Last week, the House of Representatives mourned the loss of two of our Capitol

Police guardians, who now watch over us from a different post. The lives of Jacob Chestnut

and John Gibson were cut tragically short, but their heroism and protection of our

freedom will long be remembered.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to their families.

In legislative business, the "Fiscal Year 1999 Veterans Affairs/Housing and

Urban Development Appropriations Act" passed

the House, providing funding for veterans benefits, housing programs, and various

agencies dealing with science, space, and the

environment.

I strongly believe we must fulfill our commitments to those who have served our

country. I voted for the legislation, which gives

the Department of Veterans Affairs $19 billion and is $168 million more than was

requested by the President. The increase provides

over $17 billion in medical care for veterans and $320 million for medical research. The

increases in medical funding will bring essential research and treatment for those

suffering from Gulf War Syndrome, many of whom served from the Columbus area.

The Ways and Means Committee, on which I serve, favorably reported two bills to

the House of Representatives. First, the

"Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections

Act" (H.R. 4342) which, if enacted, will

streamline Customs laws, make technical corrections

to trade laws and temporarily suspend duties on a variety of imported products,

including chemicals used in the production of

anti-cancer drugs.

In addition, the Committee favorably reported a resolution (H.Con.Res. 213)

which expresses the sense of Congress that nations of the European Union unfairly restrict

the importation of U.S. agriculture products. The legislation directs the Administration to

actively negotiate with these countries to eliminate these barriers to the export of

American agriculture products.

The Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources held a hearing to

receive testimony about the effectiveness of local programs geared toward low-income,

non-custodial fathers.

The House leadership announced last week that they have agreed to bring fast-track

negotiating authority legislation to the floor in September. The legislation would allow

the President to negotiate trade agreements with other countries. Congress would still have final

consideration of the agreement.

Last week I became an original cosponsor of the "Crime Does Not Pay Act," which prohibits

convicted felons from recovering damages from injuries received in the commission of the felony. It is wrong

for criminals who break the law to be rewarded.

Several weeks ago I introduced a resolution to oppose Executive Order 13083, which lays the

foundation for almost limitless federal authority to promulgate mandates preempting state and local law.

My resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the powers given to the states should not be

further encroached upon by the federal government. The resolution protects the Tenth Amendment to

the Constitution: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it

to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

My office continues to receive tremendous support for this resolution from Georgia and all over

the country. To date, 42 colleagues have joined as cosponsors of my resolution. Last week I sent a letter to

all members of the House seeking additional cosponsors in response to the requests of state and

local government organizations that the Administration consult them on matters threatening their

Constitutional powers.

Visitors from Georgia to the Capitol last week included representatives of Georgia Agribusiness,

the Georgia Hospital Association, the Georgia State Legislature, and the Medical Association of Georgia.

Ms. Chasity Mundy, a UGA sophomore from Peachtree City, spent a day in my office getting a

first-hand look at Congress. Chasity was in Washington for a Leadership Institute Conference.

This week, the House will continue consideration of several appropriations bills as well as

campaign finance reform.

As always, I encourage you to visit our web site "https://www.house.gov/maccollins" as a source

of further information about Congress and Georgia's Third District.

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