[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 3, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H412-H415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RESPONSES TO CONSTITUENTS' CONCERNS: THE READING OF THE MAILBAG

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ganske). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 6, 1999, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) is 
recognized for 60 minutes.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a little time today to talk 
to the people back in my home district. My office receives many, many 
letters from constituents on numerous subjects, and I would like to 
read a few of them and answer them right here on the floor of the 
House. Let me begin. I call this the reading of the mailbag.
  Mailbag letter number one. My first letter comes from Reinhold 
Maschhoff of Nashville, Illinois, who wrote to me about low hog prices.
  ``Dear sir, I am writing you about the low price on hogs. . . . First 
of all, I'm 80 years of age and doing some work. My wife is very active 
and does a lot of volunteer work at the hospital and nursing home.
  ``We used to live on a farm. However, my son farms and has a family. 
He farms only 300 acres. The rest has to come out of livestock . . . 
This has made a good living for them. Now since August he has been 
losing money, $25 to $30 a pig.
  ``I think of all the work he does, and then to think he is losing 
money, as much as $2,500 a load. This will lead to bankruptcy. What are 
you doing about it? Sincerely, Reinhold Maschhoff.''
  My response is that the recently rock bottom hog prices are a very 
real problem in Illinois. Literally hundreds of farmers have contacted 
me about this crisis, including Ruth Rensing of New Douglas, Illinois, 
and Daniel Matthews of Nokomis, Illinois.

[[Page H413]]

  Although no one has a quick and easy solution for these prices, I 
want to talk about what Congress and the Federal Government is doing 
right now. I recently held a series of meetings on the hog crisis with 
family farmers back in the 20th District of Illinois. Local farmers, 
agricultural leaders, and government officials met together in 
Springfield, Mt. Vernon, and Pittsfield, Illinois, to discuss their 
concerns in the hog industry, and to talk about any short- and long-
term remedies that were available. I will briefly highlight a few here.
  In order to help farmers suffering from low prices, the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture announced several procedures to stem the hog 
crisis. The USDA will allow farmers to defer loan payments, and has 
made available payments to some struggling hog farmers. The agency has 
also brought $70 million worth of pork for food aid programs.
  While I realize this help is really a drop in the bucket compared to 
what many farmers have lost, I would encourage any farmers wishing to 
participate to contact either my district office or their local Farm 
Service Agency office.
  Responding to the concerns of many small farmers in central and 
southern Illinois, I am in strong support of the Department of 
Justice's review of the agricultural industry, making sure that small- 
and medium-sized family farmers are not pushed out of the markets by 
larger companies.
  I have also written and signed several letters to key agricultural 
leaders in Washington, including the chairman of the Committee on 
Agriculture, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Combest), Agriculture 
Secretary Glickman, and House leadership, asking each to consider any 
help that is available for struggling farmers, like the Maschhoff 
family.

