Jerry Weller

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, in response to the gentleman from Ohio, of course, like all of us we have stuck around tonight because this is an important amendment. It is an opportunity to provide lower homeownership costs, particularly for young families and first-time home buyers. All of use are working hard and willing to put in those extra hours. I always respect the rights of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to speak on an amendment. Since you had raised that concern to me earlier, of course, I spoke with the floor manager of the amendment and I believe it is the chairman's intent, he would like to wrap up this section of the bill this evening. I would hate to jeopardize the opportunity to have this important amendment adopted and added to this very important bill.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for the opportunity to speak on this rule. I rise in support of the rule and I also rise in support of this interior appropriations bill. This legislation provides a real opportunity to invest in the children and also the future of my home State of Illinois. I want to point out the extraordinary efforts of my good friend, the gentleman from Illinois, Sid Yates, the ranking member, and also the leadership of the chairman of this subcommittee, that this appropriations legislation invests in an important conservation program important to the State of Illinois and, in fact, provides $3.35 million to the U.S. Forest Service for continued development and operations of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Park, what has already been nicknamed the Yellowstone of the Midwest by many conservationist groups. This appropriation legislation also continues an investment which the subcommittee and this House last year made of a $400,000 appropriation. The point is that establishment of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is a key part of our efforts, a bipartisan effort in the State of Illinois, to redevelop the Joliet Arsenal, the largest single of piece of property in northern Illinois. In fact, this effort is considered a national model for redevelopment of former surplus military facilities and something anyone who has a base closing in their district should look at. The President signed into law legislation to redevelop the Joliet Arsenal in February of this year. It was a bipartisan bill, a bipartisan effort. This legislation took the almost 24,000 acres of the Joliet Arsenal, set aside 19,000 acres for establishment and development of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, almost 1,000 acres, what will be the second largest national veterans cemetery in the country, and 3,000 acres for job creation. Clearly, this is an important project. In fact, the people of Illinois consider development of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and its funding and continued operation the No. 1 environmental and conservation priority for the State of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Yates and thank Mr. Regula for their leadership. It is a win, win, win and deserves bipartisan support.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that we on the Republican side are committed to making health care more affordable. There is 40 million Americans in this country without health care insurance today. Why? If you listen to them and ask them why, they tell you it is because they cannot afford it. Now, those on the other side said, well, let us have the Government take over and run our health care system. Let the bureaucrats do it, they can do a better job. Well, the people spoke loud and clear 2 years ago and said they do not want the Government running health care. They want more choice, more freedom, more affordable health care. Well, we have an agreement between the House and Senate to make health care more affordable, making it easier for small businesses to ban together, pool their employees, get better, more affordable rates. Medical savings accounts provide choice, allowing consumers to be rewarded for making better choices, being able to work with their own physician and save money, which is the bottom line. Mr. Speaker, we want to bring about real health care reform. We need bipartisan support. We need those who want government-run health care to just say okay, let us let a proposal to make health care reform affordable pass.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I represent probably the most diverse district in the State of Illinois. I represent part of the city of Chicago, the south suburbs in Cook and Will Counties, industrial communities like Rockdale and Bradley and La Salle/Peru, farm towns and a lot of cornfields. Because my district is so very diverse, I am always looking for commonality, common concerns that the working people of my diverse district have. I find that a major concern of working families, of course, is finding ways to make health care work better for working families and reforming health care. Of course my predecessor talked about Medicare. Frankly I want to make it very clear that we Republicans are committed to saving Medicare from Bankruptcy. The trustees just a few weeks ago say if we do nothing, Medicare goes bankrupt in 5\1/2\ years. In fact, the Republican budget increases funding for Medicare by $724 billion, a 62 percent funding increase for Medicare. We are committed to saving Medicare. We are also committed to raising take-home pay for working families, increasing the opportunity for working Americans, and also helping small business and their employees. As that common concern which resonates in my district, and, that is, making health care better by improving access and by improving health care, of course, that is a concern I have got. I know it is a priority in this Congress to reform health care. Over the last 16 months I have held town meetings and talked with a lot of my neighbors about what we can do to make health care better. When you listen and you learn the concerns of the people that I represent, frankly you learn, No. 1, that there are 40 million Americans today that do not have health care insurance. When you listen to those 40 million Americans you learn something that frankly is a surprise for many people, and, that is, that 85 percent of those without health care coverage are self-employed, they are small-business people, they are employees of these small businesses, and they are families. The chief reason they are unable to obtain health insurance is because they cannot find affordable rates of health insurance. We are committed to making health care more affordable because we recognize that that will improve access for working Americans to our health care system. This Republican House and the Republican Senate have responded and passed health care reform that makes health care more affordable by making it easier for small employers to band together and pool their employees so they get more affordable group rates on