C. Young

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues may not be aware, but this week marks the 10th anniversary of the Special Operations Command, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The 47,000 soldiers who make up the special operations command are the most elite forces that the U.S. military has to offer. This command coordinates special forces members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corp who currently operate in 140 countries worldwide. Despite their numbers, range of deployment and unique talents, the Special Operations Command makes up only 1 percent of DOD's budget and 1 percent of the U.S. military. Deployed to some of the most hostile environments in the world, these bold warriors are a constant presence for the United States. Special forces have been an indispensable asset to the United States in armed conflicts since the American Revolutionary War. Today, the modern special forces operator is prepared to meet both humanitarian and military challenges wherever they are deployed. Teamwork and cooperation are essential for the survival of each member of the unconventional warfare community. In 1987, the special operations command was borne out this need to coordinate the complicated and dangerous missions assigned to special forces members. In recognition of the anniversary of the Special Operations Command, Orval Jackson of the Tampa Tribune has written a very comprehensive history of the command which I commend to my colleagues attention. Mr. Speaker I know I speak for all my colleagues in admiration of the sacrifices and service of the men and women who serve and have served in the special forces--many in virtual anonymity. [From the Tampa Tribune, Apr. 14, 1997] 10 Years Bold (By Orval Jackson) Tampa.--It stands to reason Special Operations forces are on duty in many of the world's trouble spots, such as Bosnia and the Persian Gulf. More surprising, however, is that Special Operations forces also are deployed to more than 140 nations, providing governments with a variety of military and humanitarian skills. Most Americans don't know about these missions, because the command, based at MacDill Air Force Base, doesn't publicize them. And that's the whole point: They're special operations. ``Special Operations forces offer a unique, versatile and global joint service force, which continuously operates worldwide,'' said Army Gen. Hugh Shelton, commander in chief of the unified command. The successes and wide-ranging tasks of the special forces will be recognized this week as the Special Operations Command commemorates it's 10th anniversary. Many of the deployments, Shelton said, are in areas plagued by disease, starvation, poverty and civil strife--incubators for future insurgencies, humanitarian crises and ethnic conflict. ``U.S. Special Operations forces have become extremely skillful in practicing the art of peace, while still remaining prepared for and preserving the option of force,'' Shelton said. Case in point: Somalia. A humanitarian program there in 1992 evolved into a military one the next year. In it, two Special Operations soldiers became the first Americans since Vietnam to receive the Medal of Honor. In October 1993, Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon and Sgt. 1st Class Randall D. Shughart disregarded their own safety while trying to rescue crewmen from two downed helicopters. Gordon and Shughart held heavily armed crowds at bay until they ran out of ammunition and were killed. The lone survivor of the crash, who was wounded, was taken prisoner and later was released. Gordon and Shughart were part of about 47,000 active, reserve and national guard forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force that make up the Special Operations Command. Despite its worldwide involvement, it represents only 1 percent of the nation's military and 1 percent of the Defense Department's budget. Its anniversary week will be highlighted Wednesday when Secretary of Defense William Cohen is presented the Bull Simons Award, given annually to those who embody the spirit, values and skills of a legendary special operator. Cohen, who was a Republican senator from Maine, and Sam Nunn, a Senate Democrat from Georgia at the time, wrote the legislation that created the Special Operations Command in 1987. Nunn, who is unable to attend the MacDill events, received his Bull Simon Award recently in Atlanta. Nearing the end of his 34-year career, Simons led a Special Forces raid on the Son Tay prisoner-of-war camp in North Vietnam in 1970. The prisoners had been moved before the forces arrived, but the raid was credited with forcing the North Vietnamese to improve the care of POWs. Another bold, but ultimately unsuccessful, mission spurred the creation of the Special Operations Command. In 1980, an attempt to rescue 53 American hostages in Iran led to the death of eight military personnel when two rescue aircraft collided in the Iranian desert. As efforts were under way in the Department of Defense to reform the special forces operations, the process was spurred on by the 1983 terrorist bombing attack that killed 237 marines in Lebanon and the invasion of Grenada, which was successful despite operational problems within the military units. Then-President Reagan approved establishment of the new command April 13, 1987, and three days later it was activated by the Department of Defense under the command of Army Gen. James Lindsay. It took over the facilities of the U.S. Readiness Command at MacDill, whose missions were transferred to other commands. During its 10 years, the command has participated in five other major operations in addition to Somalia, including its first big test in December 1989, when more than 4,400 special operations forces participated in operation Just Cause in Panama. It led to the capture of dictator Manuel Noriega. In 1990-91, more than 9,400 personnel were deployed to operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Last April, Special Operations helicopters flew through some of the worst conditions to reach a mountainside above Dubrovnik, Croatia, where Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown and 34 others were killed when their plane crashed. In addition to well-publicized military operations, Special Operations forces have a number of lesser-known missions. They include combating terrorism; seizing or destroying weapons of mass destruction; assisting host countries in civil affairs; conducting rescue missions and antidrug activities; and providing humanitarian assistance. ``I think as you look at the situation we are facing today and in the foreseeable future, there are challenges Special Operation forces should be handling and I see a greater need for them than ever,'' said retired Army Gen. Carl W. Stiner, who followed Lindsay as commander in chief. ``One significant thing I think we did was keep the focus on readiness and modernization of our forces,'' Stiner said. ``Another was to work with the regional CINCs [commanders in chief], educating them on the utility of Special Operations forces and their capability of assisting in achieving reasonable objectives.''

