Ed Whitfield

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, along with the tragic deaths of Mother Teresa and Princess Diana, we in Kentucky have suffered a devastating loss of our own. State Senator Jeff Green was taken from us at the far too young age of just 41 years old. Jeff Green was a hard-working, caring and devoted public servant, husband and father. He could have taken the easy path some 2 years ago when doctors told him he had a dangerous heart condition. Jeff had lost his own father at an early age. But taking the easy path was not Jeff Green's way and we have benefited because of it. He worked long hours in the Kentucky Legislature, but always had the time to be with his wife, Sharon, and their two young sons, Tyler and Alex. Because Jeff Green enjoyed one title more than that of Senator, he was most proud to be called Dad. Mr. Speaker, all of Kentucky will miss Jeff Green. He was an extraordinary man who served his State extraordinarily well.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, President Clinton and Vice President Gore got their hands caught in the cookie jar. If they did not violate Federal campaign laws, they came as close to wholesale violations as any Presidential campaign in the history of America. Now that the President cannot seek reelection, he has made campaign finance reform a primary goal. Labeling efforts to change finance laws as reform does not mean it will be better. In fact, most campaign finance reform proposals would make our system worse. We spend more money advertising Coca-Cola, beer, pizza, and washing detergent than we do on political campaigns in Federal offices. Political action committees have brought people into the political system, individuals voluntarily contributing money. We should encourage that participation, not discourage it. I, for one, do not want the Federal Government controlling who contributes money and who they contribute it to, a clear violation of first-amendment rights. Members of this body should not be stampeded into supporting campaign finance reform simply because a few people view it as politically correct.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today is a day of celebration. This House will take up an agreement reached between the Congress and the White House on a tax reduction package. The last time Congress and the White House reached an agreement on a tax package was in 1993, and at that time taxpayers were not celebrating. They were not celebrating because that tax package was the largest tax increase in U.S. history. So today marks a much different kind of agreement. We are going to allow working men and women to keep more of their money and we are going to give less money to the U.S. Government.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the chairman and his staff and the minority and their staff for the work that they have done with me on many projects in my district, and I ask for the opportunity to enter into a colloquy with the chairman. As the chairman knows from our many discussions, the national recreation area land between the lakes better known as LBL is in the district that I represent in Kentucky. LBL is the only federally owned national recreation area in the United States managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and to my knowledge is the only national recreation area with no statutory governance. My constituents are concerned about continued Federal support for LBL following the TVA Chairman Crowell's announcement to no longer seek funding for the non-power programs including LBL. That decision was later reversed by Chairman Crowell but not before the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development had already approved the plan to eliminate all appropriated funds for non-power programs and instead pay for those activities from TVA revenues and savings from the power program. I appreciate very much the chairman's efforts to find another source of revenue to finance LBL operations. However, my constituents remain skeptical about this funding approach and fear further reductions in Federal financial support for LBL because there is no actual line item designating the amount LBL should receive. In the Senate passed bill, monies were appropriated for the non-power program and LBL received $7.9 million. Mr. Chairman, do you share my view that the Federal Government is financially responsible for this national recreation area, which was established in the 1960's by the Kennedy administration and resulted in the forcible removal of over 800 families from their land in Kentucky?

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman would continue to yield, when he goes to conference with the Senate, is it his intention to support a funding level for LBL that will ensure the proper operation and maintenance of this national recreation area? I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. WHITFIELD. If the gentleman will yield further, I thank the chairman very much. And once again, I want to thank him and his staff for their cooperation.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, those of us who oppose this amendment do not represent the tobacco lobby. We represent 142,000 farm families around this country who for generations have grown this product. If we continue our efforts to destroy the tobacco farmers, we will have to come up with a new program to provide economic assistance to 142,000 farm families who have an average income of $13,000 a year. This is a supplemental income product. Mr. Chairman, we do not require anyone to smoke. There still is such a thing as personal responsibility in America.