insurance; increasing the self-employed tax deduction, and, thanks to Bob Dole, we increased it to 80 percent; making health care insurance more portable so you can take it between jobs; and no one can be denied coverage because of preexisting conditions. We also provide for medical savings accounts, an innovation that is working across this country. We want to improve access by making health care more affordable to Americans. I think it is important today to note that it was 57 days ago that the U.S. Senate passed the health insurance reform legislation by a vote of 100 to 0. Every Member, Democrat and Republican, voted for that health care reform bill. Both the House and Senate have passed health care reform, so what is the holdup? I think it is important today to point out that today is day 57 of health care reform being held hostage in the United States Senate. Health care reform is being held hostage by a small, narrow, extreme, left-wing minority of one who stands in the way of health care reform. Working families, small businesspeople, entrepreneurs, flower shops, local grocery stores, the people on Main Street---- announcement by the speaker pro tempore

Mr. WELLER. Working families, the self-employed, flower shops on Main Street, the backbone of our society, the little guys and gals are being punished because one Member is filibustering legislation to provide health care reform and make health care affordable. This particular Senator is using medical savings accounts as his excuse for blocking affordable health care reform. The reason this Senator is filibustering health care reform is because he wants a Government takeover of our health care system. Medical savings accounts are an idea which was discussed while I was in the State legislature. announcement by the speaker pro tempore

Mr. WELLER. Medical savings accounts are an issue I dealt with as an Illinois State legislator. While I was in the Illinois General Assembly, we were successful in passing medical savings accounts. Since 1993, Illinois residents in the Land of Lincoln have been able to reap the cost-saving benefits of MSAs. In fact, there are 18 States today that are leading the effort to provide for medical savings accounts. In fact, there are hundreds of thousands of employees of small businesses and corporations that have the opportunity to have medical savings accounts. Medical savings accounts work because they provide choice for working Americans, choice amongst their health care providers, choice amongst their physicians. They lower costs by rewarding cost-conscious consumers, and they also provide for portability between jobs. Unfortunately one legislator stands in the way with his filibuster, and unfortunately that interest is blocking health care reform. There is strong bipartisan support for health care reform in the House and Senate. It passed the Senate by 100 votes to nothing, it overwhelmingly passed the House, and if it is allowed to be voted on, it will pass. Ladies and gentleman, I ask the President to call on this one legislator in the other body to drop his effort to hold health care reform hostage. Let us bring the bill up for a vote. Let us send it to the President with this bipartisan effort to make health care more affordable and become law.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I represent probably the most diverse district in the State of Illinois. I represent part of the city of Chicago and the south suburbs, industrial communities like Joliet, and Rockdale and La Salle, Peru, and many bedroom communities and farm towns, too. As I travel throughout my district, I look for things that are always in common, even though my district is so very diverse, and one thing that I have always noticed is that there is hardly a day that goes by that a young working mother or working father does not come up to tell me how difficult their life is right now and how concerned and fearful they are for their future. They ask questions about why so many families are struggling to keep their heads above water. Why is it that Americans are working harder and working longer yet they have less to show for it? Why is it that more people have to hold two jobs just to make ends meet? The answer can be summarized in three words, the tax trap. It is simple to explain. The harder you work, the more taxes you have to pay. The more taxes you have to pay, the longer and harder you have to work. And you end up working harder and longer and Washington ends up with more, but you end up with less. Today, almost half of what you earn goes to Washington and the government in one form or another. Half. And the tax trap is particularly difficult on working women who are trying to balance a career and family obligations just to pay all the additional taxes. Every year you send more of your hard-earned income to support a Washington bureaucracy that is growing and that leaves less for you and for your family. Did you ever wonder why Bill Clinton and his liberal friends are asking you to sacrifice a little more so Washington can spend a little more? Should we not demand that Washington spend less so that you can keep more? After all, it is your money. Against unanimous Republican opposition, Bill Clinton imposed the largest tax hike in American history, $264 billion, to be exact. Yet he still expects Americans, after that, to save more and to give more. But we know it just cannot happen that way. Let me state this clearly. The cost of Bill Clinton's tax policies to the typical Illinois family in higher taxes and lower earnings is $2,600. And all of us have felt that tax crunch. That is why we have so many people in this country who are so afraid of the future. And in many ways I share that fear, because when I think of this, I think of parents with children in high school who have the dream of sending their children off to college, but they fear they cannot afford the interest on the student loan. Then I think of the newly married couple who wants to buy their piece of the American dream, their own home, but they are afraid they cannot afford to because mortgage rates are becoming higher and higher. I think of American seniors, people like my own mom and dad, who are depending on Medicare but are afraid it will not be there in just a few years when they will really need it. These are real people with real concerns and real fears, and for them I ask, what is so wrong about asking Washington to live within its means? What is so wrong about demanding that Washington not spend extravagantly at the expense of our Nation's children? Is it fair to punish working families who are trying to save for their future? The Washington liberals and the bureaucrats will tell you to just work a little harder for Washington. Well, maybe the Washington bureaucrats need to work a little harder. I say it is time that you stop working for Washington and start working for yourselves. It is time to end the tax trap and give the American family some well- deserved tax relief. It is time