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Congressional Record
EPLURIBUS UNUM
United States
of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 108
th CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m.
Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.
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Vol. 150 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2004 No. 65
House of Representatives
The House met at 12:30 p.m. and was called to order by the Speaker pro tem- pore (Mr. PENCE). f
DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- fore the House the following commu- nication from the Speaker: W ASHINGTON, DC, May 11, 2004. I hereby appoint the Honorable M IKE P ENCE to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day. J. D ENNIS H ASTERT, Speaker of the House of Representatives. f MORNING HOUR DEBATES The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the order of the House of Janu- ary 20, 2004, the Chair will now recog- nize Members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debates. The Chair will alternate recognition between the par- ties, with each party limited to not to exceed 30 minutes, and each Member, except the majority leader, the minor- ity leader, or the minority whip, lim- ited to not to exceed 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. GEORGE MILLER) for 5 minutes. f
CALLING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, Vice President CHENEY has told the Nation that people ought to get off Secretary Rumsfeld’s case and let him do his job. President Bush has called him ‘‘really good’’ and ‘‘su- perb’’ in the last week alone. There are many reasons why Mr. Rumsfeld should resign from his posi- tion as Secretary of Defense. It is not just because he engaged in a cover-up in keeping the atrocities at the Abu
Ghraib Prison from the Congress of the United States when he had full knowl- edge about it, but it is also his incom- petency to appreciate and understand the political firestorm that would be set off across the Islamic and Arab world by the humiliation that was tak- ing place, or even the suffering and the humiliation that Americans would feel when they saw these out-of-control sol- diers engaging in that conduct. But it is also because he is reigning over the most incompetent and mis- managed occupation of the country of Iraq, because his arrogance would not allow him to pay attention to those prestigious institutions and people who had actual experience in peacekeeping and restoring democracy to countries, who had done it without taking casual- ties of American soldiers. They pushed ahead with an inadequate number of resources in terms of soldiers and equipment; they pushed ahead with in- adequate resources in terms of paying for this, and for the force protection, his number one responsibility, the force protection of our soldiers. Because of his actions and because of his rush to war, as the Pentagon Joint Chiefs of Staff study tells us in Lessons Learned, they failed to provide for the protection of these soldiers. More re- cently, that failure has been translated by the Pentagon to say because of im- proper equipment for the personal pro- tection of soldiers, because of the im- proper kind of mix of equipment in terms of non-armored Humvees, one out of four of the casualties was unnec- essary, had we been properly prepared with the proper equipment, the train- ing, for our soldiers. One out of four of the casualties was unnecessary, accord- ing to the Pentagon, another reason why Secretary Rumsfeld should resign. f HEALTH CARE AND AMERICAN PROSPERITY The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the order of the House of Janu-
ary 20, 2004, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DE LAY) is recognized during morn- ing hour debates. Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, this week, the House will make history, taking up the first of eight components of the most ambitious and forward-looking economic agenda in a generation. For the next 8 weeks, the House will debate and pass legislation that will begin the process of remaking our economy for the new century. Rather than treating individual pol- icy initiatives in a vacuum, the Amer- ican Careers Initiative takes a com- prehensive approach, treating health care, energy, education, taxes, regula- tion and lawsuit abuse reform as parts of a broader economic agenda. For the next 2 months, the House will focus on one of the eight components of the Careers Initiative each week, start- ing tomorrow with Health Care Secu- rity. First, we will pass legislation to re- form medical malpractice liability laws to protect good doctors, nurses, and hospitals from predatory trial law- yers and their abusive lawsuits, low- ering the cost of health care. Second, we will pass the Small Busi- ness Health Fairness Act, which will allow small businesses to enjoy the same economies of scale now used by large corporations, organizations, and labor unions in their health plans. Third, we will make Flexible Spend- ing Accounts even more flexible, by al- lowing account owners to hold on to some of their unspent health savings year to year or even roll some of that money into a new health savings ac- count. We will do all of these things not simply because they are good health care policies, but because they make for greater economic policies. By reducing the threat of abusive lawsuits, more doctors will continue to see patients and thereby help to reduce the crisis in health care access. By al- lowing small businesses to reduce the
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H2736 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 11, 2004
cost of employee health insurance, those businesses will in turn use their savings to invest in new products and hire new employees. And by expanding the utility of Flexible Spending Ac- counts, we will promote more health care competition and help Americans save money on their insurance costs. All of these new policies will help break down the barriers between the American people and the affordable quality health care that they demand. And they will also break down the bar- riers between them and the thriving competitive and prosperous 21st-cen- tury economy that they deserve. f FULFILLING OUR DUTY The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the order of the House of Janu- ary 20, 2004, the gentleman from Mary- land (Mr. HOYER) is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes. Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, before I discuss the legislation that will be con- sidered on the floor this week, I want to comment briefly on the continuing revelations about the abuse of Iraqi de- tainees in American custody and the need for vigorous congressional over- sight through full and open committee hearings. I could not disagree with my friend, the majority leader, more when he says the idea of a congressional investiga- tion is like, and I quote, ‘‘saying we need an investigation every time there is police brutality on the street.’’ The abuse of Iraqi detainees, as we are learning, is, unfortunately, not iso- lated, and responsibility extends up and down the military chain of com- mand. We must not abdicate our con- stitutional responsibility as an inde- pendent, coequal branch of govern- ment, as some Members of the other body have stated. For example, the Senate majority leader is quoted today in Congressional Quarterly as saying, ‘‘The Senate will continue to do its duty. We had several hearings last week. We will continue to maintain a close watch on the unfold- ing situation.’’ In fact, they are having hearings this week. This shocking episode demands a full and open inquiry. It demands a bipar- tisan approach. I urge the Republican leadership to work with this side of the aisle in getting to the bottom of these abuses, in holding the responsible par- ties accountable and ensuring that it never happens again. The world expects no less, and we should expect no less ourselves. Now, Mr. Speaker, while the other body exercises vigorous oversight, this body will consider a Republican bill that will actually increase the budget deficit, which is projected at more than half a trillion dollars this year alone, and three health care bills that would do virtually nothing to help the unin- sured. This Republican majority is not re- sponding to America’s needs. We can, we must, do better.
The Republican bill to make the 10 percent income tax bracket permanent could win overwhelming, perhaps unan- imous, support if it were paid for. In- stead, it would add an estimated $ billion to the national debt. Our chil- dren and grandchildren will pay that debt. The Democratic substitute, in con- trast, is paid for. Unfortunately, Re- publican leaders believe that tax cuts are a freebie. In fact, the chairman of the House Committee on the Budget, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. NUSSLE), said in March, and I quote, ‘‘We don’t believe that you should have to pay for tax cuts.’’ It is that mathematically challenged philosophy, that denial of reality that continues to stall negotiations on the 2005 budget. House Republicans refuse to pay for tax cuts. House Democrats, a bipartisan majority of the Senate and the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Mr. Greenspan, fully support pay-as- you-go budget rules. In fact, if my Re- publican friends missed the comment of Chairman Greenspan last week, let me repeat it. He said, ‘‘The free lunch has still not been invented.’’ This week, the Republican leadership will also put three health care bills on the floor, apparently in recognition of Cover the Uninsured Week. Today in America, the richest, most powerful Nation on the face of the Earth, 44 million Americans do not have health insurance; and that figure has increased by 4 million since Presi- dent Bush took office. Yet none of the Republican health care bills directly addresses this growing problem. We have already passed two of these three bills, on medical liability and as- sociated health plans, almost in ex- actly the same form; so we are simply repeating that which we have already done, presumably for political purposes as opposed to substance. The third, on Flexible Savings Accounts, would mostly benefit those who are already insured. House Democrats, by comparison, will introduce three health care bills this week that, together, would provide health insurance for more than half of the 44 million uninsured. These bills are aimed, Mr. Speaker, at three grow- ing groups of uninsured: those with low income, retirees, and small businesses and the self-employed. I say to my friends on the Republican side, our constituents did not send us here to pretend to legislate, to repeat- edly pass legislation so that it could go to the Senate. They sent us here to solve problems and fulfill our duty. This week, there is ample evidence that we are doing neither. f DOUBLE STANDARDS APPLIED REGARDING TERRORISM The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the order of the House of Janu- ary 20, 2004, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. COBLE) is recognized dur- ing morning hour debates for 5 min- utes.
Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, the infa- mous Iraqi prison photographs with which we are so familiar portray de- plorable scenes for which we will apolo- gize. I am concerned that these inap- propriate practices occurred, but I am further concerned regarding the double standards that many countries apply regarding terrorism, and I will discuss that in detail herewith. Much attention has been directed, Mr. Speaker, against America regard- ing the Iraqi prison matter; but com- paratively speaking, little has been ex- pressed against the terrorists. Who will apologize or express concern for the 9/11 attack and the 3,000 inno- cent lives lost? Who will apologize for the first at- tack to the World Trade Center and subsequent attacks upon our embassies and the U.S.S. Cole? Who will apologize for the recent deadly explosion in Spain? Who will apologize regarding hos- tages who were mutilated and hanged from a bridge while onlookers gleefully applauded and laughed obscenely? These questions are rhetorical, Mr. Speaker, because no apologies are forthcoming, and many do not appear to be concerned about it. I am told that the majority of Iraqis wanted Saddam removed from power, but they were unwilling and were in- capable of doing the job themselves be- cause they feared Saddam and knew the pain and torture he was capable of inflicting upon them. Incidentally, Mr. Speaker, Saddam’s rape rooms are no longer open for busi- ness, nor are Saddam’s torture cham- bers. Why do we hear virtually nothing about the rape rooms and the torture chambers having been shut down? They are shut down because America, Great Britain, and coalition members stepped forward and Saddam retreated to his spider hole where he was captured. Some in Iraq embrace us as lib- erators, while others, including terror- ists from beyond Iraq, reject us as oc- cupiers. b 1245 The closer Iraq approaches freedom and democracy, the more impediments and barriers the terrorists will erect. When the government is handed over to the Iraqi Council on 30 June, many have declared, oh, the Americans must never leave because civil unrest may erupt. Well, I agree, we cannot abrupt- ly depart, but Iraq needs to step up to the plate on 30 June. Mr. Speaker, there is an expression uttered in the rural South to indicate appropriate timing. This expression is called ‘‘high time.’’ So I say today it is high time for Iraq to accept responsi- bility and express a willingness to gov- ern and stand up to terrorism. If they want us to leave, they can show the world they are capable of governing re- sponsibly. They can show the world they have the fortitude to avoid in- timidation by terrorists and the evil practices they dispense.
H2738 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 11, 2004
level of care for them leaves much to be desired as well. It is because of these and many other grave health statistics that we are ask- ing Congress to pass comprehensive health care reform, understanding that none of the diseases causing disparities can be successfully managed without sustained universal access to health care. This week, the Democrats will intro- duce three bills to do just that: the Family Care Act, the Medicare Early Access Act, and the Small Business Health Insurance Promotion Act. There are also other bills that have al- ready been introduced, of which I am proud to be a cosponsor, by the gen- tleman from Michigan (Mr. CONYERS), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. L EE), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. CUMMINGS), and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. MCDERMOTT). This week we will take up H.R. 660, the Association Health Plan proposal, which poses, in my opinion, a serious threat to our existing employer-based health insurance system. It would ex- empt small employer plans from im- portant State regulatory protections, and there is no reason to believe that eliminating these protections will help small employers expand coverage. Instead, AHPs will be able to design services to cover industries and sectors with the healthiest employees and leave out small businesses with older or sicker workers, those who most need coverage. This ability to cherry-pick would drive up the cost of coverage for small businesses with less healthy pro- files of workers who will then be left in the insurance pool by themselves. AHPs would be able to offer less gen- erous benefit packages in order to bring down the costs of coverage. The CBO has already estimated that 80 per- cent of workers would be worse off under AHPs. In closing, I urge my colleagues to put politics aside in addressing the issue of coverage as well as in mal- practice reform, and the other health care bills we will be considering this week. Let us not opt for the short-term fix that is really no fix at all. Let us not support proposals that do not pro- vide substantive remedies for these problems which affect the life and death of those we represent. And, above all, let us commit ourselves, this week and always, to do no harm. f DISTURBING EVENTS AND DISTURBING REMARKS The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the order of the House of Janu- ary 20, 2004, the gentleman from Flor- ida (Mr. MEEK) is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes. Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I must say that I was not only quite dis- turbed, but concerned about the Presi- dent’s remarks yesterday at the Pen- tagon, and it goes as so: ‘‘Mr. Sec- retary, thank you for your hospitality and thank you for your leadership. You
are courageously leading our Nation in a war against terror. You are doing a superb job. You are a strong Secretary of Defense, and our Nation owes you a great debt of gratitude.’’ I must say that it is good to give commendations and thumbs up when it is time to give a thumbs up. But in the light of what is going on in the Depart- ment of Defense right now and in light of congressional hearings that are on- going in the other body, I think the question mark of our true sincerity, being against the pictures, being against the acts that were carried out on individuals that were being ques- tioned by members of our military in prison in Iraq, that I could say that the statements that are made by the Com- mander in Chief and also statements that are made by Secretary Rumsfeld and others could and will stimulate ad- ditional terrorism. Now, to say that you are leading our Nation against terror, well, that ques- tion is the question of the week and of the month. As the Pentagon admits, Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, that we have had knowledge of the ungodly acts that took place in mid-January, and that it was reported from Central Command that this was a big deal, this was a big deal, and that Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers both admit that they meet 3 to 4 times, maybe 5, using Secretary Rumsfeld’s number, a day, and that they meet with the President at least once a week to talk about what is going on in the Pentagon; that anyone that might have seen or heard about these pictures or the acts that were being carried out, that they did not rise to the level of the Presidency of the United States. Not only were these pictures and this investigation that the Pentagon had within the Pentagon, but the fact that it was not shared with the American people is even further disturbing. b 1300 Some folks say, well, Members of Congress are upset because they were not told. We are representatives of the people of the United States of America. Serving on the Committee on Armed Services, seeing week after week Pen- tagon brass coming before us, Sec- retary Rumsfeld coming before us and never once mention that something fundamentally wrong, we are inves- tigating it, is going on in Saddam Hus- sein’s prison in Iraq, not only the pris- on that the President spoke of as it re- lates to the terror and rape and things of that nature that were going on in that particular prison but including the Secretary of State and Secretary Rumsfeld, he mentioned 18,000 cases that are being heard by the Pentagon a year, 18,000. Well, 18,000 in that par- ticular prison, not 18,000 in the theater of war. One may say, well, if the Secretary steps down, then the terrorists win. I beg to differ. I feel that it will stop ter- rorists from recruiting young men and women to carry out acts of terror
against Americans abroad and here on the homeland. It will show a true com- mitment of the fact that we are taking an about-face on what took place. Some of my colleagues have shared with us that there are six or seven indi- viduals at fault here. I hope that is the case, but I can tell my colleagues that there is a building tide of evidence that proves different. Contractors, we may very well have to bring CEOs of compa- nies before Congress to ask them what role did they have over commanding our American troops. That is dis- turbing in itself, the fact that a whole branch of our military or the Army unit that was over this particular pris- on was not trained for doing what they had to do; the fact that we knew and that the Pentagon was called in mid- January to say this was a big deal, not a little deal but a big deal; the fact that we were not informed. I will tell my colleagues the reason why Congress was not informed was because we would not have tolerated the suppres- sion of this information. At the highest levels of our military, it is very, very important that this in- formation is shared with the American people. At the highest levels of our military, including the Secretary of Defense, it is very important he shares this information. I will tell my colleagues, let us not stand and say things that will stimu- late terrorism. Let us not take one step forward and three steps back. So, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the House continues to move forth. I, for one, feel that Secretary Rumsfeld step- ping down will save American lives and will allow our Pentagon to move for- ward the courts martial that are before it. f ELIMINATE THE ‘‘YES, BUT’’ MENTALITY The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. PENCE). Pursuant to the order of the House of January 20, 2004, the gen- tleman from California (Mr. ISSA) is recognized during morning hour de- bates for 5 minutes. Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I came to the well today because I am starting to hear something that I think the Amer- ican people do not want to hear, and that is, that these terrible things were done by a few individuals in Iraq, but. All too often I am hearing the word ‘‘but’’ creeping in. Mr. Speaker, last night I was listen- ing to Michael Savage. Hundreds of stations around the country carry this man, and he was not just saying ‘‘yes, but.’’ He was saying, well, these people are Muslim; Islam is a religion of war, and we have to understand they have always been involved in war and they only understand violence and they only understand this. This is why Saddam had these torture chambers because that is the only way to make them un- derstand. When I heard that said on national radio, I realized that the ‘‘yes, but’’
