[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H8540-H8558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4112, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 1999
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I
call up House Resolution 550 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 550
Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be
in order to consider the conference report to accompany the
bill (H.R. 4112) making appropriations for the Legislative
Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for
other purposes. All points of order against the conference
report and against its consideration are waived. The
conference report shall be considered as read.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ney). The gentleman from Colorado (Mr.
McInnis) is recognized for 1 hour.
(Mr. McINNIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the
customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) pending
which I yield myself such time as I might consume. During consideration
of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.
Mr. Speaker, the proposed rule for the conference report to accompany
H.R. 4112, the legislative branch appropriations for fiscal year 1999,
waives all points of order against the conference report and against
its consideration. The rule provides that the conference report will be
considered as read.
Mr. Speaker, the underlying conference report for the legislative
branch appropriations for fiscal year 1999 represents achievements
towards a smaller and smarter government. It shows the progress that
can be reached when the will and the effort to make necessary reforms
are present.
Some of my colleagues Mr. Speaker, may point out that this conference
report provides a slight 2.71 percent increase in spending over last
year's level. I would like to note that, in fact, the fiscal year 1999
legislative branch appropriations are still $40.6 million less than
fiscal year 1995 levels.
Next year Federal employees will receive a 3.6 percent cost of living
adjustment. The legislative branch appropriations conference report
only provides for a 2.71 percent increase overall. Of the whole
legislative branch budget, 80 percent of the funding goes towards
salaries. The increase of 2.71 percent in the fiscal year 1999
legislative branch appropriations conference report represents less of
an increase in salaries than the Federal salary cost of living
adjustments. Moreover, the legislative branch appropriations conference
report reduces the employment level by 1.7 percent. In fact, since
1994, over 15 percent of the legislative branch has been downsized.
Mr. Speaker, no other branch of the Federal Government comes close to
this amount of downsizing. The fiscal year 1999 legislative branch
appropriations conference report does include some important spending
increases where necessary. For example, the legislation will increase
the level of our Capitol Police salaries and expenses, recognizing the
important job the men and women who make up the Capitol Police force
perform.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Walsh) and the ranking member, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Serrano) for their bipartisan efforts to create a smaller,
smarter government to provide leadership by example.
Mr. Speaker, this is a noncontroversial rule which the Committee on
Rules reported by a voice vote.
The underlying legislation and conference report is bipartisan and
financially responsible. The conferees did an excellent job of
allocating scarce resources while building upon internal reforms we
have adopted in recent years to improve congressional operations.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this rule as well as
to agree to the conference report.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding me the time. As he
has explained, this is a rule that waives all points of order against
the conference report on H.R. 4112, which is a bill that makes
appropriations for the legislative branch for fiscal year 1999. The
bill appropriates a total of $2.3 billion for the operations of
Congress and other agencies in the legislative branch.
This amount is less than 3 percent, less than 3 percent higher than
last year's appropriation. The measure substantially increases funding
for the Capitol Police. This will provide police officers higher pay,
especially if they work Sundays, holidays and nights. This is a fair
increase for the men and women who are so important to the secure
operations of the Capitol complex.
This bill represents the last legislative branch appropriation bill
guided by our friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr.
Fazio), who will be retiring at the end of this Congress.
The gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) and I both began our
service with the 96th Congress back in 1979. Later he became chairman
of the appropriations subcommittee on the legislative branch and then
the ranking minority member.
In these roles, the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) led passage
of the appropriations bills. That was no easy task since anything
connected with funding Congress has the potential for controversy.
Throughout his tenure, the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) has
been a credit to the residents of California's 3rd district and to the
House of Representatives. He has accumulated a great deal of wisdom and
experience that will be sorely missed especially in the difficult times
ahead.
We need more Members like the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio)
in the House.
Mr. Speaker, the rule was approved by the Committee on Rules on a
voice vote with no objections. I urge adoption of the rule.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
First of all, dittos on the remarks about the gentleman from
California (Mr. Fazio). I have appreciated his work and appreciated the
service that he has given to us. Although I have often found myself on
the other end of the voting scheme of the gentleman from California, I
can say the gentleman from California has always acted with integrity
and honor.
Mr. Speaker, I think an important thing about the legislative
appropriation we have here is that this year still reflects a
significant amount of money less than when we first took the House in
1995. I had heard earlier somebody on the other side of the aisle
commenting about how this House had brought this House into fiscal
order. In fact, I think Members will find that this House, speaking
literally of the House, was brought into fiscal order when the
Republicans took control.
We have had cooperation from the other side of the aisle. Clearly
this rule indicates that we have cooperation as we put this budget
together.
This House really a leaner and meaner machine. We have taken a look
at all the different operations contained within the House. We have
looked at where we have needs and, where we have needs, we have
accommodated those needs. For example, this year in the Capitol Police
force, I know that my colleague from Ohio is a big fan of the Capitol
Police and has worked very hard for this appropriation. We have made
that allocation. We know that we have one of the top police forces, but
we know that we are also now providing the resources that they need.
[[Page H8541]]
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Ohio (Mr. Traficant).
(Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to the gentleman
from California (Mr. Fazio) who will be leaving us. I did not agree
with him all the time, but he is a great Member. He will be sorely
missed. I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) and the
gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) for incorporating most of my
bill, H.R. 2828, that elevates the pay of the Capitol Police by some 12
percent.
I would also like to say to the Congress that I think we have to go a
little further. I think that we have to incorporate in authorizing
language some of the other structural changes that I offer in 2828 with
my good friend the gentleman from California (Mr. Ney) who is in the
chair today. That is, we must increase the size of the force, maybe up
to 400, 600 personnel. We should change the mandatory retirement age
from 57 to 60, as I had submitted, so we can retain our most
experienced officers and handle some of the benefit problems they
experience.
And finally, I think we need to give the chief flexibility to stop
the erosion of the good, young officers that are being recruited by
surrounding agencies, and I think the 12 percent pay increase does
that.
I think we have to address some of the other issues. On balance, it
is a good conference report. I want to thank the gentleman form New
York (Mr. Walsh). I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Fazio).
I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), and I
would hope that H.R. 2828, that the gentleman from California (Mr. Ney)
and I have brought to the Congress, could in fact be brought out and
handle some of those other problems for the Capitol Police, because I
think it will serve the Nation well.
{time} 1045
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), and I want to acknowledge all his
efforts. We appreciate them very much. It says something when one is
able to work on this kind of basis, in a bipartisan way. What the
gentleman has done with the legislative appropriation budget, coming
into the Committee on Rules where he received a voice vote, not even
contested up there, that says a lot.
Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for
yielding me this time and for his kind words and for the voice vote
that we received in the Committee on Rules. It is somewhat unusual. But
I think it reflects the approach that my very good friend and
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), and I have taken
in this bill.
Our staffs work very, very closely together. We share ideas. We try
to honor each party's requests. After all, this is the budget that
funds the workings of this body and of the Senate. And what is in the
interest of the Democratic Party is also in the interest of the
Republican Party when it comes to making sure this House runs
efficiently.
Bipartisanship is not always possible. In fact, the Founding Fathers
set it up so that partisanship would be the catalyst that really makes
this country move forward progressively. But in the case of this bill,
I think bipartisanship is an important ingredient, and I am very
pleased that we have been able to work together.
I would like to thank the Committee on Rules for honoring our request
on the rule. I would also like to thank the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Solomon), who has provided great leadership to the House and to
the Committee on Rules over the years. This is the last legislative
branch bill to come before him in his chairmanship, and I want to take
this opportunity to thank him personally for all the good advice and
counsel that he has provided to me over the years. He is one of our New
York State leaders and has set a high standard for all of us.
I would also like to take this opportunity, and I will thank the
other members of the subcommittee during the discussion of the bill,
and the staff, but I would just like to take the opportunity to join
with my colleagues in thanking the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic
Fazio) for the leadership that he has provided throughout the years on
this sometimes most difficult of bills.
I remember when I first came to the Congress back in 1988, took
office in 1989, there was a big to-do about a pay raise. Now, if one is
going to go through hell in the legislative process, the pay raise is
probably the best way to get there. Because it is never popular, no
matter what. And people will say, well, we should have a pay raise when
the country has a balanced budget. Well, we have a balanced budget, but
I would suspect if we did a poll, most people would say Congress still
does not deserve a pay raise. But the fact of the matter is, on
occasion, all good workers should be compensated. Vic Fazio took that
challenge.
He also did this subcommittee a favor, by the way, by moving that
from this subcommittee to another subcommittee so that the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Serrano) and I do not have to deal with that sticky
issue anymore. But the fact of the matter is Vic Fazio has been a
leader, a stand-up guy for the Congress, and it is a tough role for
anyone to fill, and it is not always politically popular. But he has
never used the subcommittee to do anything but give credit to the
Congress.
Vic is a good Democrat. As a Republican, I think I can say that. He
is a partisan, but when it comes to the conduct of this office and the
conduct of the subcommittee and the protection of this very important
and integral body in our government, Vic Fazio has shown real
leadership over the years, and we are deeply indebted to him.
Mr. Speaker, I will save the remainder of my remarks for the bill,
and I urge unanimous support of the rule.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).
Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take this moment to pay
tribute to my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio),
and to congratulate him on a terrific career in public service, and to
personally thank him for the leadership he has given our party and to
me personally, as a freshman Member of this great democratic
institution.
In fact, his retirement is not only a great loss to this House, but
it is also a tremendous loss to future freshmen classes who will not
benefit from his leadership, his wise counsel and advice, his timely
wit, and the force of his example, which has been nothing less than the
highest form of integrity and respect for this institution.
I have watched him time and time again unite our caucus and keep us
from taking ourselves a little too seriously sometimes and unite this
House by working in a bipartisan fashion. I know I have benefitted from
his presence here, just from what I have learned from him. He is one of
the great examples of why term limits would, on occasion, hurt the
function of our democracy.
I know one of the secrets to Vic's effectiveness. It is not just the
charm and the wit, the grace and the intelligence, but it is his smile.
I have seen that in another great public servant in this country, my
former boss, Senator Bill Proxmire, who recently wrote a book, ``The
Joyride to Hell,'' in which he advocates smiling more for a healthy
life. Well, Vic does not have to read the book. In fact, he could have
written the book.
Keep on smiling, Vic. This body is going to miss you. I personally am
going to miss you greatly. Have a great retirement.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).
Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time, and I also rise this morning to pay tribute to a friend of
this institution, a friend of the American people, and a dear friend of
mine, the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio). He is a dedicated
public servant and a leader who not only has served as chair of our
Democratic Caucus but as a senior member on the Committee on
Appropriations in making sure that the people's business was done in an
appropriate manner.