to return your power and your money and your influence to where it belongs, with you, the citizen and the taxpayer. As Americans, we cannot settle for less. As Americans, we cannot accept second best. As Americans, we cannot lower our expectations. This could be the greatest economy in the world, but we will only restore that greatness if we enact policies that encourage economic growth, raise wages, encourage savings, and return hope and optimism to the work force. Our Washington bureaucracy did not make us great, America was made great because we as a Nation strived hard, sacrificed often, and worked together to be the best. It is our goal, the Republican goal, to end the tax trap. It is our goal to help Americans earn more money and to keep more of the money they earned so they can do more for themselves, their children, their family and their community, and save more for their children and their future. And, frankly, to be able to give a little more at the collection box on Sunday. Unending dreams and limitless possibilities, that is what the American dream is all about. It is up to all of us to take it back.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend my friend from Oklahoma and my friend from North Carolina for their leadership and their bipartisanship, the bipartisan spirit of this so very important resolution. This past Sunday I joined with a multidenominational organization called Jacob in one of the largest cities in my district, the city of Joliette, and Jacob is an organization representing the churches, black and white, Hispanic, Mexican, multidenominational. We all joined together, and we marched across the city of Joliette. Republican elected officials were part of the march, Democrat elected officials were part of the march, church leaders were part of the march, and church members were part of the march. And this march, frankly, was a response to an outrage that occurred locally in the community of Joliette, IL, and that was where a newly established church which had located on the west side of Joliette, a newly established church which was majority African-American, had been vandalized. Mr. Speaker, we made very clear in our statement that there is no room for racism, there is no room for bigotry, there is no room for anti-Semitism in our community. That is the spirit of this resolution, and I ask for unanimous support.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor Joliet UNICO Citizen of the Year--Father Roger Kaffer. At the 40th annual banquet in Joliet, Father Kaffer was given the distinction of Citizen of the Year for his dedication and efforts toward making Providence High School a top rated educational institution. When first given the responsibility for Providence in 1969, the school was in financial despair and on the verge of closing. Father Kaffer changed that through innovation, perseverance, and hard work. Father Kaffer set out immediately on fundraising, student recruitment, and a public relations campaign on behalf of the faculty and school. The result of his efforts: an increase from 490 to 836 student by 1984; expansion of the Sacred Heart Gymnasium; construction of the theology wing, Bishop Blanchette Library, and the Christopher Cooper Computer Center. It was through his hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and ability to lead that all of these goals were realized and instead of Providence High School's doors closing in 1969, countless numbers of students were able to receive a fundamental Catholic education from one of the finest schools in Illinois. In 1985 Father Kaffer was named auxiliary bishop of Joliet by Pope John Paul II and his era at Providence ended. However, his wisdom and commitment to the school will always be part of its legacy. Truly a man of God, Father Kaffer serves as a role model for all of us and how we must all work together for the good of the community. Congratulations Father Kaffer on being named UNICO's Citizen of the Year and best wishes.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, I of course want to begin by commending the chairman of the subcommittee for his leadership and sincerity to bring about changes in bad policy and public housing. I also want to commend the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Kennedy] the ranking Democrat who, as the gentleman from Maryland pointed out, though we sometimes disagree, we know he is sincere and appreciate that. Mr. Chairman, when we look at public housing today, we want to look at it frankly and be honest about who suffers the most in public housing today, and that is the little children. It is the children who reside in public housing who are the victims of today's current policy. Fortunately, under Chairman Lazio's leadership, we have legislation now before us which brings about real solutions. I grew up in the shadows of the Chicago Housing Authority, growing up in the suburbs in a rural area to the southwest of Chicago. On the nightly news we saw tragedy after tragedy that occurred as a result of current public housing policies. Thousands if not millions of dollars bled from the system by politicians, lawyers, and consultants. Politicians wanting to keep people concentrated for political purposes in certain neighborhoods. And, of course, the State street corridor is the best example of a problem where we have 10,000 residents, miles long, one block wide, living in an area with 99 percent unemployment. Mr. Chairman, current public housing policy is a failure. This legislation provides real hope and real opportunity to those who are living in public housing, opportunities for home ownership, and also addresses the issue of section 8, an issue of great concern to the south suburbs. There is real accountability and, of course, real reform in section 8 in this bill. One problem we have in the south suburbs is, we have seen a concentration of poverty moving from high-rise public housing projects to section 8 residences, where 70 percent of all the section 8 users in Cooke County area are in the south suburbs. Mr. Chairman, it is not fair to poor people because they do not have the opportunity to move up the economic ladder because there are no jobs in this area. This legislation directs HUD to come up with a solution that Congress can adopt. Mr. Chairman, this legislation protects senior citizens. Current law requires rent equal to 30 percent of income. This bill caps rent at no more than 30 percent of income and provides the opportunity for senior citizens to see their rent lowered. It is good legislation, it is real reform and provides hope and opportunity, looks out for the poor, and looks out for taxpayers. It is a good bill.