Jerry Weller

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, this is an important amendment. It is about nursing home care for our veterans. Unfortunately, when the administration came forward with its budget this year, they proposed a significant cut in State grants, grants to our States to provide veterans nursing homes. As we have seen growing need, as particularly our veterans of Korea and Vietnam and World War II-era veterans need nursing home care, there is tremendous demand. And State care facilities operated through the State of Illinois and others have proven cost effective. The VA spends on average $225 a day for care for long-term nursing care residents, whereas State nursing homes provide about $30 a day. They are effective and they provide quality care. I am proud to say that in Illinois we have four veterans homes. Two are in the district that I represent. One of them, the LaSalle Veterans Home, has a waiting list 220 veterans, veterans having to wait as long as 18 months in order to obtain nursing home care. Imagine that, if they need nursing home care and they have to wait 18 months. That is an eternity for veterans. Other veterans homes in Illinois, Manteno is owed a million dollars for its compliance with ADA. The State of Illinois is owed $5 million for other home updates. The bottom line is this money is needed. I want to salute the gentleman from New York (Chairman Walsh) for accepting this amendment. I also want to salute my friend, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo), for his leadership in fighting for veterans. The bottom line is this legislation deserves bipartisan support. Let us support our veterans. Let us ensure the dollars are there to ensure nursing home care for our veterans and their needs.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to support S. 761, the Conference Report on the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. This effort is groundbreaking, as this conference report is largest and most significant legislation on electronic commerce to date. This bill ensures that electronic signatures and electronic records transferred via the Internet will have the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as contracts and other records signed by hand on paper. The scope of this legislation is broad and will protect interstate commerce. I am certain that the result of this important legislation will be greater confidence and security in conducting business and transactions over the Internet. In the recent months, we have come far in our efforts to promote and encourage the growth of Internet use and e-commerce. A few weeks ago, the House voted to extend the existing moratorium on Internet taxation for an additional 5 years. I believe that this important step will give the new e-economy the time it needs to grow and flourish at a time when the number of new websites and Internet users is doubling every 100 days! Additionally, the House passed legislation recently to eliminate the outdated 3 percent excise tax on telephone use. This tax was originally collected to help pay the Spanish-American War, a war that ended more than 100 years ago! Today, more than 90% of Internet users access the Web over telephone lines. I believe it is time to repeal this outdated tax and make the information highway just that--a freeway not a tollway. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the Conference Report on S. 761. I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, today we are enjoying very good economic growth, and I am so proud this Congress played a role by balancing the budget and cutting taxes for the middle class, boosting our economy. The key part of our economy today is what many call the New Economy, the technology economy. Let me give my colleagues some statistics that really illustrate the role of the new economy in American society. Today, over 100 million Americans are using the Internet, and 7 new people are on the Internet every second. Seventy-eight percent of Internet users almost always vote in national, State and local elections, compared with 64 percent of nonInternet users. It took just 5 years for the Internet to reach 50 million users, much faster than when compared to the traditional electronic media. It took television 13 years to reach 50 million and radio 38 years to reach the same audience. The Internet economy generated an estimated 302 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 1998, employing 4.8 million workers. More workers are employed in the technology economy than auto and steel and petroleum combined, and the average high technology wage is 77 percent higher than the average private sector wage elsewhere. As I noted earlier, one-third of all new economic growth is generated by the technology economy. I am proud to say I am from a technology State. I represent the State of Illinois. Illinois ranks fourth in high technology employment. Illinois ranks third in high technology exports, so Illinois is clearly a technology State. I have had the opportunity many times to talk with friends and neighbors who are involved in the new economy, and we talk about who has access to the Internet. Over 100 million Americans have access to the Internet, are on line, and 7 new Americans go on line for the first time every second. So clearly there is a great opportunity, not only for information, but also for employment and moving up the economic ladder. They tell me that it seems that the higher the income level of the family, the more likely that they are on line. If a family has an income of $75,000 or more, they are 20 times more likely than a family with a lesser income to have Internet access or a computer at home. When we ask the question of why are they less likely to have Internet access or computers at home, they tell us that it is because of the cost. They would like to have a computer at home for their children to be able to do their school work, they would like their children to have access to the Internet so that they can access the Library of Congress to do their school papers, but they do not feel they can afford it. So clearly the cost of Internet access creates what some call the digital divide, but clearly as well is the need for an agenda to provide digital opportunity. When we look at the costs, I believe we have an important choice to make as we talk about the information superhighway and giving every American access to the information superhighway. We have to make a choice, and that choice is do we want the information superhighway to be a tollway or a freeway. Well, clearly, if we want to address the concern that lower and moderate income families have, and that is that cost is the chief barrier, we need to work to make sure that the Internet, the information superhighway, is a freeway. So many have pointed out that our new economy is growing because of a tax-free, regulation-free, trade barrier-free climate, but we need to move forward again to create more initiatives to continue to work to eliminate the toll booths on the information highway. I was proud just a few weeks ago to introduce legislation we call the DATA Act, legislation designed to help lower and moderate-income families go on line, to become part of the new economy. Educators back home in the south side of Chicago and the south suburbs that I represent, they tell me that they notice a difference in children who have a computer and Internet access in the home versus those who do not, their ability to compete and do their homework. I am proud to say that some major employers in the Illinois area, as well as across this country, have stepped forward to help solve that so-called digital divide by providing computers and Internet access as a basic employee benefit. What that means is the employees of Ford Motor Company, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Intel, everyone from the janitor, the laborer, the assembly line worker, the flight attendant, the baggage handler, all the way up through middle management to senior management, will now have computers and Internet access in their homes for their kids to do their school work. It is a wonderful initiative by the private sector and I salute them and congratulate them. As a result of that, 600,000 American working families will have computers and Internet access at home, many who before never could afford it. That is a great thing. Many in the Fortune 100 are looking to and following the lead of these 4 great companies, but their tax lawyers tell them that if they do, that it will be treated as a taxable employee benefit, meaning the employee will be taxed. I say to my colleagues, let us remove that toll booth. Let us ensure that computers and Internet access as an employee benefit are not taxed, that it is a tax-free employee benefit treated the same as an employer's contribution to a pension or an employer's contribution to health care.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the leadership of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn) and the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) for their leadership on this legislation. The death tax is a bad idea. The death tax is bad social policy. The death tax is unfair, and it is just plain wrong for the Government to confiscate the life's work at the time of death. The death tax is also bad for the environment. Why are so many major and respected environmental groups supporting elimination of the death tax? Because environmental groups say that the death tax is bad for the environment. The death tax encourages suburban sprawl in Illinois. The death tax encourages the loss of valuable farmland in Illinois. The death tax destroys valuable open space and wildlife habitat in Illinois. Let me give an example of why. I represent the Chicago south suburbs surrounded by some of the best farmland in the world. This farmland is not only good farmland; but because of its location, it is prime and ripe for development and because of its potential price, the sale price for development, it triggers the death tax, and many children of family farmers in the areas surrounding the suburbs here in Washington, D.C., or in any major metropolitan area are forced to sell much or all of the family farm, just to pay the death tax; and usually it is sold to developers, losing its use as valuable open space and farmland. Let us keep the family farm in farming by eliminating the death tax. Let us protect valuable open space by eliminating the death tax. Let us protect valuable wildlife habitat by eliminating the death tax. I say to my colleagues, the death tax is bad for the environment. Oppose the substitute, support this legislation, vote aye. It deserves a good, bipartisan vote.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, over 100 million Americans today have access to the Internet. Seven million new Americans each second access the Internet for the first time. It is a tremendous opportunity, particularly for school children, to use the Internet for their school work and homework; but unfortunately, some are left behind. If you look at who has access to the Internet, you see the higher the income of the household, the more likely they have Internet access at home. Low-income families say the cost of Internet access is the chief barrier to their children having the opportunity to use the Internet and have a computer at home. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud of the leadership that this House has shown this year in removing those barriers to Internet access. We are making a choice: do we want the information superhighway to be a toll way or a freeway? Just this spring, in less than 1 month, we have eliminated three toll booths on the information superhighway. Number one, we extended for 5 years the Internet tax moratorium, putting a road block in the way of anyone who wants to impose a tax on Internet access. Second, just 2 weeks ago, we eliminated the FCC's authority to impose fees and taxes on Internet access; and I am proud today that we eliminated the century-old 3 percent tax on telephone calls. We are removing those toll booths because we want to give greater digital opportunity for all Americans.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by saluting the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui), my friends, for offering this legislation, legislation that is so important. Let me begin by just sharing a couple of statistics that illustrate why it is so important. Today, there are 100 million U.S. adults using the Internet. There are seven new Internet users every second. Think about that, seven new Internet users every second, more millions of families in America. Of course, school kids at home use the Internet as a way of doing their homework, accessing the Library of Congress. Today, we are responding to a pretty important question and that question is, do we want the information superhighway to be a toll way or a freeway. I believe, of course, that we want it to be a freeway. Today we are voting to remove one of those toll booths on the information superhighway by voting to repeal the telephone excise tax. Mr. Speaker, when we think about and look at who has Internet access at home, the higher their income, the more likely they have it. Families with incomes of $75,000 or more are 20 times more likely to have Internet access. If we ask those with low or moderate means why they do not have Internet access, they tell us it is because of the cost, that the cost is the barrier which denies their children the opportunity to use the Internet for school work. Today, we are eliminating one of those barriers. I think it is important to note that 96 percent of those who access the Internet use their telephone line, so by lowering the cost of telephone use, we are increasing digital opportunity for millions of Americans. I am proud of the leadership this House has shown in creating more digital opportunity and eliminating that so-called digital divide. Just a few weeks ago, we passed a 5-year extension of the Internet tax moratorium that specifically prohibited new fees and taxes on Internet access at the State and local level. Just 2 weeks ago, we passed legislation which cut off at the pass the FCC's authority to impose new fees and taxes by the FCC; and I am proud to say that today, we are going to eliminate the telephone excise tax, one of those toll booths. So we are removing three toll booths on the information superhighway with this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues, let us remove those toll booths on the information superhighway. Let us do the right thing. This bill has bipartisan support. Let us send it with a strong vote to the Senate. Let us create digital opportunity by lowering cost to access the Internet. By eliminating the telephone excise tax, we lower the cost, we remove a toll booth, we increase digital opportunity, and we are going to help millions of Americans gain the opportunity to join the information superhighway.