Mr. President, today I applaud Tufts University for furthering the values of leadership, citizenship, and public service.

Thank you, Miss Holbrook.

The assistance provided in this emergency appropriations bill will be critical in helping my fellow North Carolinians return to at least a semblance of the lives they led before last September's devastating floods.

Had I been present I would have, albeit reluctantly, voted in favor of the bill.

Title III, however, addresses the true emergency needs of many in this country, and in North Carolina particularly.

The bill provides funding for the class size initiative that permits the hiring of 100,000 new teachers so that our children can have smaller, more effective classes.

It also provides funding for the COPS program which puts more neighborhood police officers in our communities.

This bill contains disastrous dairy policy. It allows the Northeast Dairy Compact, a pricing scheme that gives dairy farmers in the six Northeastern states higher prices for their milk, to continue for two more years.

It is wrong to add this measure to this must-pass legislation without debate.

I rise today to explain the reasons I voted against the Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report. This bill has both good and bad parts. But unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the bad outweighs the good.

For over sixty years, Wisconsin farmers have struggled with the inequity of the current pricing system, which sets milk prices according to the distance from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

I rise today to recognize Ronald R. Rogers, a constituent, who recently became Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for 1999-2000.

We congratulate Ronald Rogers on his position as Grand Master, and wish him every success during his tenure.

I rise today to honor Martha and Carl Lindner III, friends and constituents who will be recognized at a gala dinner and pageant on Saturday, October 30, 1999 for their leadership as one of the founding families of the prestigious Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (CHCA) located in Mason, Ohio.

Martha has participated in and led Bible studies at CHCA, served on the Visioning Committee, helped develop plans for the tennis complex and been very involved in numerous PTF and classroom activities.

CHCA is one of the fastest-growing schools in the country and has earned a reputation for excellent academics, competitive sports and extracurricular activities.

Martha and Carl Lindner are committed community leaders, and I congratulate them on this much deserved honor.

Carl was instrumental in developing the curriculum, particularly in the area of Biblical Integration.