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this open rule, and I rise in support today, in strong support, of H.R. 842. This bill is called the Truth in Budgeting Act for a reason. It is commonsense legislation that will take the four transportation trust funds off budget. Think about it. Every time we go to the gas pump, we are paying into the Highway Trust Fund. Every time we fly on an airline, on a commercial flight, we are paying into the Aviation Trust Fund. These are user fees that are supposed to be used for improvements for our roads, our bridges, our ports, our airports, to widen congested highways, improve safety, and expand airport capacity. In my own district these are the kind of funds that should be used to widen the Morris Bridge in my hometown from two to four lanes, to construct a south suburban airport to improve aviation capacity in the Chicago area, and they could also be used for quick replacement of the outdated, antiquated, 30-year-old equipment at our air traffic control systems. Today I have with me a vacuum tube that is used in our computers in our air traffic control system. They need to be replaced. This legislation is a safety issue, as well. Americans believe that when they are paying their user fees or gas taxes or ticket taxes, that they are going to be used for transportation purposes. Well, unfortunately, for accounting purposes these trust funds have been used to mask the deficit, and because of that my own State in the last 5 years has lost $260 million in trust funds that would have gone to improve transportation. As we know, when we improve transportation, we create jobs. That is why groups like the NFIB, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau, organized labor, the Conference of State Legislatures, the League of Cities and many others are supporting the truth in budgeting bill. This legislation will create jobs. In fact, economists say that for every $1 billion in transportation spending you create 42,000 good paying jobs. This legislation is good for workers, it is good for good- paying jobs, it is good for working families. It is a tax fairness issue, as well, Mr. Speaker. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and a ``yes'' vote on final passage.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 110, H.R. 956, conference report on product liability reform, while I was present on the floor and inserted my voting card, it appears that my vote was not recorded. I do want to note that I voted in favor of H.R. 956 when it originally passed the House.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I come back to Washington today after an important district work period. I say important because with tax day approaching, and now finally here, I heard time and time again from constituents who are overtaxed. As a result, they find it very difficult to save for retirement, for a down payment on a home, and for a college education for their children The American people aren't dumb. They know all to well that the largest obstacle to their personal prosperity is an out-of-touch Government that spends without restraint and looks to the taxpayers to bail it out after the fact. Some in this Chamber may have forgotten that President Clinton's 1993 tax hike was passed out of this body by a single vote. I am here to tell you that the people of the 11th district haven't forgotten that vote that enacted the greatest tax increase in the history of our Nation, no, the history of civilization. My constituents, who have been squeezed by this additional tax, know all to well what $1,100 in additional taxes has meant for them. This was the single largest contributing factor to the doubling of the American tax burden from $2,300 in 1980 to $4,800 in 1995. According to the Census Bureau, household incomes were actually lower in 1994 than they were when Bill Clinton took office in 1992 and there is no evidence to suggest that they have risen since then because economic growth has been so slow. That is why I am proud to come to the well today as a cosponsor of this historic legislation to bring some accountability to the Halls of Congress. The American people support making it more difficult for Congress to raise taxes. They ought to * * * Currently, one third of all Americans live in a State with a tax limitation in the Constitution. These citizens know first hand what a tax limitation amendment can do. In States with a tax limitation taxes grow at a slower rate. This slower rate means that citizens in those States have a fighting chance to get ahead and to save. Economies and employment also grow at faster rates in States that have tax limitations. Mr. Speaker, every year tax freedom day gets later and later. Currently, Americans need to work until May to pay off their yearly tax burden. Today, we have an opportunity to end this insanity. I urge my colleagues to bring accountability to Congress and freedom to the American taxpayer by passing this important tax limitation amendment to the Constitution.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, today, I'd like to honor Allen ``Bud'' Spencer for his 27 years of dedicated service as director of Twin Oaks Savings Bank. While we wish him well in his retirement, his commitment and hard work will be greatly missed. Mr. Spencer's long career started in World War II where he served as a tank commander and platoon leader in the 745th Tank Battalion of the First Infantry Division or ``The Big Red One.'' His length of service can be noted in the number of battles he fought in: Normandy Beachhead, St. Lo Breakthrough, Falaise Pocket, Battle of Mons, Seigfried Line, Battle of Aachen, Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge, Roer and Rhine, Remagen Bridgehead, Ruhr Pocket, and Harz Mountains. For his bravery and patriotism, Mr. Spencer received the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and a battlefield commission. Thank you for your service to our Nation. Mr. Spencer also gave to his community. After the war he owned and operated Spencer's Insurance and subsequently was elected director of Marseilles Building & Loan in 1969 where under his guidance the business prospered and flourished. In 1976, he was elected president and chairman of the board and under his leadership a new bank building was constructed and consumer loans, ATM cards, and checking accounts were added. Mr. Spencer, thank you for your dedication and devotion to not only your country, but your community, neighbors, friends, and family. You will be missed.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to honor the great achievement of Lincoln-Way High School District 210 and its outstanding recognition by Money magazine and Redbook magazine. This national commendation demonstrates the excellence of Lincoln-Way High School--something in which this community prides itself. The parents, teachers, students and community all deserve a thanks for their hard work and dedication to providing a quality education and for producing young people who are mentally ready to meet their next challenge. Redbook honors Lincoln-Way High School as part of its America's best schools project. And, in the category of excellence in parenting/ community involvement, Lincoln-Way was the only school from Illinois chosen. This in itself is very impressive and I am very proud to represent a community where academic excellence is a high priority. Nearly 400 schools were nominated for recognition in one of six categories and a panel of judges chose only 155 winners. Truly this is an honorable distinction for Lincoln-Way High School and those involved. I would like to congratulate everyone associated with Lincoln-Way High School--this award is well deserved and should be shared by all. It is my great honor to represent a community that is so involved in the education of its children.