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, I commend my colleague from Illinois, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade, for his leadership on this historic moment here as we debate the issue of trade with China. Some have stood here in this well, and more will, saying we should vote no as a sign of moral superiority over the Chinese. Some will say we should vote no because they dislike the political views of the Chinese leadership, and some will vote no because they say that we should close the door, essentially build a trade wall around China. Well, what this is all about is whether or not we as Americans want to engage in trade and sell our products to the world's most populous nation, a nation of 1.3 billion people. We are going to be casting the vote, not whether or not we want to sell our products made in States like my home State of Illinois, or other States in our Nation to, 1.3 billion people. And who gets hurt if we say no? Clearly those involved in manufacturing products, those who are involved in creating new technologies, as well as those who provide food and fiber. I am proud to say that my State of Illinois leads in all three areas as a major exporting State. Illinois ranks third in exports in technology, Illinois ranks third in exports in agricultural products, and Illinois ranks at the top in manufacturing exports. China is a tremendous market. Think about it. The new economy, technology today, the average wage for our technology jobs in Illinois are 77 percent higher than traditional business sector jobs. China now has the potential, because of its huge population and the desire by the average Chinese to go online and have a computer at home, China next year has the potential not only to be the second largest PC market for personal computers on the globe, but also the second largest market for semiconductors. Ronald Reagan won the Cold War and brought down the Berlin Wall and brought freedom into the former Soviet Union because of the television and the fax machine, and, of course, his leadership. Today we have the opportunity, because of the Internet, to expand our values of freedom. Let us vote aye on permanent normal trade relations with China.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate so much this opportunity to take a few minutes today to talk about something many of us call the new economy, some call the digital economy, the high-tech economy. But let me begin by just sharing some statistics, statistics that really illustrate how important the new economy is for every American. Today over 100 million United States adults are using the Internet. In fact, seven new people are on the Internet every second. As elected officials, we should note that 78 percent of Internet users almost always vote in national, State, and local elections, compared with only 64 percent of non-Internet users. It took just 5 years for the Internet to reach 50 million users. It took 38 years for the radio to reach that same audience, 13 years for television. In 1998, the Internet economy employed 4.8 million workers, more workers than steel and auto and petrochemical industries combined. I would note that, with the economic growth we are enjoying today, the average high-tech wage is 77 percent higher than the average U.S. private sector wage and that Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, indicates that one-third of the economic growth that we have enjoyed today is resulting from the high-tech, new economy. I am proud to be from a State that is a high-tech State. Illinois is a State which ranks fourth today in high-technology employment. We also rank third in high-technology exports. So clearly, this new economy, this technology economy that we are enjoying today is providing tremendous opportunity for every American family. We often wonder who is really taking advantage of the opportunities that are there, how is the Internet and digital or new economy available to the average American. Statistics also show that if a family makes $75,000 or more, they are 20 times more likely than families with less income to have Internet access at home. And when you think about it, our educators, our school teachers, the school board members, and school administrators back home in Illinois and Chicago and the south suburbs that I represent have told me they notice a difference in the classroom between those students who have a computer and Internet access at home and students who do not. Children with computers and Internet access at home have an advantage when it comes to doing their homework as well as using the Internet to contact the Library of Congress to do research on school papers. If my colleagues talk with lower-income families who do not have computer and Internet access, they tell us that the main reason is the cost; the cost of Internet access is really the barrier to digital opportunities for that family. As Republicans, of course, our goal is to reduce that cost. We believe in a tax-free, regulation-free trade barrier, free new economy; and we want to ensure that the information superhighway is a freeway and not a toll-way. We are looking for ways to remove those toll booths and make sure the Internet is free or at minimal cost to families. I am proud of what we have been accomplishing. Just over the last few weeks, we passed legislation which says no new taxes on e-commerce, extending for 5 years the current Internet tax moratorium on e- commerce. I am proud to say that we passed legislation just 2 weeks ago which prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from using the authority they have had for a long time to impose new fees and taxes on Internet access. This week the House is going to vote on legislation to eliminate the 3 percent excise tax on telephone calls, which really is a 3 percent excise tax on Internet access, because 96 percent of Americans who use the Internet and go on-line use their telephone service. So clearly, when this House votes this week to eliminate that 3 percent tax on telephone calls, we will be removing one more toll on the information superhighway. Clearly, as Republicans, our goal is simple. We want the information superhighway to be a freeway and not a toll-way. I also want to mention two other proposals I am proud to sponsor, legislation which is designed to ensure the information highway is a freeway not a toll-way. I talked earlier about lower-income families not having computer and Internet access at home. I am proud to say that major employers in the State that I represent in Illinois have stepped forward, the private sector stepping forward to provide Internet and computer access as an employee benefit so the children of their janitors and laborers and assembly line workers of companies like Ford, Intel, American Airlines, and Delta Airlines have those computers. Well, those computers should be tax free. Right now the IRS would like to tax them. That act would ensure they are treated the same as an employee benefit, such as pensions and retirement, as well as health care. I ask bipartisan support, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on these proposals.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4475, the fiscal year 2001 Transportation Appropriations bill. Mr. Chairman, this legislation addresses key transportation priorities including two projects critical to my district: Metra expansion and the EJ&E Railroad bridge. This legislation funds Metra at $35 million for fiscal year 2001, allowing Metra to continue work on the North Central Service Line, the Union Pacific West Line, and the South West Service to Manhattan. One of my top legislative priorities continues to be the expansion of the South West Service line which greatly benefits the residents of the 11th Congressional District. These funds ensure that the South West Service line will continue to be developed to meet the region's growing needs. I continue to support a further extension of the Metra system to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and the planned Deer Run Industrial Park. Metra operates over 12 rail lines in the Chicago Metropolitan Area and serves more than 120 communities with 240 stations and a stop at O'Hare International Airport. The Metra system covers a territory the size of Connecticut with a population of 7.5 million, providing 4,000 revenue trains and carrying 1.5 million riders. On-time performance continues to be well above 96 percent since every year of Metra's existence. Mr. Chairman, the legislation also provides $3 million for completion of design and engineering work of the EJ&E Railroad bridge. The EJ&E Railroad bridge crosses over the Illinois River near my hometown of Morris, IL. Unfortunately, it is the most hit bridge throughout the inland river system, being hit over 200 times in 2 years. This project will ultimately widen the width between the piers of the bridge. Funding for this project will make the Illinois River safer for maritime traffic by reducing accidents while helping the flow of commerce. In addition, this is a cost-effective project; according to the Coast Guard, modifications made to this bridge will save $1.1 million in damage each year. Mr. Chairman, I commend Chairman Wolf and Chairman Young for their hard work on this good piece of legislation. I ask all of my colleagues to support its passage.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks ago, I convened Medicare town hall meetings with senior citizens in my district that I represent in the towns of South Holland and Joliet, Illinois, to listen to the seniors, the folks back home, about what they feel is needed in a Medicare prescription drug benefit, the proposal we now have before us in Congress. What I heard, Mr. Speaker, were some horror stories about the cost of drugs today for our seniors. In fact, I met with one gentleman from South Holland who spends $8,000 a year just for four injections. I heard from a retired steelworker in Joliet who wanted choices in drug plans, including the option to keep his current plan provided by his former employer if it is better. A widow from Calumet City told me about the times that she will go without breakfast or lunch just to save $15 or $20 so she can afford her arthritis medication. These are heart wrenching stories, Mr. Speaker. But one thing I heard over and over again is that this Congress should work together to solve the challenge for modernizing Medicare to include a prescription drug benefit. We have seen what has happened in the last few years whenever we try to work to modernize Medicare. We have seen those who wanted to politicize it for partisan purposes using Medi-Scare and poison-pill politics. Mr. Speaker, let us work together. Let us find a bipartisan way to provide prescription drug coverage for our seniors.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate very much this opportunity today to talk about technology, the new economy and digital opportunity for all Americans, but let me begin by just sharing some statistics. Over 100 million U.S. adults today are using the Internet, and seven new people are on the Internet every second. 78 percent of Internet users almost always vote in national, State and local elections, compared to 64 percent of nonInternet users. It took just 5 years for the Internet to reach 50 million users, much faster than traditional electronic media. In fact, it took 13 years for television to reach 50 million and radio, 38 years. The Internet economy generated, just in the past couple of years, over $300 billion in revenue in 1998. It was responsible for creating 1.2 million jobs. Preliminary employment data now shows that the U.S. high technology industry employed 4.8 million workers in 1998, making it one of our Nation's largest industries, in fact, larger than steel, auto and petroleum combined. In 1997, the high tech average wage was 77 percent higher than the average U.S. private sector wage. I am proud to say I represent the great State of Illinois, what some call the land of Lincoln. People often do not think of Illinois as a technology center, but it is. In fact, Illinois ranks third today in technology exports and fourth in technology employment. But clearly, Illinois is one of the top 10 cyber States, as some would say, a major State that is producing new technology and new ideas. I have talked with many over the years, over the last few years, in particular, about what it takes and why this economy is growing so well in Illinois. And, that is, they say that government has actually stayed out of the way of the new economy. The new economy has been tax free, it has been regulation free, it is trade barrier free. That is why it has been so successful, creating opportunity for so many. That is why I am pleased that House Republicans continue to lead the way in technology. Our e-contract continues to work for a tax-free, regulation-free, trade-barrier-free new economy. And, of course, one of the areas we want to focus on is the area of providing digital opportunity for all Americans. You know, it is unfortunate that it seems the higher the income, the more likely you are on-line. Families that have incomes of $75,000 or more are nine times more likely to have a home computer, and more than 20 times more likely to have Internet access than a low or moderate income family. When asked why lower income families and more moderate income families do not have Internet access or a home computer, those families, those working families, cite that cost, the cost of the computer, the cost of subscribing to the Internet access, is a chief barrier. That is why I am so pleased that this week House Republicans once again are going to lead the way on technology. We are going to be moving legislation passed out of the Committee on Ways and Means, which I serve on, legislation to repeal a 3 percent excise tax on telephone calls, a tax that has been in place since the Spanish American War, over a century. It was a temporary tax at that time. Well, that 3 percent tax is a tax today on Internet access, because 96 percent of those who access the Internet use their telephone to go on-line. Let us pass that legislation. I hope it has strong bipartisan support. I also want to call attention to my colleagues in the House to two important initiatives, legislation designed to increase digital opportunities so that every American family has the opportunity to be part of today's new economy. I am so proud that private employers have stepped forward to help solve the so-called digital divide. I have many educators that tell me that they find that children who have a computer at home compared to those who do not tend to do better in school. They notice the difference. They believe it is in the best interests of families when it comes to doing homework as well as research where you can access the Library of Congress via the Internet for children to have a computer at home. I am pleased that Ford Motor Company, Intel, American Airlines and Delta Airlines have stepped forward on their own initiative to provide home computers as well as Internet access as an employee benefit. Thanks to those four companies, 600,000 American working families will now have access to computers and Internet access. That means everybody from the janitor to the laborer to the guy working on the shop floor, up through middle management, up to the CEO, will all have access, universal access to the Internet, meaning their children will have a computer at home to do school work and research for school papers and school projects. That is good news. Unfortunately, many other companies that would like to do this, like to provide computers and Internet access to their employees, have been advised by their tax lawyers, wait a second; if you do, you are going to cause a tax increase for your employees because the IRS and Treasury Department will call this a taxable benefit. That is why the Data Act is so important. Let us treat that computer and Internet access as tax free, the same as an employer-provided contribution to your pension, the same as an employer contribution to your health care. Mr. Speaker, that type of initiative deserves bipartisan support.