                              {time}  1400

  With the help of dozens of farmers who attended my district hog 
crisis meetings, we came to the conclusion that although we have no 
quick and easy answers for low prices, Congress can take action to 
prevent this from happening in the future. By renewing fast track trade 
authority, helping farmers find new markets, passing new trade bills 
and making sure farmers can easily get their products to market, 
Congress can help our struggling pork producers and hog farmers.
  Thank you for the letter, Reinhold.
  Letter number two, my next letter comes from Brent Barnes of Beecher 
City, Illinois. This letter's topic is a fair tax bill.
  On January 11th, Mr. Barnes wrote: ``Dear Representative Shimkus, as 
a constituent, I urge you to support the fair tax bill legislation that 
will allow every American the opportunity to save more for education, a 
home or a better retirement. The fair tax is a national sales tax 
system that is fair, simple and efficient. It will allow me to keep my 
whole paycheck, and I will never have to file a tax return again.
  ``I urge you to support this bill and to please respond in writing to 
my request for information about your position on the fair tax. Signed 
Brent Barnes.''
  Thanks for your letter, Brent. I like the sound of this legislation. 
I hope you know that when I ran for office and now as your Congressman, 
I believe strongly that we must reform our Tax Code. Unfortunately, I 
do not think the President is as interested in the idea as we are here 
in Congress.
  Nonetheless, I did a little digging on the fair tax on the Internet 
and found the Americans for Fair Taxation website. This website did a 
good job of describing this new tax structure, which I would like to 
take a moment to discuss.
  First, all Federal income taxes, including the onerous death tax, are 
abolished and replaced by a single-rate Federal sales tax collected 
only once at the point of sale, a Federal sales tax.
  The fair tax proposal provides a monthly rebate to all individuals so 
that no American will pay taxes on the purchase of necessities.
  Most importantly, this proposal empowers individuals. Americans can 
only be taxed when they go to the store and purchase goods. This is 
fundamentally different than the current Tax Code which taxes Americans 
just for earning money.
  This proposal will also eliminate the Internal Revenue Service. As so 
many Americans know, our confusing Tax Code has forced the IRS and its 
agents to issue confusing rulings which only undermines the public's 
trust in the Federal Tax Code.
  The fair tax also makes tax evasion more difficult since retailers 
will now administer this tax just as they administer State sales taxes. 
American citizens will no longer need to file for their tax returns.
  To Mr. Barnes, back in Fayette County, I would like to say that I 
have not reached a decision on whether to support a national sales tax 
or a flat tax at this point. Both systems have merit.
  As you know, in the State of Illinois, we have both. We have a flat 
income tax and a sales tax. But I will continue to study this issue and 
promote reform on the Tax Code as I serve you in this Congress.
  Realistically speaking, I believe fundamental tax reform is at least 
2 years off. However, in the near term, the Congress is advancing a 
simple plan to reduce taxes by 10 percent across the board. After we 
save Social Security, with the surplus dollars, we can return the 
leftover funds to the taxpayers. After all, it is your money. Thank you 
for bringing this legislation to my attention, Brent. I will be sending 
a follow-up letter within the next few days.
  Letter number 3, I recently received another letter from Mr. Robert 
Devore in Beecher City, Illinois. In his letter regarding the military, 
he writes: ``Dear sir, I know you are a veteran, as I am. I served over 
9 years on active duty in the United States Navy, including two trips 
to Vietnam. My interest concerns how the military is treating their 
members.
  ``I have a good friend in St. Elmo, Illinois, whose son enlisted in 
the Navy a year ago. He went to Great Lakes for 3 weeks' training prior 
to joining the fleet in a squadron aboard an aircraft carrier in the 
Persian Gulf. While going through training at Great Lakes, he was 
required to pay for his meals.
  ``I have another friend whose son enlisted in the Air Force. His son 
was required to purchase his own bedding, sheets, et cetera, and pay 
for his meals. How can the military do this? Sincerely Robert L. 
Devore.''
  My response stems from concerns about how the military was treating 
not only active members but also those who are retired, and were 
expressed by Odie Farris of Mount Vernon, Connie Mann of Collinsville 
and Edna Roehl of Staunton.
  With poor living conditions, bad pay, lack of access to medical care 
and disappearing benefits, we are shortchanging the men and women of 
our armed forces. It is quite ironic that we ask them to put their 
lives on the line to defend our country, yet we need to provide a food 
stamp allowance for service members at the lowest pay grades.
  Because of continued cuts to our defense budget, recruiting and 
retention are increasingly difficult, readiness harder to maintain and 
weapons modernization tougher to fund.
  We must properly fund our entire military, from our recent enlistees 
to those who fought in foreign wars. We should be funding our military 
more, and I will continue to fight to ensure our military is able to 
meet our defense needs.
  Letter number 4, my final letter this afternoon, is from Rich DuPatz, 
Sr., from Brighton, Illinois. He writes, ``As your constituent, I am 
writing to urge you to support H.R. 4197, the Citizen's Privacy 
Protection Act of 1998. This bill would repeal section 656 of the 
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, 
which would be a significant step toward establishing a national ID 
card.
  ``Section 656 would prohibit Federal agencies from accepting State 
issued drivers' licenses as valid identification unless the license 
conforms to a Federal standard, and the State puts the driver's Social 
Security number on the license or verifies it with the Social Security 
Administration. As a result, each State would issue ID cards.
  ``Requiring drivers to turn over their Social Security number is like 
asking them to provide a virtual pass key to a mountain of private and 
often sensitive information. A Social Security number is often used by 
businesses as an identifier. Therefore, it can be used to access a 
person's medical history, shopping