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the substitute and support H.R. 3103, which deserves the votes of Democrats as well as Republicans. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3103 addresses a real problem faced by almost 40 million Americans, 85 percent of whom are small business people, the self-employed, farmers, and their families and workers. I have listened over the last several years to many families unable to afford health insurance. They say the prices of health insurance are too high if they are self-employed or work for small business. H.R. 3103 helps the little guy, the self-employed, and small business; frankly, people like my mother and father, fifth generation family farmers who, because their rates are based on two, face very high rates. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3103 helps make health insurance more affordable, the risk pools allowing small employers, perhaps through the Farm Bureau or the local Chamber of Commerce, to purchase in a cooperative fashion a bigger group policy, getting more affordable rates, also giving 100 percent tax deduction for long-term care, and raising the 50 percent self-employed taxes.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I do want to commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Chairman Shuster, and the gentleman from Tennessee, Chairman Duncan, and the ranking members for this bipartisan effort on an issue that is so very important. This legislation, frankly, is sorely needed. Mr. Speaker, at the Aurora air traffic control center serving the world's busiest airport, Chicago-O'Hare, there are 30-year-old computers that are still programmed with computer punch cards, and today the FAA is still the world's largest purchaser of vacuum tubes. Clearly these technologies, computer punch cards and vacuum tubes, are technologies that have been abandoned by the private sector decades ago. This is clearly an illustration of why we need to bring the FAA into the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2276, the FAA Revitalization Act. Recent computer shutdowns at various air traffic control centers have brought to the forefront an issue of grave concern regarding air traffic safety. Aurora air traffic control center, which serves the world's busiest airport, Chicago O'Hare, is equipped with a 1960's vintage IBM 9020 E computer. Last year this computer was shut down at least 10 times. In fact, at one time in August this computer was shut down for 29 hours, delaying air operations throughout the country. Five other major air traffic control centers are equipped with this same computer. There have been over 50 failures among these five sites within the past year. It is clear that this outdated and antiquated equipment is more prone to experience problems and outages, and it is time to bring the FAA into the 21st century. Unfortunately, the FAA today is operating under burdensome, cumbersome procurement personnel procedures that make it difficult to replace outdated equipment and ensure that facilities are properly staffed. I would like to touch briefly on the situation we are facing with the replacement computers known as the Advanced Automation System. This new computer system, which was to be installed in Chicago and other centers, is 10 years behind schedule and an estimated $4 billion over budget. The FAA has made a commitment to put in place interim computers at these centers. However they will not be operational at least for a year and a half. Mr. Speaker, I urge that this legislation be adopted.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Boehlert amendment to H.R. 2854 to add much needed conservation provisions to the Agriculture Market Transition Act. The Boehlert amendment achieves significant conservation measures that benefit the environment by retiring highly erodible and environmentally sensitive land and protecting wetlands, thereby expanding wildlife habitat, enhancing water quality and restoring soil quality. And, at the same time, this amendment provides necessary reform to improve farm management and operation while preserving profitability for farmers. I understand the chairman's plans to address conservation efforts in future legislation. But, given the President's much-abused use of the veto pen, I don't think that we can afford to delay consideration of this essential authorization. The time is now to enact conservation authorization reforms. Authority to enroll new CRP lands expired in 1995. The first CRP contracts expired in October 1995 and contracts covering over half the land in the current program will expire this year and next. I grew up on a fifth generation family farm and my father taught me the importance of preserving the land for future generations. Conservation efforts benefit not only the community surrounding contract land, but also across state boundaries. Preserving wildlife habitat for future generations is important to my constituents and our heritage. For example, CRP's wildlife benefits are enjoyed by millions of sportsmen and have generated billions of dollars in economic activity, and restoring and protecting ground water and stream flows for fish, wildlife, and rural communities is essential. I think it is also important to note that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, Representative Boehlert's amendment costs less than half of the Senate provisions, while doing a better job of protecting our soil and water resources. Mr. Speaker, the time to reauthorize conservation programs is now, and I urge my colleagues to support the Boehlert amendment.