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), for the time that he has given me in this legislation before us today. It is not often that we have the opportunity to salute outstanding public servants from the City of Chicago. I am proud today to rise to honor the work and dedication of Alderman John J. Buchanan and urge this body to vote in favor of designating the post office at 9308 South Chicago Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the John J. Buchanan Post Office Building. I have enjoyed working with John Buchanan over the last 6 years that I have had the privilege of representing residents of the 10th Ward of the City of Chicago. I consider him a friend, an advisor, someone who I have grown to respect so much for the contribution he has made to his community and for all of us. This past year, Alderman Buchanan retired after serving as alderman for the 10th Ward in the City of Chicago for over 20 years. He is a life-long resident, public servant of the 10th Ward. The only time Alderman Buchanan left his community was during the time that he served in the United States Navy. After he served our country, Alderman Buchanan returned to the 10th Ward and married his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Halbe. Alderman Buchanan and his wife have two children and five grandchildren. Alderman Buchanan's knowledge of business and industry comes from his richly diverse work background. His work experience includes positions at the Aluminum Company of America, the United States Post Office and the Chicago Board of Education. Alderman Buchanan is also a licensed stationary engineer and has both a real estate broker's license as well as an insurance broker's license. His experience as an insurance salesman is what opened doors to his deeper understanding of the needs of his community. Alderman Buchanan was first selected to office as alderman for the 10th Ward of Chicago in 1963 and served the community until 1971. From 1972 until 1977, he served as coordinator of economic development for the mayor of Chicago. While in this development, he successfully instituted programs for the retention and attraction of new business and industry to the City of Chicago. In 1991, Alderman Buchanan was once again elected to serve as alderman of the 10th Ward for the City of Chicago. His city councilman memberships included Aviation, Budget and Government Relations, Rules and Ethics, Economics and Capital Development, Finance, Human Relations and Police and Fire Committee. He dedicated his entire life to his neighbors, the people of the City of Chicago and has worked in the administration of every mayor of Chicago, including the legendary Richard J. Daley. Alderman John Buchanan is a tireless public servant devoted to the 10th Ward of Chicago. In honor of Alderman Buchanan's distinguished career, I urge this body to vote in favor of this legislation designating the post office at 9308 South Chicago Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, as the John J. Buchanan Post Office Building. This is an appropriate recognition of his service to Chicago and the people of Illinois and, frankly, Mr. Speaker, it is a very appropriate thank you for a lifetime of public service to the people of Chicago. Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to vote for this legislation.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, let me begin by saluting the chairman of the Committee on Resources as well as the ranking member for their leadership in demonstrating that Republicans and Democrats can work together on important environmental legislation. This legislation is clearly in the spirit of that great conservation President, Teddy Roosevelt, legislation that will further our investment in open space, our investment in conservation and wildlife habitat, farmland preservation and the protection of wetlands. I have had the privilege over the last 6 years of representing the south side of Chicago and the south suburbs. One thing I have seen every day that I drive through the district I represent, that is, the south suburbs keep growing south. Clearly the need to protect land for open space and conservation must be a priority. This legislation nicknamed CARA is a step in the right direction. I believe it is probably the most important environmental vote that I will have an opportunity to make in the 6 years that I have been here. I think of Illinois and the home State that I represent, and Illinois historically has not done very well in acquiring Federal dollars for conservation and for open space and wildlife habitat, but this legislation will turn that around. In fact, my home State of Illinois will benefit to the tune of almost $56 million in funds that will come back to Illinois to match the initiatives for open space that Governor Ryan has initiated on his ``40 over 4'' program to set aside land for open space in Illinois, and from a local level, the Will County forest reserve which through the initiative of the taxpayers last year, initiated an $80 billion bond authorization. They will receive matching funds for open space and conservation. It will also help support our efforts to save and preserve the Kankakee River, one of Illinois' historically cleanest rivers through conservation easements as well as wetlands preservation. And last, I would note as a representative of the city of Chicago that the city of Chicago ranks 18th out of 20 in parks and lands set aside for recreation and conservation, that these funds will help the city of Chicago, not only establish new parks and green space but reestablish the Lake Michigan shoreline in the city of Chicago. This legislation, CARA, is good for the environment, it is good for conservation, it is good for Illinois' future, it is good for America's future. I salute the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for his leadership, and I urge an aye vote. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer my strong support of H.R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act will greatly benefit our nation and the residents of the State of Illinois, providing $56 million annually to Illinois for conservation. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act is a landmark in our nation's conservation heritage. H.R. 701 is the most significant piece of environmental legislation in a generation, and I am pleased to be a supporter of it. The accomplishments of this bill are many, including providing open space preservation, fish and wildlife conservation, urban park restoration, and historic renovation. Mr. Chairman, my home State of Illinois will see tremendous benefits from this legislation. Illinois currently receives far less federal dollars than most other states for open space preservation. This is wrong when we know that our open space is disappearing rapidly, especially in the South Suburbs which I represent. Governor George Ryan has crafted a successful program in Illinois known as the Open Land Trust, providing $40 million annually over four years to protect and preserve open space. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act will provide matching funds for this program, making this an ideal time to pass the Act for Illinois. In the 11th District which I represent there are several open space needs which will be met with the passage of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act. Will County recently passed a $70 million bond authorization for the protection of open space. The Land and Water Conservation Fund portion of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act could leverage these local dollars by 50 percent. Further, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has identified $30 million in land acquisition needs in the Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle areas. Land and Water conservation funds could provide an additional $15 million to meet these needs. Finally, the City of Chicago currently ranks 18th of the 20 largest cities in open space preservation to population; the Conservation and Reinvestment Act will help to solve this problem. In addition to open space benefits, Illinois will receive support for the conservation of fish and wildlife. Under the auspices of the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Fund, Illinois will receive approximately $14 million annually for the preservation and support of fish and wildlife. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has identified a $41 million annual need for the conservation of fish and wildlife preservation, education, and recreation. The Land and Water Conservation Fund would leverage state dollars by 75 percent. This portion of the legislation is vitally important not only for the health of our environment, plants and animals, but also for sportsmen and sportswomen. The legislation also provides shoreline protection funds through Title I provisions. These funds will help to protect Lake Michigan shoreline, Illinois Beach State Park, and endangered and threatened species. In addition, funds for historic preservation are also provided. Mr. Chairman, this is good bipartisan legislation and it should be passed today. I commend the leadership of Representative Don Young and Speaker Hastert in bringing the Conservation and Reinvestment Act to the floor and I urge my colleagues to support this bill and defeat any weakening amendments.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this important legislation. Let me share some interesting statistics with my friends and colleagues. One-third of all economic growth today results in the new economy based on technology. High-tech wages are 77 percent higher on average than the other private sector jobs; 37 million Americans access the Internet every day. Clearly, the new economy offers great opportunity for all Americans. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to say that Illinois is a high-tech State. Illinois ranks fourth today in technology employment. We rank third in technology exports. This issue is important to the people of Illinois, and it is a simple bill. We are just saying, no new taxes on e- commerce. No new taxes; pretty simple message. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that the number of new websites and Internet users doubles every 100 days. This issue is whether or not we impose any new taxes on Internet and e-commerce sales. Let us remember traditionally that government has always been very creative in finding new ways to tax. We are just saying no new taxes. At a time when the new economy is growing so strongly, creating one- third of all the new jobs, we want to keep it growing. I am proud that Illinois has been leading the way. I am proud that Illinois made the statement 2 years ago that it will not tax Internet access charges subjecting them to the State's sales tax, the telecommunications tax. Illinois has already led the way, and we are following the lead of States like Illinois, because Illinois wants a growing new economy. The new economy is growing today because we have a simple agenda here in this Congress. The majority wants a tax-free, regulation-free, trade barrier-free new economy and because of that, it is growing, creating new opportunity for millions of Americans. There is no excuse for delay. We are hearing lots of excuses because some people want to tax the Internet. No more excuses; no new taxes. No new taxes on the economy. Let us vote aye.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to address this House today on issues I believe are extremely important to our economy and to working families not only from my State in Illinois, but across this country. Mr. Speaker, I represent a very diverse district. I represent the south suburbs of Chicago, as well as the southern part of the city of Chicago. I represent bedroom communities and farm communities, a very, very diverse district of city and suburbs and communities. I often find as I travel throughout the district that I have the privilege of representing, whether I am at the Steelworkers Hall in Hegewisch, a neighborhood in Chicago, or at the Legion Post in Joliet, or a grain elevator in Tonica, Illinois, or a coffee shop in my hometown of Morris, I find that there is a pretty common message whether I am in the city, the suburbs, or country; and that is that the folks back home in Illinois and the land of Lincoln, they tell me that they want us to work to find solutions to the challenges that we face. Those solutions sometimes require a bipartisan effort. In many cases they do. I am proud that our efforts over the last few years of working together to come up with solutions produced the first balanced budget in 28 years, the first middle class tax cut in 16 years, the first real welfare reform in a generation. We stopped the raid on Social Security, and we began paying down the national debt. Those are real accomplishments, and they are producing results. We have seen unprecedented economic growth for 9 years, economic growth that started in 1991 and continues to this day; and clearly, the balanced budget contributes to its continued growth. I am proud to say the balanced budget now is producing almost $3 trillion of extra money. And rather than arguing over how to eliminate the deficit, today we are arguing over what to do with that extra money. Our welfare reform has resulted in an almost 50 percent reduction in our Nation welfare roles. Seven million former welfare recipients are now working and have joined employment roles, having economic opportunity and a chance to move up the economic ladder. I am also proud to say that when we stopped the raid on Social Security and began the process of paying down the national debt that, in the last 3 years, we paid down $350 billion of the national debt. And we are on track with the budget we are going to pass this year to eliminate the national debt by the year 2013. That is progress. That is real results. Tonight I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about an area of our economy, an area of American society and, frankly, a part of our global economy, an area that there is greater interest in, for a lot of reasons. And tonight I wanted to talk about the new economy and some of the challenges, as well as some of the solutions, to the new economy of the 21st century. Let me start, in talking about the new economy, to talk about some facts, some statistics about the Internet and the new economy. Over 100 million United States adults today are using the Internet, and seven new people are on the Internet for the first time every second. Seventy-eight percent of Internet users almost always vote in national, State and local elections, compared with only 64 percent of non-Internet users. From a historical standpoint, the Internet began as the Advanced Research Project's Agency Network during the Cold War back in 1969 as a way of trying to determine how our military could communicate in time of nuclear war. Clearly, here is a peacetime conversion of military technology. What is hard to believe is that it only took 5 years for the Internet to reach 50 million users, a much faster one compared to the traditional electronic media. It took television 13 years and it took radio 38 years to reach that same audience. In