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak in opposition to this amendment. Obviously this is an emotional issue. As the gentleman from Massachusetts said, 50 States already prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors, and those States have the responsibility to enforce those regulations. In addition, as the chairman said, the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Skeen], $24 million is in this bill to give FDA the authority to enforce its regulations. I would remind the gentleman from Massachusetts and the proponents of this amendment that the FDA in the Fifth Circuit in the U.S. District Court in North Carolina has stayed all of the FDA regulations with the exception of carding children 27 and below at retail establishments. There is sufficient funds available for that. In addition to that, in 1992, this Congress passed the SAMSA regulations with HHS. They also are enforcing these regulations. So this money is absolutely not needed at this time.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this bill. I commend the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Livingston], the gentleman from California [Mr. Lewis], the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey] and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes] for the fair and equitable manner in which they have sorted out the competing priorities of the agencies funded by this proposal. I particularly want to express my appreciation for the commitment this appropriation makes to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs plays a vital role for the thousands of veterans in America. I want to share with my colleagues the story of Mr. Joe Atterbury of Hansen, Kentucky. As a 17-year-old in Vietnam, Joe, like many soldiers of that era, experienced many traumatic events, some so traumatic that I really cannot discuss them. After serving in Vietnam, Joe returned home to western Kentucky, got a job, married and began raising a family. He worked hard as his family grew, with the addition of each of his six children. But by 1972, he began to have serious doubts about his ability to work and support his family. There was something affecting Joe Atterbury. He turned to the Department of Veterans Affairs for help seeking disability compensation. Seven years later, after several appeals, Joe was denied his claim. The VA found no cause for his inability to hold a job. He continued to work, off and on, trying to make ends meet for his family and it was very difficult. But in 1991 with the help of a caring physician, Joe refiled his claim. I am pleased to say today, with the help of the Department of Veterans Affairs, after 25 years of denials and frustrations, Joe Atterbury was awarded a disability claim in excess of $100,000 for the posttraumatic stress disorder he had suffered since 1972. The bill before us today represents a modest increase for veterans benefits, health administration, construction projects and other programs. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the bill and to renew their commitment to ensuring that all American veterans will find the help and the hope they deserve as did Joe Atterbury.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, finally, after 16 years, this Congress has passed a tax reduction for the American taxpayers. Listening to the debate on who will benefit from the proposed tax reduction, one would think that the President's plan and the congressional plan were the exact opposite from each other. The truth of the matter is that these bills are quite similar. There are two basic differences in the legislation. First of all, the congressional tax reduction package does more for small businessmen and women than the President's. Two out of every three jobs created in America today are created by small business owners. They need tax incentives for economic expansion, not tax obstacles. The President wants to expand the only refundable tax credit in the Tax Code, the earned income credit. These are the two basic differences in the legislation. Let us stop politicizing this issue and reduce the tax burden of the American people.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I was an original cosponsor of H.R. 956, Drug Free Community Act of 1997, and it has been reported out of committee, but after a further review I find that I can not support that legislation and simply note for the Record my opposition to the legislation.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, every day it seems as if we pick up a newspaper or turn on the evening news and hear about the troubles of our young people. Critics argue they are disengaged with school, disinterested in their communities, and disinclined to become productive citizens of our country. Not everyone agrees with this dismal view of our Nation's youth. Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsor the Voice of Democracy audio-essay scholarship program. This program was started in 1947 by the National Association of Broadcasters, the Electronic Industries Association, and the State Association of Broadcasters. Since 1961-62, the Veterans of Foreign Wars has been the sole sponsor of the program with over 5,200 VFW posts and 4,200 auxiliaries participating. The program requires high school entrants to write and record a 3 to 5 minute essay on an announced patriotic theme. This year, more than 109,000 secondary school students participated in the contest competing for 54 national scholarships. The contest theme was ``Democracy--Above and Beyond.'' I rise today to honor Susan Richter, a senior at Calloway County High School in Murray, KY, who won the 1997 Voice of Democracy broadcast script writing contest in Kentucky. Susan is the youngest child of Fred and Margaret Richter of Murray, KY. She hopes to attend Transylvania University in Lexington, KY, where she plans to pursue a degree in radio/TV broadcasting. In addition to participating in essay contests, Susan keeps busy at Calloway County High School with a full plate of activities. She is the news anchor of the morning show on WCSD-TV 28, a school-run local cable channel, and an officer in the Student Council, the Co-ed Y Club, the Beta Club, and the Foreign Language Club. Outside of school, she enjoys playing the piano, reading, and working on her computer. Please allow me to share with you Susan's award-winning essay, which appears below. ``Democracy--Above and Beyond'' Democracy is a general term used to describe both a form of government and an ideal. Throughout the years, our country has thrived on the idea of creating a more perfect union through the means of a plan known as democracy. I believe democracy is a superior way of life and I believe that it will help carry our nation onward to meet its most fantastic goals. Democracy is often referred to as ``rule by the majority.'' However, another phrase I prefer seems to more clearly define democracy. It relates that democracy is the absence of hereditary class distinctions or privileges. In other words, democracy allows for any person, regardless of age, race, gender, or social status to have his say in the workings of our country. According to Robert Hutchins, ``Democracy is the only form of government that is founded on the dignity of man, not the dignity of some men, of rich men, of educated men, or of white men, but of all men.'' I agree with this statement and claim this type of equal dignity and representation to be a major reason why democracy is a form of government above the rest. Also, democracy is superior for its emphasis on individual freedom. As a general rule, it allows persons both the right and the responsibility of shaping their future. Each person is allowed to make his own choices, both in life and in governmental issues. However, not only is one given the ability to do so, he also has a responsibility both to the government and to himself to carry out his decisions. This individual freedom is necessary for a democracy and is another reason why democracy is a step above the rest. However, not only is democracy an excellent program for the present, it is also a bright path into the future, a yellow brick road to tomorrow. One feature of democracy that will help lead to a prosperous future is its ability to ensure peaceful change. Democratic methods for making changes negate the need for violent uprisings. Many economic and social changes have been made recently, and most have happened with little turbulence, other than perhaps a peaceful protest march, or other such means allowed by the Constitution. Also, democracy allows for the peaceful change of political leaders. Free elections are held when time for the transfer of power, and the people vote upon who should next receive the responsibility of representing them in government. This power of the people ensures that they can make decisions peacefully. In a country founded on war, this assurance of peacefulness is a key to a bright future. Another way democracy will take us beyond is due to its practically. Generations to come will be able to follow in our democratic footsteps, just as we have been following our ancestors' paths as far back as the founding days. Why? Because democracy is easily applicable to a daily life. The process of electing officials and making decisions based upon majority vote can be seen from the capital to the classroom. The right to ``Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness'' is something not just penned in the Constitution, but is also a motto for daily life. The ability to still apply democracy some 2,600 years after its origin in Greece only stands as proof that it is a form of government stable enough to lead us beyond the realms of today and into tomorrow. In conclusion, democracy is both a form of government and an ideal. Our country has been built and has grown as a result of this plan we call democracy. I believe that democracy is a way of life above and beyond any other man- made plan, and I am proud our country subscribes to this mode of self-government and equality for all.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today that the House is taking up our legislation, the Armored Car Reciprocity Amendments of 1997, which is essentially the same legislation passed by the House without opposition during the 104th Congress. Unfortunately, time ran out in the Senate and they did not complete their work. In the United States, armored cars are used to transport millions of dollars in currency, coins, food stamps, and other valuable property for both private entities and the Federal Government, and because of the value of the cargo, armored cars are often, as we would expect, the targets of crime. This legislation addresses the problems encountered by the States in three ways. First, it grants reciprocity for both weapons licenses and any other permits or licenses required in a particular State so long as the crew member has met all of the requirements in the State in which he or she is primarily employed; second, it makes clear that it is the State which should conduct criminal background checks and permits the