[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.

                          ____________________