[[Page H8542]]
This year I had the privilege to serve as co-chair of the Education
Task Force for our Caucus. I worked closely with the gentleman on our
education reform plans to strengthen public education for our children.
Vic, I want to thank you for your leadership and putting together
plans to build new schools for our children, to reduce class sizes, to
improve the teacher quality all across this country and to increase
academic standards for all children wherever they may happen to live.
As a member of the Juvenile Justice Task Force, the gentleman had the
same kind of vision of making sure that we had tough but fair laws,
that we had smart approaches to crack down on violent juvenile
offenders and prevent juvenile crime before it occurred.
Even on issues that the gentleman and I did not agree on, that
affected my State, he had the willingness to listen, which is a
hallmark in the tradition he has had. As my colleagues have already
heard, that is why he is so effective, not only in our caucus but in
this body. His quick smile, his quick wit and his deep understanding of
issues.
The American people owe the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio)
a debt of gratitude for his years of service to this Nation, and I give
my deepest personal thanks and profound admiration for his unwavering
friendship and outstanding service and leadership.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Green).
(Mr. GREEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in expressing my
appreciation for my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic
Fazio). When this session ends, the Democratic Caucus and the House of
Representatives will be losing one of our most respected Members. Vic
has served with distinction as chairman of our Democratic Caucus, and
although the times have not been the best for our Caucus, Vic has kept
us focused on the issues that really are important to the American
people. Since first coming to Washington in 1979, he earned a
reputation as one of Capitol Hill's most effective legislators.
On a personal note, I want to thank the gentleman for his support and
leadership as a member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development of the Committee on Appropriations, in the expansion of the
Port of Houston project that is so important to deepening and widening
the channels. It is important to my community but also to my area.
This is one small effort of hundreds, both big and small, that Vic
has worked on in his career here in Congress to make our country a much
better place to live.
Vic, I have enjoyed working with you during my three terms and
learning from you, and I wish you the best in your retirement.
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Packard).
(Mr. PACKARD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this
time. I wish to come and pay tribute also to my dear friend and
colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio). Vic was
chairman of the subcommittee that I have in the past chaired and is now
chaired by the gentleman from New York.
The gentleman kind of broke the ice for me chairing a subcommittee
and kind of taught me the ropes, and I just deeply appreciated the
advice, the leadership, the example that he showed on quite a
bipartisan subcommittee that we served on. It was the first
subcommittee I served on as a member of the Committee on
Appropriations, and I could not have had a better chairman and a better
example, and I personally want to thank him for that.
He served for 2 years, or at least I served with him for 2 years as
he chaired the subcommittee. I have always appreciated his friendship,
and I will always appreciate the way he directed that committee. I
could not have succeeded him in guiding the affairs of that committee
had I not had the lessons I learned from him.
People sometimes say there is too much partisanship in Washington,
and I am sure at times this is true, but I think that the gentleman
from California (Mr. Fazio) has remained one of the most respected
Members of the Congress. His ability to work with everyone is
legendary, and he has never let partisanship come before the interest
of his constituents and the good of the Nation and I think is an
example we could all follow.
I want to personally express my appreciation to his service in the
Congress, to the great contribution he has made to California, to his
district and to the Nation as a whole. I want to commend to the Members
of the Congress for this bill and recommend that it be passed, and I
support it.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from California (Mr. Berman).
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we take time in this
particular appropriations bill to pay a small tribute to our retiring
colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio). Because while
Vic's imprint is in so many areas of public policy in this institution,
his work for this particular institution and this particular
subcommittee has made all of our lives better and I believe has made
the institution much stronger.
With all of the exhilarations of public office and the trials and
tribulations, the reasons one thinks about leaving this place, whether
it is the other party ending our entitlement program to control of the
institution, whether it is even the kind of situation we are in now,
the news that Vic Fazio had decided to leave this institution, to no
longer make the House his home, was perhaps, for me, the most
unsettling of all.
I have known the gentleman from California for 25 years. He is a
consummate political pro. He is a man of tremendous intelligence,
incredible patience, great warmth and, as much as anything else, a man
of total dependability. When Vic Fazio tells you he will take care of
something, he takes care of it.
I think the Almanac of American Politics put it well when they said
about Vic, ``Fazio is a consummate political insider. Always personable
and articulate. Entirely presentable outside the back rooms and private
hallways. Knowledgeable without being cynical. A sharp operator who
keeps score and remembers friends. A politician who is anything but an
innocent, but who retains an idealism and a willingness to take serious
risks for what he believes.''
He is truly one of the great Members of this institution. We are
going to miss him very much. I am going to miss him very much; and I
wish him well in his pursuits, which I think will be many, as he leaves
this institution.
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lewis).
(Mr. LEWIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is a very special moment for
me to come to the floor and express both my appreciation for and my
disappointment in Vic Fazio, for I do not believe we have ever sent
from California a finer Member of the House of Representatives:
extremely decent, talented guy, who has made a huge difference the
policy direction of the House, and in doing so has made a huge
difference for our State.
{time} 1100
I am disappointed because I never thought I would be here in the well
having a discussion about the fact that he has chosen to leave.
Vic and I share a very special background together. We have interns
all over this place these days but in the old days there were not such
things as interns around. One of the original fellowship programs, the
Coro Foundation, attempts to attract and train young people who may go
into public affairs, and Vic was one of those Coro fellows some years
ago. I first got to know him in the toughest of political arenas, in
Sacramento, where he was on the staff during reapportionment in the
early 1970s. I have had occasion to get to know him as a very tough and
serious politician. But way beyond that, he is a very tough and serious
policymaker.
[[Page H8543]]
If you will remember, the west steps of the Capitol were held up by
20-by-20 poles for something like 30 or 40 years. Vic Fazio had the
good sense and provided the leadership to produce the funding to put
our Capitol back together again. When you go to the Library of Congress
and see this fabulous building, an incredible monument, Vic Fazio
provided the leadership to make sure that that building was repaired
and restored to the level it is presently.
Of all of the people I have dealt with in public affairs who live by
a byline that is important to me, Vic Fazio does, and, that is, ``If
you don't have your word in this business, you don't have anything.''
Among the leaders of the country, Vic Fazio stands out in my mind. In
the future, the entire Congress will appreciate and understand the work
that he has done.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley).
(Mr. DOOLEY of California asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks.)
Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to
rise and pay tribute to my fellow Californian, Vic Fazio. As Members of
this institution, we have occasion to observe many of our colleagues
and we learn from our colleagues. I can honestly say that in my tenure
in Congress, I have learned from no other Member more than I have
learned from Vic Fazio. He epitomizes to me what it is to be a public
servant, he epitomizes what it is to be an effective legislator,
because Vic Fazio understands that you have to have the commitment, you
have to have the compassion, and you have to have the drive to move
forward in trying to solve many of the challenges which are facing
American families.
What Vic Fazio has also demonstrated is that the way that you get
things done is not simply by running out and getting in front of
cameras. The way you get things done is by opening up the hood of the
car and being one of the mechanics of the institution, understanding
that you have got to get your hands dirty and that you have to be able
to work with people from all factions of this institution to bring them
together, to find those common values and those common threads which
will allow us to move forward in addressing the important issues facing
this country. Vic Fazio has demonstrated that, I think, far better than
any Member that has served in this institution, and he certainly has
provided an excellent model for all of us.
While I have heard some of our colleagues say, Vic Fazio, they are
congratulating you and hoping the best for you on your retirement, what
I am saying is that, Vic Fazio, you are retiring from this institution
but I know full well that you are not retiring from public service, and
the American people are still going to benefit from your tremendous
work in the years to come.
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Herger).
Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere best
wishes for Vic Fazio who is departing the Chamber after many years of
dedicated service. I have known Vic for over 20 years now, and I can
say that I have genuine and the utmost of respect for Vic Fazio. He is
a man of intellect, a man of sincerity, a talented legislator, but
above all Vic is a true gentleman. Although we have not always seen eye
to eye on all the issues, we both share a bond, our love for northern
California, and the recognition that our part of the State is truly a
special place.
Vic has always been acutely aware of the relevant issues, whether we
were dealing with agriculture, water issues or timber matters. Vic has
an amazing insight into the needs and people of California.
I will truly miss you, Vic, and the examples you have set for other
Members. Your leadership and dedication for the people of northern
California is certainly appreciated. I always knew when I was working
with Vic Fazio that when you gave your word to me, I could trust you
completely. I always knew I could count on you to be completely
straightforward. That kind of honesty is refreshing.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased we all have this opportunity today to bid
farewell to a man who will be missed more than he knows. It is
sometimes easy to forget that regardless of your political stances, we
are all here to do the work of the American people.
Vic Fazio, thank you for reminding us of that, and thank you for your
hard work for northern California and for our Nation.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I say to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Fazio), those of us in southern California love you, too.
When anybody ever thinks, as a Democrat certainly, of even the
thought of running for Congress, everybody says, ``You've got to talk
to Vic,'' because he knows the strategy, he knows the tactics, he knows
the politics, he knows the fund-raising. We all have to learn from his
wisdom. And we all went to Vic.
But he became our mentor and our friend when we got here not just
because of all the politics and the fund-raising and the strategy and
the tactics that he is so great at but because that we understood his--
your, Vic--your commitment to the working people, the families of
California and this Nation. You really care about their jobs and their
salaries, their health care, the education of their kids, the
environment that they live in, the housing opportunities that they
have, and it is because of your integrity and your commitment to the
real issues that surround American families that we relied on you.
Yes, you are a great politician, but you are a great human being, you
are a great friend. We are going to miss you. Thank you from all of us,
especially in California.
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Having heard the gentleman from California just speak, I should
probably note the first time I met the gentleman from California (Mr.
Fazio) was in the locker room of the gym when I was first elected. He
came up, introduced himself, and when I told him where I was from, he
said, ``Yes, we've done everything we can to beat you, but welcome.''
Ever since then I have only built my respect for you, despite the warm
welcome.
But, Mr. Speaker, I should add to this that it is interesting, my
colleagues on this side of the aisle, the level of respect that they do
have for you. I really mean it. Your commitment to that project, to the
Native Americans of this country and to the word that this Government
gave to the Native Americans and you stood up in that storm and you
reminded all of us on both sides of this aisle exactly what that
commitment was to the Native Americans. I hope that your words live on,
that at some point we can complete that as we promised we would.
Certainly your integrity is well-known over here and well-respected.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from California (Mr. Farr).
Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time. Thank you for this time, Members. I think we are
recognizing today one of the finest people in public service in America
in our time. I have known Vic for 30 years. I came to Sacramento as a
young, ex-Peace Corps volunteer looking for work and one of the first
staff members I met was a consultant to the committee, Vic Fazio. Vic
was a leader at that time. This is the activism of the 1960s. Vic was
always concerned about how we can portray government in the best light,
how can we get people to be participatory in this democracy. At the
time he had come out of the Coro Foundation, very involved in this idea
of internship and the ability to volunteer in learning how government
works and how business works. He was instrumental in founding a
magazine that could report about government, the California Journal. It
is wonderful when you are a founder of a magazine that writes nice
things about you. It describes Vic as one of the California
delegation's most respected members. I think he is one of California's
most respected politicians, because he is the role model for the youth
that are around here today, of bright young kids that come into
politics. He is the
[[Page H8544]]
role model for elected officials, whether it is at the State level
where he rose to leadership positions very rapidly, served in the
legislature, and then came to Congress where he rose to leadership
positions in this House. Vic is a natural-born leader.
Of that I think in an era when people are questioning government,
when there is a lot of cynicism about whether you ought to participate,
we ought to turn in this Nation to Vic Fazio and say, ``This is the
kind of people we want in government and life.'' If you meet him, you
will be engaged.
So I speak today as a person who has known him a long time and
watched him in his early years. He was just as effective in his early
years in youth as he is in his senior years here as a Member of
Congress. This House, this institution and American politics will truly
miss one of the great leaders in America today, Vic Fazio.
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Horn).
(Mr. HORN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, Vic Fazio is a unique individual. He has had
strong support from both Republicans and Democrats in the California
delegation. He has tried to be helpful to all Members. He has been in
key positions in this Chamber, positions that have showed the respect
of his own party in electing him to Chamber-wide responsibilities as
one of their leaders. He has certainly been in a great position to
carry out the values he believes in, that many of us believe in, a
decent and an improved environment, in water resources to help the arid
places in the United States, including California. We thank you for
your years of congressional service.
He was a highly respected State legislator in our own State. He
carried those skills on. As you will notice, he has one of the great
smiles in this Chamber. It reminds me about the other body and what was
once said about Carl Hayden, who was also a great legislator involved
in reclamation. Guy Cordon of Oregon observed, ``Carl Hayden has smiled
more money through the United States Senate than any other Senator did
in legitimate debate.'' I think we can say that about Vic. We thank you
for all you have done.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher).
Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I am a new Member of Congress. I came
here in January of 1997. Unlike many of my colleagues, I had never been
elected before. I came out of the business world.
I have been very blessed in the past. When I had a seat on the New
York Stock Exchange, I remember looking around at all the people down
there and trying to find an anchor, trying to find some people that I
could emulate, some people that I believed were worthy of having
followers. Since I was one of the first women on the floor of the New
York Stock Exchange, I did not have a lot of women to emulate. I found
a very good gentleman that I followed.
When I came here, although I have a lot of wonderful colleagues in
California that are women, Nancy Pelosi being one of them, I looked at
Vic Fazio and said, God never blessed me with a big brother. I still
have my parents. But if I ever had to pick a big brother, it would be
Vic Fazio. Vic Fazio's dedication to his constituents, to the State of
California and to the golden rule of Congress is legendary, and his
dedication to his family I think is even more important.
I want to offer you, Vic, and Judy and the rest of your family all
the blessings. I know you are not retiring. I know you are going to be
there for us. I thank you for all you have done.
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas).
(Mr. THOMAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I am tempted to begin this by saying that
everything I have heard does not sound very familiar because I know Vic
Fazio, and Vic Fazio is a friend of mine.
I first got to know Vic Fazio before he was in elective office. Then
when he was first elected in the California Assembly, I served with him
as a colleague. We were both a little bit younger then, and we actually
could play basketball as an exercise.
He and I have been on the opposite side of a number of issues over
the years, and we both came back to Congress in the 96th Congress in
1978, he, as he was in the California Assembly, a member of the
majority, and I was a member of the minority. For 16 years, that
relationship continued.
{time} 1115
During the 16 years, when he was in the majority and I was in the
minority, he was always fair. We could always get the straight story.
He would tell us what he could and then tell us, sometimes, if he could
not tell us. But if he could, he would. In this business that is as
good as gold. He was and is a professional.
Then in the 104th Congress something happened that probably neither
he, nor I, if you really pushed me, thought would ever occur. He became
a member of the minority, and I became a member of the majority. I
became the chairman of a committee, and he was the ranking member, and
I tried to treat him as fairly as he had treated me, and I hope he
believes that in the sharing of information which was fairly volatile
at the time when we were the new majority, I indicated to him that I
trusted him implicitly, and of course I had no worry about that trust
because he continued to carry himself as a professional.
It has been a pleasure, Mr. Speaker. The gentleman from California
and I have not been on the same side on too many noninstitutional
issues; I think on every institutional issue we have been on the same
side. I had not thought that the gentleman would leave at this time. He
is a valuable resource to this institution. He has decided to leave and
the institution is a lesser place for it.
I look forward to seeing the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) in
our different capacities, Mr. Speaker, but I just want to say that,
notwithstanding our inability to work together on a number of issues,
our ability to work together as professionals in this body has been a
very rewarding experience for me.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding this
time to me.
Mr. Speaker, it was my experience to come to this body in the midst
of the 104th Congress right after the government shutdown, and passions
were high, and I was thrust into an interesting situation. I felt like
I was a high school freshman in a body of 435 senior class presidents.
The gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) was one of the bright spots
for me, somebody who helped me understand what was going on, somebody
who took the time and patience that was certainly not merited by
anything on my part.
Mr. Speaker, I deeply appreciate what the gentleman from California
(Mr. Fazio) represents. I am only starting to understand what he has
done for this institution, and I have enjoyed listening today to the
testimonies of many of the gentleman's colleagues, and I am sure that I
will continue, as time goes on, to understand what he has done to make
this a better place.
But it is the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio), the man, in
which I stand in awe. Despite difficult personal times, one of the more
challenging districts in the United States and what I think most would
regard as a near impossible task, chairing our caucus, he has always
been a beacon of rationality, civility and thoughtfulness.
Life in this institution is not a life sentence. The gentleman from
California has earned the right to accept new challenges and
opportunities for himself and his family. But I know my constituents
got a Congressperson who is a little better because of the gentleman's
thoughtfulness and knowledge, and I know that we are all better by dint
of his service.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from California, (Mr. Waxman).
Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with a sense of sadness that I speak
today because I am really sorry to see the gentleman from California
(Mr.
[[Page H8545]]
Fazio) leave this institution. I also rise with a great deal of
appreciation for the work that he has done in his career in public
service.
We first met each other when Vic was a staffer and I was a member of
the State Assembly in California. Later he was elected to the Assembly,
we served as colleagues there and for the past 20 years here.
I think the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) is in the category
of being someone who is absolutely indispensable. He is the Member who
will always work hard, doing more than his fair share of the work. He
will take on issues that others avoid, and he will be more interested
in making sure that, at the end of the day, we have an accomplishment
than the fact that he might get a moment or two on the national
television network coverage.
The gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) is the kind of person that
reminds us that we should be proud of those who seek a career in public
service. He is a politician and he is a legislator, and in both of
those areas he is a professional. This institution is going to miss him
enormously.
I know that all of us have seen the deterioration of civility in this
House, the People's House. We have differences of opinion. But we need
Members like the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) who can express
the differences in a way that will look for accommodations, ways to
build bridges to each other and ways to reach a point where we can have
accomplishments.
When we think about the debates that we have had in politics in the
last couple of years where people have prided themselves on
inexperience, on not knowing how the system worked, on not being
insiders, of not being professional politicians, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Fazio) stands out as a reason why they are wrong. He is
a leader, he is an insider, he is respected, he is a pro. I want to say
to him he has been a great friend to me and Janet, and I want to wish
Vic and Judy all the very best.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman
from California (Ms. Pelosi).
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, as a friend and admirer of the gentleman
from California (Mr. Fazio), it is with mixed feelings that I rise
today to congratulate him and wish him much success in what lies ahead
for him and for Judy Fazio, but with some sadness and disappointment,
of course, for this body because his departure is a tremendous loss to
our Congress and to our country.
Others have talked about the gentleman's record in California, and I
certainly, as former chair of the California Democratic Party many
years ago, am well aware of that. I remember the gentleman from
California (Mr. Fazio) in the 1970s as a top-notch administrator to the
California State Assembly, and then as a member of the Assembly
himself, and then very quickly rising to become a Member of this body,
all along the way gaining respect for his values and his principles.
It is just something one says in California about any issue: ``Have
you spoken to Vic?'' No last name, just, ``Have you spoken to Vic?'',
and that meant that that was the touchstone, that was the place we
went, that he was the compass, he could give direction to us.
And others have talked about what a great party leader he has been as
a Democrat, really with a large ``D'' and a small ``d.'' Certainly we
are proud of him as a political leader of our party, but a small ``d''
of bringing people into participation and into leadership, Choral
Foundation, talent scouting from the very young people and into his
leadership in this body as chair of our caucus.
The sky is the limit for the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio).
He has chosen to leave us now, but, of course, we all wish him much
success.
But I want to talk about just one other phase, and that is the pride
I take in the gentleman's service in Congress personally as a member of
the Italian-American community. In his service here and in his service
to our country he has always represented the values of our community,
family values, a commitment to family, to education, to hard work, to
commitment, to religion and to making the future brighter for our
children. And it was this respect that he had for his own, this pride
he had for his own heritage, that led him to respect the diversity in
our country and the pride that all of those people took. So he is our
all-American, Italian-American, great Democratic leader. We will miss
him. Paul and I give our best regards to Judy for her contribution as
well and to the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) for much success
in the future.
I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) on behalf of my
constituents and personally.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from North Carolina (Mr. Price).
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to join
in these tributes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio), a
Member I regard as the model of what a Member of this body ought to be
and a wonderful human being.
Vic Fazio is a man of many facets. He is a fine legislator. He is
skilled in the workings of this body. He does not have a match among us
in his ability to work through difficult issues, to find a basis for
accommodation. He looks out very, very effectively for California's
interests, but he also helps all of us do our job for our constituents.
The gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) is a guardian of this
institution. He is eloquent, as any of us can testify, in rebuking
those who would take cheap shots at this institution, attempting to
polish their own reputations at the expense of the Congress. But he is
not uncritical; he has his own agenda for change. He is a loving critic
of this place and has been a leader in finance reform and ethics reform
and making the Congress a more responsive, more effective institution.