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, St. Petersburg is home to the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, or SPIFFS as it is known, which is one of the most unique organizations of its kind anywhere in our Nation. The highlight of every year comes in March when SPIFFS hosts its annual folk fair to celebrate the blend of ethnic backgrounds and history that have made the Pinellas County area of Florida I represent such a special and diverse community in which to live. This was the 22d annual folk fair, and over 55 ethnic groups participated to showcase their culture, ethnic diversity, and foods, as well as provide continuous entertainment from around the world. For the first time this year's festival was held outdoors in St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park. In conjunction with this year's folk fair, the Central Florida Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association sponsored an essay competition entitled ``Why I'm Glad America Is a Nation of Immigrants.'' The winning essay was submitted by Joseph Mathews, a seventh grader at Seminole Middle School. Joseph was recognized for his essay during the opening ceremonies of the folk fair, and it is an honor for me to bring this young man's thoughts to the attention of my colleagues today. ``Why I'm Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants'' (By Joseph Mathews) The American dream. It's something we born on U.S. soil take for granted, but to others, it means hope, and a way of life. Many immigrants in American have lived the dream and added to it. Madeline Albright was brought to the United States by her parents to escape the holocaust. America didn't only mean her future, it also meant freedom, a place of refuge, and a chance to serve as the first woman Secretary of State. Irving Berlin was another fortunate and successful immigrant. After traveling to the U.S. at the age of 5, Berlin became one of our most famous songwriters. ``God Bless America'' expresses his feelings about his new home. Immigrants touch the lives of Americans on a smaller scale as well. My piano teacher, Gloria Bolivar, immigrated to California from Mexico as a teenager, bringing her talent, the knowledge she had gained, and nothing more. She told the Stanford Music Conservatory that she had no money, nowhere to stay, spoke little English, and needed all of her tuition paid. During the audition, Ms. Bolivar had played but a few moments when the professors said, ``We want you.'' She became a top graduate. After several years as a concert artist, she is now teaching in Florida, and has enriched my life by sharing her musical gifts with me. For hundreds of years, foreigners have travelled in a continuous wave to our country, bringing experience, knowledge, and skills. I am definitely sure it should remain so.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I report to my colleagues the death of Robert C. Graves, D.V.M., who was a founder and the first chairman of the board of the National Marrow Donor Program. Dr. Graves, who died February 13, 1997, at his home in Fort Collins, CO, was one of the most unique people I have every been associated with during my service in Congress. A veterinarian and rancher, he was a colorful and persuasive individual who decided our Nation needed a national registry of potential bone marrow donors. He worked tirelessly to create such a registry that today saves lives every day. He will be forever remembered for his work to help establish the National Marrow Donor Program. He was spurred onward in his drive to establish a national registry by his daughter Laura, who received the first unrelated marrow donor transplant in 1979. At that time, there was no centralized listing of potential marrow donors. Instead, there were a few small, community-based listings of possible donors, many developed around the plight of a patient like Laura, suffering from leukemia. Although Laura was fortunate enough to find an unrelated matched donor, she lost the battle to leukemia. Her father, however, never gave up the fight and one day in 1986 we met here in the halls of the U.S. Capitol, both on a quest to achieve the same goal--the establishment of a national bone marrow registry. Together with Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., whose family like that of Bob Graves was touched by the need for a bone marrow donor, we found an interest in this project with the U.S. Navy. By providing a small appropriation in 1986, we gave birth to a national registry, to honor all those such as Laura Graves who inspired us to find a way to save lives. Bob Graves became the first chairman of the board for the National Marrow Donor Program and during its formative months played a major role in its organization and in its activation. Today, 10 years later, it is with great pride that I report the National Marrow Donor Program is a true success story. With more than 2.5 million volunteers in the national registry, we proved many people wrong, including a former Director of the National Institutes of Health, who told the three of us that we would never be able to find more than 50,000 people willing to sign up for such a national program. Bob Graves was a plain spoken but focused man who devoted a good part of his life to helping others. He not only worked the Halls of Congress and the Colorado State Legislature, but traveled the world to recruit foreign nations to be partners with the national registry. In large part through his efforts, we now have agreements with 14 other countries, which allows bone marrow to cross international borders on a regular basis. To honor Bob and Laura Graves, the board of the National Marrow Donor Program, established the Laura Graves Award, given annually to an individual who has contributed greatly to saving lives through advancing unrelated bone marrow transplantation. My wife Beverly and I are honored to have been a recipient of this award, which is displayed prominently in my office. It is a constant reminder of Dr. Robert C. Graves, who we were blessed to know as partner in our quest to save lives, and as a true friend. Mr. Speaker, my deepest sympathy goes out to his wife Sherry and his children. They can be consoled by knowing that Bob touched the lives of more people throughout the world than he would ever know. Many of those people owe their lives today to this crusading rancher from Fort Collins, CO who had a vision and never would be deterred until he fulfilled that vision and a promise to his daughter.