just 5 years, 50 million users were on the Internet. The Internet economy today generates an estimated 301 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, and it is responsible for over 1.2 million jobs. And preliminary employment data shows that the technology industry in America employed 4.8 million workers in 1998, making it one of our Nation's largest industries. The average high-tech average wage was 77 percent higher than the average U.S. private sector wage. It is also interesting to note that 63 percent of Americans believe that the Internet will be equally or more important than traditional sources of information in the future. When it comes to all of our pocketbooks, the Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan, points out and says that in the last few years, one third of all the economic growth, one third of all the new jobs that have been created in our economy, result from technology, much of it generated from the Internet. I am proud to come from a great State, the great State of Illinois. Illinois, of course, is nicknamed in many cases, we think of it as an industrial State, we think of Illinois as an agricultural State. But Illinois is also a technology State. People often think of Silicon Valley, they think of the Silicon Corridor in Boston, they think of Seattle and Redmond, home to Microsoft and some of our bigger technology corporations; and they often overlook the fact that the Chicago land region ranks fourth today in technology employment, with well over 210,000 technology workers currently working in technology in Illinois. I pointed out that the wages of technology jobs are 77 percent more than other jobs in today's economy. I would also point out that technology trade is extremely important to Illinois, my home State. Illinois exported over $16 billion just a couple years ago, making Illinois the third highest ranking State in our Union when it comes to technology exports. I am pretty proud of that. And we think of the map here, which shows the top cyber States, the States which generate the most jobs from technology. As I pointed out earlier, Illinois ranks fourth today in technology employment. Of course, Texas and California have grown the most in technology employment. In fact, just in the last few years, technology employment in Texas, home to Governor Bush, has seen the greatest growth in technology. As I mentioned earlier, technology employment not only in my State of Illinois but throughout this country is a major contributor to our economy, in jobs in millions, in technology. According to these statistics here, there were 4.8 million jobs in technology in 1998. That is more than the combined jobs in steel, chemicals, auto manufacturing and services. Think about that. The traditional industries of steel and chemicals, which of course that is petroleum and, of course, auto, traditional basic jobs of our old economy of the 20th century, those jobs today are outnumbered by the jobs in technology. Clearly our economy is changing. We often have to ask, how can we harness that change to benefit the average working American? How can we harness that growth in the new economy so that every American has the opportunity to participate in that economic growth as well as to contribute with their ideas and entrepreneurship? I have listened to many of those who work in technology, many of those who have created; that is, the companies that have done so well, those who have created that new technology, created those jobs and opportunity. It is all about creativity. That is something I have learned when it comes to technology. But the message is clear. If we want to harness the new economy to continue to provide growth and opportunity for the American people, if we want to ensure that, there are some three basic rules that we want to, I think, adopt. Some say, what can Congress, what can government do to get involved in the new economy? Of course the government likes to regulate and tax as well as to stick its nose into a lot of things. But clearly this success of the new economy, the fact that high tech job wages are 77 percent higher than other sectors of the economy, the fact that one- third of all these new jobs have been created by the technology economy, the fact that our economy is growing so rapidly because of technology resulted basically because government was not in the way. Clearly as we work to build our new economy, the best approach for government basically is to stay out of the way and let the private sector innovate and create with a goal of a tax-free, trade-barrier- free and regulation-free new economy. I am proud to say that House Republicans continue to lead in the effort to build and promote opportunity in the new economy. We of course are working to honor what we call the e-contract 2000, a contract that we are committed to, to grow the new economy and to provide digital opportunity for all Americans. Of course, the central tenets, the central goals of our e-contract are to grow the new economy by reducing taxes, limiting regulation, reducing unnecessary lawsuits, promoting free trade and e-commerce and building a high tech future. Those are lofty goals. But if we all work together in Congress and we all work together in the same way that we succeeded in balancing the budget for the first time in 28 years, the way that we cut taxes for the middle class for the first time in 16 years, take the same approach that we succeeded in cutting our welfare rolls in half with the implementation of welfare reform and it all resulted in a growing economy that has seen unprecedented economic growth and the lowest unemployment in 30 years. I am proud to say our approach to lowering taxation, minimizing regulation and promoting trade-barrier-free commerce has produced some real accomplishments in this Congress. I am proud that thanks to Republican leadership, we put in place a moratorium on new taxes on Internet sales so that we do not double-tax and increase taxation of the new economy. My hope is that will be extended and we can have a vote on that fairly soon. I am proud to say as a Republican Congress that rewarded investment and the creation of new technology and research with what is the longest ever extension of the research and development tax credit, to make it easier to attract new investment in research and development technology, the R&D tax credit, that was one of those that every year was extended maybe for 9 months or 12 months. When you are a private employer considering investing your resources, your dollars in R&D, you always think about the tax consequences. By extending it for 5 years, we made sure that when they invest, they can be confident that that investment will be recognized and treated fairly under our tax code. I am also proud to say that this Republican Congress recognizes the importance of protecting intellectual property rights, ensuring those who innovate and create and come up with new ideas get the credit as well as benefit from their hard work and their labors when we passed the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Act in 1998. Soon we are going to be passing the e-sign legislation, legislation that establishes a uniform and legally binding standard for electronic signatures in e-commerce. You often think of legal documents being a piece of paper. Today, so much of the business, so many transactions today are done over the Internet. We have to ensure that we can come up with a way to ensure that those business transactions are legally binding even though it is a virtual transaction and that e-sign legislation which has passed the House and Senate, we are now in conference working out differences in our legislation between the House and Senate, moves quickly so that we can continue to grow the new economy. I am proud of those accomplishments. We have also passed out of the House more legislation protecting intellectual property rights; the American Inventors Protection Act addressed the issue of cyber- squatting, those folks who would steal names. I am also proud to say that under the leadership of those who want to promote research, which is the Republican majority, that we passed out of the House the Network and Information Technology Research and Development Act, legislation that boosts Federal investment in new technology, in new ideas helping grow the new economy. Those are accomplishments. We have moved that out of the House. I have said that one of our other goals of the Republican majority is also to promote barrier-free trade. Coming up in less than 2 weeks is probably going to be the most important technology vote of the year, a vote that will determine what kind of access Americans would like to give themselves into what is the world's largest market. It will be a decision over whether Americans want to sell products to over 1.3 billion customers. That is the issue of whether or not we grant permanent normal trade relations with China. China, of course, is the world's most populous nation. China has made a commitment to join the World Trade Organization and live by the rules, to honor intellectual property agreements, to honor trade agreements. As we know right now, they have access to our markets. All we have to do is go to the discount store and shop for some T-shirts to see that China has access to our markets. The question really is, do we want access to China's market? That is why the vote on permanent normal trade relations, the same trade status we give to almost everyone else, if we are going to give ourselves access to that market. To me it is the normal thing to do, to want to be able to sell our products that we make in Illinois in China. Now, China is pretty important in technology. I would point out of the top five U.S. exports to China, the top five are electrical machinery as well as office machines, particularly computers. Of course it is expected that by the end of this year, within the next couple of years, by the end of 2001, that China will become the world's second largest personal computer market. I would note that over the last 10 years, U.S. technology exports to China have increased by 500 percent. Think about that. If technology is the fastest growing sector of our economy, if technology is the part of our economy that is creating the biggest chunk of new jobs, one-third of all new jobs being created by technology, would we not want to sell those products in the world's largest market? And, of course, that is China. Illinois, of course, is a major exporting State. As I pointed out earlier, Illinois ranks fourth in technology jobs. But Illinois ranks third in export and trade of our technology. It is important to us. We exported over a billion dollars from Illinois to China last year. I think we need more opportunity in that market. That is why I support normal trade relations with China, because it is good for American workers and it is going to create more jobs for American workers. Clearly if we want to grow our technology economy, which I certainly want to do for the State I am proud to represent, Illinois, we need to increase our market. I also wanted to talk a little bit as we talk about technology not only about trade but about another challenge that we face. That is something that some people call the digital divide, what I call the challenge to provide digital opportunity. What really hit home about the issue of the need to provide digital opportunity is when I talk to educators, teachers, school board members, school administrators, and they tell me that they are beginning to notice a difference in the classroom between the children who have a computer at home and those who do not. That the school kids who have a computer at home to work on their schoolwork, their homework seem to be doing a little better in school than those who do not. That is an issue of concern to our educators. Clearly education has been a priority in this Congress. In fact in our budget this year, we increased funding for elementary and secondary education by 10 percent while balancing the budget. So at the same time we are making education a priority, maybe we need to think about what we can do to help those kids who do not have a computer at home so that they can compete in the classroom. That is a big issue here, creating digital opportunity for our kids and for the future. Because those young people, those children that do not have a computer at home, if they are behind in school because they do not have a computer and trying to compete with their classmates, think about what that means for them long-term in competing for jobs and, of course, competing in the new economy of the 21st century. There are some interesting statistics out there. People say the digital divide. What really is the digital divide? We hear about it. If the digital divide is out there, is there something that we can do to make that digital divide really something called digital opportunity? If we think about it here, it is interesting that when we look at the digital divide, it is interesting that many cases it is the income level of the family that creates the digital divide. It says here, some statistics I have with me today, that urban households earning more than $75,000 annually are more than 20 times likely to have home Internet access compared to urban families at the lowest income levels. Think about that. In many communities in this State of Illinois as well as in this country, $75,000 is middle class or upper middle class. But they are 20 times as likely to have computers and Internet access as low-income families. I would also point out that those families with persons making less than $25,000 annually generally cite cost as the primary reason for not using the Internet at home, while those making more cite do not want it as the reason. Let me repeat that again. Low-income families say the reason they do not have computer at home, the reason they do not have access to the Internet is because of the cost, whereas higher income families just because they do not want to have it. So clearly there is a recognition by those families in many cases who do not have computers and Internet access that if they had a little more money or somehow Internet access could be more affordable that they would want their children to have computers at home, too. How can we create digital opportunity recognizing that income disparity on the so-called digital divide? I have also learned that if you look at statistics, that education level creates a digital divide. Those with the higher level of education, higher level of education degrees tend to have computers and Internet access. In fact, those with college degrees are 10 times more likely to have Internet access at work than persons with only some high school education. And that 62 percent of those with college degrees now use the Internet, while those with only a grade school education, only about 7 percent of them use the Internet. And also in rural areas it is interesting that those with college degrees are more likely to have access to the Internet than those without. So how can we ensure that those who are from families where there is not a college degree have computers and Internet access? Some say we should be just talking about that digital divide. I believe that we should be looking for ways to create digital opportunity, because if we create digital opportunity, we can harness the new economy to ensure that every child has access to computers and the Internet, not only