Frank Wolf

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I too was in the meeting with the Director of OMB. Had I been present, I would have voted no.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment. We want to thank the gentleman for his commitment and strong support for these programs, but the body ought to know we have adequately funded these agencies. After 9-11, we asked every agency that came before our subcommittee to come in and tell us what the needs are based on what took place with regard to 9-11. The INS has been increased by $1.1 billion over last year. In the regular bill we have funded 570 additional Border Patrol agents and 348 additional land border inspectors. The INS, in the regular bill, was funded for a total of $5.6 billion and, in addition to the regular bill, we are providing $409 million for INS through the supplemental. That is an increase over last year over $1.1 billion. With regard to the FBI, the FBI was funded for a total of $3.5 billion in the regular bill, and in addition we are providing $540 million for the FBI in the emergency supplemental. That is an increase this year over last year to the FBI of $800 million. So the needs have been met. The subcommittee and the staff sat down with FBI, DEA, all of these agencies, and the budgets were dramatically changed based on what took place on September 11. And then, in addition to that, the supplemental adds on and reflects what took place. So because of that, I do not support the amendment and urge its defeat.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to first begin by thanking the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) and acknowledging the work that he has done on this issue in bringing this bill, the Clean Diamond Trade Act, to the floor today. The gentleman from Ohio has consistently, over the time that I have been in the Congress, distinguished himself in this body as a Member who speaks on behalf of the world's most vulnerable, and I am proud to have him as a colleague and as a good, good friend. I also want to thank his staff, and Deborah DeYoung and Chris Santora of my staff, and all these staff members who have worked on this; and also the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) for coming alongside of us from the Committee on Ways and Means; the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) and his staff; and the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), who back there that night gave us the commitment that he would bring this bill up. I would thank him for that. I also thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert) and his staff member, Chris Walker, for helping to work the bill through the process. We also want to thank the NGOs that have been involved in the industry for participants. Over 2 years ago, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) convinced me to travel to Sierra Leone with him. While there, we saw the terrible suffering of the civilian population that endured years of civil war which was funded by the diamond trade. We saw children as young as 2, this young girl here, with arms and legs chopped off. This picture that I purposely brought with me on the floor today was taken by my former chief of staff, Charlie White, a retired Navy captain who had been with me since 1984. Charlie went with us on that trip and took this photograph, along with many other pictures that were used to show people the terrible plight of the citizens of Sierra Leone. Charlie was in serious pain. We thought he had a back problem. He was suffering and taking four to six Advil every 2 and 3 hours. When we returned to the United States, shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and he died 7 months later, in the summer of 2000. This issue had a special place in his heart, and I just wanted to bring the pictures to demonstrate that one person, one staff person, made a tremendous difference while he was suffering pain, and he helped bring this issue to the Congress. Since returning from Sierra Leone, we have worked with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall), under his leadership, to bring this issue, which, as he said, will save a lot of people and a lot of lives in Sierra Leone, in the Congo, in Angola, and many other places. Throughout this period of time in Sierra Leone, in Angola, and in Congo, over 2 million people have died and 6.5 million people have been driven from their homes, women and children and innocent citizens who live in these countries, who have been subject to brutal amputations, rape, and sexual abuse, which really has created the words that we hear: the generation of children soldiers. Recently, we learned of another disturbing development involving conflict diamonds. Major media organizations, including the Washington Post, have reported direct connections between Sierra Leone rebel diamonds and the al-Qaeda terrorist network. Addressing the issue of conflict diamonds is not only essential for those living in Africa, but for our national security. I want to thank today Douglas Farrah of the Washington Post. His reporting of this issue several weeks ago brought additional momentum to that, to force it to be addressed here in the Congress. His exposure of the connection to terrorism, the connection of Liberian President Charles Taylor and the network that funnels rebel diamonds into terrorist group coffers, helped reignite this issue. I would urge our Secretary of State to call our ambassador and tell him to go and see Charles Taylor to say that if anything happens to Douglas Farrah, who is the reporter, because his life has been threatened, our government will hold Charles Taylor and his government accountable if anything happens to this Washington Post reporter. Mr. Speaker, today, Congress is taking the first step to stop the trade in blood diamonds by passing the Clean Diamonds Trade Act. This bill gives the President the necessary authority to take steps against those who are trying to export these blood diamonds into the United States. I look forward to passage of the Clean Diamonds Trade Act in the House so we can move the bill to the Senate and onto the President's desk before Congress adjourns. The Clean Diamonds Trade Act gives the President the ability to single out countries that are not taking effective measures to stop conflict diamonds and presses countries to devise a system that helps rein in irresponsible traders and corrupt officials. As Congressman Hall mentioned, we believe this legislation will give a boost to the on-going international negotiations known as the ``Kimberly Process'' to address conflict diamonds. I will continue to work with the Administration, and am hopeful it will take a more assertive role in facilitating the creation of an effective international system. In the long run, this is a global problem and as the world's largest diamond consumer we have a responsibility to take a leadership role in addressing this problem on the international stage. Finally, I want members of this body to know something else that is significant about passage of this legislation. The small west-African country of Sierra Leone, which will benefit significantly from the efforts to eliminate conflict diamonds, holds a special place in American history. In 1750 John Newton was a slave trader who worked and lived out of Sierra Leone. He was known as a cruel man. One night as a storm raged off the coast of Sierra Leone, his ship was almost lost. He prayed that if only salvation would come to ``a wretch like me,'' he would leave the slave trade and work towards its abolition. He was rescued and changed his life. He became an ardent abolitionist and a Methodist minister. Sierra Leone, where John Newton worked in the evil institution of slavery, was also where he changed his life and turned to good, commemorated by his greatest legacy, the song ``Amazing Grace.'' Mr. Speaker, there is much more that I could say, but with that I will just end by saying that I think this is a good opportunity to save lives, to make a big difference. In closing, I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) for this issue, and on hunger and civil rights; the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) for helping us out, and all the other Members on the Senate side who are helping.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, we honor today the memory of Thomas Downing, a former member of Congress from the Tidewater area of Virginia who died October 23 at the age of 82. I join with fellow members of the Virginia congressional delegation in honoring Tommy Downing, who represented the Tidewater Peninsula for 18 years from 1959 to 1977. While Congressman Downing's record of long public service and work in the House of Representatives preceded most of today's Members, including myself, the impact and achievements of his career will long be remembered. I would like to say a few words today to acknowledge the career of this dedicated public servant. A graduate of Virginia Military Institute, Congressman Downing, who was an Army captain, led an Army reconnaissance team in World War II. On August 11, 1944, his unit in northern France was ambushed by the German troops. After the initial exchange of gunfire, two of his troops were injured. Congressman Downing immediately rescued them, and received the Silver Star, which said, ``Captain Downing, without hesitation and with utter disregard for his personal safety, ran to the aid of his men among a hail of bullets.'' Mr. Downing was first elected in 1958, and is especially remembered for his dedication to his district, especially Newport News Shipbuilding. He recognized early on the great economic impact the Newport News shipyard had on his district and on the state of Virginia. During his tenure, the shipyard added the area known as the Northyard, making it easier and more cost-effective to build some of the largest ships in the world. Congressman Downing is also remembered nationally for his work following the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. During the 94th Congress he served as the chairman of the select Committee on Assassinations. Finally, Congressman Downing made significant achievements in strengthening and modernizing the U.S. Merchant Marine Service. As chair of the House Merchant Marine Subcommittee he helped craft major legislation to overhaul and modernize the merchant marines. The Merchant Marine Act of 1970 was a significant promotion of our national security interests. In short, Congressman Downing served the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country with distinction. Again, on behalf of the entire House, we would extend our condolences on his family and friends. Our nation, the state of Virginia and the Tidewater Peninsula will truly miss him.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume before yielding to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers) for whatever time he may use, because I wanted to also call to the body's attention to page 88 of the Statement of the Mangers. We have tried a new process, which is somewhat unique, in grant programs: the Byrne grants; the Juvenile Justice grants; Safe Schools, the other grant programs. We carry the following language. We say, ``In addition, up to 10 percent of the funds provided for each program shall be made available for an independent evaluation of that program.'' By doing this, we, in essence, take 10 percent of that money to evaluate the merits of the program with regard to future years. This is a new and different approach, but in order to get a handle on spending and make sure we are spending in a wise way, this idea, I think, has a lot of merit. I wanted to bring that to the body's attention.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 286, I call up the conference report on the bill (H.R. 2500) making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and for other purposes.