The Terrorism Risk Protection

Act (H.R. 3210)

On Nov. 29, with my support,

the House of Representatives passed the Terrorism Risk Protection Act

(H.R. 3210). This legislation will make it possible for American business

of all sizes to purchase affordable insurance in the post-Sept. 11 environment.

The bill enables businesses to operate with the assurance that they will

have the necessary coverage against future terrorist attacks. It does

so by providing a mechanism for the insurance companies to pay claims

from a large-scale attack, like those on Sept. 11.

One of the most vital elements

in ensuring the continued availability and affordability of terrorism

risk insurance is a package of common-sense liability reforms to streamline

the compensation process for victims, maximize recoveries for the most

serious injuries, protect blameless American taxpayers from unlimited

liability, and limit the damage to the American economy from future acts

of terrorism.

Cloning

On Sunday, Nov. 25, Advanced

Cell Technology, a biotech company in Massachusetts, announced that it

had cloned a human embryo. Although the cloning was a success, the embryo

died before it reached the stage where it could be destroyed and harvested

for stem cells.

I strongly oppose human cloning

and cosponsored the original version of the Weldon-Stupak Human Cloning

Prohibition Act of 2001 (H.R. 1644). I oppose cloning because its treats

human life as a commodity to be created and destroyed in the name of science.

Whatever the goal of those conducting experiments with human clones, the

ultimate outcome is the death of a human being.

On July 31, the House of Representatives

overwhelmingly passed an updated version of Weldon-Stupak Human Cloning

Prohibition Act of 2001 (H.R. 2505) in a 265-162 vote. This legislation

would ban any cloning of human beings in the United States. In October,

I joined 46 of my House colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority

Leader Tom Daschle and Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott asking that they

expedite consideration of this important legislation. Given recent developments,

Congress must move to pass a ban on all human cloning.

Griffin/Spalding Reservoir

final permit approved

Several weeks ago I reported

that the I had been working with the city of Griffin and the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers to gain final approval of a 404 permit to begin construction

on the 475-acre Griffin-Spalding Regional Reservoir. The City of Griffin

expressed concern with two of a total of 18 "Special Conditions"

that the Army Corps had referenced.

I am happy to report that after

initiating a dialogue between the Army Corps of Engineers and the city

of Griffin, both parties have come to resolutions on both of these minor

concerns, and a final permit has been approved. I appreciated the patience

of the community, the attention of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and

the ability of both parties to work hand-in-hand with each other to move

this critical project to the construction phase.

The Griffin-Spalding Regional

Reservoir will serve over 55,000 residents of Spalding, Pike, Coweta,

and Meriwether counties, and will help to alleviate fears of the water

level dropping to near crisis levels, as in years past.

House passes Department

of Defense Appropriations Bill for 2002

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, I supported

first passage of the Fiscal Year 2002 Defense Appropriations Act (H.R.

3338). This bill is critical to funding our military services and those

dedicated men and women in uniform. One important highlight of this legislation

is an emphasis on the necessary resources that the President and Department

of Defense need to successfully engage our enemies throughout the world

in prosecuting the war on terrorism.

In addition, the bill fully

supports a military pay increase, and increased military housing allowances

requested by our Commander-in-Chief for our soldiers. The legislation

also supports the Defense health program, including the new "TRICARE

for Life" program for eligible military retirees over age 65.

Alan Jackson lyrics entered

into Congressional Record

On Nov. 16, I entered the lyrics

of Alan Jackson's new song, "Where Were You When The World Stopped

Turning?" into the Congressional Record. I did this so that it could

become a permanent part of our nation's history. The lyrics to the song

so aptly express the feelings of loss and sadness that our nation felt

as a result of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

I also wrote a letter to Alan

and thanked him for his efforts to help our nation heal. "As our

nation recovers from the wounds of Sept. 11, we need men and women of

vision to pave the way to healing. Your song will help pave that path,

and I thank you for it. I am proud that a young man from Newnan, Ga.,

could be the one to write the song that will help us remember those who

suffered and died."