States to do so in whatever manner they deem appropriate; and third, it eliminates the requirement in the original act that renewal permits be reissued annually and permits States to follow their own timetables. These changes represent a major step forward in achieving the objectives of the original act. Under the act as originally signed into law, only Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia met the requirements for reciprocity. With the changes under H.R. 624, 28 other States will qualify, and this will truly ease the flow of these valuable goods and interstate commerce. It is important to note that there is nothing in this bill which makes it easier for someone to get a gun that should not have one in the first place. If the person is prohibited from possessing a weapon under Federal law, there is nothing in this bill to change that. Further, it continues to require regular criminal background checks and weapons training for armored car crew members. In short, it simply eases the regulatory burden on armored car crews and companies, makes their job easier while effectively maintaining public safety. I want to thank particularly the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Tauzin] and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Manton] for their work on this legislation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the legislation and thank them.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce the armored car reciprocity amendments, legislation that I sponsored in the 104th Congress amending the Armored Car Industry Reciprocity Act of 1993 to better reflect Congress' original intent when it enacted that law. Armored cars and their crews annually transport billions of dollars in currency, bonds, food stamps, and other negotiable documents. Even though most armored car shipments are local, many of the larger and more valuable shipments can include stops in anywhere from 5 to 10 States. Since the value of a typical armored car shipment in interstate commerce can range from $100,000 to $40 million, these vehicles are ripe targets for thieves and the lives of armored car crews are often placed in grave danger. Recent crime statistics bear out this reality. According to the FBI's violent crime section, during fiscal year 1995 there were 68 robbery attempts against armored vehicles. This statistic, combined with the fact that several crew members have lost their lives in recent years defending their cargo and themselves, demonstrates the continuing need for these crew members to be armed. Despite the fact that there is a demonstrated need for armored car crew members to be armed, in the past there was no uniform method of ensuring that armored car crews were licensed to carry their weapons in each State in which they operated. Often crew members would have to go through different licensing procedures for each State in which they operated, or worse, travel through the States without the proper licenses in the hopes that they wouldn't get caught. In order to address this burden on interstate commerce, in 1993 the Congress enacted the Armored Car Industry Reciprocity Act. The purpose of the bill was simple: It permitted armored car crew members, when licensed to carry a weapon by a State that required criminal background checks and regular weapons training, to operate as an armored car crew member in any State, much like a driver's license works today. It did not allow anyone to carry a gun who was otherwise prohibited from doing so under existing Federal statutes. It was a narrowly drafted statute with a narrow purpose: to allow armored car crews to operate easily in interstate commerce. In the time since the act was implemented, a number of parties, primarily the States charged with enforcing the statute, have come forward and identified technical concerns with how the statute operates. Last year, the Commerce Committee, on which I sit, heard testimony from representatives of the armored car industry and the States about the necessity of these changes. As a result, the House passed my bill, H.R. 3431, with overwhelming bipartisan support. Unfortunately, due to the crush of last minute business, the Senate was unable to act on my legislation in the 104th Congress. The armored car reciprocity amendments of 1997 make some simple and straightforward changes to the Armored Car Industry Reciprocity Act: First, it grants reciprocity for both weapons licenses and any other permits or licenses required in a particular State so long as the crew member has met all of the requirements in the State in which he or she is primarily employed. Second, it makes clear that it is the State which should conduct criminal background checks and permits the States to do so in whatever manner they deem appropriate; and, Third, it eliminates the requirement in the original act that renewed permits be reissued annually, and instead conforms the statute to the vast majority of States which have 2-year renewal periods. The bill also provides a grandfather clause for the two States which have longer renewal periods, Alaska and Pennsylvania. These changes represent a major step forward in achieving the objectives of the original act and differ only in technical respects from the bill that the House passed last session. Under the act as originally signed into law, only Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia met the requirements for reciprocity. With the changes under this bill, 28 other States will qualify, truly easing the flow of these valuable goods in interstate commerce. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for Job Corps and to commend the students and staff who participate in this remarkable program. The largest Job Corps facility is located in my district. The Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center in Morganfield, KY, serves over 3,000 disadvantaged youth annually. Nationally, over 60,000 students benefit from this program. Their mission is to provide quality job training in a student- oriented program. By targeting the needs of students to prepare them for the job market, Job Corps is providing a dual service--to the young men and women enrolled in training programs and to our society. It serves students by giving them the skills and esteem they need to become more responsible, employable and productive citizens. It also serves society by providing training to individuals who otherwise might not have the skills needed to hold a job or pursue a career. Students more than return the Government's investment in them through taxes they will later pay and reduced welfare, unemployment, and criminal justice costs. Job Corps students also have an impact on local communities. In the past 5 years, students have contributed over $42 million nationwide. In my district alone, Clements Job Corps Center students have constructed four houses in conjunction with the habitat for humanity program. The Student Government Association sponsors teams that annually participate in the local March of Dimes WalkAmerica and American Cancer Society Walk-a-thon. Students learning heavy equipment operations at the Clements center's satellite campus saved Hopkins County over $40,000 in equipment lease costs and manpower by constructing a water-retaining basin and earthen dam as the county closed its landfill, while they learned the skills that will lead them into productive careers. Job Corps offers these students the opportunity to succeed. Mr. Speaker, this is a program that works. National statistics show that last year 73 percent of all Job Corps participants found jobs or pursued higher education. Forty-six percent of those eligible obtained their GED. The results at the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center topped these national averages. At the Clements center, 83 percent of all participants found jobs or went on to higher education. This is impressive considering that 80 percent of the students were high school dropouts and 37 percent came from families on public assistance. Across my district, business owners and management complain about the lack of skilled workers in the labor force. Job Corps helps meet that demand by providing individuals specialized training in such trades as carpentry, auto mechanics, computer repair, and health occupations. Students also learn social skills to complement their training. Mr. Speaker, Job Corps is a success story. Learning about the Clements Job Corps Center and the entire national program has been an enriching experience for me. It is with great pleasure that I rise today to honor the dedicated staff and hard-working students at the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center, who are having a positive impact on their community while taking the first step toward living the American dream.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that today the House is taking up this legislation, the Armored Car Industry Reciprocity Improvement Act of 1996. This is important legislation for many reasons. As we all know, armored cars and their crews have long been targets of crime, and it is imperative that these highly trained and dedicated men and women be armed to protect their cargo and, more importantly, their own lives. The Federal Government is the single largest customer of the armored car industry, and we are obligated to ensure that efforts to protect the taxpayers' cargo and the lives of the armored car crews are as unhindered as possible. This legislation addresses the problems encountered by the States in three ways: First, it grants reciprocity for both weapons licenses and any other permits or licenses required in a particular State so long as the crew member has met all of the requirements in the State he or she is primarily employed. Second, it makes clear that it is the State which should conduct criminal background checks and permits the States to do so in whatever manner they deem appropriate. Third, it eliminates the requirement in the original act that renewal permits be reissued annually and permits States to follow their own timetables. These changes represent a significant step forward in achieving the objectives of the original act. Under the act, as originally signed into law, only Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia met the requirements for reciprocity. With the changes under this bill, 28 other States will qualify, truly easing the flow of these valuable goods in interstate commerce. This legislation has been supported in the past by the armored car industry and numerous State, national, and local law enforcement associations. Further, neither the NLRA nor Handgun Control had any objections to the original legislation. Since H.R. 3431 does not change the original intent of the legislation at all, I see no reason why this legislation would not enjoy similar support. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the gentleman from Ohio, Chairman Oxley, the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Stearns, the gentleman from New York, Mr. Manton, and the gentlewoman from Illinois, Mrs. Collins, for their work on this legislation in years past. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Missouri for yielding me this time. As it has been said all afternoon Bill Emerson truly was a remarkable man. I had the opportunity to come to know him just since 1994 when he became involved in my race for the U.S. Congress. My district is right across the river from his. And he came to my district on one occasion to help out my constituents in a matter that they were concerned about. A couple of weeks ago I was driving through my rural district of western Kentucky. I came across a small church. There was a bulletin board out there and it simply said: You cannot make a success of life without making a gift of it. Subsequent to that, I thought that that certainly applied to Bill Emerson. Bill Emerson was a husband, he was a father, he was a son, he was a politician, and in all of those roles he made a success of those roles because he made a gift of his life. At this time when there is so much cynicism and apathy around the country about politics, I genuinely wish that people from all across America would have had an opportunity to sit down and talk to Bill Emerson about government, about a democracy, because he was truly committed to it. He believed in this body, he believed in our democracy and in our process, and all of us will miss him. We will be thinking about his wife Jo Ann and his four children. I had the opportunity to meet his mother just a couple of days ago, and in looking in her eyes, I saw that twinkling in her eye that all of us saw when we talked and looked into Bill Emerson's face, and we will all miss him. But he was a gift to us, and I, for one, will always cherish that.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. It is impossible today in today's climate to discuss anything relating to tobacco without discussing the political correctness of the issue, and I think that all of us would agree with that, and I do not think there is anybody in this Chamber, or anybody that I know of, that wants young people to smoke any tobacco product, and every tobacco product today has on the package that it may be dangerous to one's health to smoke the product or to chew the product, and we all know that, and all of us know that there are many things in our society that it is harmful for us to engage in. Many things: drinking alcoholic beverages, drinking and driving, dropping out of school. But we also know that individuals make individual choices about what they do, and the same thing takes place on this issue of tobacco. We know historically that prohibition did not work in the alcohol business, we know that it is illegal to sell and buy cocaine and heroin on the streets of America, and yet we know that it is done all over the streets of America, and we know that organized crime is involved in the selling of those products. But one thing that we also know is that tobacco is a legal product, and it is a regulated product. It is not regulated by FDA, as the President and other Members of this body would like it to be, but it is regulated by the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Trade Commission, HHS and other agencies of the Government, and it is a legal crop. Now, over the past 8 years two agencies of the Federal Government have taken real reductions in appropriations. That has been Agriculture and Defense. And the farmers throughout America stepped up to the plate on this Freedom to Farm bill and volunteered that over the next 5 years all of their price support systems would be eliminated. And in tobacco there is no price support system today that is paid for by the Government. The tobacco farmers and the tobacco industry, manufacturers, pay for that price support system. And this amendment simply discriminates against over 140,000 small farmers in 23 States, many of whom only have 1 or 2 acres of land to grow this legal product, and this amendment basically says that if someone grows this product, this crop, they cannot use the facilities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to advise them on the pesticides or the insecticides that they should use on this product, and all of us recognize that there are some dangers in the chemicals being used today, and we need advice from the Department of Agriculture on those types of issues, and so this amendment would prohibit that. And in addition, this amendment would also prohibit farmers from buying crop insurance. Now, up until this freedom to farm bill, it was required that farmers buy catastrophic crop insurance. Most of them really did not want to. And the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Durbin] mentioned awhile ago, he said that the Government will spend $97 million this year, but the estimate is that it will be $97 million, and most of that is on crop insurance that farmers themselves paid the premium, they paid the premium for it, and if anything happened to the crop, they will be reimbursed. And some things did happen. As the gentleman from Kentucky mentioned earlier, blue mold hit, and it about destroyed the crop this year, and so they paid for a premium to be covered. Blue mold hit the crop, and now they are going to be compensated. And this amendment would prohibit that from taking place in the future. And so I would just say it is an amendment that discriminates against 140,000 small farmers in 23 States around this country. Now, if my colleagues want to make tobacco illegal, then let us bring it up for a vote. Let us not try to harm these small farmers and let the big manufacturers get off. And furthermore, I would challenge my colleagues that Government cannot control the actions of people on everything that they do. We cannot control that somebody is going to smoke. We cannot control if somebody is going to contact AIDS through illicit sexual contact or kill themselves while driving intoxicated. So that is what this amendment is all about, and I would urge all of us to vote against the Durbin amendment.