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today I am pleased to bring to the House floor the conference report on the fiscal year 2002 Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary appropriations. The conference report represents a sound bill, funding continuing and expanded operations for the Departments and agencies under the subcommittee's jurisdiction, most importantly, those that would help make America safer in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the United States. The bill provides resources for critical programs to both prosecute those responsible and prevent future attacks. We have provided significant increases for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the State Department, and State and local law enforcement. These increases will provide the tools and resources necessary to fight terrorism here in America, make our borders more secure, and build a multilateral coalition against terrorism. Today, I would like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), the ranking member of our subcommittee, for his support throughout this entire process. He has helped us get a strong bill through the House, and I appreciate it very much. I would also like to extend my sympathies to my colleague with respect to the terrorist attacks on New York City. His community lost family and friends, and I, along with my colleagues, send our heartfelt sympathies to all the families who lost so many in these horrendous attacks and in the plane crash on Monday in New York. Twenty-seven of my constituents, and many others from the Northern Virginia region, were also killed in the attack on the Pentagon, and we are indeed privileged to have the ability to work on a bill that will help our communities recover from the events of September 11 and will have a positive impact on the security needs of our great Nation. I also want to extend my thanks to Chairman Hollings and Senator Gregg, and to all the members of our subcommittee; the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller), and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter) of the majority, and in addition to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), our ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal-Allard), the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Cramer), the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy) of the minority. Today, I believe we have written a bill that will support the country as it strives to meet its new challenges and as it works to secure freedom from fear and terrorism. At this point I want to take a few moments to thank our staff for the hard work in bringing the bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, this staff of fine, young professionals has worked tirelessly, day and night, weekend after weekend to put this bill together. The staff of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and State epitomizes the top-notch professionals who are in the legislative branch. They are unsung heroes. Because of their hard work, we are sending a bill to the President that will enhance the security of all Americans in the fight against terrorism. On the majority staff, I am grateful to Leslie Albright, Carrie Hines, Christine Kojak, Julie Miller, Mike Ringler, and Gail Del Balzo, the Staff Director. I also express my appreciation to the minority staff. This bill is truly in every sense of the word a bipartisan effort, and I cannot say enough about the hard work the minority staff put into the bill. On the minority side, there is one person in particular this year we would like to recognize. Sally Chadbourne has served this committee well for the better part of the last 10 years, and we will miss her professionalism and knowledge of the bill. We understand she is moving to Maine. Has she ever been in Maine in January? But she is moving to Maine and Maine's gain is our loss. In addition to Sally Chadbourne, the Minority Clerk, I appreciate the work of Lucy Hand, Nadine Berg, Rob Nabors and Christine Maloy. All these staff members have worked very hard over the past several months, staying on the job to make sure that the Department of Justice and State, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the FBI have the resources they need to fight the war on terrorism. They have spent a lot of time away from their families, and we are grateful for their hard work. This is a good bill, and I urge all to support it. It provides the necessary increases to the FBI, the INS, and the State Department as they battle on the front lines against terrorist organizations that have attempted to disrupt the fabric of our society. In summary, Mr. Speaker, the bill provides as follows: A total of $21.5 billion for the Department of Justice to fight terrorism, strengthen immigration enforcement, and support State and local law enforcement. This includes an increase of $66 million to fund an additional 570 border patrol agents, and $25 million to fund an additional 38 land border inspectors. The bill provides language that makes it mandatory, for all commercial aircraft and vessels arriving and departing the United States to provide the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the U.S. Customs Service the passenger manifest lists. Now, some countries do this, and there are a number of airlines that already do this, but there are a number from certain regions of the world that do not do this. This will make it mandatory so that INS can see who is coming into the country before they come in. Following this new provision, the bill also provides for a $1 immigration inspection fee increase for air travelers and a new $3 immigration inspection fee on cruise ship passengers. These changes will enable the INS to continue development of the system it uses to track entry and exit of airline and cruise ship passengers, and supports the joint INS/Customs passenger analysis units that identify, prior to arrival, inadmissible aliens, drug traffickers, and terrorists. The bill includes legislative language that would grant posthumously, citizenship to people who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks while they were in the process of becoming American citizens. This was the idea of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), and we appreciate his efforts in offering that. This bill also includes $7.7 billion for the State Department, including a $795 million increase over the current year for critical diplomatic readiness and embassy security needs. We provide additional resources to address the growing problems of trafficking in persons and have provided funding for United Nations peacekeeping. There are over 50,000 people, mainly women, some children, who are brought to this country for sexual trafficking. Now, with regard to this legislation, and following on the work that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) did on the authorization, we are funding that effort both with the FBI and also the State Department to deal with this issue in a very aggressive way, whereby women are no longer subjected to this terrible crime, not only in this country but around the world. Following this, the bill also includes language directing the State Department to allocate funding as necessary to complete funding for a memorial at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, honoring the Americans killed in a bombing at the U.S. Marine Barracks in Lebanon on October 23, 1983. In April, we were in Lebanon, and we broke away and went out to the site where the Marines had been bombed. Now, I had visited that site with former Congressman and Senator Dan Coats in early January 1984. We went back to the site, and there was no monument, nothing in recognition of the Marines who gave their lives. There was a young woman on the embassy staff who was working on the construction of a monument at the American embassy. This report will help provide the funds in cooperation with the private sector money to build a monument on the site or at the embassy recognizing those who have given their lives. I would also say I challenge the Lebanese government, the good friends we are with that government, to allow and have some sort of monument or recognition on the site where the Marines were actually killed, and I will look forward to seeing that memorial someday. This report will make sure that there is some recognition somewhere in that country they gave their lives on behalf of this country. This bill also provides $5.5 billion for the Commerce Department to protect our environment and enhance trade promotion efforts, a $272 million increase over fiscal year 2001. We are also providing an increase of $353 million, for a total of $4.3 billion, for the Judiciary, for the protection of the courts and our judicial process. This funding level also provides for the initial stage of the renovation of the Supreme Court, which is very, very necessary. Overall, Mr. Speaker, this conference report is a sound and fair resolution on the many issues that we faced in our conference. We have come a long way towards devising an acceptable bill. Before I finish and urge the Members to support this, I would also like to pay tribute to Geoff Gleason on my staff, who worked for many years for Congressman Solomon. When Mr. Solomon left the Congress, he came to my office. He has worked on all these appropriation issues and I wanted to give a special note of thanks to Geoff for his help in putting this effort together. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this conference report that will make a big difference towards a safer and stronger America. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record documents relating to the conference report: First is a letter which describes concerns about changes to the ORBIT Act. Following is the tabular material we submit with our bill. U.S. Senate, Washington, DC, November 1, 2001. Hon. Robert Byrd, Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Washington DC. Hon. C.W. Bill Young, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairmen: We are writing with respect to a provision that was added on the floor of the Senate on September 13 to the Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary Appropriations bill. This provision would amend an important statutory requirement contained in the Open-market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommunications Act (``ORBIT Act''), which was enacted in the previous Congress. The ORBIT Act requires that, shortly after they are privatized, Inmarsat and Intelsat must conduct initial public offerings of their respective securities. This requirement is intended to dilute substantially the ownership of the newly privatized entities by their former owners. The last date for the Inmarsat IPO is December 31, 2001; for Intelsat it is December 31, 2002. The recent Senate action would change the Inmarsat date to June 30, 2003. We are concerned about the precedent this may set for changes in the ORBIT Act's obligations for Intelsat. The ORBIT Act recognized that the composition of Intelsat's ownership presents a significant competitive issue; this issue remains after privatization because the ownership has not changed and will not change until there is an IPO. Intelsat privatized in mid-July of this year. By December 31, 2002, Intelsat will have had almost a year and a half to determine the best timing for an IPO. This is entirely sufficient in light of the ORBIT Act's desire to improve the competitive environment in international communications at the earliest practicable time. Many U.S. companies and consumers will be adversely affected if Intelsat's present ownership is not substantially diluted by the ORBIT Act deadline. While we understand the circumstances surrounding Inmarsat's current inability to meet the statutory deadline, Intelsat's statutory deadline has an additional year and we oppose its extension. Any proposal to extend Intelsat's statutory deadline must be to subjected to timely hearings and adequate consideration by the House and Senate authorizing committees. Thank you for considering our views with respect to international satellite policy and the appropriations measure you have under consideration. Sincerely, John Breaux, U.S. Senator. Edward Markey, U.S. Representative. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH14NO01.001 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH14NO01.002 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH14NO01.003 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH14NO01.004 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH14NO01.005 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH14NO01.006 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH14NO01.007 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH14NO01.008 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers).