at school but at home. We are of course working in the Republican majority to find ways to provide digital opportunity, to eliminate the so-called digital divide. We want to pass tax incentives to encourage computers at home as well as in the school. We want to encourage donation of computers to schools by the private sector. We want to bring down the costs of Internet access, and we pointed out earlier lower-income families identify the costs of Internet access and the costs of having that computer as their chief barrier to having a home computer for their child to be able to do their school work on. Clearly, we have to work on an agenda, which will provide digital opportunity, digital opportunity for families, digital opportunities for e-commerce, both at home as well as at work. There are several ways we can do that. Clearly, the ways we can do that is to give educational priority so that as we raise the education level, people tend to have a computer and Internet access, but also when it comes to education, should we not also ensure that families know how to use a computer; that teachers understand how to train students on how to use that computer for homework and classes, as well as research on school papers and preparing for a test? I am proud to say that this House continues to lead the way in boosting education. As I mentioned earlier, we increased funding in this year's balanced budget by 10 percent for public education, a 10 percent increase while even balancing the budget, but we also worked to make sure those dollars reach the classroom, and that those dollars have distributed back to our local schools in a way that those schools can take advantage of those programs to train teachers, as well as to ensure that there is technology in the wire, in the fiber and the hardwares installed in the classroom. We are ready soon to vote on here in the House the Education Options Act, legislation which will provide training for teachers, to integrate technology into the classroom, that has passed committee, and it is waiting for a vote here in the House. I am also proud to say that the House Committee on Ways and Means which I serve on has improved the Education Savings in School Excellence Act, a program that would increase the amount of money you can set aside in Education Savings Account from $500 to $2,000 allowing families to save more for their child's education, but I would also point out that those dollars we would allow families to use to buy computer equipment and also the software they need to run those computers, and they would also be able to use those dollars to hire a tutor, if necessary, to help their child catch up in the classroom. That legislation has passed committee. It is waiting a vote here in the full House of Representatives. The House of Representatives just this past year passed the Teacher Empowerment Act which allows local schools to spend Federal dollars to teach educators how to integrate technology into the classroom, to ensure that technology is in the classroom, but also to ensure that teachers understand how to use that technology and better educate the children. Mr. Speaker, I would also point out that there is a number of initiatives in the Committee on Ways and Means that I serve on which would also help provide computers in the school. I am proud to say that the House Committee on Ways and Means is now considering the New Millennium Classrooms Act, legislation that would increase the amount of the charitable deduction that a business would receive if they donate their surplus computers to schools. Those are good ideas, good ideas to help in the classroom, good ideas to ensure that our children have an opportunity at school in how to use a computer, that teachers know how to use those computers, that teachers also know how to train them, but the other solution I believe to helping eliminate so-called digital divide, providing greater digital opportunity, is to find ways so that families could have computers and Internet access at home, so that when school children bring their homework home, they have got a computer at home to work on it, a computer they can use to solve their problems and to access the Internet for research, so that they can contact the Library of Congress, the greatest library in the world, via the Internet, and, of course, have that literally at home as a research tool to prepare their schools paper. And that is a challenge. As I mentioned earlier in the statistics, many of these low-income families that do not have computers identify the costs of Internet access as being the barrier that prevents them from having computer and Internet access. So how can we solve that challenge? I am proud to say a major employer in our country, but also a major in the District that I represent, and I have two Ford auto plants in Hegewisch and Chicago Heights, that I represent would point out that companies have stepped forward, major corporations have stepped forward in our country, Ford Motor Company, Intel, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and have stepped forward in that effort to help ensure that their workers have computers at home so their workers children have those computers for their school work. Think about that. American Airlines has 100,000 employees, between Ford Motor Company, American Airlines, Intel and Delta Airlines, 600,000 workers, every one from the guy who sweeps the assembly line floor, to the CEO, every one of those families, universal access to Ford Motor Company's families, to the Internet in computers, as a result of a program they are now offering, which will provide as an employee benefit computers and Internet access. It would be an employee benefit the same as a pension or as your health care coverage, having a computer at home and subsidize reduced rate Internet access. Think about that. American Airlines, 100,000 employees, Intel, American Ford Motor Company and Delta Airlines, a total of 600,000 families that will benefit from this type of program. I believe we should find more companies willing to step forward to provide digital opportunity on a universal basis for their employees. There is a consequence. We discovered that when Ford and Intel and American and Delta stepped forward to provide this benefit for their employees, computers and Internet access to help their children learn at home that there is a tax consequence. The consequence was that this new benefit for employees having a computer and Internet access was taxable, which meant the worker would have to pay higher taxes in order to have that computer and that Internet access, and that is a question; is that right? I don't believe so. To me, it is just good government policy to encourage private employees to help eliminate the digital divide, to provide greater digital opportunity. That is why I am proud that just prior to the Passover on Easter break, before Congress took a 2-week break to be back home in our districts, that I was joined by my colleague the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) in introducing what we call the DDATA Act, the Digital Divide Access Technology Act, legislation that treats this computer and Internet access benefit that is provided by private employer to employees as a tax-free benefit. It treats it the same as an employee contribution to a worker's pension, as an employer's contribution to a worker's health care benefits. It just make sense. My hope is this legislation will receive bipartisan support and move quickly through the House. Ladies and gentlemen, we want to eliminate the digital divide. We want to eliminate the digital divide by creating digital opportunity at school, as well as in the home. I am proud of that. It is important initiative. Both initiatives deserve bipartisan support. We also want to provide greater digital opportunity in the workplace. One of the ways we need to do a better job here in the Congress, where we can stay out of the way, but also bring fairness to the Tax Code, is to recognize the need, the need to modernize and update the tax treatment of technology in the workplace. Technology changes pretty rapidly. Mr. Speaker, today, private employers are replacing the computers in their office every 14 to 16 months, but under our current Tax Code, our employers and private businesses, whether it is the realtor or the insurance agent, as well as the big corporation, they have to carry those computers on their books for 5 years. They are depreciated over a 5-year period, even though that computer is replaced every 14 months. Essentially, our Tax Code is discouraging private employers and business from taking advantage of the latest technology, because the Tax Code says if we are going to depreciate that you have got to keep it on the books for 5 years; that really delays the decision to upgrade the technology. Now that we are in the global economy, do we not want the business community and our employers and those who use computers in the workplace to have the latest technology to compete? I think we do, and that is why I introduced legislation called the Computer Depreciation Reform Act of 2000, legislation which will eliminate that 5-year depreciation schedule and recognize reality here in the 21st century, and, that is, the need to reform depreciation and essentially what we call expensing in government jargon which means you can fully deduct the cost of that computer in the first year; 1 year, rather than 5, that recognizes the 14 to 16 months that you replace your computer. Before I close, I am going to mention the last tax initiative that I believe deserves support that is now before the Committee on Ways and Means. Many poor families, as I noted earlier in the statistics that I share, have stated that the costs of Internet access in computers at home is a chief barrier to having those computers and having Internet access for children and their families in order to help them to do their schoolwork and do their research for school papers at home. I have talked about solutions that Republicans are offering to ensure that computers are available at school and Republicans solutions to ensuring that computers are available at home, but I am also proud to say that there is legislation which I hope we bring before this House also early this summer, which will again help reduce the costs of those computers. Frankly, what we are doing under this proposal is to eliminate what was once a temporary tax on your telephone, that was put in place during the Spanish-American war to pay off the Spanish-American war debt, probably the best example of one of those taxes that never ends, because when that tax was enacted 100 years ago, it was a luxury tax, because not many people had telephone. They figured they stick it to rich people and, of course, over time we now have telephones. And we are all paying this tax, and it was conveniently forgotten to end it. Three cents on every dollar of your telephone service is now collected and goes to Uncle Sam. Mr. Speaker, if we want to reduce access costs to the Internet, we have to recognize that the majority of people who access the Internet obtain their access through the telephone lines. And, of course, if you charge 3 cents on the dollar in taxes for every dollar of telephone use, that means every time you access your computer, access the Internet, it is costly. Let us end that Spanish-American war tax. Let us repeal the telephone excise tax, and think about it if it is 3 percent, that means that your grandmother, who is on a limited income, who uses the telephone to call her grandchildren across this country is paying that 3 percent the same as the millionaire who may live across the street. Ladies and gentlemen, it is a regressive tax as well, so we can reduce the costs for lower-income families, the Internet access by repealing the telephone excise tax. Ladies and gentlemen, we have some big challenges before us and the new economy is contributing so much to the America's future, an economy that is driven by technology and an economy that has grown because government stayed out of the way. If we continue to want to see the new economy grow and technology provide greater opportunity for the American people, then I believe we need to continue that approach of a tax-free, regulation-free, trade barrier-free new economy. We have some solutions. Solutions that promote education. Solutions that promote education as a way of contributing to the new economy. We also have solutions to address the so-called digital divide. I believe we need to provide digital opportunity in school, at home, and in the workplace, and that means we need to pursue a tax-free, trade barrier- free and regulation-free new economy, because that is what it is all about, digital opportunity for our kids and for our future. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to address this House this evening.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Nurses Week, and to especially express gratitude and appreciation to the outstanding Nursing Staff at Edward Hine's Junior Veteran's Medical Center. Throughout the year, these compassionate, hardworking nurses are entrusted with the care of our nation's veterans. The nursing staff at Edward Hine's Junior Veteran's Hospital is comprised of 518 Registered Nurses (RN), 144 Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), 40 Nursing Assistants (NA), 56 Health Care Technicians (HCT), and 91 Clerks, all dedicated individuals whose diligent care is deeply appreciated. I recognize their commitment and endless efforts to offer exceptional patient care, while taking part in research, education, quality improvement, infection control, administration, and many other areas. Clearly these nurses make a tremendous contribution to the well-being of their patients. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. It is only fitting they in turn receive the best quality care. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am proud and honored to offer to my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives an example of the American Spirit where traditional patriotic values of ``Helping Sharing, Always Caring for Our Veterans'' are practiced on a daily basis. The Nursing Staff at Edward Hine's Junior Medical Center is recognized for their professionalism, sensitivity and interpersonal skills as well as their altruistic dedication.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank and commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), my friend, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade for his good work and for yielding me some time. I also want to commend the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer), and the ranking Democrat, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), for their leadership on this legislation, this bipartisan effort. If we believe in free enterprise, if we believe in democracy, we should support this legislation. This legislation is good for America, it is good for Africa, it is good for the Caribbean, for our friends in those nations as well as our friends here at home. It is a win/win for all of us. It is an agreement between the House and Senate; it is an agreement that will increase investment in Africa and in the Caribbean, as well as increase investment here in the United States. I would note that these statistics I think really illustrate why this initiative is so important. Let me note that 1998, the Caribbean Basin, the nations of the Caribbean Basin represent our 6th largest export market for American goods. The United States maintains a large and growing surplus in its trade with this region. In fact, in 1998, just 2 years ago, this trade surplus was almost $3 billion, up 73 percent from the previous year. Exports to the Caribbean Basin region alone support over 400,000 American export-related jobs, creating great opportunities for businesses as well as workers in Chicago as well as the south suburbs. I would also note that trade with Africa supports 200,000 American jobs. In 1998, U.S. exports to Africa totaled over $6.7 billion supporting those 200,000 American workers. That same year, 15 States in our Union reported exports over $100 million each to sub-Saharan African nations. This initiative is good for Africa, it is good for the Caribbean, but most of all, it is good for American workers and American business. It deserves an aye vote; it deserves a strong bipartisan show of support.