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words to speak against the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I am glad to hear all Members speaking on both sides of this issue are recognizing the fact that Turkey is a valuable ally of the United States. I think that everyone recognizes that. I would like to say on the issue of blockades, that container transit shipments to Armenia through Izmir and the Turkish straits to Batum, Georgia, only a few kilometers away from the Turkish border, are taking place now. Transit passage between the two countries continues. Armenian Airlines conduct weekly flights from Yerevan to Istanbul. Armenians can travel to Turkey, frequently conducting suitcase trade. I would also like to say that Turkey has made efforts to normalize relations with Armenia. Obviously, this is a long-standing dispute, and as a good will gesture in April of 1995, Turkey opened air corridor H- 50, connecting Erzurum to Yerevan. And soon after taking office, Prime Minister Yilmaz announced Turkey will open its border with Armenia, providing there is a bilaterial agreement on the declaration of principles. So I think Turkey is making great strides in the area of humanitarian aid and treating people in its country with respect. As we know, Turkey is located in a very unsettled part of the world, surrounded by Syria, Iraq, and Iran. It is a strong secular democracy. And although I imagine this amendment will pass, I think it is important that we recognize the contribution that Turkey makes in our foreign policy as a valuable ally, and I, for one, intend to vote against this amendment.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the Armored Car Industry Reciprocity Improvement Act of 1996. This legislation represents a major improvement to legislation originally enacted in 1993 which provided reciprocity among the States for weapons licenses issued to armored car crews. Armored cars and their crews annually carry billions of dollars in currency, important documents, and other valuables. In fact, the Federal Government is one of the largest users of armored car services in the Nation, transporting hundreds of millions of dollars annually in currency, food stamps, and other negotiable documents. Because of the value of their cargo, armored cars remain a ripe target for crime and their crews must be armed to protect themselves and their cargo. In order to address the problems arising from differing requirements among the States for weapons licenses, the Congress passed the Armored Car Industry Reciprocity Act in 1993. This statute granted reciprocity for weapons among the States, so long as the issuing State met certain minimum training standards and required criminal background checks, much like a driver's license. While this act has improved the flow of interstate commerce by reducing the need for armored car crews to obtain licenses in every State in which they might conceivably operate, we have found certain problems in the original act which need to be addressed if the law is to have its full effect. The Armored Car Industry Reciprocity Improvement Act of 1996 makes several changes to the original act. It would: Grant reciprocity for the weapons license and all other necessary licenses so long as the armored car crew member has met all requirements in his or her primary State; Require FBI criminal background checks only for the granting of an initial license, and permits the State agency to use whatever means they deem best to check backgrounds for renewal applications; and Eliminate the requirement that renewal applications be reissued annually. These changes are primarily technical in nature, and result from the fact that, while the Congress was considering the original bill, many States changed their weapons licensing schemes. Nothing in this legislation would make it easier for a criminal to obtain a weapon or circumvent State or Federal gun control laws. It simply allows the brave men and women who serve as armored car crews to worry about their job--protecting valuable cargo--rather than worrying about various States' licensing requirements and paperwork. The original legislation was supported by groups as diverse as the National Rifle Association and the International Chiefs of Police, and groups such as Handgun Control International had no objection to its passage. Since these changes simply are designed to improve the functioning of the original act, it is my belief that we can expect similar support for this measure. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation when it comes to the floor.