"The House shall come to order. Members and our guests in the gallery may want to join us for the invocation. The Members will be in their chair, please. We will be led in prayer today by the Reverend Lee Crawford, the Assistant Pastor of Victory Temple Church in Springfield. Reverend Crawford."
"May we all pray, as we elevate our hearts as well as our minds, before God almighty. Almighty and eternal God, we so humbly thank You for Your many mercies and for Your tender love, for Your kindness. Now I ask that You will save and preserve and bless the Members of this Body. I also ask that You will grant peace to the peaceless, that You will grant love to the unloved, that You will give wisdom to the unwise. Give understanding to those who do not understand, for we know that for every good and perfect gift, it comes from up above and cometh down from You, the Creator of life. So we ask so kindly, that You will fill our hearts with the joy of the Lord. Fill us with gladness and life, both now and forever more. This we kindly pray. Amen."
Speaker Hartke: "We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Mary Kay O'Brien."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Hartke: "Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie, do you have an attendance report?"
"Thank you, Speaker please let the record show that Representative Ronen is excused today."
"Representative Poe, do you have a report for the Republican side?" 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999
"Mr. Speaker, Representative Pankau has an excused absence today."
"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 115 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Introduction to Bills."
"First Reading and Introduction of Bills: House Bill 325, offered by Representative McCarthy, a Bill for an Act relating to public university tuition statements. House Bill 326, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Income Tax Act. House Bill 327, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act to amend the School Code. House Bill 328, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act. House Bill 329, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code of 1961. House Bill 330, offered by Representative Giglio, a Bill for an Act and to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 331, offered by Representative Giglio, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 332, offered by Representative Murphy, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 333, offered by Representative Turner, a Bill for an Act to amend the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 House Bill 334, offered by Representative Murphy, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 335, offered by Representative Steve Davis, a Bill for an Act to amend the Liquor Control Act of 1934. House Bill 336, offered by Representative Steve Davis, a Bill for an Act in relation to higher education. House Bill 337, offered by Representative McAuliffe, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 338, offered by 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 Representative McAuliffe, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 339, offered by Representative McAuliffe, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 340, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. House Bill 341, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 342, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act to amend the Civil Administrative Code. House Bill 343, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code of 1961. House Bill 344, offered by Representative Murphy, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 345, offered by Representative Murphy, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 346, offered by Representative Murphy, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 347, offered by Representative Murphy, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 348, offered by Representative Murphy, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 349, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 350, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 351, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 352, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 353, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act to amend the Workers' Compensation Act. House Bill 354, offered by Representative Woolard, a Bill for an Act to amend the 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 School Construction Law. House Bill 355, offered by Representative Giles, a Bill for an Act to amend the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. House Bill 356, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 357, offered by Speaker Madigan, a Bill for an Act to amend the State Finance Act. House Bill 358, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code of 1961. House Bill 359, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code of 1961. House Bill 360, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code of 1961. House Bill 361, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 362, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 363, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 364, offered by Representative Burke, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 365, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 366, offered by Representative Burke, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 367, offered by Representative Bugielski, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 368, offered by Representative Lyons, J., a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. House Bill 369, offered by Representative Dart, a Bill for an Act to amend the Juvenile Court Act. House Bill 370, offered by Representative Schoenberg, a Bill for an Act concerning interference with access to health care. House Bill 371, 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 offered by Representative Biggins, a Bill for an Act amending the Property Tax Code. House Bill 372, offered by Representative Daniels, a Bill for an Act in relation to State Government. House Bill 373, offered by Representative Daniels, a Bill for an Act to amend the General Obligation Bond Act. House Bill 374, offered by Representative Daniels, a Bill for an Act to amend the General Obligation Bond Act. House Bill 375, offered by Representative Wirsing, a Bill for an Act relating to school district income taxes. House Bill 376, offered by Representative O'Brien, a Bill for an Act in relation to anhydrous ammonia. House Bill 377, offered by Representative Lang, a Bill for an Act regarding representation of a child. House Bill 378, offered by Representative Lang, a Bill for an Act regarding mental health services community reinvestment. First Reading of these House Bills."