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity, on the day of Edwin Gulick's retirement from the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District, to pay tribute to his lifelong conservation efforts. Edwin Gulick has volunteered for the past 38 years as an appointed Soil and Water Conservation District director in Fauquier County. During that time he served for eight years on the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board. In 1962, when part of Fauquier County was included in the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District, Edwin Gulick was Fauquier County's representative. Then in 1963 he was elected to the Board of Directors, where he served until 1966 when the John Marshall District was formed. He has been serving Fauquier County as director ever since. Mr. Gulick was a founding director of the John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District and served as chairman for 21 years. In 1970 Edwin received a Western Union Telegram from Virginia Senator Harry Byrd which authorized the Soil and Conservation Service to assist local organizations in preparing watershed work plans under the authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act. This included the Cedar Run Watershed. He was instrumental in the development of the Cedar Run Watershed Project and his diligent efforts have come to fruition with the completion of the Licking Run Dam in 1985 and the Airlie Dam in 1992. He served on the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District's District Operation and Rurban Committees. He also represented the Cedar Run community by serving on the Agricultural Stabilization County Committee in 1967. Edwin Gulick has always employed sound conservation practices on his beef and grain farm and is a true steward of conservation, wildlife and natural resources. Mr. Gulick's service-oriented approach to his community reaches far beyond the conservation realm. He served on the Fauquier School Board, the Fauquier Livestock Exchange, the Agricultural Advisory Committee, the Historical Committee and the Catlett-Calverton Ruritan Club. He is also a Vestryman and Trustee of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church. I commend him for his work and wish him a happy retirement.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the conference report accompanying H.R. 2500, and that I may include tabular and extraneous material.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 276, to honor Joe Paterno for his commitment to academics, service and citizenship and to congratulate Penn State Coach Paterno for his many coaching accomplishments including his 324th career coaching victory. I thank my colleague, Congressman John Peterson, who represents the 5th District of Pennsylvania which includes my alma mater, The Pennsylvania State University, for sponsoring this resolution. This resolution is a fitting tribute to one of the giants of American college football. It acknowledges the accomplishments of Joe Paterno on the football field as the winning major college football coach in history. He surpassed the former record of 323 wins held by the legendary Paul ``Bear'' Bryant when the Nittany Lions came from behind to defeat Big Ten rival Ohio State by a score of 29-27 on October 27. What makes the record so special, especially for Penn State alumni and fans, is that all those wins have come as Coach Paterno paced the sidelines as head coach for Penn State, where he has spent his entire coaching career. This resolution also recognizes Joe Paterno for being a mentor and role model for his players. When he launched ``The Great Experiment'' upon taking the helm in 1966 as head football coach at Penn State, he wanted to demonstrate that Division I college student-athletes could achieve greatness on the football field while also excelling in the classroom and becoming valuable assets to their communities after receiving their degrees and leaving the gridiron. There can be no doubt that ``The Great Experiment'' has been successful. Joe's teams have twice been national champions. They have had five perfect seasons. They hold the NCAA record for post-season bowl wins at 20. Joe is the only coach to have won all four traditional New Year's Day bowl games--the Rose, Sugar, Cotton and Orange--as well as the Fiesta Bowl. Joe has been named ``Coach of the Year'' by the American Football Coaches Association an unprecedented four times. He's coached 55 first-team football All-Americans. As significant as all those records and accolades are, there are other statistics in Coach Paterno's coaching career to which I believe he would give greater import. That's the value of ``The Great Experiment'' at Penn State which Joe Paterno places on the student side of student-athlete. He has coached 21 first-term Academic All-Americans; 14 Hall of Fame Scholar-Athletes; and 17 NCAA postgraduate scholarship winners. In addition, between 1996 and 2000 under Joe's tutelage, Penn State had 69 Academic All-Big Ten football honorees, more than any other big Ten Conference institution during those years. Joe takes great pride in the number of young men in his football program who receives their degrees from Penn State, and in the 2000 NCAA Graduation Rate Report, the four- year graduation rate of Coach Paterno's players was over 76 percent. The national average is 48 percent. In 1983 shortly after his first national championship, he challenged Penn State's Board of Trustees to make the University number one in academics as well as athletics and began his crusade for the libraries at Penn State. With his wife Sue, Joe served as co-chair of the Campaign for the Library which raised $11 million to expand and double the size of the existing library on Penn State's University Park campus. In a fitting tribute to Joe and Sue, the new world-class facility dedicated last September bears the name Paterno Library. Joe and Sue Paterno are generous in their tireless work and commitment to Penn State, not only through their volunteer efforts, but through their financial contributions. Their $3.5 million gift to Penn State for academic scholarships, faculty endowments and campus building projects is the most generous ever given to a university by a coach and his family. Joe Paterno is one of those rare and wonderful individuals whose life is grounded in the highest of values, integrity, and service and who is true to his God, his family and his fellow man. Penn State and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have been blessed with his presence and now it is fitting that the people's House recognize his commitment to academics, service and citizenship and congratulate and thank him for his contributions to college football and to the nation. We salute Coach Paterno, his wife Sue and his family, all the teams he has lead over the years to victory and all the young men who have not only learned how to play football under his tutelage, but who have learned life lessons from one of the best teachers they could ever have.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to share with our colleagues President Bush's remarks delivered to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, November 10. The President boldly articulates the present crisis confronting civilization, underscoring the resolve and courage necessary for victory. President Bush Speaks to United Nations Remarks by the President, To United Nations General Assembly, U.N. Headquarters, New York, New York THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President, distinguished delegates, and ladies and gentlemen. We meet in a hall devoted to peace, in a city scarred by violence, in a nation awakened to danger, in a world uniting for a long struggle. Every civilized nation here today is resolved to keep the most basic commitment of civilization: We will defend ourselves and our future against terror and lawless violence. The United Nations was founded in this cause. In a second world war, we learned there is no isolation from evil. We affirmed that some crimes are so terrible they offend humanity, itself. And we resolved that the aggressions and ambitions of the wicked must be opposed early, decisively, and collectively, before they threaten us all. That evil has returned, and that cause is renewed. A few miles from here, many thousands still lie in a tomb of rubble. Tomorrow, the Secretary General, the President of the General Assembly, and I will visit that site, where the names of every nation and region that lost citizens will be read aloud. If we were to read the names of every person who died, it would take more than three hours. Those names include a citizen of Gambia, whose wife spent their fourth wedding anniversary, September the 12th, searching in vain for her husband. Those names include a man who supported his wife in Mexico, sending home money every week. Those names include a young Pakistani who prayed toward Mecca five times a day, and died that day trying to save others. The suffering of September the 11th was inflicted on people of many faiths and many nations. All of the victims, including Muslims, were killed with equal indifference and equal satisfaction by the terrorist leaders. The terrorists are violating the tenets of every religion, including the one they invoke. Last week, the Sheikh of Al-Azhar University, the world's oldest Islamic institution of higher learning, declared that terrorism is a disease, and that Islam prohibits killing innocent civilians. The terrorists call their cause holy, yet, they fund it with drug dealing; they encourage murder and suicide in the name of a great faith that forbids both. They dare to ask God's blessing as they set out to kill innocent men, women and children. But the God of Isaac and Ishmael would never answer such a prayer. And a murderer is not a martyr; he is just a murderer. Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. And the people of my country will remember those who have plotted against us. We are learning their names. We are coming to know their faces. There is no corner of the Earth distant or dark enough to protect them. However long it takes, their hour of justice will come. Every nation has a stake in this cause. As we meet, the terrorists are planning more murder--perhaps in my country, or perhaps in yours. They kill because they aspire to dominate. They seek to overthrow governments and destabilize entire regions. Last week, anticipating this meeting of the General Assembly, they denounced the United Nations. They called our Secretary General a criminal and condemned all Arab nations here as traitors to Islam. Few countries meet their exacting standards of brutality and oppression. Every other country is a potential target. And all the world faces the most horrifying prospect of all: These same terrorists are searching for weapons of mass destruction, the tools to turn their hatred into holocaust. They can be expected to use chemical, biological and nuclear weapons the moment they are capable of doing so. No hint of conscience would prevent it. This threat cannot be ignored. This threat cannot be appeased. Civilization, itself, the civilization we share, is threatened. History will record our response, and judge or justify every nation in this hall. The civilized world is now responding. We act to defend ourselves and deliver our children from a future of fear. We choose the dignity of life over a culture of death. We choose lawful change and civil disagreement over coercion, subversion, and chaos. These commitments--hope and order, law and life--unite people across cultures and continents. Upon these commitments depend all peace and progress. For these commitments, we are determined to fight. The United Nations has risen to this responsibility. On the 12th of September, these buildings opened for emergency meetings of the General Assembly and the Security Council. Before the sun had set, these attacks on the world stood condemned by the world. And I want to thank you for this strong and principled stand. I also thank the Arab Islamic countries, that, have condemned terrorist murder. Many of you have seen the destruction of terror in your own lands. The terrorists are increasingly isolated by their own hatred and extremism. They cannot hide behind Islam. The authors of mass murder and their allies have no place in any culture, and no home in any faith. The conspiracies of terror are being answered by an expanding global coalition. Not every nation will be a part of every action against the enemy. But every nation in our coalition has duties. These duties can be demanding, as we in America are learning. We have already made adjustments in our laws and in our daily lives. We're taking new measures to investigate terror and to protect against threats. The leaders of all nations must now carefully consider their responsibilities and their future. Terrorist groups like at Qaeda depend upon the aid or indifference of governments. They need the support of a financial infrastructure, and safe havens to train and plan and hide. Some nations want to play their part in the fight against terror, but tell us they lack the means to enforce their laws and control their borders. We stand ready to help. Some governments still turn a blind eye to the terrorists, hoping the threat will pass them by. They are mistaken. And some governments, while pledging to uphold the principles of the U.N., have cast their lot with the terrorists. They support them and harbor them, and they will find that their welcome guests are parasites that will weaken them, and eventually consume them. For every regime that sponsors terror, there is a price to be paid. And it will be paid. The allies of terror are equally guilty of murder and equally accountable to justice. The Taliban are now learning this lesson--that regime and the terrorists who support it are now virtually indistinguishable. Together they promote terror abroad and impose a reign of terror on the Afghan people. Women are executed in Kabal's soccer stadium. They can be beaten for wearing socks that are too thin. Men are jailed for missing prayer meetings. The United States, supported by many nations, is bringing justice to the terrorists in Afghanistan. We're making progress against military targets, and that is our objective. Unlike the enemy, we seek to minimize, not maximize, the loss of innocent life. I'm proud of the honorable conduct of the American military. And my country grieves for all the suffering the Taliban has brought upon Afghanistan, including the terrible burden of war. The Afghan people do not deserve their present rulers, Years of Taliban misrule has brought nothing but misery and starvation, Even before this current crisis, 4 million Afghans depended on food from the United States and other nations, and millions of Afghans were refugees from Taliban oppression. I make this promise to all the victims of that regime: The Taliban's days of harboring terrorists and dealing in heroin and brutalizing women are drawing to a close. And when that regime is gone, the people of Afghanistan will say with the rest of the world: good riddance. I can promise, too, that America will join the world in helping the people of Afghanistan rebuild their country. Many nations, including mine, are sending food and medicine to help Afghans through the winter. America has air-dropped over 1.3 million packages of rations into Afghanistan. Just this week, we air-lifted 20,000 blankets and over 200 tons of provisions into the region. We continue to provide humanitarian aid, even while the Taliban tried to steal the food we send. More help eventually will be needed. The United States will work closely with the United Nations and development banks to reconstruct Afghanistan after hostilities there have ceased and the Taliban are no longer in control. And the United States will work with the U.N. to support a post-Taliban government that represents all of the Afghan people. In this war of terror, each of us must answer for what we have done or what we have left undone. After tragedy, there is a time for sympathy and condolence. And my country has been very grateful for both. The memorials and vigils around the world will not be forgotten. But the time for sympathy has now passed; the time for action has now arrived. The most basic obligations in this new conflict have already been defined by the United Nations. On September the 28th, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1373. Its requirements are clear: Every United Nations member has a responsibility to crack down on terrorist financing. We must pass all necessary laws in our own countries to allow the confiscation of terrorist assets. We must apply those laws to every financial institution in every nation. We have a responsibility to share intelligence and coordinate the efforts of law enforcement. If you know something, tell us. If we know something, we'll tell you. And when we find the terrorists, we must work together to bring them to justice. We have a responsibility to deny any sanctuary, safe haven or transit to terrorists. Every known terrorist camp must be shut down, its operators apprehended, and evidence of their arrest presented to the United Nations. We have a responsibility to deny weapons to terrorists and to actively prevent private citizens from providing them. These obligations are urgent and they are binding on every nation with a place in this chamber. Many governments are taking these obligations seriously, and my country appreciates it. Yet, even beyond Resolution 1373, more is required, and more is expected of our coalition against terror. We're asking for a comprehensive commitment to this fight. We must unite in opposing all terrorists, not just some of them. In this world there are good causes and bad causes, and we may disagree on where the line is drawn. Yet, there is no such thing as a good terrorist. No national aspiration, no remembered wrong can ever justify the deliberate murder of the innocent. Any government that rejects this principle, trying to pick and choose its terrorist friends, will know the consequences. We must speak the truth about terror. Let us never tolerate outrageous conspiracy theories concerning the attacks of September the llth; malicious lies that attempt to shift the blame away from the terrorists, themselves, away from the guilty. To inflame ethnic hatred is to advance the cause of terror. The war against terror must not serve as an excuse to persecute ethnic and religious minorities in any country. Innocent people must be allowed to live their own lives, by their own customs, under their own religion. And every nation must have avenues for the peaceful expression of opinion and dissent. When these avenues are closed, the temptation to speak through violence grows. We must press on with our agenda for peace and prosperity in every land. My country is pledged to encouraging development and expanding trade. My country is pledged to investing in education and combatting AIDS and other infectious diseases around the world. Following September llth, these pledges are even more important. In our struggle against hateful groups that exploit poverty and despair, we must offer an alternative of opportunity and hope. The American government also stands by its commitment to a just peace in the Middle East. We are working toward a day when two states, Israel and Palestine, live peacefully together within secure and recognize borders as called for by the Security Council resolutions, We will do all in our power to bring both parties back into negotiations. But peace will only come when all have sworn off, forever, incitement, violence and terror. And, finally, this struggle is a defining moment for the United Nations, itself. And the world needs its principled leadership. It undermines the credibility of this great institution, for example, when the Commission on Human Rights offers seats to the world's most persistent violators of human rights. The United Nations depends, above all, on its moral authority--and that authority must be preserved. The steps I described will not be easy. For all nations, they will require effort. For some nations, they will require great courage. Yet, the cost of inaction is far greater. The only alternative to victory is a nightmare world where every city is a potential killing field. As I've told the American people, freedom and fear are at war. We face enemies that hate not our policies, but our existence; the tolerance of openness and creative culture that defines us. But the outcome of this conflict is certain: There is a current in history and it runs toward freedom. Our enemies resent it and dismiss it, but the dreams of mankind are defined by liberty--the natural right to create and build and worship and live in dignity. When men and women are released from oppression and isolation, they find fulfillment and hope, and they leave poverty by the millions. These aspirations are lifting up the peoples of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, and they can lift up all of the Islamic world. We stand for the permanent hopes of humanity, and those hopes will not be denied. We're confident, too, that history has an author who fills time and eternity with his purpose. We know that evil is real, but good will prevail against it. This is the teaching of many faiths, and in that assurance we gain strength for a long journey. It is our task--the task of this generation--to provide the response to aggression and terror. We have no other choice, because there is no other peace. We did not ask for this mission, yet there is honor in history's call. We have a chance to write the story of our times, a story of courage defeating cruelty and light overcoming darkness. This calling is worthy of any life, and worthy of every nation. So let us go forward, confident, determined, and unafraid. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, first of all, on the Rohrabacher amendment, the whole concept behind it I support and agree with, and I think it is fair to say that most Members agree with it. Secondly, if we are going to do this, we ought to be suing the Japanese Government as well as the corporations; and we do not sue the government and, therefore, it is flawed. Thirdly, we have a legal opinion. When this came up, we asked the Congressional Research Service to give us a legal opinion of the Rohrabacher amendment. I would like to insert the entire opinion into the Record, but I will read one sentence. It says, ``The Rohrabacher amendment is likely to have more of a symbolic effect and not likely to have a substantive effect on the legal interpretations and posture of the peace treaty with Japan under U.S. law and international law.'' It is a symbolic thing. I think the gentleman is correct in what he said with regard to the Cox language. If we want to do something substantive rather than just a symbolic act, then we ought to pass the Cox language which is in the authorizing language. Lastly, the conference report will carry language, if it is approved, that says the following: ``The conference agreement does not include language proposed in both House and Senate bills regarding the civil actions against Japanese corporations for compensation in which the plaintiff alleges that as an American prisoner of war during World War II, he or she was used as slave or forced labor. The conferees understand that the administration opposes this language and is concerned that the inclusion of such language in the act would be detrimental to the ongoing effort to enlist multilateral support for the campaign against terrorism.'' It ends by saying, ``The conferees strongly agree that the extraordinary suffering and injury of our former prisoners of war deserve further recognition and acknowledge the need for such additional consideration.'' We are at war. You shook your head no, that we are not at war? I said we are at war and you shook your head no. We are at war. There were 27 families in my congressional district that died as a result of what took place at the Pentagon, and the Bush administration is trying to put together a multilateral, broad-based coalition effort. Right now, the Japanese Government has offered, with regard to military troops, to help them participate. And I would think sincerity ought to be questioned, and then take the language, and when the Cox language went in and the International Relations bill comes up, offer the language at that time. Offer it there and I will vote for it, but not with regard to an appropriations bill. Lastly, this language says, ``It is likely to have more of a symbolic effect and not likely to have a substantive effect on the legal interpretation and posture of the peace treaty with Japan under U.S. law and international law.'' Congressional Research Service, Washington, DC, October 2, 2001. To: Hon. Frank R. Wolf, Attention: Geoff Gleason. From: Margaret Mikyung Lee, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division. Subject: Analysis of H. Amdt. 188, the Rohrabacher amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Act, 2002,

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2500 and that I may include tabular and extraneous material.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to express deep disappointment in an article which appeared in yesterday's New York Times with regard to Lebanon. We lost American men and women at the American Embassy in 1983. We lost 241 Marines who went there to help the Lebanese people and to help the Lebanese Government. There was an article whereby the former Prime Minister, Selim al- Hoss, said the following: ``The United States is consequently a terrorist partner, which makes the U.S. unfit to lead the world.'' Mr. Speaker, we need in this region reconciliation; we need peace. We do not need inflammatory statements like this from the leadership and former leadership of the Lebanese Government. We should be bringing people together, not dividing people. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the article I referred to. [From the New York Times, Nov. 6, 2001] Lebanon To Resist U.S. Sanctions on Hezbollah (By John Kifner) Beirut, Lebanon.--The Lebanese government is indignant over American pressure to freeze the assets of Hezbollah, the Shiite Muslim organization bitterly opposed to Israel. It is a request the Lebanese are likely to reject, according to officials and accounts in newspapers here including the daily owned by Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, which is presumed to reflect his views. ``The government is headed for a refusal to freeze Hezbollah money or to interfere with the resistance,'' that newspaper, Al Mustaqbal, reported today. The apparent impasse once again spotlights the difficulties the Bush administration has in cobbling together its international coalition against terrorism in the face of overriding, passionately held views on local issues, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hezbollah, whose name is Arabic for Party of God, was listed by the State Department on Friday, along with 21 other groups--a number of them Palestinian supporters opposed to the faltering Middle East peace efforts--as a terrorist organization whose financial resources should be cut off. Those groups join the list that already includes groups under the control of or with ties to Osama bin Laden, who is suspected of being behind the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The American action on Friday imposed stringent financial sanctions on the 22 groups. The government seized any assets of Hezbollah in the United States long ago, but the latest move is seen as putting pressure on Arab governments to crack down on the fund-raising activities of Hezbollah and other groups on the list. The widespread Lebanese outrage over the American demand reflects the distance Hezbollah has traveled since it rose from the Shitte Muslim slums on the southern fringe of Beirut in the early 1980's as a shadowy, brutal band of kidnappers, suicide bombers and airplane hijackers. Now it is a part of the Lebanese establishment, with members in Parliament, an important social service network and a television station whose news programs are avidly watched by many Lebanese. Hezbollah has enjoyed the support of Syria and Iran. Syria dominates Lebanon's political affairs. Indeed, Hezbollah members are officially regarded as national heroes--``the resistance''--for their role as guerrillas who opposed the 22-year-long Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. The American ambassador here, Vincent Battle, presented the American position at an emergency meeting he requested on Friday with the Lebanese foreign minister, Mahmud Hammud. The foreign minister was apparently unimpressed. ``The Lebanese resistance has expelled Israel's occupation army from south Lebanon last year,'' Mr. Hammud said. ``We are proud of it.'' ``We view the resistance as a legitimate means to liberate our land from Israeli occupation, and we hold fast to it, with the support of Syria and the rest of the Arab world.'' Perhaps the most striking reaction came from an unexpected quarter, the elder statesman Selim al-Hoss, a soft-spoken academic and a Sunni Muslim who was the long-suffering prime minister through many years of civil war. He is widely respected for his personal integrity, though as a leader he was rendered powerless by religious militia factions in a land then corrupt beyond imagination. ``America supports the world's most brutal terrorist state and the deadliest ever terrorist who leads it,'' Mr. Hoss said, referring to Israel and its prime minister, Ariel Sharon. ``The United States is consequently a terrorist partner, which makes the U.S. unfit to lead the world.'' Indeed, it was widely assumed here that Israel was behind the new list, particularly after the influential Israeli lobby in Washington, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, applauded it. To Hezbollah the condemnation was a badge of honor. ``We feel proud we have been taken as an enemy that should be blacklisted as terrorist by the Great Satan who heads the greatest pyramid of tyranny, repression and arrogance of modern times,'' Sheik Hassan Nasrullah, the group's leader, said at a rally. ``It is natural for the American administration to blacklist Hezbollah and the other struggling Palestinian factions.'' Sheik Nasrullah issued a prohibition against any form of assistance to the American operation in Afghanistan, calling it, ``a war against every Muslim who refuses to bow or kneel to the United States.'' In southern Lebanon, Sheik Nabil Qaook, the strategist of the guerrilla campaign against Israel, said in a speech during the weekend: ``The U.S. lists don't bother us the slightest. When America accuses Hezbollah, we take it as proof of the credibility of our goals. ``In the past, America didn't shout so loud. When it is in a dominating position and when the rules of the international game are in its favor, we don't hear accusations of terrorism. But when the balance of power leans the other way, we hear them scream.''