May 11, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H
cannot be tolerated here on the House floor or in the other body or on K Street or on the other end of Pennsyl- vania Avenue. Mr. Speaker, I think it is extremely important that we in this body today eliminate that ‘‘yes, but’’ mentality. There is no ‘‘yes.’’ We must be above torture. We must be above violating the Geneva Conventions, but we must understand that these individuals may not be ‘‘conventional combatants.’’ Mr. Speaker, that is not the way America stands for freedom. It is not the way we were brought up. There is no ‘‘but’’ after ‘‘yes.’’ Yes, we will honor the Geneva Con- ventions. Yes, every soldier, sailor and Marine in Iraq, in Guantanamo, in Af- ghanistan and around the world under- stands or should understand that we hold them to a standard that we would want for ourselves, not the standard that the other side may subject us to. No matter what happens anywhere in the world to Americans, not in Soma- lia, not in Iraq, not in Afghanistan and not in the Twin Towers of New York, justifies us treating other human beings in a way differently than we would want to be treated. Mr. Speaker, to me this is the most important message for America to send. Mr. Speaker, I hope in this body, at least from this time forward, there will be no ‘‘but’’ after ‘‘yes.’’ We hold Americans to high standards.
f RHETORIC OF WAR CRUSADE The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the order of the House of Janu- ary 20, 2004, the gentleman from Wash- ington (Mr. MCDERMOTT) is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 min- utes. Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, the previous speakers have talked about the attitude of the American soldier and the American public, and the rhet- oric of war is what really gets us to where we are today in the situation in Iraq. When you dehumanize people, you can then do anything to them. It is my firm belief that this attitude starts at the very top. When we have someone who leads us who says that the leader of the other country is Hit- ler, raising all those images of a Holo- caust and all the rest, or talks about the issues of being on a crusade, which raises all the issues of the various cru- sades that went through the Middle East back in the 11th and 12th century, we realize that the stage is being set psychologically for everyone in this country. I was reading the British press. One of their articles started, ‘‘The media in this country is politely shocked at photos of Iraqis being tortured and hu- miliated by U.S. and British troops. A BBC1 news presenter says the picture seem to have been ‘‘merely memen- tos.’ ’’ Something one would laugh about in the family and then paste in the family album. Now, those young people, and I have been watching the hearings over in the
Senate, the effort to limit this and say it is just seven or eight young people and perhaps a couple of lieutenants up the line but really it is a rogue oper- ation, is simply not true. It runs all the way to the top. The decisions here have to be signed off. Anybody who has been in the mili- tary knows about the chain of com- mand, and somebody does not sign off down at the lieutenant level and not bother to send it up to the captain or to the colonel or to the general. They all go up the line. They have all been signed off, one way or another, or somebody at the top said here is a blank check, do whatever you want, which of course they would deny. They would never say that, but then how do you explain that this behavior went on through this period of time? Another excuse that I hear thrown around here is that, well, they are not as bad as Saddam. Look what Saddam did. Well, since when is our standard Saddam Hussein? That clearly is not the standard by which we operate; but unfortunately, the attitude of the peo- ple who took us into this, the neo-cons in the administration, right next to the President, couple of them, Ken Adelman, Paul Wolfowitz, have spoken of snakes. If you want to talk about Iraqi people as snakes, I guess you can, but you pay a price in your own soul when you think of another human being as a snake or you talk about going over and draining the swamps in uncivilized parts of the world. The Arabs invented arithmetic. They invented the zero. They were some of the earliest astronomers. Do not tell me they have no civilization. But when you start to dehumanize them and put them down at this low, low level, then you send the message out verbally, nonverbally, whether it is in a memo, whether it is in written form, whether it is how you talk to your troops, you are giving permission to do what was done and to take pictures. Now, you do not take pictures of this to take home to your family album. Those pictures were done to humiliate. Everybody says, wait a minute, let me comb my hair before I have my picture taken. Everybody knows what a pic- ture does because it grabs the moment in a way that you cannot change it. So when you take a picture of one of these events, you know what you are doing. You are doing it because somebody told you to do it or somewhere you have got the idea that what you were doing was already one or the other. Either that was an order to take those pictures, or else the atmosphere was such that peo- ple felt that they could take these pic- tures. We have a moment here in this coun- try in which we can examine our own souls and our own hearts about how we let this happen. We all bear responsi- bility for it. Our leadership from the top on down, they always dehumanized. I remember during the Vietnam War, we had a lot of names for people who were from Vietnam, not very nice
names. You would not use them today; and when that starts happening at the top, it goes down and we cannot end with putting seven soldiers in the brig. That will not be justice. f
RECESS The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair declares the House in recess until 2 p.m. Accordingly (at 1 o’clock and 12 min- utes p.m.), the House stood in recess until 2 p.m. f
b 1400
AFTER RECESS The recess having expired, the House was called to order at 2 p.m. f
PRAYER The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, offered the following prayer: In scriptural times, when the psalms were still being written, and their original melodies were being sung, Your people, O Lord, would gather at the city’s gates to hear the news and sort out matters of justice. Lord God, be present in the assembly of the House of Representatives today. Here is the sampling of this Republic. Here the laws of the United States are made. Here is the gate that protects, yet ushers in an understanding of who we are as a Nation and how we interact with others. Where there is vision and no action, it is only a daydream. When there is action and no vision, it is a nightmare. So grant your people wis- dom once again. For we have been warned: ‘‘Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep vigil. It is vain for you to work day and night only to gain immediate satisfaction when the Lord blesses his beloved even while they sleep.’’ Grant us wisdom that we may be Your beloved now and forever. Amen. f
THE JOURNAL The SPEAKER. The Chair has exam- ined the Journal of the last day’s pro- ceedings and announces to the House his approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- nal stands approved. f
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman from Texas (Mr. LAMPSON) come for- ward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. LAMPSON led the Pledge of Alle- giance as follows: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Repub- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
May 11, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H
CLEAN HOUSE (Mr. MCDERMOTT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, the world is watching and waiting. As bad as it is, things will get much worse if the President and the Pentagon con- tinue to hope it will go away. We need new leadership and a new policy right now. Release every photograph and every videotape. Get it all out in the open. America’s only hope for restoring credibility is to demonstrate with its actions, not words, that we will face the truth and punish everyone respon- sible. We have not done that. All these ‘‘I am sorries’’ are not working. Instead, the administration has launched another ill-conceived offen- sive to save one of its own. We can see it on television today as they testify before the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Throw some soldiers over- board and hope the world believes they acted alone. Mr. Speaker, by all accounts, the sol- diers arrived in Iraq as good, decent people. Who thinks that now, either of the soldiers or America? Clean house, from the top down, not just Mr. Rumsfeld. I see them greasing the skids; the President is 1,000 percent behind him. There are some other peo- ple that ought to go with him: Wolfowitz and a few others.