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. First, I want to lead off by commending the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Lazio] for his leading in housing issues this year, and particularly my friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Blute] for his work on this issue that is very important to seniors in my home State of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, let us keep this issue real simple. This bill, as it is amended, rights a wrong, that jeopardizes the safety of my constituents, seniors living in senior housing. Today HUD bureaucrats say my seniors must live alongside recovering drug addicts and alcoholics, a situation that has forced many seniors to live in fear. In fact, according to testimony from seniors living in my district in the Chicago housing authority and other public housing authorities in Joliet, Will, Grundy, Kankakee, and LaSalle Counties, many seniors have been victims of rape, physical assault, and other violent crimes. Many fear daily for their safety. According to many of the news articles that many of have been sharing in this debate, and for the Record, I will be including one from the Boston Herald which points out that many seniors are even afraid to leave their apartments just to go to the store; for everyday activities, such as going shopping. S. 1494, as amended, incorporates language from H.R. 117, a bill I am proud to cosponsor with the gentleman from Massachusetts, [Mr. Blute], and was previously passed by the House last fall. S. 1494, as amended, rights this wrong and lets local housing authorities keep senior housing for seniors. This is an authority they have asked for. I urge an aye vote. Let us keep senior housing for seniors and keep seniors safe in public housing by passing this legislation. I ask for an aye vote. I include for the Record this news article to which I referred. The article is as follows: Rape Victim Sues BHA--Says Attacker Should Have Been Evicted (By Joseph Mallia) A 92-year-old woman who was raped in her elderly-housing apartment two years ago is suing the Boston Housing Authority for failing to protect her from her assailant, another resident with a history of violence. The housing authority is responsible because officials knew the assailant, Eric Lee Davis, Jr., was dangerous but failed to evict him, the women maintains in her Suffolk Superior Court civil suit. The woman's name was not made public because she was the victim of a sexual crime. ``The elderly have been asking for help for years. But the only time the BHA or other agencies take notice is when a lawsuit is filed,'' said the victim's lawyer, Jeffrey A. Newman. ``This was a man who would assault them, threaten them, walk around without clothes--they were absolutely responsible to evict him.'' The attack ``severely psychologically damaged'' the victim the lawyer said. ``She has essentially lost her independence. She's untrusting and fearful.'' BHA officials could not be reached for comment last night. Davis, who is 6-foot 3-inches and weighs 190 pounds, was found unfit to stand trial and was committed to Bridgewater State Hospital, Newman said. After he was charged, Davis gave police a tape-recorded confession, authorities said. Davis, who was 38 at the time of the attack, had faced a previous attempted rape charge in a 1986 assault on a 66- year-old woman, law enforcement sources said. That charge was dropped and Davis instead was civilly committed to Bridgwater State Hospital for treatment, and later released. Federal law allows disabled and handicapped persons to live in the Dorchester complex at 784 Washington St. which was designed for the elderly. And elderly tenants of public housing across the country face similar dangers, Newman said. For a year before the rape, Davis ``had harassed various tenants; had threatened them; had demanded money and food from them; had made a practice of roaming the hallways causing various tenants to be afraid to walk the hallways unaccompanied,'' according to court documentation. Davis also ``roamed the halls semi-naked; loudly expressed threats and desires to kill various people and to rape various people, including tenants and his own mother; he grabbed various tenants including the rape victims,'' the lawsuit claims. He also forcibly kisses the victim, and forced his way into elderly tenant apartments, the lawyer says. The lawsuit accuses the BHA and its officials with ``deliberate indifference to a known danger . . . the dangerous activities and proclivities of Eric L. Davis.''

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to honor the retirement of Ralph E. Dalton after serving the public in the Illinois Department of Transportation for 37 years, 7 months, and 11 days of service. Mr. Dalton, a native of Farmington, IL, graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in physics and Bradley University with a master's degree in engineering administration. He married Joyce Scott on October 19, 1958, and they have one daughter, Libby. Mr. Dalton's career with IDOT started in 1958 with district 4 in Peoria, IL. Then, in 1965 he was appointed district 4 geotechnical engineer and in 1985 he became district 4 engineer of materials. In 1988 he moved to the engineer of land acquisition in district 4. In 1990 he was appointed assistant district engineer at district 6 and in 1992 was appointed district engineer for the district 3 Ottawa office. And, above and beyond the call of duty, Ralph Dalton served for 8 years as a member of the Illinois National Guard. Mr. Dalton is the type of civil servant who is loyal, diligent, and has a proven record of achievement. He will be missed at the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, today, I'd like to congratulate Dr. James A. Doppke as he is inaugurated the seventh president to serve at the College of St. Francis in Joliet, IL. As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, the College of St. Francis will inaugurate Dr. Doppke on February 9, 1996. Dr. Doppke, who previously served as executive vice president of the College of St. Francis, was appointed president by unanimous board decision, which cited his leadership and commitment to the college and its growth. Before coming to the College of St. Francis, Dr. Doppke was vice president for Educational Affairs at the College of Lake County. He also served as associate provost and professor of English at Chicago State University. Dr. Doppke holds a baccalaureate degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame and master's degree and doctor of philosophy degrees in English from the university of Chicago. We need dedicated and hard working educators like Dr. Doppke as we look to a younger generation for our future leaders, workers, parents, and citizens. Thank you, Dr. Doppke, for your commitment to education, and we wish you the best of luck during your tenure as President of the College of St. Francis.