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to participate this evening in a special order to remember Jerry Solomon. We were all saddened to learn of his passing last weekend and extend to his wife Freda and his children and grandchildren our deepest sympathy. Jerry was a friend and colleague. I had the privilege of serving with him for 18 years until he retired from the House in 1998. I also had the honor of working with him on several major issues over the years. We both had serious reservations about the nature of U.S. relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC). In fact, in the mid-1980's, Jerry Solomon introduced legislation prohibiting the export of U.S.-built satellites to the PRC. He argued that exporting these satellites to China would place at risk our most sensitive military technology. Ten years later we knew Jerry was right. The Chinese were stealing this satellite and missile technology and had used it to upgrade their ICBMs. Needless to say, Jerry was a very effective legislator. Dozens of important laws are on the books which are authored by Jerry Solomon. Laws aimed to helping the American family by encouraging young people not to get involved with illegal drugs, the law which elevated the Veterans Administration to a cabinet level department, and the Solomon Amendment, denying student aid to people who refuse to register with the Selective Service. The list goes on and on. A few weeks ago I visited the operations center for the FBI and on the wall was a large wanted poster for Osama bin Laden, offering a reward of $5 million for information leading to his arrest. It was Jerry Solomon who put the terrorist reward law on the books. When we look at what this country is facing today we are hard pressed not to think of Jerry. A few years back some people thought Jerry Solomon was a throwback to some other time because he was so patriotic. Not today. He loved America and as a Marine would have died for his country. Jerry sponsored legislation to prohibit the desecration of the American flag. It is a symbol of what unites us as a people and what is best about America. Who can forget the firemen in New York raising that flag at Ground Zero, the crater where the World Trade Center once towered in tandem over the city. In Jerry's Capitol Hill office there were shelves covered with firemen's helmets from many of the small towns in his upstate New York district. He respected and honored our firemen. Today, everyone appreciates them. Jerry always honored and respected our police, our veterans and our men and women in uniform. Jerry had a real appreciation for how difficult and important their work is. Today all Americans appreciate them. Jerry Solomon wore an American flag lapel pin every day for the 20 years he served as a Member of Congress. Today we all wear them. Jerry Solomon was a true patriot and a good friend. He embodied his Marine Corps motto--semper fidelis--``always faithful.'' I will miss him.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Senate-passed legislation to federalize the nation's airport security that we will have the opportunity to vote on as a substitute to H.R. 3150. There are 31 families today in our area in northern Virginia devastated by grief from the September 11 attack on the Pentagon. In the wake of the terrorist attacks on American soil when terrorists turned commercial airliners into missiles of destruction to perpetrate their heinous acts, the people of America are looking to this Congress to make our airports safe and to secure the airplanes that fly across America's skies. In the aftermath of September 11, we are now waging war against terrorism and America's airports are on the front line. We need to change the way security is handled at our nation's airports. We cannot continue to contract out to the lowest bidder the safety and security of America's airports and airways. We must restore confidence in air travel and elevate aviation security to its proper role as a law enforcement function. We must place the security of our airways in the hands of a federal aviation security force under the jurisdiction of the nation's top law enforcement agency--the Department of Justice. The American public deserves nothing less. Mr. Chairman, good intentions surround both the House and Senate versions of airline safety legislation. The ultimate goal of this legislation from both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol is to elevate safety to the highest level as quickly as possible. But the current way of doing business through privatized security, I believe, has failed to meet safety expectations. We need to make a change. The Federal Aviation Administration does a good job at air traffic control. That's its function and where its focus should be. But if you ask the Department of Transportation inspector general's office about the FAA's current role in aviation security oversight, you'll get a report card that's woefully inadequate. If you also ask the DOT inspector general's office about the shortcomings of the current system of private airport security screening operators across the nation, you'll hear horror stories about inadequate background checks, the hiring of illegal aliens, screeners with criminal records, screeners who can't pass basic skills tests required for employment, screeners who can't speak English, screeners who fail to spot dangerous objects. You'll also hear that 87 percent of the baggage screeners at Washington Dulles International Airport aren't U.S. citizens. You'll also hear the name Argenbright Security. The foreign-based corporation is the largest airport security screener in our nation and is responsible for security at the majority of America's busiest airports. The second and third largest screening contractors also are foreign-owned. Argenbright was recently ordered to pay over $1 million in fines and placed on three years probation because it either failed to conduct background checks on convicted felons or forged the actual background checks on checkpoint screeners at Philadelphia International Airport. Just last week a federal judge extended the company's three-year probationary period to five years for violating terms of its probation, including continuing to hire convicted felons, despite certifying that it had conducted new background checks, and violating FAA regulations. It is interesting to note that Argenbright left the Philadelphia airport last week, a year before its contract was to have expired. In another development, Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix evicted Argenbright on October 13 citing criticism of its hiring standards since the September 11 terrorist attacks and the scandal involving Argenbright's activities in Philadelphia. Argenbright also staffs both Washington Dulles International Airport and Logan International Airport in Boston--two of the airports where hijacked planes took off on September 11. Dulles continues to grow and is presently the fifth busiest airport in America with 1,400 daily takeoffs and landings. According to the FBI, Argenbright also had the roommate of convicted CIA killer Amal Kansi on its payroll. Kansi was responsible for the bloody CIA shootings in 1993 on Route 123 in northern Virginia outside CIA headquarters, where two people were killed and three were wounded. His roommate, Zahid Mir, worked for Argenbright from August 1992 to February 1993 in a variety of security positions until he was arrested on immigration charges which ultimately resulted in six months confinement. As an Argenbright Security employee at Dulles Airport, Mir had access to luggage and restricted access areas. It would seem that even a cursory check on Mir would have flagged authorities about his questionable background. I enclose for the Record a copy of a letter from the FBI verifying Mir's relationship to Kansi and his work for Argenbright. I also find it surprising that when a recent head of FAA security left his job, he soon wound up on the Board of Directors of Argenbright Security. What kind of relationship is there between those who are regulating security and those who are performing security? That question may have been answered in a revealing memo sent this past May from the chief of the FAA's Civil Aviation Security Division-- who is leaving his post after being there for less than a year--to FAA managers about the agency's compliance and enforcement philosophy. He said, in part, ``...the safety and security of the flying public will depend upon the FAA and industry maintaining a candid, respectful and mutually responsive business relationship. To be effective in this relationship, we need to be flexible.'' He continued, ``While I expect regulated parties to comply with regulatory requirements, there will be times when we find areas of noncompliance. When we do, I want to fully consider the actions the party has taken to fix the problem. I want to work with the industry to develop action plans to permanently correct problems that have resulted in violations. To encourage industry to join us in this effort I do not expect us to impose a civil penalty against a regulated party for certain unaggravated violations, if we believe the party has successfully implemented a permanent fix that will resolve the security problem and preclude recurrence of future violations....'' I enclose for the Record the entire text of that memo. If we learned anything from the devastating attacks of September 11 it is that there is absolutely no room for flexibility, no room for compromise, no room for second chances when it comes to the safety of the flying public. The track record of private airline screening companies shows they have not performed the job that is demanded. According to a 1998 GAO report, security checkers at Dulles Airport experienced a turnover rate of 90 percent, which was lower than the national average of 126 percent. Boston's Logan Airport had a turnover rate of 207 percent and Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport topped the chart at 375 percent. At these rates, screeners were turning over every couple of months. As long as security is contracted out, it will always go to the lowest bidder with the cheapest labor pool filing what we can describe today as among the most important security jobs in our country. We must put federal professionals on the front line of air security to ensure a workforce which can enforce total compliance with aviation security laws. I've heard the arguments that federalizing airport security will create another unnecessary federal agency and that what is needed is just federal supervision of private contractors. In response, I ask our colleagues to consider that in the aftermath of September 11, there is a critical need today more than ever for intelligence sharing among federal agencies. The FBI, the DEA, and the INS already operate under the Department of Justice. I believe most people would want airport security under the Justice Department where these agencies could share their information in the present climate of heightened security alerts. I don't believe most people would want federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to reveal sensitive security information about the national airspace to private contractors. The best security and law enforcement in the world can be found in our armed forces, the Secret Service, and the FBI--all under the jurisdiction of United States government. We owe it to the American people to pass the kind of legislation unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 100-0 which assigns the job of enforcing the security laws for our nation's airways to a federal aviation security agency accountable to the public and under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice. The events of September 11 have changed us all. The dozens of families in the Washington region who lost loved ones and the thousands in New York, Boston, and Newark and all over the world who also grieve for their mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors remind us that we should do everything possible to try to prevent a similar tragedy. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington DC, October 17, 2001. Hon. Frank R. Wolf, Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for seeing us last week. I hope the meeting was helpful to you. With regard to Zahid Mir, as we confirmed to you, he did work at Dulles International Airport, both for News Emporium and for Argenbright Security. He was employed by Argenbright from August 1992 to February 1993 in a variety of security positions. As such, he would have had access to luggage and restricted access areas. His employment at Dulles ended when he was arrested in February 1993 on immigration charges which ultimately resulted in six months confinement. It is our understanding that Mr. Mir was the roommate of Mir Amal Kansi, the individual convicted in the shooting deaths of several CIA employees. Sincerely yours, John E. Collingwood, Assistant Director, Office of Public and Congressional Affairs.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce on behalf of the citizens of Virginia's 10th Congressional District the installation of Rickey Dean as the new postmaster in Manassas, Virginia on October 19, 2001. Throughout his Postal career which started in 1983 as a letter carrier, Mr. Dean demonstrated the dedication and bravery which is seen in all our postal workers today. As a graduate of Fairmont State College in West Virginia, he has served in many positions since that time, including Supervisor, Branch Manager, and Superintendent of Postal Operations. In May 1996, he was appointed Postmaster of Warrenton, Virginia. He has served as Officer-In-Charge of facilities in Berryville, Falls Church, and Manassas. In July 2000, he served as the acting manager of Post Office Operations for the 226/227 zip code areas. Following that assignment, he was detailed to the Northern Virginia District Office as Manager of Delivery & Customer Service Programs. My appreciation and admiration go out to Rickey Dean and his colleagues for the work and service they do on behalf of the people of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Postal workers everywhere deserve our support and prayers especially during these difficult times. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record a prayer offered on Friday, October 19, at the installation of Rickey Dean, in support and appreciation of the public service postal employees provide to our great nation. Thank you again to Mr. Dean and to all our nation's postal workers. You're doing a fabulous job. Prayer Offered by Father Lawrence Violette Installation of Rickey R. Dean, Postmaster, Manassas, Virginia, October 19, 2001 God, our Father, you send your angels to give us the good news of salvation, and to call us to repentance. Send your angels to guard the men and women of the United States Postal Service. Remind them of their call to service for our community. Console them in their troubles. Protect them from all evil. May those who receive good news through the mail give you thanks for your many gifts. May those who receive bad news turn to you for consolation and support. God our Father--may everything we do be ``first class.'' [Imprint your own loving ``zip code'' upon our hearts in that we may never go astray.] Provide in your gracious providence ``special handling'' for those of us who are ``fragile'' and keep us in one piece. We have been ``signed, sealed, stamped, and delivered'' in your image and likeness, and we beg you to keep us in your care as we go about our ``appointed rounds.'' And when our days draw to a close and we are marked ``Return to Sender,'' be there to greet us at heaven's door so that nobody may ever say, ``unknown at this address.'' Amen.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I must admit to my colleagues today that my Penn State alumni pride is showing. This past Saturday in State College, Pennsylvania, Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno made history. When the Nittany Lions came from behind to defeat Big Ten rival Ohio State by a score of 29-27, it marked the 324th win for Coach Paterno, affectionately known as ``Joe Pa.'' Why was that win so special? It made Coach Paterno the winningest major college football coach in history. That victory surpassed the former record of 323 wins held by the legendary Paul ``Bear'' Bryant. What makes the record so special, too, especially for Penn State alumni and fans, is that all those wins have come as Coach Paterno paced the sidelines as head coach for the Pennsylvania State University, where he has spent his entire coaching career. We salute Coach Paterno, his wife Sue and his family, all the teams he has lead over the years to victory and all the young men who have not only learned how to play football under his tutelage, but who have learned life lessons from one of the best teachers they could ever have. Here's to 324 and counting. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record an Associated Press article from the Sunday, October 28, 2001, edition of the Washington Post which reports on Coach Paterno's record-breaking win. [From the Washington Post, Oct. 28, 2001] Paterno's 324th Win Moves Coach Into 1st State College, PA., Oct 27--Joe Paterno spent the last three months saying his chase for the major college victory record was no big deal. Now that he's got it, he's changing his tune. ``You never think it's going to be a big deal until it happens like this, with this many people,'' Paterno said today after his Nittany Lions rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat Ohio State, 29-27. ``It's just hard to describe. But I'm a very, very lucky guy to be at an institution such as Penn State with all these fans.'' The win was No. 324 for Paterno, who passed Paul ``Bear'' Bryant for the record. Paterno has spent his entire coaching career at Penn State, serving as an assistant for 15 years before becoming head coach in 1966. Paterno came into the season one win behind Bryant but was questioned and criticized--even by some of the Penn State faithful--after his team started 0-4. He tied Bryant last week with a 38-35 win at Northwestern. Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel said brief congratulations to Paterno, then quickly went to his locker room. ``I have respect for his tremendous career, but that moment was for he and his team,'' Tressel said. After the game, in the understated style Penn State fans have come to expect, Paterno praised his team, hugged his wife and held his grandchildren at a ceremony at midfield. ``I can't tell you how proud I am of this football team,'' Paterno told the crowd. ``They could have packed it in a long time ago. But they came back last week, and they came back today, and I tell you they're going to be one hell of a football team.'' The game solidified freshman Zack Mill's spot as Penn State's lead quarterback. Mills, a graduate of Urbana High School who came in on the Nittany Lions' second possession after Matt Senneca started, threw two touchdowns and broke his own freshman passing record with 280 yards. He completed 17 of 32 passes and also ran for 138 yards and a touchdown.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, November 10, 2001, marks the 226th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. On November 10, 1775, a corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress, and throughout the whole of American history the corps has acted with the bravery and honor, courage and humility befiting the American armed services. In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, and the current military operations which are underway, I am hopeful that America has a new found respect and reverence for our men and women in uniform wherever and whenever they may serve. As Marines both Retired and Active Duty, Reservists, civilian and uniformed alike, gather cross the Nation to celebrate this momentous occasion, I would like to acknowledge their past service and give thanks for their continued vigilance during these trying times. This week, in my own district, the Marines of Page County will gather for a humble but memorable celebration at the Luray VFW. To commemorate this special day I would like to submit for the Record an essay composed by Thomas E. Lloyd, Major, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), a resident of Virginia's 10th Congressional District, who has captured the essence of a lifetime devotion to the corps. [From the Marine Corps Gazette, Nov. 1997] The Change Is Forever (By Maj Thomas E. Lloyd, USMC(Ret)) Until recently in my home town, there was an advertising billboard on Main Street with the image of a young Marine officer in Dress Blues with the caption. ``The Change Is Forever.'' Appropriately, the sign appeared about the same time as the 1996 Marine Corps Birthday. Each time that I passed it, the soft murmur of memories echoed in my head. It's fun to enjoy an occasional peek into the window of our past as long as we know when to close the curtain. One enjoyable way to do this is to celebrate the birthday of our Corps with other Marines. Since our area is rural and fairly remote, a few of us decided two birthdays ago to have our own celebration. Over the past 2 years, it has grown from a few retired Marines gathering to toast the birthday of their Corps to a community event of over 100 Marines, their families, and friends. There's nothing fancy about our ball--the Marines who can still get into their uniforms wear them, but there are no tuxedos or long gowns. For $7.00 you get a good, homecooked meal of roast beef, gravy, and mashed potatoes. After dinner, we ask the guests to light a candle for our Corps as two retired Marines parade the colors with a marching glide that does not hint of their combined ages of 140 years. After the reading of the traditional Birthday Message of Gen. Lejeune, the cake cutting ceremony takes place. As the senior Marine, I then say a few words. In keeping with the type of audience, I try to make my remarks emotional, but relevant and to the point. Last year I reminded them that there were no ex-Marines--only Marines. We are gathered here to honor our Corps and our fellow Marines. We pay homage to tradition and patriotism, to duty and honor, to commitment and sacrifice. The voices of those who have gone before us call out to us with the words that symbolize our Corps--Semper Fidelis! In your present life, you may be a farmer or a truck driver. You may be old or young. Your hair may have grown grey and your middle thick. Life and the inevitable progression of time changes our outward appearance, but it cannot alter what is inside. Your presence here says what is in your heart; you too have answered the role call of Marines who call out to the next generation--Semper Fidelis. I remind you, as I have before, that you are still Marines. You have been branded with the eagle, globe, and anchor. It is seared into your soul. You have earned the title Marine, and it is yours until eternity. More than likely, no flag officer will ever speak at our birthday ball, and the Marine Corps band will only play for us via my cassette player. A high-ranking guest speaker, expensive admission, and a prime rib dinner aren't necessarily prerequisites for a successful birthday celebration, but enthusiasm, sincerity, and the spirit of the Marines who attend are. At the foot of the Blue Ridge, near the Shenandoah river, where the natural beauty of the landscape takes your breath away, you'll find a small group of simple and down-to-the- earth men and women who believe in the motto of their Corps-- Semper Fidelis! They remain faithful, even though the Marine Corps that they once knew exists only in their memories and in their hearts. The words on the billboard were more than advertising: The Change Is Forever!

