[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 971-979]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            FEDERAL FIREFIGHTERS RETIREMENT AGE FAIRNESS ACT

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 93) to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide 
that the mandatory separation age for Federal firefighters be made the 
same as the age that applies with respect to Federal law enforcement 
officers, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 93

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Firefighters 
     Retirement Age Fairness Act''.

     SEC. 2. MANDATORY SEPARATION AGE FOR FIREFIGHTERS.

       (a) Civil Service Retirement System.--
       (1) In general.--The second sentence of section 8335(b) of 
     title 5, United States Code, is amended--
       (A) by inserting ``, firefighter,'' after ``law enforcement 
     officer''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, firefighter,'' after ``that officer''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 8335(b) of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking the first 
     sentence.
       (b) Federal Employees' Retirement System.--
       (1) In general.--The second sentence of section 8425(b) of 
     title 5, United States Code, is amended--
       (A) by inserting ``, firefighter,'' after ``law enforcement 
     officer'' each place it appears; and

[[Page 972]]

       (B) by striking ``courier'' the second place it appears and 
     inserting ``courier, as the case may be,''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 8425(b) of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking the first 
     sentence.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).


                             General Leave

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks on the bill, H.R. 93, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider H.R. 93 this 
evening, important legislation introduced by our colleague, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly). This bipartisan legislation 
amends Federal civil service law relating to the Civil Service 
Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System to 
provide the same mandatory separation age for Federal firefighters and 
Federal law enforcement officers who have 20 years of service.
  Currently, the mandatory separation age is 55 for firefighters and 57 
for law enforcement officers. In both cases, an agency head may allow 
the employee to work until the age of 60 if that is required by the 
public interest.
  The Subcommittee on Civil Service has examined the legislative 
history of these mandatory separation ages and it has determined that 
there is no rationale for continuing to maintain the discrepancy that 
currently exists. If enacted, H.R. 93, this bill, will bolster our 
firefighting capabilities. Allowing these brave men and women the 
option of continuing their careers for an additional 2 years will make 
it easier to maintain more experienced firefighters in the field and in 
senior management positions.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage all of our Members to support this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, it certainly is a pleasure to be here this afternoon 
on the first bill of this session. Madam Speaker, last year more than 
6.5 million acres of land, more than two times the ten-year national 
average, burned. Federal manpower resources were spread thin. More than 
29,000 people were involved in firefighting efforts, including 
approximately 2,500 Army soldiers and Marines, and fire managers from 
Canada, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand.
  In addition, 1,200 fire engines, 240 helicopters and 50 air tankers 
were in use last season. If nothing else, last year's fire season 
taught us that we must take steps to recruit and retain more Federal 
firefighters. H.R. 93 is a step in that direction, and, I might add, a 
step in the right direction.
  From the start of the Civil Service Retirement System in 1920 until 
1978, all Federal workers were required to retire at age 70 if, at that 
age, they had completed at least 15 years of service. In 1978, 
mandatory retirement was repealed for most Federal workers, although it 
continues to apply to special occupational groups whose duties pertain 
to public safety. Under current law, Federal law enforcement officers 
must retire at age 57 or as soon after that age as they complete 20 
years of service. The agency head may grant exemptions up to the age 
60. Federal firefighters must retire at age 55 or as soon thereafter as 
they complete 20 years of service. H.R. 93 would raise the mandatory 
retirement age for firefighters to mirror that of Federal law 
enforcement officers. It would raise the mandatory retirement age of 
Federal firefighters to age 57.
  In June 2000, the Washington Post reported a 5.8 percent reduction in 
the number of firefighters nationwide. H.R. 93 will help stem the 
declining firefighter population and will help the Federal Government 
retain some of its most experienced firefighters.
  In addition to supporting this legislation, I urge my colleagues to 
support a bill I introduced in the 106th Congress, and plan to 
reintroduce this session, that will be of equal benefit to the Federal 
public safety community.
  Introduced last session as H.R. 1769, the bill works to eliminate a 
number of inequities found in the computation of benefits for public 
safety employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System and the 
Civil Service Retirement System. It is my hope that the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Civil Service, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Scarborough), H.R. 93 author, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Gallegly), and the firefighter and law enforcement communities will 
work with me to move my legislation through the Congress this session.
  I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the hard work of the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), who worked very diligently 
with the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) to bring H.R. 93 to 
the floor. I join my colleagues, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. 
Capps) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly), and ask that 
this bill be given full support.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Gallegly), the author of the bill.
  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
LaTourette) for yielding me this time.
  Madam Speaker, I would first like to thank the leadership, the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) and the subcommittee chairman, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), for all their help in 
bringing this bill to the floor early in our session.
  I would also like to thank my constituent, retired Captain Mike Hair 
of the Federal firefighting unit at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, for 
first bringing this important issue to my attention.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 93, the Federal Firefighters Retirement Age 
Fairness Act, is a bill I first introduced way back in 1995 to stop the 
forced early retirement of our Federal firefighters. The bill raises 
the mandatory retirement age for Federal firefighters from 55 to 57 
allowing Federal firefighters the option of continuing their careers 
for an additional 2 years. The bill has gained bipartisan management 
and labor support with the endorsement of the International Association 
of Fire Chiefs, as well as the American Federation of Government 
Employees and the National Association of Government Employees.
  Several years ago, Congress raised the mandatory retirement age for 
Federal law enforcement officers from 55 to 57. However, Congress 
neglected to raise the retirement age for Federal firefighters. As a 
result, we are losing our best and our most experienced firefighters to 
forced early retirement. Federal firefighters not only fight fires, 
they provide emergency medical service response, response to hazardous 
material situations and inspect and protect our military bases and 
other Federal employees. In fact, they were among the first to respond 
to the Oklahoma City bombing. If enacted, this bill will bolster our 
firefighter HAZMAT and EMS capabilities.
  We will maintain more experienced firefighters in the field and in 
senior management positions by allowing these brave men and women the 
option of continuing their careers for an additional 2 years.
  As an added bonus, Madam Speaker, the CBO estimates that the bill 
will actually save the government $4 million over the next 5 years. We 
must act now to ensure we have the experienced personnel needed to 
fight our Nation's fires and to be prepared to respond to future 
critical situations.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
the Eighth District of New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), who was the author of 
the Fire Act that became law during the last session. This was the 
first comprehensive fire bill ever passed on the