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I want to inform my colleagues in the House of Representatives of the recent death of Thomas Francis Corcoran of Ottawa, IL, at the age of 86. Through his son, former Illinois Congressman Tom Corcoran, I first became acquainted with the late Mr. Corcoran many years ago. He was a true man of the land, loved and respected by all who knew him. Moreover, he was representative of the hard working, honest, good men and women who farm our Nation's fields to produce food for our own people and others around the world. One of the privileges of serving in Congress is meeting America's unsung heroes, either in our congressional district or across this great country of ours. Thomas Francis Corcoran was one of those unsung heroes. Mr. Corcoran's grandson, Evan, worked on the staff of our friend and colleague from Virginia, Mr. Wolf, and he served on the staff of the House Appropriations Committee before becoming an assistant U.S. attorney here in Washington. In the eloquent eulogy which follows, given by his grandson, Evan, at the funeral on December 9, 1995, we are reminded once again about the everyday greatness of our people and therefore the greatness of our country. Mr. Speaker, I commend the following Corcoran eulogy to my colleagues: Thomas Francis Corcoran What better place is there in the world when you are 11 years old on a sunny summer afternoon than to be at your grandfather's side, in a field, mending fences? What better place to learn what is valuable in life? My brothers and sisters and I learned many lessons from Thomas Francis Corcoran when we lived on the family farm just outside of Ottawa. We learned not by being told--for Grandpa was a man who chose his words carefully, and used them sparingly--but by observing. He taught by example. We saw his quiet dignity, his discipline, his economy, and his honesty. We saw a man at peace with himself and with the world. He gave unqualified love, a love my sister Camilla described yesterday as the purest she had encountered. He left an enduring imprint. Thomas Francis Corcoran was a lifelong farmer. He loved the land. He was in concert with the great silent forces that shape the world. His work connected him with his community and with the world. He came from a time when you would call your neighbors in the evening and say, ``The crops are in, be here early.'' And the men would come and work in the fields until lunch. There would be two tables set up outside, and after washing at the pump, they would try to sit down at the first table, because there were some great eaters in that crowd and you could not be sure that the food would hold out. At the end of the day no money would change hands. He took pride in the visible return that the earth makes for labor. He took pride in passing the land on to the next generation, when his son returned to farm. At the end of each season, he had increased the stock and store of the world. And today, at the close of his final season, he has added to the storehouse of memories of each of us. Grandpa was a strong man, who did hard physical labor all his life. In recent years the time had taken a toll. One of his great loves was training and racing horses. Remember that in a race the horse and jockey do not stop when they reach the line: there is a little canter before reaching a standstill. It is then that the jockey hears the cheers of the crowd, and thinks back on the race just run. I like to think that Grandpa was in a canter these last years: and special thanks is due to those who on a daily basis cared for him and gave him cheer. Thomas Francis Corcoran was not a man of sorrow, he was a man of great humor. He never spoke a harsh word to anyone, and never lost his smile. He would not think it inappropriate to have humor at a funeral. His humor gave him strength and stability to meet the challenges life presents. A story illustrates the point. One day in late summer when I was 11 and my brother Phil 10, we worked an afternoon with Grandpa and there came a time when we needed to return a small tractor to a shed, some distance away. Always encouraging us, Grandpa asked Phil if he knew how to drive the tractor. Phil, always eager to please his grandfather, said ``Yes.'' Well we started off down the narrow lane with Phil on the tractor and Grandpa and me in the truck behind. I watched first with amusement, then with concern, as the tractor began to pick up speed. It began to go faster and faster, and as it did it moved from one side of the lane, bounded by a field of corn, to the other, bounded by a fence, and back and forth again. Well eventually the tractor took out a couple of rows of corn for a distance and then came to rest against the fence. We stopped and Grandpa walked over to Phil. With not a hint of anger in his voice, he said, ``I thought you said you knew how to drive it.'' Phil replied, ``I know how to drive it Grandpa. I just don't know how to stop.'' Well, Grandpa just loved that. He would appreciate the humor in life. Grandpa was a man who, in his own humble way, walked with God. When he drove a combine into a new field, he would make the sign of the cross. He is with God now. The monument to Thomas Francis Corcoran is his contribution to our collective spirit, his place in the hearts and minds of the family and friends and neighbors gathered here in prayer. In a world where so many forces work to keep us all apart, memories of him bind us together. What greater legacy from a decent and a fine man. M. Evan Corcoran, Ottawa, IL.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, today, I'd like to honor the retirement of Robert P. Zerbolio, commander's representative of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. Born in Coal City, IL, Mr. Zerbolio began a career in civil service on April 1, 1962, with the ammunition procurement on supply agency in Joliet, IL. As an engineering technician in the technical data division, Mr. Zerbolio was a dedicated and hard-working civil servant. Because of his expertise and work ethic, Mr. Zerbolio became the supervisor of the foreign military sales branch and held that position until 1973 when he left civil service for the private sector. In November 1983, Mr. Zerbolio rejoined civil service as an industrial specialist on the contracting officer representative staff at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. He served in that position until 1993 when he was promoted to his current job. Mr. Zerbolio is the type of civil servant who is loyal, diligent, and has a proven record of achievement. He will be missed at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. We wish him and his wife, Gloria, and their three daughters much happiness in retirement. And, we thank Mr. Zerbolio for his service to our country as a civil servant.

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, as one of those who came to Washington to change how Washington works, I found the last year so very interesting. Mr. Speaker, all of us in the House use this plastic card. It is a card that we carry, and the interesting thing is, our friends on the left, the Democrats, for the last 26 years have used this card, their voting card, as the world's most expensive credit card, running up a $4.9 trillion national debt. What does that mean to the people in the land of Lincoln, my home State of Illinois? Well, everybody's share is $19,000 if we wanted to pay off that national debt. We have been operating under deficit spending for 26 years. Not since Neil Armstrong has Congress balanced the budget. Just like every American family, Republicans are committed to living within our means. We have a plan which balances the budget over 7 years. We increase spending for Medicare by $724 billion over 7 years. We increase Medicaid funding for the State of Illinois by 55 percent. We have a plan to balance the budget. We reform welfare. Where is the Democrat leadership plan? Where is the President's plan?

