1935 and moved his family to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where he graduated from the Oak Ridge High School in 1955. He enlisted in the United States Air Force following graduation and served four years as a jet engine technician. He also served a tour of duty in French Morocco. Following his discharge, Jim decided to enter the electrical field. Terrell Electric hired him in September of 1959, as an Electrician's Helper. Jim became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 175 located in my district. He served a five-year apprenticeship and graduated as an Inside Wireman in 1966. Because of his outstanding abilities, he was offered a position as a 2nd Year Instructor with the Apprenticeship School and he remained in that position until he accepted the position of School Training Director in 1992. Jim has served Local 175 in many capacities including the title of Treasurer from January 1992 to October 1992 and held membership on the I.B.E.W. Credit Union Committee. Jim's dedication to his family, country, community and his profession is exemplary of the type of character and spirit he possesses. He is truly a remarkable man. I am very honored to represent Jim Haun in the Third Congressional District of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I am honoring Jim Haun today in honor of his retirement from a full life well lived. On behalf of a very proud district, I extend to him my very best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I was absent for a vote today because I was attending my son's middle school graduation. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' on H. Con. Res. 56, expressing the Sense of Congress regarding National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Mr. WAMP

Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about an exceptional teacher in my district--Dr. Thomas Hammett. Dr. Hammett teaches chorus and drama at Lookout Valley High School and is also the Director of Music at Rivermont Presbyterian Church. I think it is particularly fitting to honor Dr. Hammett the same week we are debating H.R. 1, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Dr. Thomas Hammett has continually demonstrated character education in the classroom long before the term was ever coined. Many of his students believe he invented the phrase. Not only does he teach music; he teaches character, morals and how to live life. He has made a significant difference in the lives of so many of his students. He teaches them that music can break down barriers in a way that nothing else can. It can break down prejudice and indifference and it crosses racial lines. Dr. Hammett is a man of Christ and is never afraid to demonstrate his faith despite the consequences. Without his dedication many of his students wouldn't be where they are today. I have heard from a number of Dr. Hammett's students and their words tell the story better than I could. Rebekah Griffits said, ``Dr. Hammett has made a huge difference in my life and I am a better person because of his example and teachings. I love him like a father and appreciate his listening ear, time and advice more than he will ever know.'' Michael Langston states, ``Dr. Hammett has been an outstanding role model for me. He has taken many days out of his personal life to help me succeed in chorus. I don't know many teachers who would take a single student to All-State auditions and performances.'' I am proud to have him teaching in my district. Keep up the good work Dr. Hammett--you are a perfect example of why character education works and a role model for other teachers who dedicate their lives to teaching America's children. I commend you and your wife, Faye, and your four daughters, Charity, Emily, Stephanie and Rosalie.