[[Page 973]]

part of DOD in the reauthorization. So he has been one of those Members 
of Congress who has, along with the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Gallegly) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), been at the 
forefront of addressing the concerns and the needs of our firefighters.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Cummings) for yielding me this time.
  Madam Speaker, I also thank my good friends, the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) for 
once again stepping to the plate. We did make progress in the House of 
Representatives, but so many of our efforts which were bipartisan 
stopped at the doorstep. This is important legislation. It again helps 
us address the other half of the public safety equation which has been 
neglected for so long.
  Whether we are talking about the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Gallegly), whether we are talking about the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Weldon), whether we are talking about the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer), people that have been out there on the stump for 10 years 
for our firefighters, I am honored to join with them in looking at one 
part of those folks who put their lives on the line every day by 
raising the mandatory retirement age for the Federal firefighters from 
55 to 57. H.R. 93 allows Federal firefighters the option of continuing 
their careers for an additional 2 years.
  How many public servants in public safety all over America are being 
pushed out of their jobs? We are losing, as the prior speakers have 
addressed, our most experienced people. While we are moving away from 
the high salaries, quote/unquote, that those folks may be receiving, 
their years of experience can never be paid for. We cannot put a dollar 
sign on it. We are addressing this inequity today.
  Our Federal facilities, military facilities, our national forests, 
our National Fire Center in Idaho, are a very part of the national 
fabric. The Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act has 
bipartisan management and labor support. This is only appropriate, 
Madam Speaker. After all, firefighters do not go into a burning 
building and ask the folks which political party they belong to.
  It has also won the endorsement of the International Association of 
Fire Chiefs and the American Federation of Government Employees. As I 
always say, firefighters are the forgotten side of the public safety 
equation. This was again proven true when the Congress raised the 
mandatory retirement age for Federal law enforcement officers from 55 
to 57 several years ago. At that time, Congress did not raise the 
retirement age for Federal firefighters, and is it not interesting we 
have played the game of catch-up with the 32,000 fire departments and 
the million firefighters in America. We are always playing catch-up. 
Thanks to the gentlemen and ladies I mentioned before, we are moving in 
the right direction.
  Finally, let me also remind our colleagues the role of the 
firefighters is expanding. Several fire departments in this Nation 
reach across county and city lines to assist each other with natural 
disasters and incidents of domestic terrorism. In fact, there are two 
fire search and rescue units that have responded to international 
disasters on behalf of the United States, and our Federal firefighters 
have been called on to go out of the country just recently to Mexico to 
assist with problems in that country.

                              {time}  1745

  Collectively, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, Fairfax County 
Search and Rescue Teams, while not Federal fire departments, have 
traveled to several countries around the world. These men and women do 
a job unbelievably and they get no credit for it, usually. Natural and 
man-made disasters do not discriminate when and where they arise. 
Proudly, the firefighters of the United States do not discriminate when 
or where they provide help. The role of our firefighters is ever-
changing. It is my belief that the role that the Federal Government 
plays during these changes must be commensurate.
  Because the role of the American firefighters is expanding, this bill 
will bolster more than firefighting capabilities. Hazardous material 
response, emergency medical services, and natural disaster support will 
be enhanced, Madam Speaker. By allowing these brave men and women the 
option of continuing their careers for an additional 2 years, we will 
maintain more experienced firefighters in the field and senior 
management positions and, in fact, correct me if I'm wrong, it will 
even save the Federal Government money.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
public safety bill.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume to make the following comment: That the gentleman from New 
Jersey really hides his own light under a bushel basket. He was very 
effusive in his praise of the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) 
and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) and others which is 
well deserved, but those of us that served in the last Congress know 
full well the contribution of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Pascrell) as the lead sponsor for carrying the fire bill through this 
House, and the men and women that serve in the fire services owe the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), our friend, a great deal of 
the credit.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Grucci), one of our new Members on our side.
  Mr. GRUCCI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor all of the brave and 
fearless firefighters across the Nation who risk their lives on a daily 
basis.
  This is a common-sense bill that provides 9,120 Federal firefighters 
with the opportunity to continue their careers for an additional 2 
years. This is a simple measure that is afforded to other Federal law 
enforcement officers in order to stop the forced early retirement of 
well-qualified, experienced, emergency service personnel.
  As my colleagues know, firefighters do more than just respond to 
fires. Firefighters are the first to respond to traffic and medical 
accidents and natural disasters like hurricanes. It is crucial that our 
Nation maintains a firefighting force of highly capable, highly trained 
competent men and women who are fully prepared to respond to any 
critical emergency situation.
  Once again, Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Gallegly), the sponsor of this fine bill.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield 6\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), from the 18th District of 
Texas. She certainly has been one at the forefront of addressing the 
issues concerning our firefighters.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings), the ranking member, and I thank the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Gallegly), who is a colleague of mine on the 
Committee on the Judiciary, and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. 
Capps) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) for bringing this 
bill to the floor of the House, or presenting it at this time, H.R. 93.
  It gives me time to acknowledge the importance of this legislation, 
the Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act, but as well, it 
gives me a moment to speak about the courageousness and the importance 
of firefighters, both on the Federal level and on the local level.
  I rise in support of H.R. 93, the Federal Firefighters Retirement Age 
Fairness Act, that would amend the Federal civil service law to provide 
that the mandatory retirement age for Federal firefighters be raised 
from 55 to 57 years. This adjustment would put Federal firefighters' 
retirement age on par with Federal law enforcement officers. I 
appreciate very much the words of the gentleman from Baltimore, 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) and will join him in his effort to promote his 
legislation as well.