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, today, I join my colleagues, Tom Davis of Virginia, Billy Tauzin of Louisiana and Jennifer Dunn of Washington, in introducing the Computer Depreciation Reform Act of 2000 to allow businesses to expense their computer equipment. Currently, businesses must depreciate their computer equipment over a 5-year period. I believe that this 5-year depreciation lifetime for tax purposes is clearly outdated. Many companies today must update their computers as quickly as every 14 months in order to stay current technologically. I believe it is time to update an outdated Tax Code to reflect the realities of today's technology-based workplace. A 5-year depreciation schedule for business computers is no longer realistic. The Computer Depreciation Reform Act allows every company, from the neighborhood real estate office, to the local hospital, to the local bank to fully depreciate, or expense, their computer equipment during the tax year in which the equipment is purchased. As a result, these companies will no longer be forced to keep their equipment ``on the books'' for tax purposes long after its useful life has become obsolete. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the leadership, and Chairman Archer to update the Tax Code to reflect the realities of today's technological workplace.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleague, John Lewis of Georgia, to introduce H.R. 4274, the Digital Divide Access to Technology Act of 2000 (DATA Act). The DATA Act addresses a rather new situation which involves employers providing home computers to their employees. Over the past couple of months, four major companies--Ford Motor Company, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Intel--have announced programs to provide home computers to their employees. The question before us is whether employer-provided home computers should be considered taxable income to the employees. I believe that the government should not tax these computers and the legislation we are introducing today will ensure that these basic computers do not become a tax liability for the employees. The DATA Act is a digital divide issue and it represents a powerful partnership between private companies and the government as we work to reduce the so-called digital divide and create new digital opportunities. These home computers will be available to employees and their families for work and personal use. Once in the home, the computers can be used by employees for Internet training, by the children for homework and research, and other family members to balance the family budget and stay in touch with far-away relatives. There are no restrictions on the use of the computers. For tax purposes, the DATA Act treats the Internet access and first $1,260 of the value of a computer and peripheral equipment (e.g., monitors, printers and keyboards), including software, and Internet access as a fringe benefit, not subject to income tax. For the program to qualify, employers have to provide computers to substantially all employees working in the United States and employees can receive only one computer within a 36 month time period. If the employer offers a program allowing employees to purchase an upgraded ``or deluxe'' model computer, the first $1,260 in value is still non-taxable, employees can pay for the deluxe version if they choose. Additionally, if employees are required to pay a monthly co- payment for the computer, such as the $5 monthly responsibility of Ford employees, this payment does not factor into the value of the computer. Let me give you an example of how this works. The 350,000 employees at Ford Motor Company will soon receive a home computer which costs $24.95 per month over 36 months, for a total of $898. The employees pay $5 per month, or $180 over 3 years, for the computer. Ford pays $19.95 per month for each employee, or almost $720 over 3 years. The $720 paid by Ford for the computers falls far below the $1,260 exclusion provided by this legislation. This program is available to all employees working for Ford. This includes everyone from the janitor, to the union worker, to the managers, and the Vice Presidents. Mr. Speaker, these companies are likely to be only the first of many companies to provide home computers to their employees. I strongly believe this is an important way we, as policymakers, can work with corporations to help put more computers into the hands of American families and children. This legislation will help us close the digital divide and provide digital opportunities to hundreds of thousands of families currently without this equipment which is rapidly becoming a necessity for survival in the 21st century economy. I look forward to working with these and other employers to continue developing this legislation to make it easier for these computers to be taken home by employees. I also look forward to working with the House Leadership, Chairman Archer, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as the Administration to ensure that this powerful mechanism available to close the digital divide is fully utilized.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 303, 106th Congress, and as the designee of the majority leader, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, it has been a busy week and a busy last several months as we have worked hard to address the concerns we hear about back home. I represent a pretty diverse district. I have the privilege of representing the South Side of Chicago; the neighborhoods of Hegwish, on the east side in the 10th ward. I represent the south suburbs in Cook County; towns like Lansing and Calumet City, and Park Forest and Lynwood; as well as suburban towns in Will County, New Lenox and Frankfort; industrial communities like Joliet; rural areas throughout the rest of Will County and Kankakee, LaSalle and Grundy Counties. And I hear a very clear message in that very diverse district, a message that we should all work together that we should find challenges. And whether my neighbors that I have the privilege to represent reside in the city or the suburbs or the country, they tell me that they want those of us here in the Congress to find solutions to the challenges that we face. I think back to 1994, when I had the privilege of being elected to Congress. I think about the issues of the day at that time, and of course the challenges that we were debating and facing in that campaign. And we discussed solutions to those challenges. I remember back then. It was only 6 years ago that the previous Congress and their mismanagement and the President were running up $200 to $300 billion deficits, spending beyond our means. In fact, it was projected that, before the Republican Congress was elected, that deficit spending would total $200 to $300 billion a year, as far as the eye could see. In response to that, the Democratic Congress, working with President Clinton and Vice President Gore, passed the biggest tax hike in the history of our country, placing America's tax burden at its highest level ever, where the average family in Illinois is now sending at least 42 percent of their average income to Washington or Springfield in the local courthouse. That tax burden is too high. And they raised taxes again and they continued deficit spending. Unfortunately at that time, in 1994, it was clear that they were running the Federal Government on a credit card. They raised taxes and they increased spending. And even though they increased taxes, they still spent well beyond their means, running up deficits of $200 billion to $300 billion a year, running up a massive public debt and raiding Social Security to spend on other things. When we promised change and we made the commitment that when we were given the opportunity as Republicans to be in the majority that we would work to change how Washington works, balancing the budget and paying down the debt and strengthening Social Security and reforming welfare. I am proud to say that in the last 5\1/2\ years that I have had the privilege to serve in this Congress that we went about doing exactly what we said we would do. We balanced the budget for first time in 28 years. In fact, over the next 10 years, as a result of our balanced budget, we are projected to have surpluses, extra money, of almost $3 trillion. We provided for the first middle-class tax cut in 16 years. Three million Illinois children in my home State of Illinois now qualify for that $500 per child tax credit, $500 a year that will stay back home in that family's pocketbooks rather than coming here to Washington. We certainly believe that families back in Illinois and working families throughout this country could better spend their hard-earned dollars better at home than we can for them here in Washington. I am also proud to say that the welfare reform that we enacted over the last 6 years that emphasizes work and family and responsibility has worked. It has succeeded. We now have seen a reduction in our Nation's welfare rolls of one-half. My home county of Grundy County, Illinois, has seen an 85-percent reduction in welfare; and almost seven million Americans have now moved from the welfare rolls to the work rolls and the tax rolls, changing their opportunities. One of our greatest successes this past year, we made a commitment of course to change how Washington works by ending what many call Washington's dirtiest and darkest secret; and that is that for almost 30 years Washington raided the Social Security Trust Fund, dipping into Social Security, America's retirement account, to spend on other things. This past year we put a stop to that, walling off the Social Security Trust Fund so that Social Security dollars could not be spent on anything other than Social Security and Medicare. What a great change in changing how Washington works by stopping the raid on America's retirement account by stopping the raid on Social Security. By the way, we also started paying off the national debt. In the last 3 years, we paid down over $350 billion of the Nation's public debt. That is progress in paying off that credit card debt that was run up prior to 1994. We are now working on an answer to the question of what do we do next in changing how Washington works after we balance the budget and cut taxes and reform welfare, began paying down the national debt and stopped the raid on Social Security. What are we going to do next? Our agenda is simple. We want to help our local schools. We want to strengthen Social Security and Medicare. We want to make our Tax Code more fair. And we wanted to continue paying off that national debt. I am proud to say that the budget agreement between the House and Senate that we adopted this week, the budget resolution, which sets the framework and the guidelines as we balance the budget for the fourth year in a row, sets those priorities. I am proud to say that the Republican balanced budget protects 100 percent of the Social Security surplus, reserves every penny of $161 billion, Social Security surplus dollars, so it is off limits to spending for other purposes. I would point out that last year in the President's budget he proposed spending $57 billion of the Social Security Trust Fund surplus. We said, no, preserving $137 billion total of Social Security for Social Security. That is progress. We stopped the raid last year. This year we are continuing to protect the Social Security Trust Fund, protecting 100 percent of the Social Security surplus. We also in our budget reflect the need and our goal of strengthening Medicare and modernizing Medicare for the 21st century. We reject what the President proposes when he proposes cutting Medicare by almost $18.5 billion. We stand in opposition to those cuts. In fact, we want to set aside $40 billion to ensure that our senior citizens in America have the opportunity to have a modern Medicare program which provides prescription drug coverage to help seniors better afford prescription care. Republicans believe that our Nation's seniors should not have to choose between a trip to the grocery store or a trip to the pharmacy. That is why we set aside $40 billion in our balanced budget to start a brand new, for the first time, prescription drug coverage for our Nation's seniors under Medicare. We also implement a plan to pay off the Nation's credit card. In our balanced budget that we adopted this week, we implement a plan which retires the Nation's public debt by the year 2013. In fact, we pay off $1 trillion of our Nation's public debt over the next 5 years under our balanced budget. As I said earlier, we already paid off well over $300 billion of our Nation's public debt over the last 3 years. Our balanced budget also promote tax fairness, tax fairness for working women, tax fairness for working families, tax fairness for farmers and small business people, as well as our seniors. Our balanced budget, of course, implements our effort to wipe out the marriage tax penalty, provides small business tax relief to help make college and education more affordable for families, and also to make our health care system more accessible. We also strengthen support with our goal of strengthening our local schools. We increase funding for elementary and secondary education by 9.4 percent, a significant boost in funding, more than three times the rate of inflation for elementary and secondary education. And we also make special education a priority, increasing funding for IDEA, which is special education by $2 billion in our balanced budget. And last, I would point out that our balanced budget also works to strengthen our Nation's defenses. We have to recognize that the neglect over the years of our Nation's defenses has caused a problem where we are having a hard time retaining our talented men and women in our Nation's military, those that we call upon to, of course, defend our freedoms. When we increase funding for our Nation's defense, we ensure that our military men and women have the resources they need in order to practice and have the supplies and train and also have quality housing for themselves and their families and good pay. I would point out, we provided a pay raise for our military men and women for the first time in a long time this past year as part of our balanced budget. What does this mean? What does the Republican balanced budget mean for our Nation's families? Well, in 13 years, we will have a debt-free Nation. In 13 years, under our balanced budget, we will eliminate the $3.6 