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with heavy heart that I advise my colleagues in the House of the death of a young 7-year-old boy named Keon Hooks of Clearwater, FL. Keon died on Friday, February 21, 1997, of a plastic anemia, a form of leukemia. Keon was in need of a bone marrow transplant, and as you know, I have championed the National Bone Marrow Registry for years. Whenever I learn of a case like Keon I cannot help but ask myself, as well as my colleagues, what more can we do to encourage people to join the National Bone Marrow Registry in an effort to be a potential match and donor. Despite repeated drives for Keon, a match for him was not found. As a last resort his mother Stacy donated her bone marrow in October, even though it was only a partial match. Two other transplants were needed for Keon as his body was rejecting his mother's bone marrow and succumbed to several infections. Still, Keon fought valiantly for his life and always kept a smile on his face. He was known as a practical joker, and I recall how he would attend bone marrow drives in the African-American communities of the Tampa Bay area to thank those who were signing up for the registry and to join in trying to get others to participate. On Saturday, 1 week short of his 8th birthday, Keon will be buried. His funeral service will be the birthday party he wanted to celebrate. Today, in Keon's memory, let us pledge ourselves to redouble our efforts in our local communities to recruit our constituents to join the National Bone Marrow Registry so that ``the gift of life''--a bone marrow transplant--can be passed to those who like Keon are in need of this lifesaving procedure. Finally, let us set a moment aside to remember Keon. The inspiration he has left in my district and in the entire Tampa Bay area is hard to describe, but I know that this young man, a fighter whose disease still could not take away his admiration of his mother and sisters and his love of life, will be cherished by all who had come to know him.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, one of the great privileges of serving from the 10th Congressional District of Florida is to represent one of our Nation's landmark hotels, the Belleview of Belleair, FL, which celebrates its 100th anniversary later this month. Not only is it world renowned as a tourist destination, but it is listed on our National Registry of Historic Places. Henry B. Plant, the railroad magnate who became known as one of Florida's greatest developers, opened the doors to his elegant hotel named the Belleview on January 15, 1897. Built on a bluff that overlooks Clearwater Harbor, the original 145-room hotel quickly became recognized as a favored winter retreat. Later, as golf courses and swimming pools were added, the hotel became uniquely modern for its time. In addition to serving its guests, the hotel was also the location for the Belleair post office and fire station. While the hotel ownership changed and the railroad cars left the siding, the importance of the Belleview to the area did not wane. In fact, during World War II, the hotel was leased to the U.S. Army Air Corps to serve as the auxiliary barracks for MacDill and Drew Fields in Tampa. Several years later, the hotel, now with more than 500 rooms, reopened as a resort and began a new chapter that led to its being qualified for a listing in the National Register of Historic Places on March 7, 1980. I was privileged to have been a part of that program, and it is a special honor for me to be able to salute the Belleview Hotel--now the Belleview Mido--on this its 100th anniversary. The Belleview has always been known for its hospitality and its graciousness. It has hosted countless numbers of dignitaries, conventioneers, and others who wish to enjoy its golf course, its pools and sunshine, its cuisine, and its spa and fitness center. Today its guests are no less important than those who were greeted by Henry B. Plant, and as we look to the new year and the 21st century, I congratulate the Belleview Mido on its 100th anniversary and I thank the management and staff for their work in preserving this magnificent structure, its history, and contributions to the Town of Belleair and to Pinellas County.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, if the gentlewoman will continue to yield, let me assure my colleague from Florida that it is the committee's intent to reduce these accounts in a manner that reflects the various DBOF activities' proportionate share of the total carryover. The committee does not intend to impose an excessive or inappropriate burden on any one kind of DBOF function or activity.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding and say to him that we have reviewed this amendment and discussed it with him. We know that he is one of the many Members of this Chamber who is always in the front line defending the rights of veterans and protecting veterans. We appreciate that, and we are prepared to accept the amendment.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I would respond and say we certainly understand the importance of CORPS SAM. We also know there are some difficulties in the program because of the international participation in the program, where it is unclear if some of the sponsors or some of those who are involved are committed to this effort. However, we will work with the gentleman to make sure that the right thing is done on the issue of CORPS SAM because I think it is an important issue.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, we have a few problems with this amendment but would be prepared to accept it.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman will continue to yield, the amendment says, at the end of the bill before the short title. It does not say amendment to the amendment.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, is this intended to be an amendment to the amendment or an amendment to the bill?