[[Page 974]]

  Madam Speaker, in reviewing this bill, I was reminded of Benjamin 
Franklin who, in paying tribute to firefighters wrote, ``Neither cold, 
nor darkness will deter good people from hastening to the dreadful 
place to quench the flame. They do it not for the sake of reward or 
fame; but they do it for the reward in themselves, and the love they 
have for their fellowman.''
  If we just chronicle over the last 5 years or so the kind of heroic 
and courageous efforts of our firefighters, well worth noting is the 
enormous number of western fires that we have called them to help us 
in, certainly the great tragedy of Oklahoma City when firefighters were 
coming in from all over the country, assisting Federal firefighters, 
and certainly the enormous amount of tragedies, natural disasters that 
we have faced, whether it has been flood or hurricane or tornadoes, we 
have called upon firefighters and emergency medical personnel under the 
jurisdiction of firefighters to help our Nation.
  The poem by Benjamin Franklin is true today, as it was in the days of 
Benjamin Franklin. Madam Speaker, H.R. 93 recognizes this fact and was 
introduced not to honor our Nation's firefighters, but to recognize 
their desire to serve their country. Every day, firefighters pursue the 
dangers of their jobs with unflinching hearts and unwavering spirits. 
They face dangers on a daily basis that few of us can even imagine. 
Because of them, homes and loved ones are protected. Time and time 
again they battle fires, rescue children and the old, save lives and 
return to the firehouse with the quiet pride of knowing that they truly 
make a difference.
  Federal firefighters not only fight fires, they provide emergency 
medical service response, respond to hazardous materials situations, 
and inspect and protect our military bases and other Federal 
facilities. As I indicated, they were among those who first responded 
to the Oklahoma City bombing.
  Tomorrow, I will meet with a number of my constituents from the 
firefighters' pension program in Houston. I would like to say to them 
personally now on the day of this legislation that, although it covers 
Federal firefighters, it is important to emphasize how much the 
firefighters in my own hometown have done. We have had an enormously 
cold winter, and we have found with the housing stock in Houston that 
we have had, unfortunately, a series of tragedies because of the very 
tinderbox-type of housing stock and the utilization of space heaters. 
So our firefighters have been called upon to do great service.
  As I indicated, in my home city of Houston, the Houston Fire 
Department, which does not have a mandatory retirement age, is very 
successful in preventing fires, due, in part, to the contributions of 
seasoned and experienced firefighters. For example, experienced 
firefighters of the Houston Fire Department have established successful 
programs over the years to educate the public on ways to prevent fires 
through community service seminars, fire safety meetings, as well as a 
smoke detector donation program, which has been very successful.
  In addition, the Houston Fire Department, as indicated and announced 
by my mayor, Mayor Lee P. Brown, will receive international 
certification as of today, January 30, 2001. The experienced members of 
the Houston Fire Department found that, without the proper educational 
programs which have formed their many years of experience, 81 percent 
of youth that have played with and started fires would do it again. 
However, because of the Houston Fire Department's fire prevention 
programs which were established by seasoned veterans, it has maintained 
a 98 percent success rate in preventing fire-setting behavior.
  Madam Speaker, the Houston Fire Department has been successful and 
has been a role model for fire departments across the country because 
of the contributions of many of its firefighters who would be forced to 
retire if they were under the current Federal firefighters mandatory 
retirement requirement. Therefore, this bill is a common-sense bill 
that seeks to follow the lead set by this Congress who, several years 
ago, raised the mandatory retirement age for Federal law enforcement 
officers from 55 to 57. While Congress neglected to raise the 
retirement age for Federal firefighters at that time, H.R. 93 by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) would bring to par the 
mandatory retirement age of firefighters with that of Federal law 
enforcement officers.
  Presently, we are losing our best and most experienced firefighters 
forced to early retirement, and H.R. 93 would correct this, but it 
would also reward individuals who want to serve. Madam Speaker, H.R. 93 
even has bipartisan support from both management and labor, and has 
received the endorsement of the International Association of Fire 
Chiefs, as well as the American Federation of Government Employees and 
the National Association of Government Employees.
  I want to pay tribute, as I said, to my local firefighters union 341 
and acknowledge that, in addition to the expertise we had in our local 
community, this was a difficult year for Houston inasmuch as we lost 
two of our valiant firefighters, for the first time in many, many years 
that firefighters lost their lives in protecting Houstonians' lives and 
property. They do it all the time willingly, and the Federal 
firefighters are simply asking, allow us to do it a little longer.
  If enacted, H.R. 93 will bolster our firefighting and emergency 
services capabilities. We will maintain more experienced firefighters 
in the field and in senior management positions by allowing these brave 
men and women the option of continuing their careers for an additional 
2 years. In addition, the CBO estimates that H.R. 93 will actually save 
the government $4 million over the next 5 years.
  Madam Speaker, I support this bill and I believe this will help us 
not only fight fires here in this country, but fight fires abroad as we 
have been asked to do quite frequently; and it will ensure this Nation 
has the experienced personnel needed to fight fires throughout the 
country. I urge my colleagues to join in this bipartisan effort.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 93, the Federal Firefighters 
Retirement Age Fairness Act that would amend the federal civil service 
law to provide that the mandatory retirement age for federal 
firefighters be raised from 55 to 57 years old. This adjustment would 
put federal firefighter's retirement age on par with federal law 
enforcement officers.
  Madam Speaker, in reviewing this bill I was reminded of Benjamin 
Franklin, who in paying tribute to firefighters wrote, ``Neither cold, 
nor darkness will deter good people from hastening to the dreadful 
place to quench the flame. They do it not for the sake of reward or 
fame; but they do it for the reward in themselves, and the love they 
have for their fellowman.''
  This quote by Benjamin Franklin is true today, as it was in the days 
of Benjamin Franklin. H.R. 93 recognizes this fact and was introduced 
not to honor our nation's firefighters but to recognize their desire to 
serve their country. Every day, firefighters pursue the dangers of 
their jobs with unflinching hearts and unwavering spirits. They face 
dangers on a daily basis that few of us can even imagine. Because of 
them, homes, and loves ones are protected. Time and time again they 
battled fires, rescued children and the old, saved lives and return to 
the firehouse with the quiet pride of knowing that they truly make a 
difference.
  Federal firefighters not only fight fires, they provide emergency 
medical service response, respond to hazardous materials situations, 
and inspect and protect our military bases and other federal 
facilities. In fact, they were among those who responded to the 
Oklahoma City bombing.
  In my home city of Houston, the Houston Fire Department which does 
not have a mandatory retirement age, is very successful in preventing 
fires, due in part to the contributions of seasoned and experienced 
firefighters. For example, experienced firefighters of the Houston Fire 
Department have established successful programs over the years to 
educate the public on ways to prevent fires through community service 
seminars, fire safety meetings as well as a smoke detector donation 
program.
  The experienced members of the Houston Fire Department found that 
without the proper educational programs which they have formed their 
many years of experience, 81 percent of youths that have played with 
and started fires will do it again. However, because of the Houston 
Fire Department's fire prevention programs which were established by 
seasoned