He has been a builder at a time when many were ready to destroy, and
history will judge his role as a constructive and important one.
The gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) is a man of great personal
strength and depth. He has endured a devastating loss in his own family
and has, in turn, reached out to many others in this body in times of
stress and grief, proving himself a true friend and a source of
spiritual strength.
And I know staff feel that way, too. How many times have members of
our staffs expressed their admiration for the gentleman from California
(Mr. Fazio) as one who respects them, who treats them as peers, who
knows how to work with all kinds of people to make good and important
things happen?
And, finally, the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) is a
treasured colleague. He has been a mentor for many of us; I have felt
that way since the first day I arrived here. He is a source of good
advice, a source of encouragement, a friend in good times and bad. I
feel personally indebted to him for what he has meant to me and for
many of my friends and colleagues.
We bid Vic Fazio a very reluctant farewell today. We hope we will see
a lot more of him, but we will miss the good work and good humor and
good colleagueship that have contributed so much to our life in this
House.
We bid farewell to the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) with
great admiration and affection, great personal indebtedness and all
good wishes.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from California (Mr. Matsui).
Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Hall, the
gentleman from Ohio, for yielding this time to me.
I was fortunate and honored to come in in 1979 with the gentleman
from California (Mr. Fazio). We were a class of 77 members, 44
Democrats and 33 Republicans. And last November, November of 1997, when
the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) told me, we were at
McClelland Air Force Base. He wanted to call me later that night and
asked where I was, and we spoke on the phone, and he said that he was
retiring and leaving the Congress. I have to say that after I got over
my shock it was probably one of the saddest occasions that I have had.
And since that time I have had an opportunity to really think of his
role in this institution and back home and as a colleague of mine,
adjacent are our districts, and I have come to really believe that our
constituents in Sacramento, northern California and all of California
in January will really come to understand the value of the gentleman
from California (Mr. Fazio).
Mr. Speaker, we will not have his advice, we will not have his
counsel, we
[[Page H8546]]
will not have his very powerful role in the House Committee on
Appropriations. We will not have his ability to glue all of the
California delegation, all the very diverse elements of the California
delegations together. And I have to say that the gentleman from
California (Mr. Fazio) in my opinion is really one of the true giants
and one of the true leaders, the Dick Bollings of the world, those that
really gave stature to this institution. He will be remembered in that
light.
From a personal level I just have to say that I want to thank the
gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) very much because, over the 20
years that we have had the opportunity to serve together, through his
example he really taught me and I have learned through him the real
value of what it is to be a politician.
{time} 1130
You, more than any other person, have given me really the kind of
understanding what a noble profession it really could be through your
example and through your leadership.
Personally, I am just going to really miss you a lot. We have become
almost the best of friends. You and Judy, I have to say, are wonderful
people, and you mean so much to Doris and myself and to all of us in
this country. Thank you for your service.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield two minutes to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Edwards).
Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, along with my colleagues, I share the
feeling that this is one of those moments where it is awfully difficult
to explain our true feelings about a friend of ours and a true public
servant.
I would imagine that these speeches will not make the national
headlines tomorrow, because there is no controversy, there is nothing
but unanimity in this House about the public service and the character
of our friend and colleague, Vic Fazio. I wish his life would be in the
headlines tomorrow, because he would be a reminder to young people,
from California to Maine to Texas, that it is a noble calling to be in
public service.
Winston Churchill once said that we make a living by what we get, but
we make a life by what we give. Based on the high standards of that
statesman, the life of Vic Fazio has been a rich life, and I am
confident will continue to be a rich life, for what he has given, given
to his district, given to the State of California and given to the
Nation. There will be other occasions where I am sure we can list all
of his many accomplishments.
Having served with him on the Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development of the Committee on Appropriations, I am grateful for what
he has done to help save families all across this country from the
devastation of future floods and for what he has done to preserve
future generations in America by bringing about programs, important
programs, to put aside the waste from nuclear power plants. There are
millions of families who will benefit from Vic Fazio's life, but they
will never know that, because their home will not be flooded, or
perhaps there will not be a nuclear incident. But just as surely as we
are here today to express our gratitude to Vic for his life of
accomplishment, there are Americans all across this land of ours that
should be and will be deeply grateful and will have benefitted from
what he did.
Finally, in a body and in a process that usually rates people by the
list of their accomplishments, I must say that while Vic's list would
be lengthy, the fact is that all of us respect him and will remember
him even more for the kind of person that he is, for the character, the
decency, that we could only dream about and want to have in public
service.
So to our friend and colleague, we say God speed and wish you all the
best in the years to come. Thank you for your great service to our
country.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield one minute to the gentleman
from Maryland (Mr. Cardin).
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend from Ohio for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, what a great legacy Vic Fazio will leave when he retires
from this institution. I think we all could try to emulate what he has
done as a Congressman.
Yes, Vic will be known for what he has done for the people of
California, the economic programs he has brought forward and the
effectiveness with which he has represented the people of California.
He will be known in this Nation as a champion on environmental issues,
on family and children issues, on human rights issues. But, Mr.
Speaker, I would like to use the little time I have just to point out
what a great legacy he has left on the love for this institution and
trying to strengthen this institution.
He has served on our Committee on Standards of Official Conduct; he
served as chairman of our Caucus, and he has always strengthened this
institution and provided the integrity that is expected by the American
people. He has strengthened the ability of everyone to have the voices
of their constituents heard.
What a great record, what a great individual, what a great friend. He
will be sorely missed. I can tell you there are not many like him. I am
glad to call him my friend.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, before yielding back the balance of my time, I would
just simply say that this has been a tremendous tribute to Vic Fazio,
and it has been impromptu. I have not seen anybody come over here with
a written speech. It has been very, very bipartisan.
It is almost too bad that we wait until somebody's career is over in
the Congress before we say these things. We ought to maybe start to
figure out where we are when we have a great person here in the middle
of their term and praise them right then. I think it would be so much
better to let them know what we think of them.
We think a lot of Vic Fazio, not only as a professional, as a
legislator, but as a wonderful person, a good man. We will miss him,
the country will miss him, and we appreciate him very much.
Vic, I know you are going to say a few things later on, so I look
forward to listening to them.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall), my
colleague on the Committee on Rules, his words are well spoken.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the
previous question on the resolution.
The previous question was ordered.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to H. Res. 550, I call up the
conference report on the bill (H.R. 4112) making appropriations for the
Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and
for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ney). Pursuant to House Resolution 550,
the conference report is considered as having been read.
(For conference report and statement, see proceedings of the House of
September 22, 1998, at page H8085.)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) and
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh).
General Leave
Mr. WALSH. 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 to accompany H.R. 4112 and that I may include
tabular and extraneous material.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today we bring before the House the conference report on
the fiscal year 1999 Legislative Branch appropriations bill, H.R. 4112,
and ask my colleagues for their support.
This conference report is a bipartisan agreement, worked out with our
colleagues in the other body, with a unanimous vote among the
conferees. Before I begin to highlight the agreement, I would like to
recognize every member of the subcommittee for their contribution to
this work product: On the majority side, the gentleman from Florida
(Mr. Young), the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham), the
[[Page H8547]]
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp) and the gentleman from Iowa (Mr.
Latham); from the minority side, my good friend and colleague, the
ranking member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano), along with
the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio) and the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer). All of these Members worked as a team to produce
this final conference report.
Our original bill, H.R. 4112, and now the conference report, reflect
the hard work and the dedication of a tireless staff from both sides of
the aisle. I would like to again thank Ed Lombard, Art Jutton, Tom
Martin, Lucy Hand, Greg Dahlberg, and Johanna Kenny for their daily
contributions needed to produce our final product.
Lastly, I believe it is of great importance to also thank every
employee who serves here in the People's House, and we see them all
around us. Without your dedication, this House simply could not
function. On behalf of every Member honored to serve here, I want to
say a simple but sincere thank you all for a job well done. We, the
Members, deeply appreciate your efforts.
Mr. Speaker, let me begin to summarize the conference report. To
summarize, the conference agreement appropriates $2.3 billion in new
budget authority to the Congress and the support agencies and offices
of the Legislative Branch. This amount is $116.8 million below the
amount requested in the President's budget. That is a 4.7 percent
reduction.
Compared to the current level, the $2.3 billion is a slight increase
over the $2.28 billion appropriated last year. The 2.7 percent increase
overall is below the prospective 3.6 percent cost of living allowance
that will probably be given to all Federal employees, including the
Legislative Branch staff.
This conference agreement appropriation level is $41 million below
the amount appropriated for the Legislative Branch in 1995, four years
later. So the downsizing program begun under the leadership of the
gentleman from California (Chairman Packard) and the ranking member,
the gentleman from California (Mr. Fazio), in the 104th Congress, is
still intact.
The House conferees were instructed to concur in the Senate amendment
on the Capitol Police which restored $4,197,000 in reductions made by
the House bill. The conferees did that. In fact, the conference
agreement is above both the House and Senate amendment level with
respect to the Capitol Police.
The House bill appropriated $76,381,000 for police salaries and
expenses, the Senate appropriated $80,578,000 and the conference report
is $83,081,000.
So we have complied with the House instructions to the conferees, and
in the spirit of the instruction we have added additional amounts to
fund the parity pay and longevity increases requested for the men and
women of our police force who have served us so courageously.
A few other highlights, Mr. Speaker. The Legislative Branch jobs, the
positions in the Legislative Branch have been reduced another 405 FTEs
below the current year. The adjustment to the House-passed items agreed
to include:
The conferees added $9.4 million above the House bill for the
Architect of the Capitol, which will fund several security-related
projects. Under the Architect, the funds to design an integrated
security program and other security design costs for police activities,
$1.5 million; funds to begin replacement of the aging chillers at the
Capitol Power Plant, $5 million; and funds to uniform the workers of
the Architect for security reasons, $193,000.
The conferees also agreed to language which makes permanent the
authorization of the American Folk Life Center at the Library of
Congress. The conferees also agreed to provide $1 million to be matched
by 1 million private dollars raised by the National Trust for Historic
Preservation to maintain in perpetuity the Congressional Cemetery. The
Congressional Cemetery was determined to be one of the 11 most
endangered historic sites in America. Our subcommittee, working
together with the Senate, decided that we would appropriate $1 million
of taxpayer funds to be used as matching funds to maintain this by
setting up a trust fund.