"The Chair recognizes Representative Turner. For what reason does Representative Turner rise?" Turner, A.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly. May I have your attention, please? Some of you know that this place is a place that we... some visit, some pass through, some are here for awhile. We have the unfortunate pleasure of losing another Member of the House. I guess it's unfortunate for the Members of the Seventh Representative District, where Representative Gene Moore currently serves and yet it's a plus for the people of Cook County. Gene is officially leaving the House of Representatives today, Representative Gene Moore. And he will be moving on to bigger and better things as the new Recorder of Deeds in Cook County. And we want to wish Gene Moore well. Many of you know Gene has been around for three terms, was elected to his fourth term. During that 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 time, during his tenure here, we was also elected the Proviso Township Committeemen. So Gene has been on a path of upward mobility and if he follows the trend of other Members who have left the House, went on to Recorder of Deeds, we can only expect to see him soon statewide. But, notwithstanding that, I want the Members to know that we do have a cake down front for Gene. Gene, also, has the distinction of being the only Member of the... having served the shortest amount of time as chairman of the House Black Caucus. He was just elected to that term and will be leaving, so he has that dubious distinction. But we wish Gene Moore well. We know that he will serve us well in Cook County as the Recorder of Deeds and to the people in Privso and to those of us in the caucus, who we call Geno. We wish you very well, Geno and Godspeed."
"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Giles."
"Thank you, Speaker, and Lady (sic-Ladies) and Gentlemen of the House. It is, indeed, a pleasure to give my congratulations to one of my district Housemates, Representative Eugene Moore. He represents the 7th District, which encompasses the Oak Park area and the Privso Township and I represent the Oak Park area and the Austin Community. So, many a time, we worked on issues together. But Representative Eugene Moore is truly a first class act. He will represent all of Cook County as Recorder of Deeds very well. I wish him the best. Representative Moore has a history of having a lot of cousins and relatives in Privso Township, and I'm sure he's going to extend those relaships (sic-relationships) and cousins throughout the entire Cook County. So Representative Eugene Moore, I wish you all the best and 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 may God continue to bless you. Thank you."
Speaker Hartke: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black." Black: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Could we have a modicum of order in the House, please?"
"Sure."
"Thank you very much. I would remind the Members of the Body to look around the gallery, there's enough brass here to come down on everyone of ya, if you don't behave yourselves today. Mr. Speaker"
"Yes, Sir."
"I have an inquiry of the Chair."
"State your inquiry."
"I made a good faith effort to do some bipartisan work on the Rules yesterday and I was rebuffed, which is nothing new to me. But, however, I believe that Representative Moore's leaving this Body would have to go the Rules Committee and the only way that could be discharged would by unanimous consent. I object to his leaving this Body. He's been an outstanding Representative. We cannot afford to lose him, at least, at least, Mr. Speaker, we can take comfort in the fact that he's not going to the Senate, where he will never be heard from again. But at the, at the very least, we wish you the very best on our side of the aisle, Representative. You've been a most worthy adversary and a good colleague; someone that we knew we could work with. He was a man of his word and before you leave Representative, I know that you would want to cosponsor my Bill to abolish the Office of Recorder of Deeds in Cook County. But we do wish you the very best. I sincerely wish you weren't leaving. You've been a joy to work with and I will miss you and I look forward to seeing 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 you when I'm in Chicago and getting the tour of your office. I'm sure it will be a magnificent office, befitting someone of your stature. But believe me, Representative, if there was any way we could object to your leaving the House, we would do that."
"Your point's well taken, but your objection is overruled. The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook. Representative Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to take this moment to say to my officemate, Gene Moore, Godspeed. As an officemate, Gene and I shared a secretary and his office being right next to mine, I could never compete with the flashy style of decorating one's office, from plants to mirrors, to pictures, and awards. Gene, I think if you look carefully at those who have preceded you in that office, they've gone on to much bigger and better things. The former United States Senator, Carol Mosley-Braun, was a Recorder of Deeds, before she became the Senator, of course, Jesse White, Recorder of Deeds, immediately preceding his becoming Secretary of State. So you can only look forward to bigger and better things for Eugene Moore. Representative Moore, we urge you to continue with your vigilance, your diligence, your hard work, and your integrity and honesty. You've certainly proven that as you worked in the General Assembly. And we're going to certainly miss you, miss you, miss you. But we'll be there for you. May God Bless you and again, we say, Godspeed. Thank you."
"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Durkin."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I also want to join in praise of Representative Eugene Moore. My district runs 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 just southwest of Representative Moore, and I've had a chance to work with him the past four years. He's been a great friend. He has not been an adversary. We've worked quite well in the West Suburbs and that is the true spirit of bipartisan cooperation in which we've seen out of our local Representatives. And I know Gene's, it's going to be a big loss for us to see you move on, but I think you're going to do a great job as the Recorder of Deed and make us proud. Thank you very much."
"The Chair recognizes the Lady from Lake, Andrea Moore." Moore, A.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is beginning to sound like a eulogy and I... because so many people are speaking in such a positive way about Representative Moore. We have been the Moore and Moore team on Revenue for the last couple of years. And I said to him yesterday, we've been having our pictures taken every year since we got here, because we are often confused by our constituents and we always get such a chuckle out of that, being brother and sister like we are. I said, 'well now you finally have become someone really important. I'm glad I've got all those pictures.' I do wish you the best, and I'll miss working so closely with you, Gene and I know that you'll do a fine job and do us all proud. Good Luck."