[[Page 975]]

veterans, it has maintained a 98 percent success rate in preventing 
fire setting behavior. Madam Speaker, the Houston Fire Department is 
successful and has been a role model for Fire Departments across the 
country because of the contributions of many of its firefighters who 
would be forced to retire if they were under the current federal 
firefighter's mandatory retirement requirement.
  This bill is a ``common sense bill'' that seeks to follow the lead 
set by this Congress who several years ago, raised the mandatory 
retirement age for ``federal law enforcement officers'' from 55 to 57. 
While Congress neglected to raise the retirement age for federal 
firefighters at that time, H.R. 93 would bring to par, the mandatory 
retirement age of federal firefighters with that of federal law 
enforcement officers. Presently, we are losing our best and most 
experienced firefighters to forced early retirement. H.R. 93 would 
correct this.
  H.R. 93 even has bipartisan support from both management and labor, 
and has received the endorsement of the International Association of 
Fire Chiefs as well as the American Federation of Government Employees 
and the National Association of Government Employees.
  If enacted, H.R. 93 will bolster our firefighting, and emergency 
medical services capabilities. We will maintain more experienced 
firefighters in the field and in senior management positions by 
allowing these brave men and women the option of continuing their 
careers for an additional two years. In addition, the CBO estimates 
that H.R. 93 will actually save the government $4 million over the next 
5 years.
  Madam Speaker, I support this bill because it would ensure that this 
nation has the experienced personnel needed to fight fires throughout 
the country. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of its passage.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis).
  One of the most devoted and hard-working Members of this House was 
Herb Bateman, and it really comes as no surprise to me that tonight, 
the Representative who has assumed his seat wants to make a 
contribution on the very first day and on the very first piece of 
legislation.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor 
today in support of H.R. 93, the Federal Firefighters Retirement Age 
Fairness Act. As my colleagues know, this bill raises the mandatory 
retirement age for Federal firefighters from 55 to age 57, allowing 
Federal firefighters the option of continuing their public careers for 
an additional 2 years. As a wife of a career firefighter, I understand 
this lifestyle well and know that there is no substitute for experience 
in their line of work.
  This bill has gained bipartisan support from both management and 
labor and has been endorsed by the International Association of Fire 
Chiefs as well as the American Federation of Government Employees.
  In my district, the First District of the great Commonwealth of 
Virginia, I am proud of the hundreds of men and women who serve our 
local communities and our Nation on Virginia's many military 
installations as firefighters. These dedicated individuals often put 
their lives and health in jeopardy so that property and people are 
protected.
  In addition to fighting fires, these men and women provide response 
to hazardous material incidents, provide emergency medical services, 
and inspect and protect our Federal facilities and bases.
  I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) and the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) for working to make this much-
needed change in our Federal code, and I encourage my colleagues to 
join me in supporting H.R. 93.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), of the Fifth Congressional District. The 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) has always been very sensitive to 
our Federal employees and has constantly done things to lift up their 
lives and their family's lives.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I appreciate very much the kind words of 
the gentleman from Maryland. I rise in strong support of this 
legislation. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) for 
his leadership on this and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) for 
his leadership on this as well.
  This is the right thing to do. The good news is that we are healthier 
for longer periods of time, more able to do vigorous things. Obviously, 
our first responders, our firefighters and emergency response teams, 
whether they be career or volunteer, are critical components of our 
society. They are professionals in every sense of the word, whether 
paid or volunteer; well trained. What this will do will allow us for 
another 2 years to avail ourselves of that training, that expertise, 
that commitment, and that courage.