The cemetery, as I mentioned before, is not a place where we are
entitled to go when we pass on to our final reward. Members of Congress
are not buried there by entitlement. If we wish to be, we can be, as
have other members of the Legislative and Executive Branch, individuals
who have worked in all capacity for the government, and private
citizens.
It is run as any other cemetery is. It is just that given its
historic nature, we felt that a commitment should be made, since it had
fallen into disrepair. We are very proud of this, Mr. Speaker, and
hopefully this will be a contribution that this subcommittee has made
to our posterity.
Again, I thank my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Serrano), who I look forward to working with on a bipartisan
basis when the New York Yankees win this year's world series.
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to present the conference report on the
FY1999 legislative branch appropriations bill, H.R. 4112.
To summarize, the conference agreement appropriates $2.3 billion
($2,349,937,100) in new budget authority to the Congress and the
support agencies and offices of the legislative branch. This amount is
$116.8 million ($116,829,500) below the amount requested in the
President's budget. That is a 4.7% cutback.
Compared to the current level, the $2.3 billion is a slight increase
over the $2.28 billion appropriated for fiscal 1998. The 2.7% increase
is below the prospective 3.6% cost of living adjustment that will
probably be given to all Federal employees--including the Legislative
branch staff.
This conference agreement appropriation level is $41 million below
the amount appropriated for the legislative branch in 1995. So, the
downsizing program begun in the 104th Congress is still intact.
The House conferees were instructed to concur in the Senate amendment
on the Capitol Police which restored $4,197,000 in reductions made by
the House bill. The conferees did that. In fact, the conference
agreement is above both the House bill and the Senate amendment with
respect to the Capitol Police.
The House bill appropriated $76,381,000 for Police Salaries and
Expenses, the Senate appropriated $80,578,000, and the conference
agreement provides $83,081,000.
So, we have complied with the instruction of the House to the House
conferees, and in the spirit of the instruction, we have added
additional amounts to fund the parity pay and longevity increases
requested for the men and women of our police force.
Highlights of the conference report: Operations of the Senate: $469.4
million ($469,391,000); operations of the House: $734.1 million
($734,107,700); joint items (Joint committees, Capitol police, guide
service, etc.): $96.1 million ($96,134,400); Architect of the Capitol:
$201.9 million ($201,910,000), including the Botanic Garden and Library
buildings; Library of Congress: $363.6 million ($363,640,000),
including the Congressional Research Service; Congressional Budget
Office: $25.7 million ($26,671,000); Office of Compliance: $2.1 million
($2,086,000); Government Printing Office: $103.7 million
($103,729,000); and General Accounting Office: $354.3 million
($354,268,000), plus a transfer of unexpended balances of FY1998 funds.
I will include a table showing details and a list of the highlights
of the conference agreement.
It may be of some interest to compare the conference agreement to the
bill that passed the House on June 25. As is customary, that bill did
not contain funds for the operations of the Senate.
The House bill, without the Senate, was $1.8 billion. For those same
items, the conferees agreed to a level of $1.82 billion. The House came
up by $21.7 million, in order to pay for some urgently needed projects.
That is an increase of only 1.2%. So, the House conferees did well.
The result is an increase of $61.6 million over the current year for
House-considered items. That is 2.7% above the FY1998 level and well
within the prospective 3.6% staff cost of living increase that we are
told will be granted by the Administration.
In addition, Legislative Branch jobs have been reduced 405 FTE's
below the current year.
The adjustments to House-passed items agreed to include:
The conferees added $9.4 million above the House bill for the
Architect of the Capitol which will fund several security-related
projects.
Under the Architect: Funds to design an integrated security program
and other security design costs for Police activities ($1.5 million);
funds to begin replacement of the aging chillers at the Capitol Power
Plant ($5 million); and funds to uniform the workers of the Architect
for security reasons ($193,000).
[[Page H8548]]
At the Library: $2.25 million to digitize the collections and
commemorate two important aspects of this country's history; and
$993,000 for theft detection tags for materials in the Library's
collections
Another item of concern to the conferees was the funding for the
Capitol Police. The conferees agreed to provide additional funds for
pay initiatives requested by the Capitol Police Board. However, the
funds remain fenced, pending approval of the appropriate authorities.
Several legislative matters were agreed to in conference. For
congressional printing, a long-standing provision (carried in the House
bill) on availability of funds to pay printing costs has been retained.
The conferees agreed to a modification of Senate language that relates
to billing procedures.
There is an administrative provision that provides for investment on
National Garden gift funds in Federal securities.
Under title III of the bill, the House agreed to drop a provision for
the Architect to use energy savings contracts for capital projects. We
understand that the energy savings already in place reduce the appeal
of the Capitol campus for such approaches. In addition, the conferees
agreed to language for the buyout programs for the Architect and Public
Printer. The language requires each agency to pay into the Civil
Service Retirement Fund to offset the cost of early retirements. This
is similar to other Federal buyout programs. The conferees have
retained a provision added as a House Floor amendment requiring the
Architect to develop an energy savings strategy.
The conferees agreed to language which makes permanent the
authorization of the American Folklife Center at the Library of
Congress. The conferees also agreed to an amendment of a Senate
provision relating to charges to the Government Printing Office by the
Employee's Compensation Fund at the Department of Labor. The amended
language removes GPO as an agency responsible for administrative costs
of the fund, in accord with an opinion issued by the Comptroller
General.
Two House housekeeping provisions were also added, at the request of
the House Oversight Committee.
Summary
In summary, the bill provides $2.3 billion ($2,349,937,100). It is
4.7% ($116.8) million below the requests in the President's budget. FTE
levels have been reduced by 405.
The bill maintains a smaller legislative branch as established by the
policies set in the 104th Congress. And it provides stability to those
operations that must support our legislative needs.
I urge the adoption of the conference report.
[[Page H8549]]
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[[Page H8553]]
Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1145
Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, first let me thank my friend, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Jim Walsh) for those kind words about the Yankees. I am just
afraid about the Texas Rangers first.
This is a good conference report. It was a good bill to begin with,
Mr. Speaker, and more work has been done on it, especially the work
concerning the Capitol Police and some other items that were put in
here. I want to take very little time discussing the bill, because the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) has made all the statements that
are necessary, and secondly, I will be submitting a statement for the
Record.
To make sure that I do not run into the same problem he did of
getting a note about leaving somebody out, let me just say that I also
want to thank the staff on both sides, both the committee and
subcommittee and personal staff, that have done such a great job in
making this bill what it is, and making our lives much easier. Of
course, I would single out Lucy Hand, the person who knows more about
this bill than I do, which is the case around here most of the time.
The bill I think speaks to something that the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Jim Walsh) and I believe in very seriously. That is the fact that
in order to be proud of this government, in order to be proud of this
democracy, we also have to make sure that we maintain the grounds and
the buildings and the institution itself. One is not separate from the
other.
Many times I am terrified of the fact, I hear people boast, as we all
should, about our great democracy, and then always try to knock down
the government and the institutions involved in it, as if a computer or
something else ran this democracy.
When I see the work we do in this bill to make sure that we set a
good tone and a bipartisan tone, we are setting the right tone, and
especially in what we did for the Capitol Police, we know the tragedy
we had here, and the statement that we are making in saying that we
support them in the work they do, we support them in the future, we
support them today in this conference report.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I would hope that all Members would support
this conference report.
Let me move on now, Mr. Speaker, and speak about my friend, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio).
I was thinking, as I was hearing all of the comments being made about
the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio), and I know he is paying
attention, because he wants to hear what I have to tell him. I may
break into Spanish at any minute, and the gentleman will be terribly
confused.
I was thinking, as I was listening to all the tributes, how I know
the gentleman from California. It dawned on me that if we were to have
taken photographs of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jose Serrano) and
the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio) throughout the 9 years
that I have been here, we would find that most of these photographs
would be of me leaning over at a subcommittee or committee meeting or
on the floor asking him something, and the gentleman from California
(Mr. Vic Fazio) advising me. That probably would be our photo album. I
don't know how far he would get showing that to his grandchildren, but
that would be the photo album.
The most important thing that I can say, and that that I have found
to be the gentleman's strength, is that he fully understands all of the
differences that make up not only the Democratic Party, but both
parties.
In other words, when we come here, especially as a freshman, we
believe we know everything there is to know about our districts, about
our States, and certainly about everything that should happen in
Congress. What I have found is that there was really one person here,
the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio), who knew exactly where
every Member came from. That is really important. He knew every
district, he knew every need, he knew everyone. He knew every desire of
the Member.
When we talk about leadership and the ability of talking to
newcomers, that ability to say, you are from New York; you are from New
York City, you are not from upstate; you are from the Bronx; your
district is primarily Hispanic and African American; language is an
issue, immigration is an issue, the gentleman from California knows
that about just about every single district in the Nation. That I feel
is what prepares him, then, to talk to people.
On top of that, he happens to be something which is great, he happens
to be a great human being. He happens to be a friendly person who is
always ready to talk to someone and to smile.
He also taught me something else, which I am trying to do. That is,
how do we pay our dues when we are members of the Committee on
Appropriations? We our dues by playing a role in the legislative branch
appropriations subcommittee, because what we do here is not popular all
the time, and everybody supports it but nobody wants to vote for it.
We are the only subcommittee that has the support of the House, and
then has to go around rounding up votes, and he did it year after year
after year, with the kind of tone that got people to respect the work
and respect the subcommittee.
Now, as the ranking member of this subcommittee, and hopefully
chairman of this subcommittee in the future, I take very seriously what
he taught me. He taught me by voice, he taught me by advice, but
mostly, he taught me by example.
Let me be perhaps the last one today who pays tribute to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio) by just simply doing
something that comes easy to me, and that is to quote a phrase in
Spanish that we use every so often on this House floor. That is to say,
(Member spoke in Spanish); tell me who you walk with, and I will tell
you who you are. For 9 years I have walked with the gentleman from
California (Mr. Vic Fazio), and therefore, I am part of him, and that
is not too bad. I thank the gentleman for his friendship.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report on
H.R. 4112, making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for fiscal
year 1999.
Chairman Walsh, the other subcommittee Members, and I share a belief
in and commitment to Congress as an institution. This is the People's
branch of our national government. Thousands of people work here.
Constituents come here to petition their government or see how their
laws are made. Tourists from all over the Nation and the world,
officials of government at all levels, and international leaders, such
as President Nelson Mandela yesterday, visit here.
We must, in this bill, ensure that Congress can operate efficiently,
preserve and enhance the Capitol complex, and protect the health,
safety, and security of all.
Mr. Speaker, I believe this conference agreement improves on a good
bill and provides the resources needed to run this enterprise.