f
JOBS, CAFE AND KERRY
(Mrs. MILLER of Michigan asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, last Friday we received more outstanding news on the economy. In April, 288,000 new jobs were created, and that is on top of the 337,000 jobs created in March. And in April, nearly 10 percent of those jobs were in the manufacturing sector. All of this is great news for America and especially good news for my home State of Michi- gan. With our manufacturing sector com- ing back, we cannot allow JOHN KERRY to enact his unreasonable auto fuel economy standards. According to the United Auto Workers, Senator KERRY’s CAFE proposal would force the Big Three to curtail production of larger vehicles and cause substantial job losses. They have estimated as many as 100,000 jobs. The UAW has said that the proposal would lead to additional outsourcing of jobs. Mr. Speaker, Senator KERRY’s pro- posal would be a disaster for Michigan just at the time our economy is coming back. We must stay on the pro-growth, pro-job path being pursued by Presi- dent Bush and the Republican major- ity, not the job-killing, additional- outsourcing path proposed by Senator KERRY.
b 1415 COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK (Ms. WATSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her re- marks.) Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, Ameri- cans should be confident that they have access to quality health care. So I support the resolution, H.R. 99, pro- moted by the gentleman from Michi- gan (Mr. CONYERS) which gives guid- ance to provide insurance to all Ameri- cans. Over the past 3 years, 3.8 million Americans lost their health insurance and 43 million Americans are now unin- sured. Health insurance premiums have increased almost 50 percent since the beginning of the Bush administration and four times faster than workers’ earnings last year. In a related issue, minority groups often encounter major obstacles in ob- taining health care. Minority groups are less likely to have health insurance and are less likely to receive the appro- priate health care services. The Health Care Equality and Accountability Act of 2003 would go far in lifting the shad- ow of health disparities that fall not only on minority communities but on all Americans. Also, this legislation would make quality health care more affordable, providing coverage for par- ents and young adults who are cur- rently uninsured. f JOBS (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this week the Republican majority here in Congress will begin an 8-week public relations initiative in which they will attempt to draw attention away from their dismal economic record. Instead, House Republicans will do their best to show Americans they are working hard to pass legislation that will put Ameri- cans back to work and ease the eco- nomic concerns of middle-class Ameri- cans. Unfortunately, Republicans are spending more time coming up with names for this new PR effort than ac- tually writing new legislation that might really support their rhetoric. Republicans are desperate to hide the reality that their economic policies have permitted job losses at levels not seen since the Great Depression. If Re- publicans really wanted results, they would join us in a bipartisan effort to pass commonsense measures to create jobs. Unfortunately, all the American people are going to get over the next 8 weeks is more Republican spin. f ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. CULBERSON). Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair will postpone fur- ther proceedings today on motions to
suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered, or on which the vote is objected to under clause 6 of rule XX. Record votes on postponed questions will be taken after 6:30 p.m. today. f TOMOCHICHI UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2523) to designate the United States courthouse located at 125 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia, as the ‘‘Tomochichi United States Court- house’’. The Clerk read as follows: H.R. 2523 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DESIGNATION. The United States courthouse located at 125 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia, shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Tomochichi United States Courthouse’’. SEC. 2. REFERENCES. Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the United States court- house referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Tomochichi United States Courthouse’’. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LATOURETTE) and the gen- tleman from California (Mr. HONDA ) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LATOURETTE ). Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may con- sume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2523 was intro- duced by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. B URNS), a distinguished member of the Subcommittee on Economic Devel- opment, Public Buildings and Emer- gency Management, and it designates the United States courthouse located at 125 Bull Street in Savannah, Geor- gia, as the Tomochichi United States Courthouse. Tomochichi was a Creek Indian lead- er, living in what we now know as the Savannah River basin in the early part of the 18th century. In 1733, when Gen- eral James Oglethorpe arrived leading a group of English settlers at what was to become the new colony of Georgia, they were offered friendship by the Creek chief and assistance in the cre- ation of the new English colony of Sa- vannah. In 1734, Tomochichi traveled with Oglethorpe to England to approve a treaty between the Creek and the English. The friendship between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi endured until Tomochichi’s death in 1739 and is regarded by historians as being the key reason for the survival of the Savannah colony. Tomochichi was laid to rest in what is now Wright Square in the city of Savannah. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution honoring an important person in the history of Savannah.
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Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- self such time as I may consume. H.R. 2523 is a bill to designate the U.S. courthouse located at 125 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia, as the Tomochichi United States Courthouse. The bill was introduced by the gen- tleman from Georgia (Mr. BURNS). In 1650, Chief Tomochichi was born in the small village of Coweta along the Chattahoochee River to the Creek In- dian tribe. While he was the chief of the Yamacraw Indians he became a friend of James Oglethorpe, the English settler and leader of the set- tlers of the fledgling colony in Georgia. He supported Oglethorpe’s plan for a new English colony in Georgia to be called Savannah. Tomochichi was a great warrior, pos- sessing both good judgment and wis- dom. As repayment for his sound ad- vice and trusted friendship, Oglethorpe took Tomochichi, his wife, his nephew. And other Indian chiefs to England for 4 months. When Tomochichi died in 1736, Oglethorpe was one of his pall- bearers. He is buried in Wright Square, the site of the courthouse to be named in his honor. Tomochichi’s actions helped ensure the successful settle- ment of Georgia and earned him a place in Georgian history. His hospi- tality is legendary even today. It is most fitting his contributions to Amer- ican history are honored by this des- ignation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. LA TOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. BURNS ), the author of this resolution. Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his support of this legislation. There are many Members of this body that deserve my State’s apprecia- tion for bringing this long overdue bill to the floor, honoring a great Amer- ican, a great Native American and a great Georgian, Tomochichi. The gen- tleman from Ohio (Mr. LATOURETTE), chairman of the Subcommittee on Eco- nomic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, and sub- committee ranking member, the gen- tlewoman from the District of Colum- bia (Ms. NORTON) were both instru- mental in helping this bill advance quickly to the floor. I thank them for their bipartisan support. The gen- tleman from Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. O BERSTAR) should be credited with moving the legislation swiftly so that we can bring closure to a long overdue need in my State and in my district. I believe unanimous approval by this body to be of particular importance to the nature of this bill. This bill renames the Federal court- house in my district the Tomochichi United States Courthouse. A glance at who this leader was will indicate his