                              {time}  1800

  That is a very important thing for us to do. Some may or may not know 
that there are some 10,000-plus firefighters in the Federal service, as 
well as, of course, thousands and thousands across this Nation, both 
paid and volunteer.
  Firefighting is one of the most dangerous enterprises, and because it 
is so, it requires people who have experience. I think this bill will 
go a long way towards providing us the ability when the firefighter 
chooses to allow them to continue in service until 57. As has been, I 
am sure, observed on the floor of this House, this will make parity 
between our law enforcement personnel and our firefighting personnel; a 
very appropriate step for us to take.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation, and, 
like all of my colleagues, are in grateful recognition of the critical 
contribution that firefighters and emergency response personnel 
throughout this country make to our communities. As evidence of that, 
those of my colleagues who are new, I would urge my colleagues to join 
the Fire Service Caucus. It is the largest caucus in the Congress of 
the United States, bipartisan, led by and founded by the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), himself a former fire chief and probably is 
the most knowledgeable person we have in this country on fire issues.
  I note on the floor, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), 
who was a leader on an effort for the first time last year in this 
Congress, with the leadership on the majority side and on the minority 
side, in a bipartisan way, to appropriate $100 million for firefighters 
and emergency responders throughout this country.
  Madam Speaker, this is an appropriate step, and I am pleased to join 
my colleagues in seeing its overwhelming support.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes 
to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), one of the most respected 
Members of the House.
  Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
LaTourette) for yielding the time to me.
  Madam Speaker, permit me to take this opportunity to thank the 
gentleman from California, (Mr. Gallegly) for his leadership in 
bringing this important measure, H.R. 93, the Federal Firefighters 
Retirement Age Fairness Act, before the House today. I want to thank my 
colleagues who have risen in support of this measure.
  Everyday America's firefighters are placing their lives and welfare 
on the line to protect our families, our homes and our communities and, 
in turn, they deserve our providing them with the resources and 
training that is so necessary as they face their dangerous tasks.
  However, each year, regrettably, our veteran firefighters are forced 
into retirement because of the mandatory separation age for Federal 
firefighters. The Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act 
amends the Federal Civil Service law relating to the Civil Service 
retirement system and the Federal Employees' Retirement System to 
provide the mandatory separation age for the Federal firefighters, 
currently age 55, be made the same as the age that applies with respect 
to Federal law enforcement officers, which is currently age 57.
  This important measure will positively assist the lives of thousands 
of

[[Page 976]]

our Nation's firefighters, who will continue to offer experience to the 
younger men and women who look to them for leadership and guidance as 
they enter their noble profession.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 93 and urge our 
colleagues in the House to support this worthy measure for our Nation's 
firefighters, for their families and for the communities that they all 
protect.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman 
from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), my colleague.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield another 30 seconds 
to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), so she has a full minute so 
we can hear what she has to say.
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) and my colleague from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) for 
yielding me this time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. Having worked 
over the years with a number of firefighter organizations in Cleveland 
out of Ohio, particularly one year, on September 10, which is my 
birthday, my house caught on fire, and I was so pleased with the work 
and the level of experience of the officers that came to assist me.
  They did not know it was me at the time that they came, but they are 
really wonderful firefighter folks, and I am standing here to say if 
they want to work longer, we ought to let them work longer, in terms of 
providing experienced service as firefighters.
  I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) and the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) for the opportunity to be heard on this 
legislation, and I ask all of my colleagues to join us as we give 
firefighters a new opportunity, just an opportunity to work on behalf 
of the people.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes 
to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Hart), another new Member of 
the House of Representatives already making a difference.
  Ms. HART. Madam Speaker, back in Pennsylvania, most of our 
firefighters units are run by volunteers. As a State senator, I did my 
best to support this proud community tradition, especially at times, 
like now, when the job is so demanding and the number of volunteers is 
declining.
  Firefighting, as we all know, is tough work. It is difficult to find 
qualified men and women who are willing to serve, whether it is as a 
volunteer back home, at the Harrison Hills Volunteer Fire House in 
Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, or as a member of the Federal 
firefighters who do everything from protecting military bases to 
responding to national emergencies, such as the Oklahoma City bombing.
  I was surprised to learn that Federal law actually prevents many 
seasoned and capable firefighters from staying on the job, even if they 
wish to. Maybe it is my Pennsylvania perspective, but I believe that we 
should support our firefighters, not force them into retirement when 
their experience can still be put to great and even critical use.
  To me, that means we should ensure our laws give firefighters more 
authority to decide for themselves how long they can work safely and 
effectively, and when they should retire. That is why I rise today in 
support of H.R. 93. The bill would prevent these able-bodied, 
experienced firefighters from being forced to retire before they wanted 
to by raising that retirement age to the age of 57.
  Madam Speaker, it is a great, common-sense measure protecting not 
only these firefighters, but also public safety, by seeing that they 
retain the qualified and experienced force. The taxpayers benefit from 
this measure, too, because the Congressional Budget Office's analysis 
indicates that this change will save the taxpayers over $4 million over 
the next 5 years.
  I commend my colleague from California (Mr. Gallegly) for introducing 
this measure. I commend my colleagues who support this.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 seconds to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), my good friend.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the ranking 
member, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), but I also want to 
thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) for his leadership 
on this issue.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, we all should thank the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) for bringing this to our 
attention. It moves the mandatory retirement age from 55 up to 57. The 
fact that this is the first piece of legislation this new body is 
considering I think helps demonstrate the esteem with which this 
Congress holds the Nation's firefighters, its first responders.
  This bill corrects an inequity. We owe, I think, a great debt to what 
are some of the heroes of this country. We have 1.2 million 
firefighters in this Nation. Over 90 percent are volunteers. That means 
they are out risking their lives to help us. They truly are the first 
responders.
  We made a lot of progress, I think, towards reinforcing the fact that 
this Congress supports firefighters. In this last session, we 
appropriated $100 million in grants to cost share with local 
communities to make sure that they have the equipment; that they have 
the personnel; that they have the capable training they need.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 93 as the next step in 
our efforts to address issues of concern to the fire community. As the 
chairman of the Subcommittee on Basic Research that oversees the 
National Fire Administration, I suggest to all my colleagues that it is 
important that we continue this kind of support. These are the men and 
women that go out and have baked goods sales to try to support and 
raise enough money to have the kind of equipment that is going to end 
up saving our lives and our property. So when my colleagues go back 
home, thank these individuals. This is a good bill. Let us move on with 
it, and I hope that we continue this effort of supporting our first 
responders.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, we have a limited amount of time, and it 
is my understanding that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) has 
agreed to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, that is correct. In the spirit of 
bipartisanship that permeates the Chamber, it is my pleasure to yield 1 
minute to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall).
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 93, 
the Federal Firefighters Retirement Act, and this measure increases the 
mandatory separation age for Federal firefighters from 55 to 57.
  Last year was one of the worst fire seasons in our Nation's history. 
My own congressional district experienced the devastating effects of 
the Cerro Grande and the Vivash fires which consumed over 75,000 acres, 
and burned over 200 homes.
  The exemplary courage and dedication of the firefighters who have 
fought these wildfires was tremendous. In fact, these same firefighters 
continued to fight fire throughout the Nation beyond the normal fire 
season that charred almost 7 million acres. Last year, however, it 
became difficult to find enough firefighters to suppress, manage and 
support these large fires. This prompted the need to hire back some of 
the retired firefighting force.
  We are losing wildland firefighters at an alarming rate to retirement 
or other occupations. For example, in 1999, 57 percent of the U.S. 
Forest Service firefighters were age 45 or older.
  Madam Speaker, I would ask all my colleagues to support this bill.
  H.R. 93 would allow the Federal Wildland fire agencies to keep 
experienced firefighters on the line to safely protect homes, families, 
and businesses. Moreover, the bill would allow more time for senior 
fire managers to obtain higher incident command qualifications.
  H.R. 93 amends Federal civil service laws to make the mandatory 
separation age the same with respect to the age in which Federal law 
enforcement officers can retire.
  Furthermore, the legislation is estimated to save the Federal 
Government approximately $4 million over 5 years. By allowing Federal