Chairman Walsh has explained the agreements in detail, but I will add
a couple of comments.
The conference agreement is more than half a billion dollars above
the House-passed bill, but this is almost entirely because the House
bill, in keeping with the traditional comity between House and Senate,
contained no funds for the Senate. Excluding Senate items, the
conference agreement is really only about $11 million above the House
bill, and part of this is due to the fact that we have provided funds
to improve the pay structure for the Capitol Police--weekend, holiday,
and night differentials, and an extension of the longevity schedule.
For Congressional operations, the conference agreement includes $1.7
billion, just $31 million, or about two percent above last year.
This covers the operations of House and Senate Member and Committee
offices, administrative offices, and the legislative support activities
of the Congressional Budget Office, Congressional Research Service, and
the Architect of the Capitol.
The agreement also includes $697 million for other agencies, such as
the Library of Congress, the General Accounting Office, and the
Government Printing Office.
As in the House bill, it provides buyout authority to the Architect
and the GPO so they can manage staff reductions and restructuring.
Buyouts are less expensive, less disruptive, and less harmful to the
affected workers than the alternative, reductions-in-force.
Mr. Speaker, I repeat that this conference agreement is a good one.
However, there are a couple of concerns on our side that must be
expressed.
[[Page H8554]]
First, however modest the increase in total spending over last year
is, it is still an increase. In contrast, other appropriations bills
contain drastic cuts and even terminations in programs of great
importance to the American people, especially the most vulnerable
Americans.
Second, the conference agreement, like the House bill, provides
funding for only one quarter for the Joint Committee on Printing. This
assumes that Title 44 reform, including disposition of JCP's functions,
will be completed by the end of 1998. However, there are few
legislative days left in this session and there has been no progress on
reform since this bill passed the House in June. I believe it is
irresponsible to leave oversight of GPO after December 31 unresolved.
To repeat what I have said again and again, it has been a great
personal pleasure for me to work on this bill with our Chairman, Jim
Walsh. He is an old friend of mine, and I am a long-time fan of his. He
is hard-working and knowledgeable, totally fair and bipartisan.
Of course, we have a very able staff. Ed Lombard's experience and
knowledge and Greg Dahlberg's skill and expertise are matchless. Tom
Martin has provided valuable service, and each Member's staff has
contributed to this process.
The other Members of the Subcommittee, too, have worked well
together--Mr. Young, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Wamp, and Mr. Latham, and the
Chairman of the full Committee, Mr. Livingston. On our side, we have
the Ranking Democrat of the full Committee, Mr. Obey, and Mr. Hoyer,
and Mr. Fazio, whose combined knowledge of the Legislative Branch is
staggering.
This institution and all of us will miss Vic Fazio very much. Other
Members have talked about Vic's many talents and qualities--his
experience, his insight, his wisdom, his fairness--but let me add that
no one has been more consistently devoted to this place, or had more
knowledge of its inner workings than Vic. His retirement will leave an
enormous gap that we must struggle to fill.
Mr. Speaker, Chairman Walsh has done a good job and this is a good
bill. I will vote for it and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time he may consume to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Fazio).
Mr. FAZIO of California. I thank the gentleman very much, Mr.
Speaker. It has been a great honor to sit here and listen to my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle comment about someone that they
have gotten to know in whatever time we have spent together here in
this institution.
I guess the first thing I want to do is say that I rise in support of
the legislative branch bill. That will be the last time I will have the
privilege of doing that, and I certainly owe it to my wonderful
successors in this role, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jim Walsh)
and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jose Serrano), who have done such
a great job of upholding a tradition that a number of us, the gentlemen
from California, Mr. Jerry Lewis and Mr. Ron Packard, Mr. Young of
Florida, and myself, attempted to put in place here, with the able
assistance of some great staff, my good friend, Ed Lombard perhaps most
prominent.
I will put my remarks in the Record that go into great detail as to
why the Members should support this bill on this occasion. However, I
want to take just a few minutes, if the Members are willing to provide
some time, perhaps not as much as I might have taken but just a little,
to indicate how much my opportunity for public service in this
institution has meant to me.
I suppose I could begin by referring to my father and mother. My
mother is a great egalitarian, a person who believes in equality and
loves the public arena, while she never served in it, she was always a
person interested in current events; and my dad, who came through World
War II, having spent most of his youth in military service in the South
Pacific, came back to school on the G.I. Bill, not really having his
first full job until he was 29 years old, when his children were
already 6 and 4; who founded the Little League and served on the school
board and ran for the city council, and did all those things that
people still do when they believe that they have a role in giving back
to the public something that they have received. I think my dad paid
back his G.I. Bill a lot earlier than some other people might have
done.
That led me to public service. I remember John Kennedy's campaign for
Vice President in 1956. I think I caught a little bit of the political
bug in my early teen years. The next thing I know, I am in California
participating, as my good friend, the gentleman from California (Mr.
Jerry Lewis) said, in the CORO program; and before long in Sacramento,
and a member of the Assembly; and before I had even had a chance to
really understand that institution I became a member of this body for
20 years.
So for 33 years I have been privileged to be a public servant.
Believe me, one of the hardest things about leaving Congress will be to
reorient my life for at least a while to something other than the
public side of life, because for me, it has meant a great deal.
I am not going to, on this occasion, say some of the things I want to
say about service here. Suffice it to say I think we have some work to
do. We need to attend to the requirement of building friendship and
cohesiveness, and to the extent possible, bipartisanship among
ourselves. Perhaps on another occasion I will dig deeper into those
issues, because I think we have got to deal with them. We know that
over the next several weeks and months it will be even more important
that we succeed in the goals that our constituents need us to succeed
in, our constitutional responsibilities with regard to impeachment.
Suffice it to say, today an opportunity for me has come along to say
thank you. First and foremost, I need to thank my family. My wife Judy,
is here and I want to tell her how much I appreciate her being my
partner, and how much I love her. Judy, thank you.
I want to tell my children, Anne and Dana and Kevin and Kristie, how
much I appreciate their sacrifices on my behalf, letting me do what I
have done for so long. Anne's loss has been referenced here today.
Those 8 years that she had after being diagnosed with leukemia gave us
all a great insight into her courage and the spirit that moved her.
I was just reminded earlier about my good friend, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Jerry Lewis) asking the Pope to pray for her. I am sure
that contributed greatly to her having that extra time. It really is an
example of the way in which Members here can interact and go beyond
partisanship and really be friends. Jerry has been a great one.
I remember one day when he stood here in this well attempting to put
a model of the Capitol together while I described it. It was during the
debate on the future of the west front. It was one of the more farcical
moments in congressional history, but a good example of what we were
willing to risk in order to make a point.
I think of my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Howard
Berman), who would have been perhaps Speaker in the California
Assembly, but some of us, like the gentleman from California (Mr.
Julian Dixon) and I left and came back here and abandoned him. I think
of all those others who have been part of the team, part of the group
of people trying to move our common purpose along.
I think of the many people who worked with and for me, people on this
floor, people on my District's staff, like Ann and Andy Karperos, who
are here today with Judy, people who work in my office in the Capitol.
We have so many who have come and contributed and remain friends. Those
people have made a difference in issues large and small.
Most of all, I have to thank those people who have given me the
privilege of allowing me to represent them. I came from Massachusetts
and New Jersey to California at 22, and by 33, a group of people in the
Sacramento Valley had let me represent them. It was a great gift they
gave me, a gift that I am about to give back to them so they can pass
it on to someone else.
These are diverse people, representing perhaps 1 million now; at one
point or another over the last 20 years, as my district has moved all
over the map, cattlemen and orchardists and farmworkers and State
workers, people who teach at the University of California; people who
have given me the privilege of, for a brief period in our history, of
being their voice, their outlet to the democratic process.
I owe them the ultimate in thanks. I appreciate the gift they have
given me, and I know that when I give it back to them, as I will in a
few months, it will be intact and in the kind of shape where they can
proudly pass it on to the next person who will have, I think, the
greatest honor any American politician can ever have. That is being
[[Page H8555]]
elected to the people's House, the House of Representatives. I thank
them very much and I thank all of my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the last time in support of a
legislative branch appropriations bill.
I have enjoyed working with Chairman Jim Walsh and ranking member
Jose Serrano, as well as the other members of the subcommittee this
year. We are charged with a great responsibility, but often an
unrecognized one--that of being the keepers of this great House by
drafting legislation that insures that we always will have a roof over
our head--or at least a dome--and gives our branch of government the
tools to run effectively.
I have taken great pride in serving 18 years on this subcommittee and
14 years as the chairman. In fact, the only person who exceeds my
current tenure on this subcommittee is Ed Lombard, whose assistance and
guidance over my tenure as chairman and as a member of the subcommittee
has been invaluable. Ed has served as the subcommittee's clerk since
1977. I hope that every Member of the House recognizes Ed's dedication
to the legislative branch and to this process each year. He truly is
the one that keeps this bill moving. With him here, I know that in the
years after I leave this House that it will still be kept in order.
In 1981, as a new member of the Appropriations Committee, I was
thrust in the position of chair of the Legislative Subcommittee. Ed
Lombard and other observers may have considered my performance a little
uneven those first few years. But I quickly understood, as every member
of this subcommittee does, the significance of our work, and I became
committed to a bipartisan approach for seeing this bill through the
legislative process.
Fortunately, I was assisted in that endeavor for many years by the
good humor of my friend, Jerry Lewis, and then Bill Young and Ron
Packard after him. I never ceased to be amazed at how the defense bill,
with its hundreds of billions, would rocket through the House in an
afternoon, while we labored--sometimes for two or three days--on sums
that amounted to DOD rounding errors.
Yes it was a necessary if time-consuming annual ritual--the many
floor amendments and the protracted debate about how to spend money on
ourselves. And perhaps, in some years, the occasional unpleasantness of
the experience was balanced by realizing that Members were becoming
engaged in this important decision-making process.
There have been some victories, and there have been some defeats.
For nearly a decade, I have been working through this subcommittee on
the possibility of building a visitors' center on Capitol Hill. Not
only would this center add to the experience of visiting our Capitol
Building, but it would be a great security enhancement.
We have appropriated funds for a feasibility study. We have
appropriated funds for a design, which was unveiled three years ago. We
have the cost estimates. All we need now to do is build it.
I am frustrated with the House Republican leadership, which has not
been willing to move this needed construction forward for the four
years in their charge. In light of the tragic violence that we were
witness to on July 24 of this year that left two U.S. Capitol Police
officers mortally wounded, we need to act and we need to act now. This
tragic event, more than any other reason, speaks volumes toward the
need for this facility and the need to move forward quickly.