accomplishments and quickly dem- onstrate why his name deserves the eternal respect of his fellow Georgians and Americans. Mr. Speaker, I believe Chief Tomochichi, the Mico, or chief, of the Yamacraw nation to be the cofounder of my State of Georgia. This bill will do much to reawaken the memory of a great man in the hearts of both Geor- gians and all Americans for restoring our honor by recognizing his service to the beginnings of our great Nation. The English general, James Oglethorpe, first launched Savannah on the Savannah River in 1733. He founded the British colony there and he met Tomochichi as he came up the bluff at what is now the city of Savannah. Un- like the tragic history of conflict be- tween settlers and Native Americans in other colonies, Tomochichi brought lifelong friendship to the infant colony, granting the settlers permission to peacefully settle in the Savannah re- gion. Among Savannahians, as has been pointed out, the hospitality that Tomochichi showed these young set- tlers is legendary. But Tomochichi’s gifts to our State were just beginning. Thanks to his diplomatic skills, this Yamacraw leader was instrumental in convincing the other Creek tribes in the immediate vicinity to accept the fledgling colony of Georgia. Without his political leadership, Georgia may well have perished in its infancy, with a hostile Spanish administration in what is now Florida, intent on turning Native Americans against English set- tlers. Tomochichi and his family then trav- eled to England where they met with the King and the Archbishop of Canter- bury. Upon his return to Georgia, Tomochichi successfully lobbied his new neighbors to establish the first missionary school among the Lower Creeks, recognizing that education was the key to the future as these two cul- tures became intertwined. Tomochichi passed away at around 93 years of age on October 5, 1739, at what we used to call the Yamacraw Indian Village, just upstream from Savannah. But before he died, he requested that his body be buried in Savannah among his new friends. He was buried with full military honors in the largest public ceremony of the day, with cannons fir- ing a final salute and his old friend General Oglethorpe serving as a pall- bearer. His body was laid to rest in the center of the city’s main square at the time, later to become Wright Square, with a traditional Indian burial mound atop his grave. A century and a half later in the 1880s, some shortsighted city officials allowed the mound to be removed and another statue placed on the site. Admirers of the great chief- tain responded by placing an inscribed granite boulder in honor of Tomochichi a few feet from his remains, but to this day many believe that we owe our old friend much more. Today this body can help restore the honor and respect due this great Amer-
ican by renaming the Federal court- house in Savannah, Georgia, as the Tomochichi Federal Courthouse. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2523. Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sup- port of H.R. 2523, a bill to designate the United States Courthouse located at 125 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia as the Tomochichi United States Courthouse. Chief Tomochichi was born to the Creek In- dian Tribe in 1650 in the small village of Coweta, along the Chattahoochee River. He became the Chief of the Yamacraw Indians and was integral to the success of the Georgia Colony. Tomochichi enjoyed a reputation as a great warrior who possessed sound judgment and wisdom. In 1773, Chief Tomochichi encoun- tered James Oglethorpe, the English settler who founded the Georgia colony. Tomochichi and the Yamacraw greeted the English set- tlers warmly, and Tomochichi supported Oglethorpe’s plan to settle a new English col- ony in Savannah, Georgia. He aided the plans for the settlement and smoothed relations with the Creek and other nearby Indian Tribes. Tomochichi also warned Oglethorpe about un- friendly tribes. As repayment for his advice and good counsel, Oglethorpe took Tomochichi, his wife, his nephew, and other Indian Chiefs to England where they stayed for four months. When Tomochichi died in 1739, he was bur- ied at Wright Square in downtown Savannah. Oglethorpe served as one of the pallbearers and gave Tomochichi full military honors at his funeral. The Federal courthouse to be named in Tomochichi’s honor is located in this same square. Tomochichi’s friendship with the English set- tlers helped the Georgia colony develop in peace, and his hospitality is legendary even today. It is most fitting that his contributions to Georgia and to American history are honored by this designation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2523. Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this important res- olution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. L ATOURETTE) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2523. The question was taken; and (two- thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. f
GENERAL LEAVE Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Mem- bers may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their re- marks on H.R. 2523. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gen- tleman from Ohio? There was no objection.
H2744 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 11, 2004
Whereas according to the recent General Accounting Office Report entitled ‘‘Oper- ation Iraqi Freedom: Long-standing Prob- lems Hampering Mail Delivery Need to be Resolved,’’ many of the same problems that plagued the military postal system during Operation Desert Storm have continued unabated and are now being experienced in Operation Iraqi Freedom, more than 12 years later; Whereas according to the same General Ac- counting Office report, the Department of Defense does not have the ability to ade- quately assess the timeliness of mail and election ballot delivery because it does not have a reliable, accurate system in place; Whereas according to the same General Ac- counting Office report, more than half of sampled members of the Armed Forces were dissatisfied with mail delivery, many wait- ing 4 weeks or longer to receive mail; Whereas recent samplings of mail intended for deployed members of the Armed Forces shows that a percentage far exceeding the standard set for domestic mail is ‘‘Undeliver- able as Addressed’’ and indicates that a large portion of our deployed troops are not re- ceiving their mail; Whereas the Military Postal Service Agen- cy does not have the authority to formulate and effectively implement a joint service so- lution to the mail problems in the Iraq The- atre and the Department of Defense has not appointed a single agency to address mili- tary postal matters; Whereas the recent court action in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which granted the government’s request to extend Pennsylva- nia’s deadline for receipt of ballots from qualified overseas voters, correctly recog- nizes that mail operations can significantly impact voting rights and, in addition, is suf- ficient forewarning that the military mail system needs to be resolved before the next election; and Whereas for at least 52 years, reformers have been attempting to improve the ability of the members of our Armed Forces to vote, as evidenced by a letter from President Harry S. Truman to Congress, dated from 1952, which clearly echoes the challenges we face: ‘‘Many of those in uniform are serving overseas, or in parts of the country distant from their homes. They are unable to return to their States either to register or to vote. Yet these men and women who are serving their country and in many cases risking their lives, deserve above all others to exer- cise the right to vote in this election year. At a time when these young people are de- fending our country and its free institutions, the least we at home can do is to make sure that they are able to enjoy the rights they are being asked to fight to preserve.’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of House of Representatives that— (1) it is in the interest of the United States to immediately resolve long-standing mili- tary mail delivery problems so that our troops may receive mail from their families when they most need it; (2) it is in the interest of the United States to immediately resolve long-standing mili- tary mail delivery problems so that our troops are not disenfranchised in the 2004 election; (3) the Secretary of Defense should estab- lish a system that expedites the delivery of election ballots to the members of our Armed Forces so that they may be counted in the election; (4) the Secretary of Defense should estab- lish a system that accurately tracks mili- tary postal transit times; and (5) the House of Representatives stands ready to assist in resolving these issues.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. CULBERSON). Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. FORBES ) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. BORDALLO) each will control 20 min- utes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. FORBES). GENERAL LEAVE Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their re- marks on the resolution under consid- eration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gen- tleman from Virginia? There was no objection. Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in the face of insurgencies in Fallujah and other hot spots in Iraq, what is it that keeps our soldiers fighting for freedom and de- mocracy? In addition to the trials of war, our soldiers in Iraq wake up with the same problems every other American has. Their lives at home did not stop when they received their orders to ship out. They are mothers and fathers. They have elderly parents to care for. They have bills to pay and college edu- cations to worry about for their chil- dren. These soldiers are concerned about how their children are doing in school. They wonder what the score of the last Little League game was, and they question whether they can make that car payment, just like many of us. Only they do all this halfway around the world in a combat zone. And yet day after day, month after month, our service members wake up, put on their uniform, and they dili- gently do their duty. Every day they make this sacrifice, knowing they are risking their lives to protect our free- doms and spread democracy. The rea- son they do this is because they know they are building a safer Iraq and, sim- ply put, a safer Iraq means a safer America for their families. Ask these soldiers what they look forward to the most and what keeps them steadfast, and they will tell us it is news from home. It is the news from a graduation they were unable to at- tend, an update on a sick friend, a baby picture of their child’s first step. Yet many are not getting this news or are getting it far after it was mailed by their loved ones. A General Accounting Office report received last month found that of a survey of over 100 service members in Iraq, more than half re- ported they were dissatisfied with mail delivery. The report, issued in response to over 300 congressional and White House in- quiries, also found the same problems that plagued the military postal sys- tem during Operation Desert Storm have continued unabated and are now being experienced in Operation Iraqi Freedom, more than 12 years later. The Department of Defense does not have the ability to adequately assess