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, as co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, I want to share a letter I recently received from Shixiong Li, president of the Committee for Investigation on Persecution of Religion in China, Inc., regarding religious persecution in China. The letter notes that the passing of permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) has had a grave effect on House Church believers. A graph identifying the number of persecuted House Church believers shows an alarming increase of those being persecuted by the Chinese government since the passing of PNTR. I look forward to the day when the citizens of China will be free to worship the religion of their choosing and enjoy the basic human right of religious freedom. Committee for Investigation on Persecution of Religion in China, Inc. A Truth-Finding Investigative Table of Chinese Government's Persecution of Family Churches Preface, October 9, 2001 For more than nine months, our members have done a lot of concrete things in the U.S. and China. In Mainland China alone, more than ten thousand believers have secretly participated in the task of collecting and compiling materials on religious persecution. Under China's ``modernized despotism,'' this task, however dangerous it may be, is worth doing, for what it produces is strong evidence of the Chinese government's persecution of religion rather than information based estimation or guess-work. It is a record of Chinese communist crimes of treading on human rights, with lists of true names of the victims and the real location where abuse took place. For the participants, nothing is more dangerous than publicizing their name list. This is the reason that for now we can only put out name lists of those who are dead, handicapped, imprisoned, under surveillance or on the run. Other name lists will not be revealed, but numbers of the persons on each of these name lists are given. In addition, name lists of abusing public security men and women are shown.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) for bringing this legislation to the floor of the House. It is very appropriate that we honor Congressman Norman Sisisky, who will always be remembered as a true gentleman, a dedicated public servant. He was a good person. He was a good father. He was a good husband, and in the delegation we could not have been closer. I see the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran); and I would ask the gentleman if he remembers at our delegation lunches, it was Norman that would always make us laugh, that would always have that witty comment and somebody who could reach across the aisle in a way that really very few Members can. His public service career began when he was elected, as was said, a member of the House of Delegates in 1973 representing Petersburg. He served for five terms in the Virginia General Assembly before being elected to Congress in 1982, and it was when I first met him. Norman, like another of our late Virginia colleagues, Herb Bateman, was a senior member on the House Committee on Armed Services. In fact, he and Bateman, Sisisky and Bateman, worked hand in glove on so many issues with regard to their portion of the State and so many issues with regard to the national defense. From their vantage point, they both were protectors of our national security. Norman was the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Military Procurement and also served on the Subcommittee on Military Readiness and the Panel on Morale, Welfare, and Recreation. The American men and women in the military had no finer friend than Norman Sisisky. No matter what their rank, from the lowest rank to the highest rank, Norman was their friend. Also, Norman was instrumental in working to get the funding to build the newest aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, which was recently christened. He worked tirelessly as an advocate for production of shipbuilding to strengthen our national defense, and it is appropriate that we honor his dedication to improving our defense and intelligence resources, especially in light of recent events with regard to what is taking place in the country. This Congress is honoring a very faithful servant and a wonderful man. Our lives have been forever enriched by having Norman Sisisky as our friend and colleague. Norman lived his life to the fullest. He had a great time, great sense of humor. He was hardworking and friendly and was a Member who truly worked in a bipartisan way by reaching across the aisle to work in the best interests of America. It was a privilege to work with Norman for 18 years and to work with him in the Virginia delegation on issues of importance, not only to the State of Virginia but to the Nation. Norm Sisisky's commitment and devotion to public service is deserving of recognition and it is appropriate that the postal building at 3131 South Crater Road in Petersburg, Virginia, be renamed in his honor. Again, I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) for bringing this to the floor, and let Norman know, as he is I am sure watching somewhere, that we do miss him very, very much. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleagues on the Government Reform Committee in bringing this legislation to the floor to designate a U.S. postal building in Petersburg, Virginia, to honor the late Congressman Norman Sisisky, who served Virginia's Fourth Congressional district for nine terms. It is appropriate that we honor Congressman Sisisky, who will always be remembered as a true gentleman and dedicated public servant. Norman Sisisky was born June 9, 1927, and graduated from John Marshall High in Richmond, Virginia. He joined the Navy after high school and served through World War II until 1946. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1949 with a degree in business administration. Norm's work as a public official was undoubtedly strengthened by his success in the private sector. After graduating he transformed a small Pepsi bottling company in Petersburg, Virginia, into a highly successful distributor of soft drinks throughout Southside Virginia. His public service career began when he was elected as delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1973 representing Petersburg. He served five terms in the Virginia General Assembly before being elected to Congress in 1982. Norman, like another of our late Virginia colleagues, Herb Bateman, was a senior member on the House Armed Services Committee and from that vantage point was a protector of our national security. He was the ranking member of the subcommittee on military procurement, and also served on the subcommittee on military readiness and the panel on morale, welfare, and recreation. Before his untimely passing this past March, he had been appointed to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Norman was also a member of the ``Blue Dog'' coalition in the 104th through the 107th Congresses and led bipartisan efforts through that work. Norman was instrumental in working to get funding to build the newest aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, which was recently christened. He worked tirelessly as an advocate for production of shipbuilding and strengthening our national defense. It is appropriate that we honor his dedication to improving our defense and intelligence resources, especially in light of recent events and our new attention to these priorities. He presented with pride Virginia's Fourth Congressional District in the southeastern corner of the Commonwealth, the home of the First Permanent English Settlement in North America, and today the home of one of the largest concentrations of military power in the world. This Congress is honoring a faithful servant and wonderful man, and our lives are forever enriched for having had Norman Sisisky as our friend and colleague. Norman lived his life to the fullest. He was hard-working and friendly and he was a member who truly worked in a bipartisan way. He reached across the aisle to work for the best interests of America. It was a privilege to serve with him the over 18 years he was in Congress and to work with him in the Virginia delegation on issues of importance to our state and union. Congressman Sisisky's commitment and devotion to public service is deserving of recognition, and it is appropriate that the postal building at 131 South Crater Road in Petersburg, Virginia, he renamed in his honor. I urge our colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation to honor his former member for his dedicated public service.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to address the House to pass along the news that Thomas Downing, a former Congressman from the Tidewater area of Virginia, died Tuesday night. Former Congressman Downing was 82 years old and represented the Tidewater Peninsula for 18 years, from 1959 to 1977. While Congressman Downing's record of long public service and work in the House of Representatives preceded most of today's Members, including myself, the impact and achievements of his career will long be remembered. Next week there will be an opportunity when Members can speak about Congressman Downing. I would like to say a few words today to acknowledge the career of this dedicated public servant. A graduate of Virginia Military Institute, Congressman Downing, who was an Army captain, led an Army reconnaissance team in World War II. On August 11, 1944, his unit was ambushed by the German troops. After the initial exchange of gunfire, two of his troops were injured. Congressman Downing immediately rescued them, and received the Silver Star, which said, ``Captain Downing, without hesitation and with utter disregard for his personal safety, ran to the aid of his men among a hail of bullets.'' Tom Downing was first elected in 1958, and is especially remembered for his dedication to his district, especially Newport News Shipbuilding. During his tenure, the shipyard added the area known as the Northyard, making it easier and more cost-effective to build some of the largest ships in the world. In short, Congressman Downing served the Commonwealth of Virginia and the country with distinction. Again, on behalf of the entire House, we would like to pass our condolences on to the family and to his friends.