The Architect of the Capitol, Alan Hantman, testified last year that
the center would improve the physical and educational facilities for
visitors, enhance the appearance of the East Plaza, and permit the
adoption of measures that would ``strengthen the security of the
Capitol while ensuring the preservation of the feeling of open
access.''
The House Sergeant at Arms, Bill Livingood, is also a supporter of
the construction of the Capitol Visitors Center. He testified in the
same hearing that it would resolve many of the sensitive security
issues that exist in the current security plan. He further testified
that using a visitors center as the primary entrance and exit for the
Capitol, would enable the Capitol police to regulate the number of
people inside the Capitol building at a given time and allow them to be
better prepared for an evacuation should an emergency arise.
In July, we saw why there is a need to improve security around the
Capitol. Now is the time to demonstrate that we have responded to this
tragedy and have done all we can to prevent it happening again in the
future.
There have been some victories, too. Some are mundane, like energy
efficient lighting. Some were massive construction projects, like the
Hart Senate Office Building and the Madison Building to the Library of
Congress. Some are historically significant, like the restoration of
the Capitol's West Front and the restoration of the Jefferson Building,
the original Library of Congress. I am glad to have played a small roll
in all of them.
Now it's time to say goodbye to this bill and this institution. But I
leave it in the capable hands of Jim Walsh, JoseSerrano and the next
generation of Members who will wrestle with these institutional issues
on behalf of all their colleagues and on behalf of all Americans.
I wish them the best--may their efforts meet with every success.
Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my
good friend, the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Jerry
Lewis), chairman of the subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations, and friend of the
gentleman from California (Mr. Vic Fazio).
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's
yielding time to me. I hope my colleagues who are not on the floor but
listening from their offices will make note of this passing, for we
have heard today some of those words which will be the last words we
hear from a man of the House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Vic
Fazio).
{time} 1200
He is a man of the House, because like very few Members, he
understands and believes in this institution.
While Vic and Judy are dear friends of Arlene's and mine, I must say
that to see him leaving this place is a great blow to all of us who
believe in the future of our democracy. For Vic, like very few Members,
truly understands that politics is indeed a part of our life, but our
work involves this institution and the people's business.
He recognizes that most of the solutions that come forth to this well
do not come forth in the form of partisan politics, but that major
solutions and public policy are best melded by men and women working
together on behalf of their people.
So, Mr. Speaker, we should all recognize today, as the likes of Vic
come, very few come with that quality. As they leave the House, the
House is lesser because of it. I would hope we would come together then
bonded in our commitment to make certain that we do all that we can to
preserve the government's work as we preserve this institution.
Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Hefner).
Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was not able to be here to
commend our colleague. I would like to say this. Today there are two
gentlemen in this House, both of them from California, who in my view
epitomize what government is all about: the gentleman from California
(Mr. Lewis), has been a friend for a lot of years. We worked together
on the Committee on Appropriations on projects; and, Vic Fazio, who has
been my friend. I do not know if I have been his friend, but he has
been my friend for a long while.
Mr. Speaker, these are two of the men that are responsible sometimes
when tempers get hot and when the rhetoric gets high; two guys that can
cross this aisle and talk to people and get some balance back into the
argument.
Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman: Vic, I do not know what
you are going to do, but I wish you Godspeed. As a very dear friend of
mine always said, I hope you live as long as you want, and you never
want as long as you live. I am retiring too, so I want you to come by
the home and visit me from time to time.
Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lewis), Jerry, I want to thank you for being my friend over the years
and working with me. I commend people such as yourself and Vic Fazio
for being a calm voice many times when all the storm clouds gather. You
are a voice of reason, and that gives us some hope for the future for
the body politic and for democracy in our great Nation. I wish the same
thing for you.
Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Berry).
Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute also to a
remarkable Member of the House, Congressman Vic Fazio of California.
Vic has announced his retirement after 20 years in the U.S. House of
Representatives. When he leaves this body at the end of the year, we
will miss his leadership and his friendship tremendously.
[[Page H8556]]
I salute one of my party's leaders as the Chair of the Democratic
Caucus who has led our party with outstanding leadership and integrity.
He has also served as a great leader on the Democratic Health Care Task
Force, bringing the caucus together around a terrific bill.
Personally, I came here 2 years ago and Vic has provided me with
reliable and friendly mentorship and guidance on how the House of
Representatives works and how it should work. He has always been a good
listener, someone who always has time for junior Members such as
myself, and has been there when a lot of us needed some good advice.
Congressman Fazio's insight into the issues and problems we address
in this House have made him a valuable and trusted Member of this body.
Our leadership, the House, and most of all the Third District of
California have greatly benefited from his service.
Mr. Speaker, I believe I speak for all of my colleagues when I say
that the departure of Vic Fazio will leave a void in this institution.
As he approaches retirement, I want to thank Vic for the guidance and
leadership and congratulate him for his extraordinary career. I wish
him excellent health and happiness in his retirement.
Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound regret that I am
unable to be in the floor of the House of Representatives to extend a
fond farewell to and honor Vic Fazio, our distinguished Democratic
Caucus Chairman and Representative of the Third Congressional District
in California. However, the will of nature being what it is, I am in
Puerto Rico overseeing relief and cleanup actions to ensure our
recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Georges. I must
declare that this is one of the worst storms to hit Puerto Rico this
century, similar to Hurricane San Felipe (St. Philip) in 1928. My
priority is to get Puerto Rico back on its feet.
Vic, on behalf of the 4 million U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico, I want
to express our deeply felt appreciation for your responsiveness and
willingness to champion our cause in the Congress. We are proud to call
you our friend.
You have done an excellent job in meeting the challenges facing the
Congress throughout this past decade. I salute your equanimity under
particularly difficult situations and admire your efforts to place the
interests of the American people ahead of party and personal ambitions.
I appreciate the support you have provided me as the elected
representative of the people of Puerto Rico to the U.S. Congress since
November 1992. I am particularly pleased that you were able to be with
us during this crucial year when we commemorate a century of United
States-Puerto Rico relations.
You have helped Congress face some of the most controversial issues,
allowing everyone an opportunity to express their views and opinions,
while bringing a healthy dose of common sense to the discussions. I
wish you the best as you make your plans for the future and undertake a
new course in life. It has been a privilege to serve with you and an
honor to call you my friend.
Godspeed and best wishes.
Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend,
Congressman Vic Fazio. Mr. Fazio is retiring from Congress after 20
years of public service to the constituents of the Third District of
California.
Congressman Fazio leaves a legacy of hard work and dedication to his
constituents, as well as the entire country. He provided leadership,
guidance, and support to Members of Congress by serving as the Chairman
of the Democratic Caucus.
His knowledge and reverence of government has made him a role model
for all Members of this House, and those who aspire to be leaders.
Mr. Fazio is a devoted public servant who has dedicated his life to
making a difference in our society and our nation. He truly enjoys
coming to work each morning and does each task with great passion. You
will often find him working late into the evening hours assisting a
constituent, colleague, staff member, or friend.
Mr. Fazio, thank you for your leadership, guidance, and kind words of
wisdom. It has been an honor to serve in Congress with you. I wish you
the best of luck in your future endeavors. You will truly be missed.
Mrs. KENNELLY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, when Congress adjourns for
the year we will be bidding farewell to a number of very fine members
who represent the best that this Nation has to offer. Today, we are
honoring one of the best of the best, Vic Fazio.
I have known Vic since I came to Congress in 1982. He has helped me
in many ways; in fact, judging from these tributes, there are few in
this Chamber who have not been helped by Vic. He has been a superior
leader of the Democratic Caucus--always fair, always judicious, always
working to bring about a consensus.
We know Vic as someone who loves the people of his district. He has
worked exceptionally long hours doing the very best job he could for
them. We know Vic as someone who loves his Appropriations Committee
work, helping all Members whenever he could, Democrat and Republican
alike. And we have all seen him working the House floor during a vote.
But let me tell you that none of that compares to what I have learned
about him since he became Chair of the Democratic Caucus and I became
Vice Chair--his honor, his gentle character, his warmth, his
outstanding personal friendship. I will miss Vic, but more importantly
this House will miss Vic, as will his constituents. At least we have
the comfort of knowing that whatever he does, he will do it
exceptionally well.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I rise to offer my best wishes of
success to the future endeavors of our departing Democratic Caucus
chair, Vic Fazio. More important, I join my colleagues, particularly
those of the Democratic Caucus, in thanking Congressman Fazio for the
direction, strategy and guidance that he has lent to us.
That our caucus is more unified and accommodating of different
viewpoints is due to Congressman Fazio's ability to listen to all
opinions of the caucus. That our caucus at the same time is focused on
the unified Democratic agenda is due to his great working relationship
with our Democratic leader and whip.
In addition, we are focused because from the time that he served as
chair in 1994, he possessed a clear vision of what we should be doing
to help America's working families.
However, it is not just the members of the Democratic Caucus who will
miss his work ethic, intelligence, integrity and respect for this
institution. I am sure that our colleagues in the Republican Conference
will appreciate and miss his pragmatism and ability to forge
bipartisanship out of the most partisan matters.
During his tenure as vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus, Congressman
Fazio was also chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee, helping many of us here today reach Capitol Hill and serve
our districts. He has been the true party stalwart and soldier.
Nevertheless, he has shown the same effective dedication to his
legislative work to help the Third District of California, serving on
the Appropriations Committee, ranking Democrat on its Subcommittee on
the Legislative Branch and ranking Democrat on the Appropriations
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
It goes without saying that his accomplishments cannot be summarized
in two minutes. What I can say to Congressman Fazio before I conclude
is that on behalf of the Democratic Caucus, the entire House and your
constituents of third district that you served with such distinction .
. . is that we will miss your dedication and wish you all the success.
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I want to join in the chorus of voices
paying tribute to my good friend and colleague, Vic Fazio. With the end
of this session, Congress will lose one of its brightest lights.
Perhaps, the best thing I can say is the simplest--thank you.
When I came to Congress in 1995, it was immediately clear Vic Fazio
was someone to turn to when gridlock seemed inevitable or a solution
impossible. Vic stood out as a role model, as an example of how to act
effectively, with integrity and with dignity. It's easy to understand
why he has commanded so much respect from both sides of the aisle.
I know I share the conviction of many when I say that Vic Fazio has
defined what it means to be a public servant--always keeping the common
interest in the forefront. Just to cite one example, in his key role on
the Appropriations committee, I don't know how many times he labored
quietly to ensure that Northern California was treated fairly.