Speaker Hartke: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Capparelli."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to add my congratulations to Gene Moore, here. I just told him last night that he's a new powerhouse. He's sending a new Senator down here, a new Representative, and he's also going to be Recorder of Deeds. So, I'm sure that he will still be felt down here to a great extent. Congratulations 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 Gene and I hope to see you soon."
"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lopez."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to congratulate my seatmate for six years. The only seatmate that I've had to my right for six years. We've known each other even before we came to the Legislature and so I just want to wish him good luck. And I know that he will do a terrific job. And for those of us who are in Cook County, we need jobs. That's the guy to come see. God bless you, Gene."
"Finally the Chair would like to recognize the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Eugene Moore." Moore, E.: "Thank you very much to the people here in the General Assembly, it's certainly have been an honor just to be a part of you, just working with you on both sides of the aisle. I have honored, been honored just to be here, just to see what actually go on in our communities, as well here in the state. To listen and to hear Representative Black as he does so much, you know, his speaking just annoys and appois... all of us, because he does a great job, and I really appreciate that, Representative Black. To my sister, Andrea Moore, it's certainly has been an honor in just working with you down here, working on the chairmanship as well as coming here, just sharing with you on both sides of the aisle and it's certainly been very appreciative just knowing each and everyone of you. To Privso Township, to Jim Durkin, to Senator Tom Walsh, to everybody in Privso West area, Township area, it's been well represented in the Seventh District, as well as the Privso area. But however, I also realize that not only was I sent here to represent that area, but I was sent here to represent the State of Illinois, and I enjoyed doing that 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 as well. To my seatmate, that we shared, Monique Davis, it's certainly an honor just being with you, just to see how you operated here in the Springfield, and the most important thing, your friendship. And I certainly enjoyed each and everyone of that. But again, I wanted to just say thank you, all. It's been a privilege being here. I will be back to share with you. To my seatmate, that we've been together all this time, Edgar Lopez, some of the things that we've gone through certainly have been really appreciated. And I know that Edgar is doing a great job, but I want to say congratulations Edgar for being in Leadership, as well. You're going to be Leadership and I'm going to be in Cook County. But the point being, that we're going to still always be together in brotherly love. So I want to thank each and everyone of you for your friendship. I want to thank you each and everyone of you for your kindness. I want to thank each and everyone of you for just extending your arms and your hearts to me. And for our Black Caucus, I certainly appreciate being there. This is the shortest time, that I'm quite sure anyone has ever sure, anyone has ever served in that capacity, I got elected as Chairman of Black Caucus and now I have to resign as Chairman of Black Caucus. But again, I just appreciate being here on the floor, watching each and everyone of us work together and bipartisanship is what we've always done in Privso Township and I see that we are going to be going into that direction, Representative Black. So again, thank you very much for allowing me this opportunity to speak each and everyone of you. I look forward to continue our friendship and our relationship and we will constantly move on. As well as the position of Recorder of Deeds, Jesse White has the tumblers, but 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 believe me, I have the cheerleaders, each and everyone of you. Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen."
Speaker Hartke: "The Chair recognizes the Gentlemen from Lake, Representative Beaubien, for an announcement."
"Can we have a little quiet in the chamber, please? I, too, would like to add my congratulations to Gene. In the short time that I've known him, he's been a very good friend. It's my pleasure today to announce the 38th birthday of the Representative from District 44. He asked me not to mention that he's a rather aging, time running out bachelor. So I will not mention that. So, I would like all of you to join me, along with Senator Walsh, as Senator from his district, in congratulating Representative Durkin on his 38th birthday."
"Agreed Resolutions"
Clerk Rossi: "House Resolution #35, offered by Representative Brady; House Resolution #37, offered by Representative Leitch; House Resolution #38, offered by Representative Scully; House Resolution #39, offered by Representative McKeon; House Resolution 40, offered by Representative Lopez."
"Representative Currie now moves to the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; those opposed. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it, and the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Could we have some order in the chamber? Will the Members please be in their chairs? Please. Mr. Doorkeeper, do you have an announcement? Ladies and Gentlemen, let's have our seats, please. Will Members and honored guests and Senators please take their seats? Thank you. Mr. Doorkeeper."
"Mr. Speaker, the Honorable Secretary of the 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 Defense, William S. Cohen and his party wish to be admitted to this chamber."
"Admit the Honorable Secretary."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Secretary of Defense, William S. Cohen."