Mr. WELLER

Mr. WELLER. I do have a plastic bag, which I will point to in just a few seconds. Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank my friend from Ohio, Mr. Hoke, for bringing this issue to the attention of the House. I think it is extremely important when we talk about some of the changes that need to be made here in Washington. I am one of the freshmen, one of the new guys, and I heard time and time again from the voters of my district, which is the south suburbs and part of the city of Chicago and a lot of farm towns, about how we need to change how Washington works and how we need to send representatives to the Congress who are going to vote for change. I have with me something I carry, just like my other colleagues do, and that is our voting card. This piece of plastic that has a little computer chip in it, -I believe. We walk into the House chamber when it is time to cast a vote, slide it in that box and push a red or green button if we are going to vote yes or no. The most important and significant thing about this card is that for the last 26 years Members of the House of Representatives have used this card just like a credit care. In fact, [[Page H 13782]] I labeled this voting card the world's most expensive credit card, because for the last 26 years, in fact, since Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon, Members of Congress have used this card, their voting card, to run up a $4.9 trillion national debt. Now, Mr. Speaker, when we think about our own families and our own households, we all know the pain that everyone feels if someone in the family uses a credit card and runs up a huge debt. It is tough to pay that off. Today we have a $4.9 trillion national debt. That is four times our operating budget for the Federal Government. This bag that the gentleman alluded to that I brought with me has $19,000 in play money in it. The reason that $19,000 is so significant is because every person's share of the national debt today is $19,000. So every man, woman and child in the State of Illinois, my home State, the land of Lincoln, if we were to pay off the national debt today would have to write a check for $19,000. The interest alone on that debt is $430 a month for a family of four. That is more than the average car payment. Well, Mr. Speaker, I think it is time that we worked to address the fiscal problems of our Nation. For 26 years this country has operated on deficit spending, running up a huge, huge national debt. Now it is time to balance the budget, and there is a lot of benefits for my State, as well as Ohio, and Kansas, and Georgia, and this great country we all live in. We have made a little progress in the last couple of weeks. In fact, even Bill Clinton says now he wants to balance the budget. The President's agreed with the Congress that we can do it and do it in a responsible way over a period of 7 years. Now, we are still waiting to hear from the President regarding his specific plan on how he would do it and what the fine print is. In fact, we are also still waiting for the Democratic leadership to see their plan to balance the budget over 7 years. Conservative Democrats and the moderate Democrats, like Republicans, believe that we can balance the budget over 7 years. They have offered a plan and I give them credit for that. The Republican plan, our plan, does a lot of good things. We balance the budget over 7 years and reform welfare by emphasizing work and family and responsibility. We save our Medicare system from bankruptcy. In fact, we are increasing funding for Medicare by 50 percent over the next 7 years and we are also providing tax relief to working families. The President says he does not like our plan that saves Medicare and provide tax relief for working families, but has failed to show leadership, I believe, by offering his alternative. In the early 1980's there was a fast food ad where that one gal said, ``Where's the beef?'' I think it is time to say, ``Mr. President, where's the beef? Where's the beef? Where's your specific plan?'' It is time to stop governing with opinion polls and press releases. We need to actually see specific plans. If we think about it, what are the real benefits for my State if we balance the budget? Our balanced budget plan will increase student loans, the volume of student loans, by 50 percent. Medicaid funding, which is health care for the poor, will go up 55 percent over the next 7 years. School lunch funding will increase more than the President asked for. Medicare spending for the average Illinoisan will go from $4,800 to $7,100 per senior citizen in Illinois over the next 7 years, even while we are balancing the budget. Those are real benefits, if we think how much money we spend shows compassion. But also there are some real benefits to working families and that is by eliminating the deficit, the dividend is a reduction in interest rates. The Federal Reserve, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve has said if we balance the budget and are no longer borrowing money to finance deficit spending, interest rates will go down. For the average family of four, they will save $2,800 a year on a home mortgage. On a car loan, they would save over a thousand dollars a year in interest costs for lower interest rates. And for students going to college, at the end of that four years, an undergraduate student would save about $1,900 on their student loan. Mr. Speaker, those are real savings. USA Today highlighted the fact that overwhelmingly almost every American would directly benefit from lower interest rates. We have a commitment from the President to balance the budget over 7 years. We know the benefits of doing that. We in the Congress have put a plan on the table for the last several weeks which offers specific proposals which will balance the budget over 7 years. I think it is time for the President to show leadership. That is why I am so disappointed he is going to leave the country for 6 days. Before he leaves, I think he should show us his plan on the table which balances budget and shows us how he is going to do it over 7 years, and then we can work out the differences and come up with a bipartisan plan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Hoke] for the time and commend the gentleman for his leadership in making sure that the American people know that the bottom line is we are going to provide a better economic future for our children, free of debt. We have to balance the budget.