Vic, I will deeply miss your leadership, and your good counsel. You
have left a great legacy for our institution.
Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join my colleagues today
to bid farewell to my good friend, Congressman Vic Fazio of California,
whose departure from this institution will certainly be a great
personal loss for all of us and for the House itself. Having known Vic
since his election to Congress in 1978, I have appreciated many things
about our service together. But most of all Vic has impressed me as a
member who deeply cares about the integrity of this institution, and
about the people who serve here. He has been a ``member's member,'' in
the sense that he has always tried to represent the very best of
Congress and to stand up for the institution against the criticisms
that have come our way, particularly in recent years.
Vic Fazio and I have served on the Appropriations Committee during
his time here in the House, and I have appreciated his help and support
on the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, where he has always
[[Page H8557]]
taken a balanced approach to the many difficult power and resource
issues that affect the Western States most particularly. He has been a
valuable ally on several issues of importance to my constituents, and I
have counted on his help and his support.
Vic has also been a member who has always had a clear sense of
direction for the Democratic Party in the House, serving as the Caucus
Chairman and speaking out strongly in support of the causes and
positions that form the foundation of our party's political philosophy
here in this chamber. He is able to communicate from the very soul of
our Democratic Party, and we will all miss his spirit, his leadership,
and certainly his friendship.
As he leaves this body and ends a 33-year career in public service, I
think it is important for the Members of the House to pay tribute to
Vic Fazio who has represented the very best ideals of our institution
and who has truly been a model public servant.
Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my colleague and
friend, Vic Fazio.
Vic has decided to retire from this institution to pursue new
adventures. Normally, this would be a sad occasion. But from where I
stand, this is a time to celebrate. You see, like Vic, I have chosen
retirement--not to settle into sedentary retirement or to vacate the
public arena, but to explore new opportunities.
So for me, witnessing the end of this phase of Vic's career as a
statesman does not make me sad.
But for this institution and for the American people, this is indeed
a sad occasion. I know Vic very, very well. We are from the same State
and the same party and serve together in our party's leadership
structure and on the Appropriations Committee. I know that Vic has
served all his constituents with distinction.
And when I refer to his constituents, I speak not only of the people
of California's Third District, who have kept Vic in Congress for 20
years. I speak also of his colleagues in this body, because if anyone
around here can be considered ``our Congressman,'' it is Vic.
In an era where Congress-bashing has become a national spectator
sport, Vic Fazio has been courageous in his defense of this body and
the men and women who comprise it. As ranking Democrat and past
chairman of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, Vic has
not been shy about saying what is right and good about the United
States Congress.
Vic has been tenacious in making sure that the men and women who have
chosen public service over personal gain can serve proudly, even in the
face of increasing partisan turmoil. He has worked hard to see that the
legislative branch receives adequate funding and he has championed pay
raises for legislative branch personnel, even when that is not
politically popular.
Vic realizes that we are people, we are human, and we work hard to
represent real people across America. Vic has never been afraid to
stand up and speak the truth, even when the truth is the politically
incorrect thing to say.
As Vic begins the next phase of his life, I salute him and know that
he will be guided by the principles of fairness and justice that have
made him such a respected colleague in this chamber.
Good luck to you, Vic, and thanks for all you have done for me, the
people of California, and the American people.
Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Representative Vic
Fazio, who is leaving us after an exemplary career of service to our
country. For 10 terms in Congress, Representative Fazio has tirelessly
served this body with the greatest of honor and dedication. I would
like to thank Vic for all the years of hard work and determined effort
he has given to the Democratic Party and to the U.S. House of
Representatives.
Vic your model behavior in leadership and direction has been an
inspiration to all of us. You have guided so many of us through both
good and difficult times. We thank you for your loyalty to this
institution and the guidance you have bestowed upon us over your many
years of service.
The time and energy you have invested throughout the years warrants
the utmost respect and regard from this entire body. Congressman Fazio,
thank you for all of the intelligence and integrity you have
demonstrated throughout your years in Congress. This Congress will miss
you and your devoted commitment to the entire country.
Mr. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my California
colleague, hall mate/neighbor, friend, roll model, and mentor, Vic
Fazio. Long admired for his legislative and political knowledge and
ability, as well his leadership capacity and style, he will be, in my
mind, the consensus builder and public servant extraordinaire.
Vic was one of the first people I spoke with upon my arrival on
Capitol Hill. His advice, counsel and guidance have made a tremendous
impact on the path I now follow in this institution.
Thank you Vic for all you had done for California, especially
northern California. Your commitment to our State on the issues that
are important to people is commendable because you truly care.
Vic Fazio has made an indelible mark on this institution and will be
sorely missed. Your career has been exemplary and we are privileged to
have had benefit of your insight, knowledge and positive energy.
Your distinguished leadership, combined with integrity and hard work,
has been an inspiration to many. Those on both sides of the isle seek
have sought your counsel on a myriad of issues. Your tireless work as
Democratic caucus chair has provided us a vehicle to share concerns,
air opinions and develop consensus on a host of issues important to
this institution and ultimately to the Nation.
I will miss your warmth and caring, and most of all you smile.
Vic, may you, Judy, and the family enjoy all the happiness and
blessings life has to offer. You deserve only the best.
Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I
move the previous question on the conference report.
The previous question was ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ney). The question is on the conference
report.
Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XV, the yeas and nays are ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 356,
nays 65, not voting 13, as follows:
[Roll No 457]
YEAS--356
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Allen
Andrews
Archer
Armey
Bachus
Baesler
Baker
Baldacci
Ballenger
Barcia
Barrett (NE)
Bartlett
Barton
Bass
Bateman
Becerra
Bentsen
Bereuter
Berman
Berry
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop
Blagojevich
Bliley
Blumenauer
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonior
Bono
Borski
Boswell
Boucher
Brady (PA)
Brown (CA)
Brown (FL)
Brown (OH)
Bryant
Bunning
Burr
Buyer
Callahan
Calvert
Camp
Campbell
Canady
Cannon
Capps
Carson
Castle
Chabot
Chambliss
Clay
Clayton
Clement
Clyburn
Coble
Coburn
Collins
Combest
Cook
Cooksey
Costello
Coyne
Cramer
Cubin
Cummings
Cunningham
Danner
Davis (FL)
Davis (IL)
Davis (VA)
Deal
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
Dickey
Dicks
Dingell
Dixon
Dooley
Doolittle
Doyle
Dreier
Duncan
Dunn
Edwards
Ehlers
Emerson
Engel
English
Eshoo
Etheridge
Evans
Everett
Ewing
Farr
Fattah
Fawell
Fazio
Foley
Forbes
Ford
Fossella
Fowler
Fox
Franks (NJ)
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Furse
Gallegly
Ganske
Gekas
Gephardt
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gilman
Gonzalez
Goodling
Gordon
Graham
Granger
Greenwood
Gutierrez
Gutknecht
Hall (OH)
Hamilton
Hansen
Harman
Hastert
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayworth
Hefner
Hill
Hilliard
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoekstra
Holden
Hooley
Horn
Houghton
Hoyer
Hunter
Hutchinson
Hyde
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Jenkins
John
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (WI)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kasich
Kelly
Kennedy (MA)
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kim
King (NY)
Kingston
Kleczka
Klug
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kucinich
LaFalce
LaHood
Lampson
Lantos
Largent
Latham
LaTourette
Lazio
Leach
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (KY)
Lipinski
Livingston
LoBiondo
Lowey
Lucas
Maloney (CT)
Maloney (NY)
Manton
Manzullo
Markey
Martinez
Mascara
Matsui
McCarthy (MO)
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McCrery
McDade
McDermott
McHale
McHugh
McInnis
McIntosh
McIntyre
McKeon
McNulty
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Menendez
Metcalf
Mica
Millender-McDonald
Miller (FL)
Mink
Moakley
Mollohan
Moran (VA)
Morella
Murtha
Myrick
Nadler
Neal
Nethercutt
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Oberstar
Obey
Ortiz
Owens
Oxley
Packard
Pallone
Pappas
Parker
Pascrell
Pastor
Paxon
Pease
Pelosi
Peterson (MN)
Peterson (PA)
Pickering
Pickett
Pitts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Porter
Portman
Price (NC)
Quinn
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Redmond
Regula
Reyes
Riggs
Riley
Rivers
Rodriguez
Rogan
Rogers
Rohrabacher
Roukema
Roybal-Allard
Rush
Ryun
Sabo
Sanchez
Sanders
Sandlin
[[Page H8558]]
Sawyer
Saxton
Schaefer, Dan
Schumer
Scott
Serrano
Sessions
Sherman
Shimkus
Shuster
Sisisky
Skaggs
Skeen
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (OR)
Smith (TX)
Smith, Adam
Snowbarger
Snyder
Solomon
Souder
Spence
Spratt
Stabenow
Stark
Stokes
Strickland
Stupak
Sununu
Talent
Tauscher
Tauzin
Taylor (NC)
Thomas
Thompson
Thornberry
Thune
Thurman
Tiahrt
Torres
Towns
Traficant
Turner
Upton
Visclosky
Walsh
Wamp
Watkins
Watt (NC)
Watts (OK)
Waxman
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Wexler
Weygand
White
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson
Wise
Wolf
Woolsey
Wynn
Yates
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NAYS--65
Barr
Barrett (WI)
Blunt
Boyd
Chenoweth
Christensen
Condit
Conyers
Cox
Crane
Crapo
Deutsch
Doggett
Ensign
Filner
Frank (MA)
Gejdenson
Goode
Goodlatte
Green
Hall (TX)
Hefley
Herger
Hilleary
Hostettler
Hulshof
Inglis
Kind (WI)
Klink
Lee
Lewis (GA)
Lofgren
Luther
McGovern
McKinney
Meehan
Miller (CA)
Minge
Moran (KS)
Neumann
Nussle
Olver
Paul
Payne
Petri
Roemer
Rothman
Royce
Salmon
Sanford
Scarborough
Schaffer, Bob
Sensenbrenner
Shadegg
Shays
Smith, Linda
Stearns
Stenholm
Stump
Tanner
Taylor (MS)
Tierney
Velazquez
Vento
Waters
NOT VOTING--13
Brady (TX)
Burton
Cardin
Diaz-Balart
Ehrlich
Goss
Kennelly
Linder
Poshard
Pryce (OH)
Rangel
Ros-Lehtinen
Shaw
{time} 1225
Messrs. ROTHMAN, HALL of Texas, INGLIS of South Carolina, HERGER, and
HEFLEY changed their vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
Ms. PELOSI changed her vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
So the conference report was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________