[[Page 977]]

firefighters the option of continuing their careers for another 2 
years, we will bolster our firefighting capabilities with more 
experience and knowledge. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to support 
this measure.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes 
to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) whose name has been 
invoked many times during the course of the debate, a champion of 
firefighters all over the country and around the world.
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise, first of all, in 
thanks for the outstanding leadership provided by my colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), for 
bringing this bill to the floor, who has been constantly supportive of 
efforts associated with the Fire Service, and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Gallegly), my good friend and colleague.
  Madam Speaker, I can tell my colleagues that when the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Gallegly) bites an issue, he does not let go, whether 
it is fighting for the support for the airborne firefighters in 
California, by getting the military to respond to the MAPS program, or 
whether it is fighting for this legislation; the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Gallegly) has been there.
  It is not just with his words. I mean, the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Gallegly) has gone out on nightly experiences here in D.C. with 
the paid fire department when he and I rode the fire trucks to get a 
feel for what our paid firefighters go through.
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) has been there on the 
scene in situations, in California. I have been with him on the 
wildlands fires, the earthquakes. The gentleman is someone who really 
believes that we have to do more to assist these brave Americans.
  Madam Speaker, this Congress and the last Congress have been the most 
responsive in the history of this country to the American domestic 
defenders, the men and women of our fire service. Both the paid and 
volunteer firefighters in this country have benefitted from the actions 
of this Congress in a strong bipartisan way.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for, again, recognizing 
the fire service for what it is, the backbone of our country, the 
people who make America strong. I want to thank the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), I do not see him in the room, but the gentleman 
has been a tireless advocate for the firefighters as the original 
cochairman of the Fire Caucus. And, again, thank all of my colleagues 
and ask for a very strong vote, again, for the support of the men and 
women who make America such a great Nation, our fire and EMS personnel.