"Speaker Madigan in the Chair."
"The Chair recognizes Representative Ryder."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Secretary, welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. Last year you provided me with the unique opportunity to see up close and personal the military machine of this United States. I was one of 60 people from all walks of life that were selected to participate in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. The only such program sponsored by the Secretary of Defense. I wish to thank you for selecting me for that honor. It is rare that a single event changes how I look at the world. The Joint Conference was just such an event. My view of the Armed Services was founded in my personal experiences of service in the '60s and '70s. The Joint Conference taught me that our military is now light-years removed from my previous experience. During the eight days of that conference, we were told that we would see military events and hardware that even career officers would not see; from the Army paratroopers to an Air Force live fire on Nellis Air Force Base, from the Search Rescue and Drug Intervention of the Coast Guard to an amphibious assault by the Marines, even to visiting a nuclear submarine. I was awestruck by the complex machinery of our military might. However, my strongest memories, Mr. Secretary, from that time were of the men and women of the service. They are not the soldiers of my youthful memory. They are some of the best and brightest that our country has to offer. I 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 recall my lunchtime conversation with a young man, who was halfway through his training as a Navy Seal. The pride in himself was self-evident. Here was a bright young man who took up the challenge to push his physical and emotional limits and from his quiet self-confidence, it was obvious he passed the test. I wished to leave you with the observation. The Joint Civilian Orientation Conference Group landed on the U.S.S. Carl Vincent, an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Landing on an aircraft carrier is a thrill in itself. As we walked around this billion dollar Navy vessel, a floating city, we made our way to the command post on the island high above the flight deck. There I noticed a young man at the helm, hands on the wheel, steering that floating city, in the proper orientation so that the aircraft that were landing on that vessel could do so in a safe manner. I asked him his age. He replied that he was 21. When he noticed the surprise in my eye, he added, 'Yes the United States Navy trusts me to steer a billion dollar vessel containing thousands of lives, but when I return home, my dad has second thoughts about letting me use the family car.' Mr. Secretary, you represent the hundreds of thousands of people in our military that are is disbursed throughout the world on many diverse, complicated, and peacekeeping missions. It was a pleasure for me to participate in the conference that you offered. It's a pleasure for me now to welcome you to the Illinois General Assembly. Thank you for coming to the heartland."
"Thank you, Representative Ryder. Ladies and Gentlemen, this morning we have the very unique opportunity to hear from and visit with one of the top officials in our national government. This Gentleman manages a single 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 agency with a budget nearly ten times the size of the budget of the State of Illinois and with a 4,000,000 person workforce. Close to home, the State of Illinois has a significant interrelationship with the Department of Defense. Whether it is the continued operation of facilities like Scott Air Force Base or the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, or the redevelopment of facilities like now closed, Glenview Naval Air Station, Fort Sheridan, and the arsenals in Rock Island and Joliet, the Defense Department decisions impact our state. Mr. Secretary, we are very happy to have you here today. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, former U.S. Congressman and Senator from the State of Maine, and the current Secretary of Defense, William S. Cohen."
"Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the introduction. Representative Ryder, thank you for your very eloquent statement about your experience and I hope that that message can spread well beyond these halls all across America. Congressman Shimkus, Lieutenant Governor Wood, Major General Austin, Members of the General Assembly and distinguished guests. Let me tell you it is a particular honor for me to be here to address such a distinguished gathering. I always, when I address a new audience, think of Henry Ford, who after having made all of his millions in this country, decided he wanted to go back to his fatherland in County Cork, Ireland. And his reputation for incredible wealth had spread long before his arrival. When he finally got off the plane, there were a group of local town officials seeking a contribution for the construction of a local hospital, and Ford was quite accustomed to being touched in that fashion. He pulled out his checkbook. They were asking for a contribution of 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 $5,000 and he made the check out. The next day in the local press, it said in very bold headlines, It said, 'Ford contributes $50,000 for the construction of local hospital.' And the town officials came rushing to him, very apologetic, they said, 'Oh Mr. Ford, we are terribly sorry, now this was not our fault, it must have been a typographical error and we would be happy to see to it that a retraction is printed in tomorrow's press.' He said, 'Wait a minute, I think I've got a better idea.' That's really where that phrase came from. 