[[Page H414]]

preferences, use of prescription drugs, household income and other 
financial information just to name a few.
  ``Help put the Federal Government out of the national ID business. I 
strongly encourage you to help protect my privacy by supporting H.R. 
4197, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this legislation. 
Signed Mr. Rich DuPatz, Sr.''
  Well, first of all, Richard, I want to thank you for writing me and 
expressing your concerns with this issue. When I look at people who 
maintain their Social Security cards that were originally issued, there 
is an interesting statement at the bottom. This statement identifies 
that the Social Security number should only be used for the Social 
Security system and not used for any other identification purpose. How 
far we have come since the issuing of those first Social Security 
cards.

  I also want to give you a little background behind the issue that you 
address. As you stated in your letter, Congress passed a tough illegal 
immigration bill in 1996 to address a serious problem with illegal 
immigration and voter fraud. I am sure that you would agree that having 
illegal aliens voting in our elections is not acceptable, as it would 
reduce the value of your vote.
  To address the issue of illegal immigration and voter fraud, Congress 
authorized the Department of Transportation to establish national 
requirements for drivers licenses, making them, in effect, national ID 
cards. Acting on this authorization, the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration, commonly known as NHTSA, proposed a new rule, 
which would provide the basis for a national ID card. The rule would 
direct that all Federal agencies may accept, as proof of identity, only 
a driver's license or identification document that conforms strictly to 
certain specific and uniform Federal requirements.
  Rich, I would have to agree with you on your concerns with NHTSA's 
proposed rule for it goes far beyond Congressional intent, raising 
serious privacy and civil liberty questions.
  To address your concerns, on October 1998, the House of 
Representatives voted 333 to 95 in support of the omnibus 
appropriations conference report for fiscal year 1999. The following 
day, President Clinton signed it into law. Contained within this 
appropriation bill was a provision which prohibits NHTSA from issuing a 
final rule on national identification cards as required under section 
656 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Reform and 
Immigrant Responsibility Act.
  In short, Congress blocked implementation of this rule. For now, our 
civil liberties are protected but rest assured, I will continue to 
watch for over zealous bureaucrats or misinterpretations of 
Congressional intent in the future.
  I would like to close my remarks for this afternoon, but before I go 
I want to thank my constituents who wrote my office. I hope that my 
responses answered their questions fully and to each of my constituents 
who I mentioned today, you will be receiving a follow-up copy of my 
remarks in the mail shortly.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the following letters.
                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, December 17, 1998.
     Dan Glickman,
     Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Secretary Glickman: As I am sure you are aware, the 
     prices for hogs moving from farms to the market are at their 
     lowest levels in over 30 years.
       I have spoken recently with many farmers in my district in 
     central and southwestern Illinois, and they have shared with 
     me their deep concerns about hog prices that have dropped to 
     as low as 5 cents per pound, from 30 cents per pound less 
     than 1 year ago. Many farmers in my district are losing money 
     on every hog they sell, surrendering thousands of dollars 
     every week, some on the verge of losing their farms 
     altogether.
       It is also my understanding that labor circumstances in 
     Canada, and a short supply of space in packing plants across 
     the country have helped to fuel this agriculture crisis.
       While in the past many grain and commodity farmers relied 
     on government control of the marketplace, hog farmers have 
     traditionally been free of government intervention. However, 
     I feel the government can not stand idly by, while farmers in 
     my district lose their farms, especially due to circumstances 
     beyond their control.
       Today my office was in contact with Mr. Enrique Figueroa of 
     the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service regarding what steps 
     the Department is taking toward helping our farmers out of a 
     very grave crisis. During our meeting, he indicated to me 
     that the $50 million purchase of hogs for food assistance 
     will be accelerated, pork will be included in the upcoming 
     allocation of credit guarantees to support exports to South 
     Korea, a Pork Crisis Task Force will be created, and the FSA 
     and USDA will be involved in restructuring loans and loan 
     practices in order to help pork producers deal with recent 
     losses.
       I would respectfully urge you to expedite those actions you 
     have proposed with all due diligence, and to take any other 
     necessary steps to help these struggling farmers in Illinois 
     and across the country.
       Hog farmers in Illinois are among the most safe, efficient 
     and reliable producers in the world, and we must allow them 
     the opportunity to survive in what has recently become a very 
     volatile marketplace.
       In the coming days and weeks, I will continue to be in 
     close contact with pork producers in my district and with the 
     Department, to ensure that family farmers in my district have 
     every opportunity for a bright and secure future.
       Thank you for your prompt action and consideration. Please 
     feel free to contact me, as time is short for many farmers in 
     my district.
           Sincerely,
                                                     John Shimkus,
     Member of Congress.
                                  ____