                              {time}  1815

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, it is my understanding that the other 
side will yield us 35 seconds.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. That is correct, Madam Speaker.
  Before I do, the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) has asked 
for 30 seconds. Then I will be happy to yield the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) 30 seconds, if that is all right with him.
  Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Gallegly).
  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
LaTourette), again, for yielding me this time.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank all of my colleagues for their 
testimony this afternoon and for the kind words.
  Madam Speaker, if enacted, this bill will bolster our firefighting, 
HAZMAT, and EMS capabilities. We will maintain more experienced 
firefighters in the field and in senior management positions by 
allowing Federal firefighters the option of continuing their careers 
for 2 additional years.
  I ask my colleagues to join with me this afternoon in passing this 
very important legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for 55 seconds.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, our firefighters are often unseen, 
unnoticed, unappreciated, and unapplauded. By doing what we are doing 
today, I think we send a very strong message to them that we do 
appreciate them and we do appreciate the fact that they can serve 
beyond 55 years of life and probably could even go beyond 57.
  But the fact still remains that we must continue to do what we are 
doing today; and that is to lift them up.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Gallegly), the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), and all of 
those people of this Congress who have taken it upon themselves to make 
sure that we send a very strong message to them.
  With that, Madam Speaker, I urge all of our colleagues to vote in 
favor of the Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of our 
time.
  Madam Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Gallegly) for introducing this important bill and for his efforts to 
bring it to the floor.
  As our colleagues from the 106th Congress will remember, this bill 
passed the House under suspension on October 17, 2000, but failed to 
receive Senate action.
  I want to take the time to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. 
Burton), the chairman of the full committee; the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Scarborough), the subcommittee chairman; the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking member of the full committee; and 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), ranking member of the 
subcommittee, for their effort.
  Last year, Madam Speaker, the Congressional Budget Office estimated 
that the bill will actually save the government $4 million in direct 
spending over the next 5 years. The Office of Personnel Management, 
which administers civil service retirement, believes that it is 
appropriate to apply the same mandatory separation age to firefighters 
as we do to law enforcement officers.
  I urge Members to lend their support.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 93, the 
Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act. This sensible piece of 
legislation eliminates the unfair forced retirement for Federal 
firefighters by raising the mandatory separation age from 55 to 57, 
providing Federal firefighters with the same retirement age as Federal 
law enforcement officers.
  This bill goes a long way towards fairness and equity by giving a 
class of civil servants who provide valuable contributions towards 
public safety their just due. By raising the mandatory separation age 
for Federal firefighters, we do not only equate their benefits with 
Federal law enforcement officers, but we take into account their 
individual merits and their ability to continue substantial and 
dedicated service to the community.
  Among the people who will benefit from the passage of this bill are 
about a hundred Federal fighters from my home island of Guam. These 
folks who work for both the Navy and the Air Force aside from their 
assigned duties are called upon to assist the civilian community in 
times of calamities and disasters. Among their distinguished 
contributions was the assistance they provided during the recent crash 
of Korean Air Flight 801. On Guam, these civil servants are 
distinguished and greatly admired members of our community.
  Let us take this occasion to show our appreciation for the dedicated 
service and contributions of Federal firefighters by allowing them 
service based on their own merits. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
93.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
Federal Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act, a bill which would 
raise the mandatory retirement age for Federal firefighters to the same 
age as Federal law enforcement officers. As a proud cosponsor of this 
bill, I appreciate the House taking up this significant legislation.
  Currently, federal firefighters must retire at age 55. The Federal 
Firefighters Retirement Age Fairness Act would correct this oversight 
by raising the retirement age to 57. This will allow more firefighters 
to remain on the front lines in the battle against devastating fires in 
my District and across the country.

[[Page 978]]

  As the recent wildfires, which ravaged much of the West, have shown, 
firefighters are in great demand. Many of our Nation's firefighters are 
quickly approaching retirement age, highlighting the growing shortage 
of well trained, quality firefighters. In fact, a recent report issued 
by the General Accounting Office stated that because of an aging work 
force there will be a shortage of qualified firefighters in the U.S. 
Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and that the 
situation could have a direct impact on firefighters' safety. Because 
it takes 17 to 22 years of experience to become eligible for 
firefighters leadership positions, an extra two years of service will 
give federal firefighters the option of continuing their careers and 
bolster fire fighting capabilities by having more experience in the 
field among our chiefs and commanders.
  Madam Speaker, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to every person who has 
taken part in combating destructive fires--these heroes deserve our 
strongest support. Their work in protecting our lives, our families, 
our property, and our environment is deeply appreciated by the 
residents of the Central Coast and by all Americans.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Madam Speaker, the fact that the first piece 
of legislation this new body is considering is a firefighting bill 
helps demonstrate the esteem with which the Congress holds the Nation's 
firefighters. This bill, which corrects an inequity in the mandatory 
retirement age for federal firefighters compared to their law 
enforcement counterparts, continues the good work of the last Congress 
in addressing issues of concern to the firefighting community.
  We owe a great debt to our firefighters--federal and municipal, paid 
and volunteer. The 1.2 million men and women of the fire services serve 
as our nation's domestic defenders, often placing themselves at great 
risk. And yet they continue to man the front lines for our communities 
against fires, accidents, and disasters. Increasingly, we are asking 
them to take on further responsibilities--to respond to terrorist 
attacks or to help stem environmental disasters, for example. It's 
important that as we ask them to take on more, we stay committed to 
insuring we support them as best we can.
  We made a lot of progress towards that end in the last session. We 
were able to secure $100 million in funding for a grant program that 
will help fire departments nationwide purchase equipment, train 
personnel, and promote fire safety. We increased our support for the 
Volunteer Fire Assistance Program and began a study of ways to better 
allocate radio frequencies to fire services.
  Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to support H.R. 93 as the next step in our 
efforts to address issues of concern to the fire community. And, as 
Chairman of the Subcommittee with oversight over the U.S. Fire 
Administration, I look forward to continuing to work to ensure our 
first responders get the support they deserve.
  Mr. LaTourette. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 93, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that 
a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is 
not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evidently a quorum is not present.
  The Sergeant at Arms will notify absent Members.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 401, 
nays 0, not voting 31, as follows:

                              [Roll No. 5]