'I've got a better idea, you give me one wish and I'll give you the balance of $45,000.' One of those offers they couldn't refuse. They said, 'anything you want.' He said 'I want, when the hospital is finally completed, to have a plaque over the entrance way taken from a source of my choice.' They said, 'It's done.' So he wrote the check out for $45,000. The hospital was built. It is there today and it has a plaque over the entrance way, with a quote taken from the book of Matthew, and it says, 'I came unto you as a stranger, and you took me in.' So, I will, I'm a little bit of a stranger to you today. I hope you will take me in, but not in quite that fashion. And I also understand that it's somewhat unusual for a Secretary of Defense to address a State Legislature. Because when Americans think of National Security and they think of the military, then tend to think of Washington or the Pentagon. But the military really is simply an extension of the people and it's your military. The men and women who serve our nation are your sons and daughters, they're your husbands and wives, from Springfield and Champaign and Chicago, and the money that we spend on training and equipping them, that's your money. And the safety and security that they protect is yours, and 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 it's all America's. It is in your name that they fight, and it's you they look to for support. So I wanted to come here today to report on America's Armed Forces; some of whom I see in the gallery today and to report to you about, who they are, what they do, and why they need your support. The men and women who wear our uniform, they're part of a very long and proud tradition of ordinary men and women who come from city streets and country roads, who showed extraordinary gallantry and bravery. They are heroes like Hal Fritz of Chicago, who today serves all of Illinois' veterans. It was just 30 years ago this month in the jungles of Vietnam, that Captain Fritz served his country. He ignored his own grave wounds. He valiantly led his men that had been ambushed and outnumbered with only a pistol and bayonet in his hands. And after routing the enemy, he refused any medical attention until all of his men were cared for. Captain Fritz was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor and bravery, and I must say, we are deeply honored to have him here on this day. Today the men and women of our armed forces bear the daily sacrifice of military life to serve us. And they are Americans, like James Roussell, who serves his community as a sergeant in the Chicago Police Department and he serves his nation in the Marine Corps Reserve. Like Sergeant Thomas Rojas of Quarry Heights, who signed up after high school and worked his way to seven Army Achievement Awards in six years, and he now serves the cause of peace in the Balkans. Our Service Members, they endure separation from family and friends for months at a time. I just returned from a very long but quick trip to the Persian Gulf, out to visit them in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on the U.S.S. Enterprise. They serve in the cold of Bosnia, the desert heat of Kuwait. 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 They live without the comforts that you and I take for granted every single day. And they're are always prepared to offer that ultimate sacrifice for us. And they do this to protect American lives and our interests around the globe, meeting the challenges of a very uncertain world. We have a national strategy, and it's summed up in three basic words: shape, respond, prepare. That summarizes our national strategy. We use our military to shape international conditions in ways that are favorable to our interests and to our values. Because our wisest and our most cost-effective actions are those that create an environment that encourages peace and discourages violence and instability. And that means that we're forward deployed in Asia. We are forward deployed in Europe. We're in the Middle East. We are in various areas across the globe establishing cooperative relations with other military forces, addressing the early signs of instability so that they won't turn into full-scale wars. And when the elements of the Illinois Air National Guard went to Poland for a first of its kind joint exercise in 1997, they were helping to shape a more stable and a more peaceful world. And when pilots like Major Ricky Yoder of the Illinois 183rd Fighter Wing, when they patrolled the no-fly zone in Southern Iraq, they are preventing the repression of millions of innocent civilians and the spread of conflict throughout the region. So, in addition to shaping the environment in ways that are advantageous to us, we have to be able to respond to a whole host of contingencies, to a crisis that could be here at home or anywhere abroad. And so when hurricanes devastated the lives of millions in Central America, we responded. We sent thousands of service members and millions of dollars to help rescue and 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 to help rebuild. And creating that lifesaving 'air bridge' were the men and women of the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, like Lieutenant Colonel Ernie Woollard of Tower Lakes. And when Iraq refused to cooperate with UN Inspectors, the UNSCOM team as such, threatening the peace and stability of the Middle East, we responded with Desert Fox, an operation carried out by skilled professionals like Lieutenant Katie Boyce of Chatham, aboard the U.S.S. Carrier Enterprise, seriously degrading the regime's ability to deploy weapons of mass destruction and threaten its neighbors. So, we have the shape and response capability. The third pillar of our strategy is the need to prepare for the future. We have to invest in a new generation of weapons and technology if we're going to maintain this ability to shape and respond to world events in the next century. We have to recruit and we have to retain the highest quality personnel and to provide them with the quality of life that they deserve, and that's why President Clinton has asked Congress to begin the first long-term, sustained increase in military spending in some 15 years. The ________________ Chicago Tribune recently wrote an editorial asking the President and me to take our case for more defense spending to the American people, and frankly, that's one of the reasons I'm here today. The Tribune _______ observed that the end of the Cold War doesn't mean the end of history. And of course, calling to mind that brilliant essay written by Francis Fukiyama, who talked about the end of history. It's not the end of history. We're seeing the beginning of a new world, one we hoped would be one of order and we look across the landscape and see it's more disorder than order. So, we have a whole landscape of new threats and diverse threats that we have 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 to face. We have the menacing instability of Stalinist North Korea launching new and more powerful rockets across Japan. We have Iraq developing and concealing the deadly vessels of chemical and biological weapons. We have the growing list of nations who are reaching out trying