the timeliness of mail and election bal- lot delivery because it does not yet have a reliable, accurate system in place. More than half of sampled members of the Armed Forces were dissatisfied with mail delivery, many waiting 4 weeks or longer to receive mail. The Military Postal Service Agency does not have the authority to formu- late and effectively manipulate and im- plement a joint service solution to the mail problems in the Iraq Theater, and the Department of Defense has not ap- pointed a single agency to address all of these military postal matters. This is just unacceptable at this time. The very least we should be able to offer those soldiers fighting for de- mocracy is the comfort of a note from those waiting at home. Mail that is de- layed for long periods of time, or not delivered at all, negatively affects the morale of not only our deployed forces but also their families at home. Chil- dren at home need to hear why Mommy or Daddy is so far away. Husbands and wives need to hear of each others’ love and support. The American public needs to hear the true stories of what we are doing in Iraq. It is now, while resolve against terrorism is being test- ed, that our deployed troops are in most need of mail from their loved ones. This is not just a morale problem, however. November is coming and in less than 7 months, ballots for the gen- eral election will be mailed out all over the country to our troops all over the world. If we fail to take action, we will again see the voting problems of the 2000 election. Our men and women on the front lines have unquestionably earned the right to express their views on the direction our Nation should take this November. They should have the same confidence of any other American that their ballot will reach the ballot box. It would be an enor- mous disservice to fail to count the voices of the very individuals fighting for democracy. This is not a new problem. We saw it in Operation Desert Storm. It was evi- dent early in the war in Iraq, and we are seeing it now. It is vitally impor- tant to the success of our mission and to the strength of our democracy that we correct this problem. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 608 seeks to do the following: call on the Department of Defense to immediately address the longstanding military mail delivery problems by implementing a joint task force to resolve the problem; recommend that the Secretary of De- fense establish a system to expedite military ballots for the November 2004, election; call on the Secretary of De- fense to establish a system to accu- rately track military postal transit times. There are three important reasons why we need to pass this resolution today. First, we need to send a message to the Pentagon that it is time to take
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care of this problem. The problem has existed for 52 years, and we need to send a message that we need to fix it today. Second, our troops in Iraq need to know that we think that it is impor- tant that they get their mail and equally important that their family members know that we care about their loved ones and that they get their mail. And third, we need to make cer- tain that our electoral system is not just for Americans who happen to be near the ballot box, but that our troops on the front lines deserve to vote as much as any other American. To guarantee that our military men and women in Iraq receive their mail will require shifting priorities. It will require the dedicated cooperation and swift action of many. But if we can root out Saddam Hussein, if we can re- build a nation of terror into a nation of freedom, then we can get the troops the news they need from home. It is up to the Department of Defense to fix this longstanding problem, but we stand ready to help. We stand behind our troops and behind our military families, and we stand ready to help them stay the course. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 608 introduced by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. FORBES). I would like to recognize the gentleman for his work and interest in ensuring that our mili- tary service members stationed over- seas are afforded the right to vote. I would also like to take this oppor- tunity to recognize the gentlwoman from New York (Mrs. MALONEY) and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DELAURO ), who joined with me in cosponsoring House Resolution 608. The postal service is an integral part of the American existence and something that we often take for granted. To the men and women in uniform serving overseas, however, it is a vital connec- tion to home, and they treasure the ability to send and receive packages and letters. This resolution, Mr. Speaker, draws attention to the continuing problem of ensuring that members of the Armed Forces stationed overseas have access to mail and that they will be able to send in their election ballots in a time- ly manner. It would be a real shame if our servicemen and women who are fighting to bring democracy to places like Afghanistan and Haiti were them- selves denied the opportunity to cast their own vote in November due to a postal delay. The 2000 Presidential election brought to the Nation’s attention the voting barriers that service members and other Americans stationed or liv- ing overseas face in the electoral proc- ess. Service members living and de- ployed abroad often find it difficult to exercise their right to vote. Problems with mail delivery, requirements for valid ballots, and just obtaining infor-
mation is a serious challenge, particu- larly for those who may be deployed on a submarine for 6 months or are sta- tioned in remote areas around the world. To ensure that voting rights of serv- ice members and Americans serving and living abroad were protected, Con- gress implemented a number of im- provements to the voting process sev- eral years ago. The law was changed to improve the system and enhance the opportunity for overseas service mem- bers to participate in the electoral process. For example, clarification was provided on voting assistance pro- grams; annual reviews of the effective- ness and compliance by the Depart- ment of Defense Inspector General are required; the importance of voting as- sistance officers was stressed; military personnel have been afforded guaran- teed residency; voter registration and absentee ballot application procedures were simplified; and authority for serv- ice members to use a single application for all subsequent elections was pro- vided. However, Mr. Speaker, this year’s an- nual review by the Department of De- fense Inspector General found that while improvements have been made, opportunities exist to improve the DOD voting assistance program. The IG found that the Services need to con- tinue to provide command emphasis and improve oversight of the program, as problems still remain. The General Accounting Office, or more commonly referred to as GAO, also recently conducted a review of the mail delivery to troops serving in Oper- ation Iraqi Freedom and found that while some improvements have been made, many, many of the same dif- ficulties the mail system faced during the first Gulf War, over a decade ago, still exist today. For example, GAO found that problems still exist in con- ducting joint service mail operations and that inadequate training and late deployments, as well as inadequate postal facilities, equipment, and trans- portation, have had an adverse impact on the delivery of mail. My constitu- ents often have particular difficulty getting mail delivered as the regular service to Guam is lengthy and erratic. In the field there is often confusion as to whether Guam is included in domes- tic mail rates, which of course it is. I had one soldier e-mail me from Iraq, telling me he was made to pay for postage while everyone else was able to mail for free. These are the kinds of in- consistencies that the military postal service should examine and rectify. While challenges still remain for overseas and military voters, it is in- teresting to note that absentee service members consistently vote at a higher rate than those eligible in the United States. However, it is vitally impor- tant that we ensure that those who vol- unteer to serve our Nation in uniform are able to exercise one of their most basic rights, and that, Mr. Speaker, is the right to vote.