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, January 8, 1999.
     Hon. Larry Combest,
     Chairman, House Agriculture Committee,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Combest: As I am sure you are aware, the 
     prices for hogs moving from farms to the market are at their 
     lowest levels in over 30 years.
       I have spoken recently with many farmers in my district in 
     central and southwestern Illinois, and they have shared with 
     me their deep concerns about hog prices that have dropped to 
     as low as 5 cents per pound, from 35-40 cents per pound less 
     than 1 year ago. Many farmers in my district are losing money 
     on every hog they sell, surrendering thousands of dollars 
     every week, some on the verge of losing their farms.
       It is also my understanding that labor circumstances in 
     Canada, and a short supply of space in packing plants across 
     the country have helped to fuel this agriculture crisis.
       While in the past many grain and commodity farmers relied 
     on government control of the marketplace, hog farmers have 
     traditionally been free of government intervention. However, 
     I feel the government can not stand idly by, while farmers in 
     my district lose their farms, especially due to circumstances 
     beyond their control.
       I urge you to take action to help our family farmers see 
     their way through this crisis. Hog farmers in Illinois are 
     among the most safe, efficient and reliable producers in the 
     world, and we must allow them the opportunity to survive in 
     what has recently become a very volatile marketplace.
       Thank you for your prompt action and consideration. Please 
     feel free to contact me, as time is short for many farmers in 
     my district.
           Sincerely,
                                                     John Shimkus,
     Member of Congress.
                                  ____



                                Congress of the United States,

                                 Washington, DC, January 15, 1999.
     Hon. Dennis Hastert,
     Speaker of the House, House of Representatives, Washington, 
         DC.
     Hon. Richard Gephardt,
     Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Messrs. Hastert and Gephardt: We are writing to alert 
     you to the severe problems facing family farmers in the pork 
     industry. Pork prices have plunged to their lowest level 
     since the Great Depression, dropping nearly 80% compared with 
     last year, leaving pork producers struggling to hang on to 
     their farms.
       On January 8, 1999, a number of Members met with Under 
     Secretary Mike Dunn and several other high-ranking USDA 
     officials to exchange ideas about what can be done to bring 
     relief to our nation's hog farmers. Those present at the 
     meeting agreed that this issue is of utmost importance and 
     needs to be addressed quickly by both the Administration and 
     the Congress.
       We are working together to a develop a plan that can be 
     brought to the entire House for passage and implementation. 
     We are willing to discuss any idea that can assist our pork 
     producers, from changing current USDA regulations to 
     providing supplemental appropriations.
       It is essential that the Leadership of Congress work in a 
     bipartisan manner to allow Congress to take the necessary 
     steps to address this important issue in an expeditious 
     manner. We believe Congress needs to act as soon as possible, 
     but certainly prior to the beginning of the spring planting 
     season at the end of March.
       Thank you in advance for your serious consideration of our 
     request. We look forward to working with you to improve the 
     economic conditions facing America's pork producers.
           Sincerely,
         Jim Nussle; David Minge; Leonard L. Boswell; Bill 
           Barrett; Ray LaHood; Jerry Weller; John Shimkus; Jerry 
           F. Costello; Jim Leach; Earl Pomeroy;

[[Page H415]]

           Ron Kind; Thomas Ewing; Marion Berry; Tom Latham; Gil 
           Gutknecht; Lane Evans; Doug Bereuter; David Phelps; Bob 
           Etheridge; David McIntosh; Debbie Stabenow; John Thune.

                          ____________________