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, the author of the amendment has suggested all the things that we can do under his amendment. But there are some things that we cannot do. We restrict the ability under this amendment to move into some types of technology that really look like they might be very promising and very clean and very efficient. I would give the example, the U.S.-Israeli program referred to as Nautilus, a laser program missile defense program. It seems to have a tremendous amount of promise, and we are funding it in this bill. Except for the range involved, it is not unlike the type of laser that we might be talking about. The point is that may or may not be the system that we would deploy eventually. But we should not deny ourselves the opportunity to investigate, to search out, to find out what really would be the best way to defend our Nation against a rogue attack or in the future, who knows, against an intentional attack. We know the threat is growing. The point is that we do not have the ability to defend this Nation against an incoming missile. We all know that in this Chamber. There may be some who do not believe that. But that is the fact. The gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Murtha] and I, because of the positions that we hold in this Congress, have the opportunity to know whether we have that kind of a protective device or not. The answer is we do not. It is interesting. Just about 3 weeks ago I was talking with a group of business people, some of who were involved in military industry. And one of the persons who really should know said to me: Look, I do not care what you guys say. I know you have something out there to defend us if the enemy should send a missile or whether it should come by mistake or however it might come. Of course we know that the North Koreans are developing longer-range missiles all the time. We know that Libya and Iraq and countries like those are and have been developing weapons of mass destruction that could easily fit on a North Korean No Dong missile. We also know that Iran is willing to put up plenty of money to harass the United States and our interests. So the threat is there, and the threat is growing. We ought not to deny ourselves the opportunity to really find out what is the best way to defend our Nation. The administration says we do not have to worry about this for at least 15 years. I disagree with that. I think the capability on the part of a rogue nation will be there long before the 15-year period, and I think even the gentleman from Washington [Mr. Dicks] would agree with that. Here is what I want to tell Members. Despite the gentlemen in industry who told me we really have something, in your town hall meetings, in your meeting with children in schools, the question comes up about defending America from missile attacks. Most of the people in our country believe that somewhere, someone has the answer, has something to pull out of the magic hat to defend our Nation. The fact is we do not. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, I was just a little kid. I was growing up in a small coal mine town in western Pennsylvania. We did not have television back then, so we did not know too much about what was happening. But the radio accounts and the newspaper accounts were frightening to young kids who wondered if we were going to be invaded next week or next month because we had suffered such a devastating blow in Pearl Harbor. As I began to learn more about what was happening, as our Nation rebuilt after Pearl Harbor, we had time in those days; we would not have time today. I began to realize that in America someone was looking out for me and all the other little kids in my same generation. And they did. They came back and rebuilt the armies and the navies and the air forces. After a tremendous struggle, tremendous sacrifice, tremendous loss of life, we won World War II. Today those kids in those schoolrooms where you go to visit believe that we have the capability to defend your Nation against an incoming missile. They think in their hearts, like I did when I was a kid, and I will bet many of you did, that, OK, so there is a threat out there; but someone somewhere is going to make sure that we have whatever it is we need should the time ever come. Mr. Chairman, that is us. We are the ones that those young kids of today believe have something somewhere to take care of the Nation should that attack ever come. That is us. And that vote is here today on this amendment. Vote no on this amendment, and let us prepare this Nation to defend itself should the time ever come. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. amendment offered by mr. dicks to the amendment offered by mr. de fazio

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Livingston], chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Livingston], chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. (Mr. LIVINGSTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Thornberry].

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. All right, Mr. Chairman, I withdraw that request, and let me offer another unanimous-consent request. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that debate on this amendment and all amendments thereto close in 30 minutes and that the time be equally divided, and, hopefully, we will not use all the time.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I said 20, and that was my preference.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that all debate on this amendment and all amendments thereto close in 20 minutes and that the time be equally divided.