As a member of the Total Force Sub- committee, I also want to reassure my colleagues that the subcommittee shares the concerns that are raised in this resolution, and we will address these issues in the defense authoriza- tion that will be marked up tomorrow. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her work on this resolution and her support today. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. HEFLEY), the distin- guished chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Committee on Armed Services. Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. F ORBES) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 608. Few things boast morale in a war zone more than receiving a card, a letter, or a care package from a loved one from back home. And, unfortunately, as more and more men and women in uniform are deployed in support of operations in Af- ghanistan and Iraqi Freedom, we are hearing countless stories of delays in service members receiving their mail. On March 24 of this year, the General Accounting Office testified that some of the problems that existed during Op- eration Desert Storm in 1991 are occur- ring now in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ac- cording to the GAO, the current sys- tem of delivering mail to service mem- bers relies on outmoded and labor-in- tensive manual sorting processes that result in undue delays. Furthermore, the Department of Defense is unable to track mail and determine the timeli- ness of deliveries. And since we have known of the problem for so long and we have not gotten it fixed, it tells me that it is not a very high priority of the Department of Defense; and I think that is what this resolution does, is tell the Department of Defense we think this is important and it ought to be a higher priority. Compounding this situation is the issue of service members serving in war zones that are not able to vote, and we have heard other speakers before me talk about this, but it is serious and it is important. Currently 29 States re- quire absentee ballots to be mailed and returned to the U.S. Postal Service. Since these service members will not be able to utilize fax machines or the Internet to send their ballots, and given the delays in the Department of Defense’s mail service, there is a real possibility of a repeat of the military absentee ballot fiasco of the 2000 gen- eral election. The potential disenfran- chisement of military voters is simply unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 608 would require the Secretary of Defense to establish a system that expedites the delivery of election ballots to members of the Armed Forces.
May 11, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. MILLER) and the gen- tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentle- woman from Michigan (Mrs. MILLER). GENERAL LEAVE Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3939. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentle- woman from Michigan? There was no objection. Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
- This legislation is naming a post office in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, after Officer Mary Ann Collura. She was the first woman to serve as an officer in the Fair Lawn Police Department. H.R. 3939 fittingly honors the tremendous service of an individual fallen peace of- ficer. Officer Collura was an outstanding 18-year veteran of the Fair Lawn Police Department and a respected commu- nity role model. On April 17, 2003, Offi- cer Collura was called in to back up fellow officers involved in a chase with three young men in a car. The chase fa- tally ended outside a Fair Lawn church as one of the men shot Officer Collura in the chest after she pursued the men on foot. The assailant then stole Offi- cer Collura’s patrol car and drove over her body as he made his escape. Mr. Speaker, everyone in the Fair Lawn area who knew Officer Collura knew she served her community with the highest esteem. Earlier this spring, as steps were being taken to ensure a proper memorial for Officer Collura, the local journal, the Fair Lawn News, quoted a local resident who emotion- ally said, ‘‘I knew her. She was supe- rior as an officer and as a person.’’ Mr. Speaker, Officer Collura’s heart- breaking story even attracted Presi- dent Bush’s attention. At the Peace Of- ficers’ Memorial Day Service outside this Capitol last year on May 15, the President mentioned Officer Collura as a law enforcement officer who trag- ically lost her life in the past year. The President cited a quote from one of Officer Collura’s fellow officers, who later said about her, ‘‘There are prob- ably 100 cops like this who did every- thing right and still have their names on the wall,’’ of the National Law En- forcement Memorial. The Officer went on to say, ‘‘You put your faith in the hands of God every day when you go out there.’’ Mr. Speaker, the wicked events of April 17, 2003, remind all of us of the dangers of police work. Officers of the peace, like Mary Ann Collura, earn our perpetual respect each and every day for their brave efforts to protect all of us.
This post office naming will post- humously commemorate Officer Mary Ann Collura’s service to our Nation. Unquestionably, this is a highly war- ranted honor, and I strongly urge all Members to support the bill’s passage. Mr. Speaker, I commend the distin- guished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. ROTHMAN) for his meaningful work on H.R. 3939. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may con- sume. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in con- sideration of H.R. 3939, legislation naming the postal facility in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, after Mary Ann Collura. This measure was introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. ROTHMAN) on March 11, 2004, and unanimously reported by our com- mittee on April 1, 2004. It enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire New Jersey delegation. Officer Mary Ann Collura was a dedi- cated police officer, a woman who made a difference in her hometown of Fair Lawn, New Jersey. According to news accounts, Mary Ann had wanted to become a police officer since junior high school. She was 25 when she joined the force, and served for 18 years until her tragic death. On April 17, 2003, Officer Collura was fatally shot while helping a fellow offi- cer arrest three suspects after a car chase. Officer Collura was an active and de- voted member of the Fair Lawn Police Department. She loved her work and looked forward to helping those in need. Designating the post office in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, is an excellent way to honor the memory of Officer Mary Ann Collura. Mr. Speaker, I commend my col- league for sponsoring this measure and urge swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE). Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, May 15, nearly 20,000 peace officers are expected to gather in Washington D.C. to honor their fallen comrades for National Peace Officers Memorial Day. In keeping with this sentiment today, this body will pay tribute to one of the 166 police officers killed annually in the line of duty. By redesignating the Fair Lawn post office as the Mary Ann Collura Post Of- fice Building, we honor the life of Offi- cer Mary Ann Collura and the extraor- dinary sacrifice she made to protect her community. I would like to thank my esteemed colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. ROTHMAN), for introducing this legislation. This legislation has special significance for me because Of- ficer Collura was the aunt of my cam- paign manager, Scott Snyder. After
having had the opportunity to hear Scott speak about his aunt, I have greater appreciation for this extraor- dinary woman and how tragic it is she has been taken from this world far too soon. Though I have never had the oppor- tunity to meet her, I am humbled by the remarkable life she led. One family member remarked to me, ‘‘Mary Ann was a 6-foot tall female cop who loved motorcycles and taught me how to throw a baseball. But when I look in the mirror and see our resemblance, I can’t help but judge myself against her standards, knowing that if I come close, that means I have achieved something great with my own life.’’ Through the thousands of stories that have been told about her deeds and personality, the one ringing truth is that she represented a person we all long to be. She was the kind of warm person that could light up faces with a smile, the virtuous type that viewed everyone around her as a potential friend, and the forgiving type of person that can truly see the best in the worst of us. She accomplished this without even knowing, without the official commitment or the sacred vows. She lived from her heart. Over the course of her career, Officer Collura had received numerous re- wards, including a departmental Meri- torious Service Award and the Hacken- sack University Medical Center EMS Excellence Award for her life-saving skills. Furthermore, she had received numerous commendation letters from the community for her prompt, cour- teous, and thoughtful service. After dutifully serving for 18 years on the Fair Lawn Police Department, Offi- cer Collura was fatally shot on April 17, 2003, in the line of duty. She was only 43 years old. Mary Ann did not begin a life of aid- ing others when she became a police of- ficer. She became a police officer so she could make a living doing what she really had already done, being our pro- tector. For those who knew her, Mary Ann lived by her own rules; and though her death tore deep in the hearts of so many people who continue to grieve, it was her way: on the job, protecting her fellow officers and protecting all of us. Thanks to the courageous acts of people like Officer Mary Ann Collura, countless Americans can go about their daily lives in a freer and safer society. Police Officer Collura’s tragic death should serve as a reminder to all of us how fortunate we are to have such he- roic individuals looking over us. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the Ninth District of New Jersey (Mr. ROTHMAN), the author of this leg- islation. (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his re- marks.) Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yield- ing me time. I thank our chairman, the
H2748 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 11, 2004
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS), and I thank our ranking mem- ber, the gentleman from California (Mr. WAXMAN), for moving this bill so expeditiously through the House. And I thank our fellow Senators from the other body for their cosponsoring of my legislation in that body as well. I rise in support of H.R. 3939, a bill to rename the main post office in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, the town I live in, within my district, as the Mary Ann Collura Post Office. It has been a year since we lost Mary Ann, who served on the Fair Lawn Po- lice Force for 18 years. She was the first female police officer in Fair Lawn history. She was killed in the line of duty on April 17, 2003. Mary Ann was backing up another police officer from the district of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. PASCRELL), Steven Farrell, who was in the course of arresting three men charged with robbery following a car chase that ended outside a church in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
b 1500 It was at that point that Officer Farrell was wounded and Officer Collura was fatally wounded. Throughout her life, as the gen- tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) so eloquently said, Mary Ann embodied what is best about the people in our communities in New Jersey, and per- haps in all of America. She was kind, she was generous, she was courageous, she was a pioneer, and she was a person who truly cared about her community. She was the kind of a police officer who all the kids in the school system knew they could go to if they had a problem, especially a problem that they felt un- comfortable talking to their teachers or their parents about. She was a pio- neer. She grew up always wanting to be a police officer, and when she got sworn in, it was the happiest, most proud day of her life. There was no ob- stacle that would stand in her way. She was going to protect the people of Fair Lawn, New Jersey. She had this special desire, among many other things, innovations of hers, to protect kids during Halloween. So she spearheaded the effort to give each child in Fair Lawn, New Jersey a glow stick so that while they were walking through the streets trick-or-treating, they could be seen by people driving their cars and perhaps their parents following somewhat behind since, of course, it is very embarrassing, as my children say, to be walking with your own children, or have your own parents walking with you. That led, as a mat- ter of fact, to my reintroducing a bill to move daylight savings time one week later after Halloween so that kids could trick-or-treat in an extra hour of daylight. But it was Mary Ann’s love for her community and love for those children that put forth that particular effort and made her a mentor, a mentor to young police officers, men and women, who saw her as a true leader.