trillion public debt. Public debt that was run up over 28 years of deficit spending will be eliminated in about a total 15 years. By the year 2013, under our balanced budget, we will wipe out our Nation's public debt. If you care about a more secure retirement, which I believe every American does, they care about grandma and grandpa and want to ensure that their mom and dad and, frankly, they themselves have a secure retirement, we began the steps towards strengthening Social Security this past year by stopping the raid on Social Security. We continue that by preserving 100 percent of Social Security for Social Security. It is the way it is supposed to be. We protect America's retirement account. We also set aside funds to help ensure that our seniors have affordable prescription drugs under Medicare. If my colleagues care about education and strengthening our local schools, and I find that that is a priority in the south suburbs of Chicago, as well as the city, everyone wants better schools and wants Congress to support our local schools, both public and private, and I am proud to say that, under our balanced budget, we increase funding for education by almost 10 percent and we make special education a priority, targeting waste and fraud, and ensuring that savings goes into the classroom to help our young people. And if you care about health care and if you are anxious that we find a cure for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, I am proud to say that our balanced budget increases funding for basic research, seeking cures for cancer, Alzheimer's, AIDS, and diabetes. Last, as I mentioned earlier, when it comes to our Nation's defense, we want a safer world. And that is why defense is a priority under our balanced budget. I would like to take a few minutes now just to talk about some specific items on our agenda of strengthening our local schools, making the Tax Code more fair, paying down the national debt, and strengthening Medicare and Social Security, by just talking about a couple items of tax fairness, a couple of items that means so much to millions of Americans. I am proud to say that this House, under the leadership of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert) has acted on the need to bring fairness to our Tax Code. I would like to take a minute and introduce a couple from my district, Shad and Michelle Hallihan. They are public school teachers in Joliet, Illinois. Shad and Michelle are living in Joliet. They are in their mid to late twenties now. They just had a baby. And they, like 25 million married, working couples, suffer something called the marriage tax penalty. I have often been asked in the union halls and VFW posts and coffee shops and grain elevators in the district that I represent, is it right, is it fair that under our Tax Code married, working couples, couples with two incomes where the husband and wife are both in the workforce, pay higher taxes just because they are married? And that is true. And I agree, it is not right. In fact, for Shad and Michelle Hallihan, they suffer basically the average marriage tax penalty of $1,400. Now, here in Washington, there are folks that scoff and say, what is $1,400? No big deal, they probably do not need that money. But for Shad and Michelle, $1,400 is a washer and a dryer, it is a year's tuition at Joliet Junior College or community college in Joliet, it is 3 months of day-care at the local child care center if they want to use day-care for their newborn baby. It is real money for real people like Shad and Michelle. I am proud to say that this House passed overwhelmingly H.R. 6, the Marriage Tax Elimination Act. It was supported by every Republican. I am proud to say that 48 Democrats broke out from under the pressure of their leadership and supported our effort to eliminate the marriage tax penalty. That was a great day as we work to bring tax fairness. And it broke my heart, in fact it probably broke the heart of 28 million married, working couples when the Senate today was prevented from voting on the Marriage Tax Elimination Act. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats decided they were against eliminating the marriage tax penalty and they used parliamentary procedures to prevent our efforts to wipe out the marriage tax penalty for Shad and Michelle Hallihan from even coming up for a vote. That is wrong. We want fairness for couples like Shad and Michelle Hallihan, working couples who suffer the marriage tax penalty. And there are 50 million individuals strong who suffer the marriage tax penalty. And today they are wondering why the Senate Democrats stood in the way and said no to eliminating the marriage tax penalty. That is wrong. My hope is they will change their tune and join with us and make elimination of the marriage tax penalty a bipartisan priority. It breaks my heart that they stood in the way of eliminating the marriage tax penalty for people like Shad and Michelle Hallihan, two public school teachers in Joliet, Illinois, who, just because they are measure, suffer an almost $1,400 marriage tax penalty. I am proud to say, though, that another effort, an effort that was spearheaded by the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Mean the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer) as well as the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), the Speaker of the House, who during their entire careers in the House have called for elimination of a penalty that affects working seniors. I have often had employers in the district that I represent who have been anxious to hire senior citizens to work in their store or their business and those seniors have said, I would like to but I am over 65, I am between the ages of 65 and 70. If I go to work for you, I will lose my social security. When you think about that, today's seniors want to be active longer. They want to work longer. In many cases, their retirement savings and pension plans never worked out the way they had hoped. And so they want to work or need to work. Unfortunately, if they made more than $17,000 a year, and that is not a lot of money today, but if they made more than $17,000 a year, they lost one out of every $3 of the Social Security benefits were taken away from them by the Social Security earnings limit penalty. I am proud to say that this House and the Senate voted unanimously to adopt legislation spearheaded by the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Archer) and the gentleman interest Illinois (Mr. Hastert) which wiped out the Social Security earnings limit so that seniors today can work after they reach the age of 65, can keep their Social Security benefits, particularly recognizing they already had a lifetime of working and had already contributed over a lifetime of Social Security and they got what they deserve thanks to our legislation. I am proud to say that last Friday the President signed our bill. So the Social Security earnings penalty is gone. The legislation is retroactive, so it means that for seniors who have suffered the Social Security earnings limit penalty that, if they make more than $17,000 this year, they will be able to keep 100 percent of the Social Security benefits. That is good news, and good news for our working senior citizens. In fact, there are 58,000 seniors in my home State of Illinois that will benefit from elimination of the Social Security earnings penalty. I would also like to take a moment just to talk briefly about what is a big priority with many families in the district besides tax fairness. They also talk about the need to strengthen our local schools and ensure that our children today have the opportunity for a good quality education. We are in the 21st century and of course there is no better investment than ensuring that children today have an opportunity to learn and have the skills in today's new economy. Under the Republican balanced budget, we increase funding for education by 10 percent. We have several principles that we are reflecting with our agenda this year and implementing this balanced budget that increases funding for education by almost 10 percent. Of course we make children America's top priority by increasing investment in education. We increase our investment in special education to help the disadvantaged by making IDEA a priority. Principle number two is we believe that children have a right to learn in drug-free, nonviolent schools. That is why we passed legislation this week to increase enforcement of gun laws with the passage of Project Exile which establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for those who commit crimes and use guns to commit crimes. We also intensify America's war on drugs, the crippling disease that poses such a danger to America's future. In fact we passed legislation, a special appropriations of $1.2 billion of extra money to fight the war on drugs and keep more drugs from coming into our country. We also believe that children need teachers and schools and programs that demand and meet high standards. Of course this House has passed legislation which provides increased accountability for local schools to raise test scores and graduation rates, passage and enactment of Straight As legislation. I know the Senate will be taking up this legislation soon. We increase investment in teacher training to improve discipline and education quality with the Teacher Empowerment Act which we passed this past year. We also target waste, fraud and abuse in the bureaucracy known as the Department of Education. Of course we want to make sure that those dollars are saved and put back into the classroom to help children learn. Last, our fourth principle is that children must be better prepared. We have a new economy and as the chairman of the Federal Reserve noted, one-third of all the new jobs that have been created in the last 5 years have been generated by technology. So clearly if we want our young people, the children today as well as our adults who are making changes in their careers to be ready to find good-paying jobs in today's new economy, we want to ensure that they understand technology and know how to use technology in the workplace and at home. That is why we work to give parents the right to save money for educational opportunities for their child by expanding education savings accounts. That is why we want to ensure that education savings accounts can be used for elementary and secondary students, grade school and junior high and high school students so they can hire tutors, take special classes and, of course, maybe buy a better textbook or maybe attend private or parochial school. That is a choice our parents should be able to make. We also work to expand access to student loans by increasing the maximum Pell grant award for low-income students who qualify. I am proud to say that in the last 5 years, we have more than doubled the amount of the Pell grants for low-income students and today the Pell grant for low-income students is at its highest level ever in history. We also are working to give private companies incentives to donate technology to schools. Many schools, whether poor or rich, vary in their technology that is available, the type of computers, the type of equipment in the vocational programs and of course the business community should be given an incentive to donate surplus equipment, the latest technology they can provide to our local schools to help ensure that our school children have access and understand today's technology. That is why I want to draw attention to legislation that I introduced today to help address what some call the digital divide. I find that many educators, teachers and school administrators and school board members back in Illinois, in the areas that I represent in the city and the south suburbs and rural areas tell me they notice a difference in the abilities and how students are able to perform in the classroom between those who have access to computers at home and those who do not. So that is a challenge. How can we encourage our young people to have access to computers and learn how to use the Internet at home and be ready for the workplace. I am proud to say that several companies, including one which is a major employer in the district that I represent, I have two Ford auto plants, the Chicago Heights stamping plant and the Hegwish Taurus plant in the south side of Chicago are both in the district that I represent, they provide thousands of jobs. Ford is one of those companies that has taken the lead in providing computers and subsidized Internet access for their employees. If we think about that, that is pretty exciting, that everyone, universal access to computers and Internet access for the guy that pushes the broom on the shop floor, the janitor, the person working on the assembly line, the middle manager in the office, all the way up to the CEO, all have universal access under Ford's program. American Airlines, Delta and Intel are also implementing these programs. I commend those employers for what they are doing, providing digital opportunity for families. Because of the efforts of companies such as Ford and American and Delta and Intel, the children of their employees will have computers at home helping them do their homework and making plans. Of course also families can now stay in touch with their friends and relatives all over the world via the Internet thanks to their employers. It is a good idea, something we want to encourage and support. I was shocked to learn that after this was implemented by these employers that it was discovered that the employees were going to suffer a higher tax. They were going to be taxed by the Treasury Department because they were given a computer and subsidized Internet access by their employers and that the IRS wanted to count that as income and raise taxes on that laborer who works pushing the broom on the shop floor at the Ford Taurus plant or the janitor or the middle manager or the person who works on the line. Now, when we think about it, other benefits provided by employers like Ford, their contribution to the employees' pension fund or their contribution to their employees' health care coverage under our Tax Code is not considered a taxable employee benefit. It is tax free. You as a worker, we all as workers are not taxed for our employer's contribution to our pension, but unfortunately today's Tax Code would tax that Ford auto plant worker in Chicago Heights, Illinois if he or she decides to take that computer home and hook it up so they have Internet access provided through their employer. I am proud to say that today we introduced the Data Act, legislation which I have been joined in sponsoring by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), a Democrat on the Committee on Ways and Means, I am a Republican on the Committee on Ways and Means, it is a bipartisan initiative. Of course the Data Act, our goal is to eliminate that digital divide, to create digital unity and digital opportunity by ensuring that that Ford auto plant worker at the Hegwish Taurus plant does not have to pay higher taxes because they are given a computer and Internet access when their employer wants to help eliminate the digital divide as we work to provide digital opportunity. This is important legislation. I believe it deserves bipartisan support. My hope is this legislation which will help improve educational opportunity as well as digital opportunity for families, millions of families in America, will