                               YEAS--401

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Aderholt
     Akin
     Allen
     Andrews
     Armey
     Baca
     Baird
     Baker
     Baldacci
     Baldwin
     Barcia
     Barr
     Barrett
     Bartlett
     Barton
     Bentsen
     Bereuter
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilirakis
     Bishop
     Blagojevich
     Blumenauer
     Blunt
     Boehlert
     Boehner
     Bonilla
     Bonior
     Borski
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Brown (FL)
     Brown (OH)
     Brown (SC)
     Bryant
     Burr
     Burton
     Buyer
     Calvert
     Camp
     Cantor
     Capito
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardin
     Carson (OK)
     Castle
     Chabot
     Chambliss
     Clay
     Clayton
     Clement
     Clyburn
     Coble
     Collins
     Combest
     Condit
     Conyers
     Cooksey
     Costello
     Cox
     Coyne
     Cramer
     Crane
     Crenshaw
     Crowley
     Cubin
     Culberson
     Cummings
     Cunningham
     Davis (CA)
     Davis (FL)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis, Jo Ann
     Davis, Thomas M.
     Deal
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     DeLay
     DeMint
     Deutsch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Dooley
     Doolittle
     Doyle
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Edwards
     Ehlers
     Ehrlich
     Emerson
     Engel
     English
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Evans
     Farr
     Fattah
     Ferguson
     Filner
     Flake
     Fletcher
     Foley
     Ford
     Frank
     Frelinghuysen
     Frost
     Gallegly
     Ganske
     Gekas
     Gephardt
     Gibbons
     Gilchrest
     Gillmor
     Gilman
     Gonzalez
     Goode
     Goodlatte
     Gordon
     Goss
     Graham
     Granger
     Graves
     Green (TX)
     Green (WI)
     Greenwood
     Grucci
     Gutknecht
     Hall (OH)
     Hall (TX)
     Hansen
     Harman
     Hart
     Hastings (FL)
     Hastings (WA)
     Hayes
     Hayworth
     Hefley
     Herger
     Hill
     Hilleary
     Hilliard
     Hinchey
     Hoeffel
     Hoekstra
     Holden
     Holt
     Honda
     Hooley
     Horn
     Hostettler
     Hoyer
     Hulshof
     Hunter
     Hutchinson
     Hyde
     Inslee
     Isakson
     Israel
     Issa
     Istook
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Jefferson
     Jenkins
     John
     Johnson (CT)
     Johnson (IL)
     Johnson, E.B.
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones (NC)
     Jones (OH)
     Kanjorski
     Kaptur
     Keller
     Kelly
     Kennedy (MN)
     Kennedy (RI)
     Kerns
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick
     Kind (WI)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kirk
     Kleczka
     Knollenberg
     Kolbe
     Kucinich
     LaFalce
     LaHood
     Lampson
     Langevin
     Largent
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis (CA)
     Lewis (GA)
     Lewis (KY)
     Linder
     LoBiondo
     Lofgren
     Lowey
     Lucas (KY)
     Lucas (OK)
     Luther
     Maloney (CT)
     Maloney (NY)
     Manzullo
     Markey
     Mascara
     Matheson
     Matsui
     McCarthy (MO)
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCollum
     McCrery
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McHugh
     McInnis
     McIntyre
     McKeon
     McKinney
     McNulty
     Meehan
     Meeks (NY)
     Menendez
     Mica
     Millender-McDonald
     Miller (FL)
     Miller, Gary
     Miller, George
     Mink
     Moore
     Moran (KS)
     Moran (VA)
     Morella
     Murtha
     Myrick
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Nethercutt
     Ney
     Northup
     Norwood
     Nussle
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Osborne
     Ose
     Otter
     Owens
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor
     Paul
     Payne
     Pelosi
     Pence
     Peterson (MN)
     Peterson (PA)
     Petri
     Phelps
     Pickering
     Pitts
     Platts
     Pombo
     Pomeroy
     Portman
     Price (NC)
     Pryce (OH)
     Putnam
     Quinn
     Radanovich
     Rahall
     Ramstad
     Rangel
     Regula
     Rehberg
     Reyes
     Reynolds
     Riley
     Rivers
     Rodriguez
     Roemer
     Rogers (KY)
     Rogers (MI)
     Rohrabacher
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Ross
     Rothman
     Roukema
     Roybal-Allard
     Royce
     Ryan (WI)
     Ryun (KS)
     Sabo
     Sanders
     Sandlin
     Sawyer
     Saxton
     Scarborough
     Schaffer
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schrock
     Scott
     Sensenbrenner
     Serrano
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Shaw
     Shays
     Sherman
     Sherwood
     Shimkus
     Shows
     Shuster
     Simmons
     Simpson
     Sisisky
     Skeen
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (MI)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Smith (WA)
     Snyder
     Solis
     Souder
     Spence
     Spratt
     Stearns
     Stenholm
     Strickland
     Stump
     Stupak
     Sununu
     Sweeney
     Tancredo
     Tanner
     Tauscher
     Tauzin
     Taylor (MS)
     Taylor (NC)
     Terry
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thornberry
     Thune
     Thurman
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Tierney
     Toomey
     Towns
     Traficant
     Turner
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Upton
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walden
     Walsh
     Wamp
     Waters
     Watkins
     Watt (NC)
     Watts (OK)
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Weldon (FL)
     Weldon (PA)
     Weller
     Whitfield
     Wicker
     Wilson
     Wolf
     Woolsey
     Wu
     Wynn
     Young (FL)

                             NOT VOTING--31

     Bachus
     Ballenger
     Bass
     Becerra
     Bono
     Callahan
     Cannon
     Carson (IN)
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Everett
     Fossella
     Gutierrez
     Hinojosa
     Hobson
     Houghton
     Lantos
     Leach
     Meek (FL)
     Moakley
     Mollohan
     Neal
     Ortiz
     Oxley
     Rush
     Sanchez
     Stark
     Thomas
     Vitter
     Wexler
     Young (AK)

                              {time}  1841

  Mr. ENGEL changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
  So (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were 
suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  Stated for:

[[Page 979]]


  Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 5 on January 30, 
2001, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have 
voted ``yea.''

                          ____________________