to grasp the nuclear genie. We have instability that can flash from Serbia to Central Africa, fueled by those who would prefer to dig fresh graves than heal old wounds. We have the specter of increasingly lethal terrorist attacks, such as those we witnessed that occurred at our embassies in East Africa last year. And so it's clear that our forces facing more and more threats in more and more areas. So as we now praise the peacemaking that were taking place in Bosnia, that we are contributing to, we praise our humanitarian work in Central America, or our fight against Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. We know that these successes would not have been possible, they'd have been impossible without the investments of the past. We have the finest weapons and technology in the world. There is no question about it. But we will not remain and retain this technology superiority unless we spend additional resources on the next generation of ships and aircraft and armor. We have the most skilled, the most highly skilled and best trained people in the world. They will not remain so without significant attention to their quality of life and to their training. So in short, preserving security tomorrow means we have to make some prudent investments today. First, we've got to give our troops the right tools; that is training, weapons and infrastructure, what they need to accomplish the many missions that we give them. The overall defense budget (sic-has fallen) 40% ... one must always be careful in reaching for buttons. But 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 the defense budget has fallen some 40% since the end of the Cold War. And we look at weapons procurement, all of those things that we need, and you saw how we carried out that operation Desert Fox, with absolute precision, with launching 600 sorties, most of them at night. Carrying out all of those tomahawk cruise missile attacks, all of that carried out with absolute perfection. We have cut our procurement budget 70, almost 70% since the height of the Cold War. And we've had a 13 year decline until we started to reverse that trend in 1997. So a great portion of the funds that we are seeking, the present proposal, is going to go for modernizing our weapons and technology to face these new threats of the 21st century. The second point is, we have to provide for a better quality of life for our members of the armed forces. As a nation, we've got to support them with the same dedication and I would say patriotism displayed by Tom Weed. His small Peoria company had to sacrifice almost a fifth of its employees when they were called up to serve during the Persian Gulf war. And Tom, who has joined us today, could have complained about it, but he saw this as an opportunity for his company to serve America. So, on behalf of America's one and half million guardsmen and reservists, and the nation they defend, thank you Tom and thank all you, of all of you supportive employers. We're also honored to have with us today a group of outstanding service members and their military families who are representing all of those who's serving from Illinois, who are sacrificing today to protect our freedom. And I would now ask that they all stand and let us honor them. And representing the next generation of service members is a distinguished future officer, Naval R.O.T.C Midshipman First Class, Julie Kovach, a senior at 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 Champaign-Urbana. Would you please stand? Ladies and Gentlemen, if we are going to retain high quality service members like those I've just mentioned, and attract the best of our young people into service, we've got give them a satisfactory quality of life. It's a moral obligation, but it's no less a practical necessity. I know that Congressman John Shimkus, who's a West Point graduate and a reservist in the Army serving our country in two capacities would verify that. I would ask each one of you, what's a fair salary for someone who is on call 24 hours a day, who's prepared to lead troops into deadly combat, who is rigorously trained in highly lethal, cutting-edge technology, who's constantly relocated and restricted in terms of lifestyle, who's called upon to manage a complex political and ethnic divisions with the skills of a diplomat and a warrior, with ten years unmatched leadership experience? What's that worth? We never can pay our men and women enough, but we can pay them more than we're paying them. And that's why the President's proposal includes the largest boost to military pay and benefits since the early 1980's. I would tell you that we would not ask for this new funding, indeed, I would not be here in a position to even have the right to ask you for this new funding, if we weren't doing everything we could to generate savings for reform, and to ensure that any new money is being well-spent. When we ask Congress for a dollar for readiness, it should go for training and fuel and ammunition for our people, and not simply for managing paperwork. And that's why we are engaged in a dramatic initiative to reform the Department of Defense, both to save money and improve efficiency by cutting out waste and trying to emulate the very best of cooperate America. So, 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 we are cutting our headquarters staff and we're moving responsibilities out into the field. We're putting up over 225,000 government jobs for competition with the private sector, creating savings and incentives to work smarter. We are destroying some 8,000 unused buildings whose maintenance and utilities are simply drawing down our resources. We're moving aggressively to bring our business practices into the age of the microchip, and replacing those costly paper contracts with online purchasing catalogs that include everything from antibiotics to combat boots. And at the same time, we are switching to less expensive, more flexible commercial technology in our very sophisticated systems. To give you an example, we're planning to put a power PC computer chip, same kind you'd find in a Macintosh computer, we're going to put that in the circuitry of an F-15 fighter jet. And the result; cheaper maintenance, greater flexibility. But I must tell you the most politically difficult aspect of reform, and perhaps the most crucial remains ahead. It's called additional base closures. And I know that BRAC is now seen as a four-letter word. But I must tell you that the vast sums of money that we waste