receive bipartisan support. I invite my colleagues to join with the gentleman from Georgia and myself to join us in a bipartisan effort to wipe out the digital divide, to provide digital opportunity and ensure that every working American, every working family has universal access to computers and the digital divide. We have some big challenges before us. I am proud to say that this Congress for the fourth year in a row is going to balance the budget again. We are going to live within our means. I remember being called a radical in 1995 because I wanted to balance the budget. I had friends on the other side of the aisle who said that we were extreme and radical because we wanted to balance the budget. I remember those days. Now everybody takes credit for it. But the bottom line is over the last 6 years, we have changed how Washington works. I am really proud of that, proud to say that we balanced the budget for the first time in 28 years and 3 years later we are going to balance it for the fourth year in a row. We have all this extra money in the surplus that we are arguing over what to do with it. That is progress. We cut taxes for the middle class for the first time in 16 years. Not since Ronald Reagan was President had the middle class received a tax cut to help them keep more of what they earned. As I pointed out earlier, 3 million Illinois children qualify for that $500 per child tax credit. That is $1.5 billion that stays in the Land of Lincoln rather than coming to the District of Columbia to be spent here. I am proud to say that our effort to change how welfare fails. I remember in 1994 more children were living in poverty than ever before. We had higher rates of teenage illegitimacy than ever before. Our welfare system was failing. I am proud to say our efforts to emphasize work and family and responsibility and give States like my home State of Illinois the flexibility and discretion to design welfare programs that meet the needs of the diverse communities that we represent, because we have to recognize that Idaho is different than New York and South Dakota is different than Florida and Chicago is different than Gary, Indiana. I am proud to say that this welfare reform is working, cutting welfare rolls in half and moving millions of Americans into the workplace. We stopped the raid on Social Security. We are paying down the national debt. That is progress. When we think about it, under the Republican balanced budget, we protect 100 percent of the Social Security surplus, walling off the Social Security trust fund. We stopped the raid last year. We are going to protect that Social Security surplus again this year and we will continue fighting into the future to ensure that America's retirement account is protected. We want to strengthen Medicare by modernizing Medicare for the 21st century and that includes providing prescription drug coverage for America's seniors. That is why we allocate $40 billion, frankly more than the President, and without the President's Medicare cuts, in order to provide prescription drug coverage for our seniors. We plan to pay off the Nation's public debt by the year 2013. When we think about it, it is kind of like refinancing your home mortgage. You used to have a 30-year mortgage, now we have refinanced it to less than a 15-year mortgage. We are going to pay it off a lot quicker under our balanced budget. We promote tax fairness for families and children and seniors and farmers and small businesspeople. And we eliminate the marriage tax penalty. We wiped out the Social Security earnings penalty. That will help millions of families like the Hallihans. That is again why we want to eliminate that marriage tax penalty so that Shad and Michelle can keep that $1,400 and spend it back home in Joliet on their family's needs. When we think about it, $1,400, they have a new baby, that is almost 4,000 diapers that the Hallihans could have spent back in Joliet, Illinois. That is probably a year's worth that they could have used to take care of their child. We strengthen America's defense. We also strengthen support for education and science. Ladies and gentlemen, we have made a lot of progress, balancing the budget, cutting taxes for the middle class, reforming our welfare system, paying down the national debt, stopping the raid on Social Security. Those are great achievements. I am proud of that. This year we are going to continue that effort, our effort to strengthen Social Security and Medicare to help our local schools, to bring fairness to the tax code and to pay off that credit card by paying down the national debt.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Madam Speaker, what a great day. We have legislation before us that is all about fairness and it is legislation, I believe, that will pass with overwhelming bipartisan support. In Illinois there are 800,000 senior citizens between the ages of 65 and 70 who, because of their circumstances, either want to continue working or need to work because their savings and retirement plans did not work out quite the way that they had wanted. But these seniors suffer what is called the Social Security earnings penalty limit. Essentially, their Social Security benefits are taxed away if they continue working. That is just wrong. This has gone on for far too long. In fact, this was put into place back in the 1930s to discourage senior citizens from working. We are fortunate today to have a pretty good economy. But many times employers who are looking for workers are told by senior citizens who would like to work that if they are hired and they begin working, they are going to lose their Social Security. I am sure my colleagues can recall conversations they have had with their neighbors or constituents where that has been a statement that they have heard. In my home State of Illinois, 58,000 senior citizens between the ages of 65 and 70 are currently punished because they are working. They are losing almost one-third of their Social Security benefits if they make more than $17,000 a year. Essentially, they are being taxed at Donald Trump's rates. That is not right. That is not fair. Senior citizens today are working longer; they are living longer; and they want to be active longer, but our Tax Code punishes them. That is just wrong. It is an issue of fairness. Just like elimination of the marriage tax penalty, where 25 million married couples pay higher taxes just because they are married. This is a case where, if a senior citizen wishes to continue working, they must pay higher taxes and lose their Social Security benefits. My colleagues, this legislation passed the House with a unanimous vote, it passed the Senate with a unanimous vote. Let us send this legislation with this little modification to the President. I am pleased the President is going to sign this legislation. It is nice to see a bipartisan effort work around here. My colleagues, it is all about fairness. Let us vote today to eliminate the Social Security earnings limit. Please vote ``aye.''

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask a very fundamental and basic question and that question is, is it right, is it fair that under our Tax Code 25 million married working couples on average pay $1,400 more in higher taxes just because they are married. Is it right that under our Tax Code, married working couples, a husband and wife who are both in the workforce, pay higher taxes than an identical couple in identical circumstances who choose not to marry. Mr. Speaker, it is wrong that under our Tax Code we have a marriage tax penalty suffered by 25 million married working couples; and I am proud that this House of Representatives has passed H.R. 6, the Marriage Tax Elimination Act, wiping out the marriage tax penalty for 25 million married working couples. My hope is that the Senate will join with the House and vote in a bipartisan way to wipe out the marriage tax penalty and put that legislation on the President's desk. My hope is that the President will once again keep his word and sign into law the legislation wiping out the marriage tax penalty. Let us not forget that Bill Clinton and Al Gore vetoed that legislation last year. We hope they will sign it this year.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1000, The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century. Mr. Speaker, this bill does not address the critical aviation needs of the South Suburbs of Chicago. Chicago desperately needs a South Suburban airport to be able not only to maintain its current level of aviation traffic but to continue to receive new flights into the community. Chicago is currently the aviation center of the United States. However, under this legislation, Chicago is certain to lose its preeminence as the nation's aviation leader. Specifically, H.R. 1000 lifts slot restrictions at O'Hare airport after July 1, 2002. In the interim, the Department of Transportation must provide exemption to any airline flying to O'Hare if it uses aircraft with 70 seats or less under similar conditions outlined above. In addition, beginning on July 1, 2001, slot restrictions will apply only between the hours of 2:45 p.m. and 8:14 p.m. Mr. Speaker, this is not an effective answer to the problems surrounding O'Hare airport. Just this past year, we have seen significantly higher delays at O'Hare airport. Attempting to push more flights into an already overcrowded airport will not solve the capacity problems of Chicago O'Hare nor will it reduce delays and congestion. In fact, this will only exacerbate a problem that will get progressively worse. Aviation demand is expected to more than double by the year 2015. In order to meet this demand, it is necessary to expand and grow capacity, not to simply put more flights into an already overcrowded air system. Not only will this strategy force more delays, but it will also potentially increase the safety risks of the traveling public. Both O'Hare and Midway will have reached operational capacity in the very near future. Unfortunately, neither of these airports can physically expand as they are both constrained by urban growth around them. Chicago is the nation's aviation leader, and, in order to protect that status, we must look beyond O'Hare and Midway airports and begin serious work on the South Suburban Airport--an airport that can grow and expand to meet the demands of this new century. Additionally, the South Suburban Airport would create 236,000 permanent jobs and $5.1 billion in annual wages. 2.4 million people live within 45 minutes of the proposed South Suburban Airport--these people need and deserve to have the third airport built. Mr. Speaker, the time has come for the South Suburban Airport. Clearly, we need an airport which can grown and expand as necessary while relieving the congestion and delays at our other Chicago airports. Finally, the bill contains no funds for the third airport. While the bill does contain what is effectively a tax increase on the flying public, not one dime is spent towards the creation of a South Suburban Airport. The measure authorizes the FAA to permit an airport to levy a Passenger Facility Charge of up to $4.50. This represents a 50 percent increase over the current Passenger Facility Charge. Mr. Speaker, I cannot support raising the prices that the flying public must pay to reach their destination when no funds are provided for the creation of a South Suburban Airport.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of increasing the minimum wage by a dollar. I also rise in support of helping small business and low-wage workers save for their retirement. This is a good package of legislation, raising the minimum wage and helping small employers and little guys and gals who work. We give 100 percent deductibility for the self-employed, to make health insurance more affordable and increase access to health care. We expand the low-income housing tax credit, a public-private partnership to help provide affordable housing for low-income working families. We increase the meal deduction, which helps truck drivers and traveling salesmen who have to travel for their work. And we also expand pension opportunities, which particularly benefit working women, and that is one of our goals. But, my colleagues, I wanted to talk about one particular provision in this legislation, and it is legislation that works towards the goals of this Congress, to make our Tax Code more fair, particularly for working Americans. This is an issue that has been brought to my attention usually by a spouse of a construction worker, someone who has seen their spouse get up early in the morning for the last 30 years, go out and work, come home dead tired from back-breaking construction labor. These are folks who work hard, get callouses on their hands, get their hands dirty, but they work hard. This legislation addresses a fairness issue for the building trades, dealing with the section 415 pension limitations. Those are limitations on multi-employer pension funds usually managed by a building trade union, like the operating engineers or the laborers or the electricians, even maritime unions. It is important legislation because what this legislation does is it gives those construction workers and those maritime workers the pension benefits they were promised and deserve. Currently we have limits in section 415 of the pension code that prevent them from getting what they were promised. In fact, no matter how many hours they work, no matter how many hours they put in each day, whether they have overtime and what is contributed, there is a cap. And, unfortunately, that cap is not fair. And I want to thank the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer), for including this important provision, which helps 10 million working Americans. When I think of the section 415 issue I think of the working couple that first brought it to my attention, Lori and Larry Kohr from Peru, Illinois. Larry's a retired laborer, and he recently told me, when he retired, that his benefit should have been just a little under $40,000 a year in pension benefits from his laborer's pension fund, or about $3,300 a month. But he was shocked to learn that once he retired he only got about half of it because of that 415 pension limitation. My colleagues, this is a fairness issue. These individuals have worked hard. For people like Lori and Larry Kohr, where Larry Kohr should be getting about $3,300 a month, Larry Kohr, like 10 million other construction workers, is seeing only about half what he should get. This Republican Congress is working to bring fairness so that these kind of construction workers, as well as maritime workers, get their full pension benefits. Right now they only get about half. We want to give them the full amount. That is the goal of this legislation. That is why I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3081, to fix the 415 pension limitations, to help couples like Lori and Larry Kohr of Peru, Illinois, to make our Tax Code more fair. Let us vote ``aye'' to help the self-employed make health insurance more affordable, with 100 percent deductibility; let us help the poor find affordable housing by expanding the low-income housing tax credit; and let us expand pension opportunities, particularly to help working women; and let us help those traveling salespeople and truck drivers who are forced to be on the road to work; and let us lift that 415 pension cap. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.