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to bring to your attention a special constituent of mine, Kurt Martin, of Bardwell, KY. Kurt is a senior at Carlisle County High School and has been named a national winner in the 1996 Voice of Democracy Program. Kurt is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Martin of Bardwell. The Voice of Democracy Program is an annual broadcast script writing scholarship contest. Kurt's winning script entitled ``Answering America's Call'' is an inspiration for all Americans. I would ask that Kurt's entire remarks be printed in the Record at this point. Answering America's Call (By Kurt Martin) I raced down the stairs trying to find my shoes as Dad impatiently honked the horn of the van outside. As I tied my shoes at record speed, the phone rang. Out of breath, I answered the phone soon realizing I was in a conversation with a military recruiter for the Marines. Great! I'm late for church, I don't have any idea what songs I'm going to play for the song service, and now I have to stand and make small talk with a military recruiter. ``So, what do you plan to do after high school? he asked rather abruptly. ``Well, I'm planning to go to college,'' I answered as politely as I could, trying to end the conversation quickly. ``Have you ever thought about going to the Marines to gain money for college?'' he asked. ``To tell the truth, I have considered serving in the military, but I hurt my knee. I'm going to have to have surgery in a few weeks.'' ``Well, that pretty much counts you out of any military action. I'm sorry about your injury, and I hope your knee gets better. Best of luck to you in the future.'' During church, my mind wandered to the conversation I just had with the Marine recruiter. I has always known that the military was strict about health regulations; but since my knee injury, the subject of serving in the military had never come up. I somehow couldn't come to grips with the idea of not being able to serve my country because of a basketball injury. How can anyone, especially a man, answer America's call when he can't serve in the military? I had read about my kind in history books. If there is another war, the ``real men'' will go risk their lives for our country, while I sit at home selling war bonds. After pondering the subject for a few minutes, I began to realize exactly what ``America's Call'' is. Even though I may not be able to serve in the military because of my injury, my dedication to my country should not end there. Franklin Roosevelt didn't let a physical handicap keep him from helping his country recover from a major depression. The confidence of the American people in his leadership ability during World War II got him reelected three times, even though he was confined to a wheelchair. As a student, I can answer America's call each and every day by preparing myself for the future as I apply myself to my studies. I don't know yet what type of career I will be training for, but whatever it may be, hard work will enable me to make a difference in my profession, my country, and my world. The work ethic that enabled Abraham Lincoln to rise out of poverty to become President will allow our generation to preserve the reputation America has maintained for so long. Another way to answer America's call is by upholding Christian morals and ethics. When I abstain from premarital sex, drugs, and alcohol I not only take a stand against those vices, but I also become a positive influence on my peers. Whey I fight against violence and corruption, I stand alongside the founding fathers of our country by trying to make America a better place to live. America may call me to become involved in activities that benefit my neighbors, community, or country. If I volunteer to work at the local nursing home or roadblock for a telethon supporting disabled children, I answer America's call by showing that I care about those who are in need. When I vote for local, state, and national candidates I show that I am concerned about the future leaders of our country. I can also heed America's call by supporting those who serve or have served in the military. Those men and women deserve all of my support, honor, respect, and appreciation. They need to know that all Americans are striving to keep the freedom that they risked their lives for. This goal will be achieved if we resolve to do as John F. Kennedy advised in his inaugural address, ``Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'' Only then can we truly ``Answer America's Call.''

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to follow such an accomplished speaker as the gentleman from Massachusetts, but I rise this evening to say that I am not really appalled at any of the discussion that has taken place on the floor of this House throughout this year. There has been a lot of acrimony on both parties' parts. But the purpose that we are here, and it is not surprising, that when one party has controlled the Government for 40 years and we are trying to move in a new direction, it is not surprising that there is going to be heated debate and there is going to be intense disagreement on where we are going. That is the purpose of this House, and that is the purpose of a democracy, to have a national debate about the changes that we need to make. I am delighted to be a part of this discussion. I think that it is healthy that we have this intense disagreement, because we can either continue down the path we have been moving of a large Government with higher taxes and more Government programs, or we can move in a direction of a more limited Government with less taxes and a more reasonable approach to Government.

Mr. WHITFIELD

Mr. WHITFIELD. I yield to the gentleman from West Virginia.

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I think they certainly have. I think it is a balanced approach to this issue, and I think the gentleman is correct.

Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Chairman, if I could respond to the gentleman from West Virginia, in the bill, they have no labor protection at all.