on unneeded facilities are robbing our men and women in uniform of needed training, of modern weapons and a better quality of life. The first three rounds of base closures have already yielded some $3,700,000,000. It will generate more than $25,000,000,000 by the year 2003. With two additional rounds that we will fight for this year, we can ultimately save $20,000,000,000 and generate an additional $3,000,000,000 annually. I don't have to quote from Everett Dirksen to tell you, 'that adds up to real money.' And you imagine this, in exchange for property that we don't want and don't need, we can put 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 $3,000,000,000 on an annual basis into weapons that will give our troops a lifesaving edge, into training that keeps them the best in the world, and into the pocketbooks of military families. It should offend everyone of us that serious needs for our troops remain unmet while we squander on money on facilities that we no longer need. And I can tell you from personal experience, I've been through this over the years, I've been on the other side of where I am today. It's very hard, it's frightening for most communities, even contemplate the thought of losing a major facility. I was a young city councilman, just a little bit older than that 18 year-old who was driving that ship. But I was a young city councilman in my hometown of Bangor, Maine when Dow Air Force base was closed down. It was a traumatic experience for a small city in Maine to absorb that cost. I was a Senator when Loring Air Force Base, in my state was shut down. And hard as it was and hard as it is, it's clearly become necessary. It's necessary for the good of our service members, necessary for you and me and all of us as taxpayers, and necessary for our national security. So, we've got to see past our fear, to places like Rantoul, Illinois, classic example. I suspect that all of you know the shock that went through the community when Chanute Air Force Base showed up on the closure list back in 1988. But with superb local leadership, represented by Mayor Joseph Brown who is with us today, and $6,000,000 in federal support, a dynamic plan of reuse plan was put into place the very next year. Today there are commercial and industrial elements and tenants producing $1,200,000 in annual revenues and 1,400 new jobs. And Rantoul is just one of many success stories. I have been all the way from Orlando to Alexandria, Louisiana, to 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 Indianapolis, out to the Bay State area and we have seen the enormous thriving of communities who have made this transition, with a lot of assistance from the Department of Defense and booming private sector economies. In fact, there is a recent GAO study, revealed that incomes in 63% of base closure communities have actually grown faster than the national average. And so the hard truth is that we have to have more closures. The process has been successful, my preference is to continue use that process, but whatever the methodology, whatever the mechanism, we have to find a way to close bases and reduce excess infrastructure that's dragging down our efforts to maintain readiness and modernization. Now the defense budget increases that the President has proposed should never be used and will not be used as an excuse to avoid more reform and more base closures. There is no amount of new spending that we can justify to continue to waste your dollars. For the men and women in uniform that we call upon to perform all of these services, we need both new funding and we need additional savings. And so to be good stewards of our defense dollars now and in the future, this has to be done and I would ask you for your support. George Jessel said 'That if you don't strike oil in three minutes, stop boring.' I've long exceeded the three minute mark. I've trespassed upon your patience and I'd like to bring a very simple message to this distinguished Body today. We can't return to our shores. There are some that we read and listen to say, 'Wouldn't it be simply easier for us to come back to the continental United States and let the Europeans or the Asians or the others simply fend for themselves?' I will tell you, there is no way that we can return to our shores and slip into a continental cocoon and watch events 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 unfold on CNN nursing the delusions; 'Mr. President, please, not now.'; and nurse the delusion that somehow we're insulated and secure from all the consequences of the events that are taking place out there. We have to be engaged. We have to be forward deployed. We have to be out there shaping and preparing and responding and showing how good we are. And I can tell you, this has been the most demanding and the most exhilarating job of my life. I had long experience as a city councilor, as a mayor, as a congressman, as a Senator, there has nothing that has been quite as daunting as the challenge of being in this position. And nothing as rewarding, because I have the opportunity to travel around the globe to represent the United States, to represent our military. And I can tell you, our military is the most respected, the most admired and indeed, in cases, the most envied military in the world. And it's because we have attracted the best and the brightest. We need to continue to attract them. We need to continue to train them and equip them and give them the quality of life that they truly deserve. So we have an absolute obligation to prepare for the future and the best way to do that is to give our full support, moral, financial to those who defend us. It's a solemn duty we undertake and for those who have served in the past and those who serve us today, let me say to the 1,600 fallen Americans who lay just east of here in Camp Butler National Cemetery, for the 1,400,000 who are in uniform today who are stretched all over this globe, protecting us in a very dangerous, uncertain world. And from the frozen hills of Korea and Bosnia, to the flight line at Scott Air Force Base and for Marines who are on maneuvers in the deserts of Southwest Asia to the eager recruits at Great Lakes, these 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 men and women need more than support from Washington, they need the support of their countrymen. That's why I'm here today. I want to thank you for your support and I want to ask that you to continue to support those who are defending our country. Thank you very much."
