This has

been a tragic week for our nation. Not only is the air

strike against Serbia continuing in the Balkans, but

within our own borders, a war was waged upon the students

and families of Littleton, Colo.

I know the 3rd District

joins me in prayer for our nation, those here on our

soil, and those scattered to all corners of the world

protecting our freedom. We pray for the people of

Littleton, the students, those who were injured, and

those whose lives were cut tragically short.

With regard to the

situation in Kosovo, the 19 NATO nations have

unofficially declared war against the Serbian government

on behalf of the Albanian population of Kosovo. The

Serbian response has been to retaliate by going after the

KLA and the Albanian population with a vengeance for

which NATO was unprepared.

One of two things must

happen to bring resolution to this unofficial war.

Milosevic can cease fighting, withdraw from Kosovo, allow

a peacekeeping mission, permit refugees to return to

their homes, and consider possible partitioning of

Kosovo. Or, all 19 heads of state of the NATO alliance

can listen to the advice of military officials and leave

the war to the military to fight. I support a quick

settlement with Milosevic, and an immediate end to the

war.

The harsh reality of the

difference between Milosevic and the NATO alliance is

that Milosevic bases his decisions on astute military

judgment, while NATO's decisions must be made by 19 heads

of state each trying to be politically correct.

However, our nation is

involved in a war that has greatly depleted our defense

resources and has jeopardized campaigns in other regions

of the world. We have no choice other than to replenish

our resources.

In legislative news, the

House and Senate passed the "Education Flexibility

Partnership Act of 1999" (HR 800) Conference Report,

and President Clinton is expected to sign it into law.

"Ed-Flex" will give states authority to waive

certain federal statutory and regulatory requirements in

exchange for increased accountability. States can then

use federal education funds to support locally designed,

comprehensive school improvement efforts.

The best way to serve the

education needs of Georgia's students is to eliminate

intrusive, restrictive government regulations from the

education equation. We must give schools and communities

the flexibility to make decisions that are in the best

interests of their students.

Georgia groups visiting

Washington this week included representatives from

Georgia Extension Agents, Georgia Beer Wholesalers, the

Georgia Building Trade Council and the Georgia Council of

Life Insurance.

As always, I encourage you

to visit our web site

"https://www.house.gov/maccollins" as a source

of information about Congress and Georgia's 3rd District.

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