Speaker Madigan: "Before the Secretary leaves the chamber, I would like to acknowledge the presence of certain distinguished people in the front row. Representing her husband, the United States Senator, Dick Durbin, we have Loretta Durbin. We have the Attorney General of the State of Illinois, Jim Ryan; the Treasurer of the State of Illinois, Judy Baar Topinka; the Comptroller, Dan Hynes; and the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Emil Jones. The Secretary will now leave the chamber. He'll be available in Room 114 for anyone who wishes to visit with him before he leaves Illinois' Capital City. Mr. Secretary, before we leave the chamber, let me publicly thank you for visiting with us today and for your outstanding remarks and we hope that you enjoy this Capital City."
"Mr. Clerk, for an announcement."
Clerk Bolin: "Senate Joint Resolution #6, offered by Representative Currie, resolved by the Senate of the 91st General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the House of Representatives concurring herein, that when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, January 28, 1999, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 2, 1999, at 12:00 noon, and the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 2, 1999, at 1:00 p.m."
Speaker Hartke: "Announcements. Representative Currie now moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. All those in favor, signify by saying 'aye'; the opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 Adjournment Resolution is adopted. Representative Morrow for an announcement."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. For those Members who are on the Appropriations Committee on Public Safety, there's a hearing scheduled Monday morning, February 1, at 10:00 a.m., at the Jim Thompson Center. I believe the room is 15503 concerning the road conditions in Cook County. I want to make sure that all Democratic Members are there. I don't know which Republican Members have been appointed to the Committee yet, but all Members are welcome to come to discuss and hear IDOT's concerns about the Dan Ryan Expressway, especially at Lake Shore Drive in the City of Chicago. Thank you."
"Representative Giles for an announcement."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, please indulge in the congratulation cake for Representative Moore. Please we have a lot of cake. Thank you."
"Mr. Clerk for an announcement."
Clerk Bolin: "Members are asked to please leave the new laptops at their desks. Please leave the new laptops at your desks so that the LIS employees may continue to prepare them your use next week."
"Representative Currie now moves that the House stand adjourned 'til Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk."
"The House Perfunctory Session will come to order. First Reading and Introduction of House Bills. House Bill 379, offered by Representative Hartke; a Bill for an Act to amend the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Regulation Act. House Bill 380, offered by Representative Hartke, a Bill for an 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 Act to amend the Gasoline Storage Act. House Bill 381, offered by Representative Hartke; a Bill for an Act to amend the Environmental Protection Act. House Bill 382, offered by Representative Coulson; a Bill for an Act concerning Health Benefit Notices. House Bill 383, offered by Representative Hoffman; a Bill for an Act in relation to labor creating and amending named Acts. House Bill 384, offered by Representative Scott; a Bill for an Act to amend the Jury Act. House Bill 385, offered by Representative Feigenholtz; a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Public Aid Code. House Bill 386, offered by Representative Feigenholtz; a Bill for an Act concerning the Health of the Senior Citizens. House Bill 387, offered by Representative John Turner; a Bill for an Act to amend the Oil and Gasoline Act of 1989. House Bill 388, offered by Representative Stroger; a Bill for an Act concerning Property Taxes. First Reading of these House Bills. Introduction of House Resolutions. House Resolution #15, offered by Representative Feigenholtz; House Resolution 18, offered by Representative Steve Davis; House Resolution 36, offered by Representative Acevedo. House Joint Resolution #1; offered by Representative McKeon, House Joint Resolution #2; offered by Representative Lawfer. House Joint Resolution #3; offered by Representative Mautino. These Resolutions are referred to the House Rules Committee. First Reading and Introduction of House Bills. House Bill 389, offered by Representative Hoffman; a Bill for an Act to amend the Local Mass Transit District Act. House Bill 390, offered by Representative Skinner, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Municipal Code. House Bill 391, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act making an Appropriation to the State Board of Education. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 5th Legislative Day January 28, 1999 House Bill 392, offered by Representative Jones, a Bill for an Act in relation to pregnant female prisoners. First Reading of these House Bills. Having no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned. The House will reconvene in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 2nd, at 1:00 p.m." 30