She loved motorcycles, and the day after her memorial service, 2,500 police officers, and others, 2,500 motorcyclists rode through Fair Lawn, New Jersey in honor of Mary Ann Collura. It was a sight to behold. To commemorate the life of Mary Ann Collura and her outstanding serv- ice to the people of the community of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, I introduced legislation to rename the Fair Lawn Post Office the Mary Ann Collura Post Office at Fair Lawn, New Jersey, so that when future generations who never had the privilege of knowing her or never read the stories about her, when a child walks into the post office in the future with their mom or their dad, they would say, Mommy or Daddy, why is this plaque here? Who was Mary Ann Collura? And then the story of Mary Ann Collura, her bravery, her great service to the people of Fair Lawn would be retold from generation to generation and onward ever forward, because she truly was a great role model, not just for young women, but for everyone. As we come together to celebrate Na- tional Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day this Thursday, we remember that in life and death, Mary Ann Collura and so many other fallen officers remind us of a difference that one person can make in making this world a safer and better place. We know that Mary Ann is looking down upon us from heaven, and that while Fair Lawn and the people of Fair Lawn may have lost one of their bravest pro- tectors, they have gained and the world has gained another angel. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this piece of legislation, and I know that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. PASCRELL ) joins with me and will have some remarks as well. Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at this time, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. PASCRELL) from the Eighth District. Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in very strong support of H.R. 3939. This bill is to redesignate a postal facility in Fair Lawn, New Jersey in honor of Mary Ann Collura, a wonderful, wonderful woman who I knew personally, a brave officer who was shot down in the line of duty while protecting her hometown and coming to the assistance of an- other police officer from another town. She was in every sense of the word a first responder all the time, every day. I want to congratulate my neigh- boring Congressman, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. ROTHMAN), on moving this forward. Mary Ann Collura defied the odds. She lived her dream by becoming Fair Lawn’s first female law enforcement
officer. She set her mind to doing it, and she did it. Officer Collura was a credit to her community, partly because she broke the mold by becoming that first female police officer, and partly because she served an impressive 18 years. But her greatest quality was her attachment and proven dedication to the commu- nity of Fair Lawn. She grew up there. She knew that community, and she loved it, and they loved her. No citizen can ask for more from their commu- nity police officers. This was a woman whose service was not restricted by the hours that she worked. When Mary Ann Collura was in Fair Lawn, on duty or not on duty, the public could depend on her vigilance. Many in my town of Patterson knew all about how she cared. We even called her ‘‘Ma.’’ Some of my favorite stories about Mary Ann’s heroism revolve around her willingness to face fires. Though she was not a firefighter, Mary Ann had that firefighter instinct, was never hesitant to enter a burning building in order to protect her community. She once saved an elderly woman that was trapped in a burning house following a cooking accident. On April 17, 2003, the day Mary Ann was killed, she was assisting an officer from Clifton, New Jersey, police officer Steven Farrell. Once the apprehended suspect left the district and reached Fair Lawn, the suspect abandoned his car and started to run by foot. Officer Farrell and Officer Collura attempted to pursue and arrest the suspect. Four shots were fired, both officers were shot, but it was Officer Collura who suffered fatal wounds. Mary Ann Collura’s story is hum- bling. I will never forget the help that she lent to Officer Farrell and the Clif- ton Police Department. Officer Collura made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety of her loving community, and it is for this that we honor her. Naming a post office after Officer Collura is only a small token of our deep appreciation. It is my hope that the redesignation will provide that her name and inspiring story will always be remembered. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to pass this fitting tribute to Officer Collura. As the story that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. ROTHMAN) shared with me earlier this afternoon, someday in the future, that little child will be walking past this Post Office with his parents and will ask, what is that name all about, and the parents will know and will tell the story of Mary Ann Collura. God bless her and her family, and God bless this Congress. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is clear from the comments of my colleagues from New Jersey that Mary Ann Collura is indeed a legend in her community and surrounding areas. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
H2750 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 11, 2004
He has built the capacity of the insti- tution both physically and intellectu- ally. UTPA is one of the most beautiful and well-equipped campuses in the State of Texas, and it is on the cutting edge in new research and technologies. As UTPA has matured, so has south Texas. This is a dynamic region with dramatic growth in population and jobs in all areas of economic activity; and UTPA, with Dr. Nevarez as the univer- sity president, is at the center of it all. This is his legacy. Furthermore, Dr. Nevarez has been the longest-serving Hispanic president of a college or university. He was one of the pioneers that paved the way for Federal support for Hispanic-serving institutions. His leadership and advo- cacy on behalf of HSIs helped create a specific designation in the 1998 higher education reauthorization. This des- ignation has resulted in increased Fed- eral funding by all Federal agencies for HSIs nationwide. These colleges and universities open the doors of higher education to half of the Latinos at- tending college in the country. Dr. Nevarez’s leadership has laid the foundation for the educational ad- vancement of the fastest-growing, larg- est minority group in the country, His- panic Americans. Raising the level of educational attainment for the His- panic community is of paramount im- portance to our future security and prosperity. I want to also acknowledge and rec- ognize Dr. Nevarez’s family. First, his beautiful wife Blanca Medina Nevarez who has been a very loving and strong supporter of her husband. Second, I have seen his three children, Miguel III, Annette and Marc, who have had to share their father with so many people. His duties and responsibilities may have kept him from participating in some important family gatherings, but rest assured that his family’s sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. I thank them for supporting Miguel’s efforts. I am happy for my friend. He has earned his retirement. He has given so much of himself to the great State of Texas, to the Hispanic community, and to our great Nation. His efforts and his accomplishments will long be remem- bered. The post office in Edinburg, Texas, an all-American city, shall bear the name of Dr. Miguel A. Nevarez. He is ready to pass the mantle of leader- ship for UTPA and south Texas as we move into the 21st century; and thanks to him, we are ready. Que Dios le bendiga! May God bless you. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DOGGETT), a represent- ative from the 10th Congressional Dis- trict of Texas. Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Though we honor the life’s work of Dr. Miguel Nevarez by designating a post office with his name, his real leg-
acy is reflected in the lives and the ca- reers of the students that he has helped for over a quarter of a century with his leadership and service, mostly as presi- dent of UT Pan American. Dr. Nevarez is the first Hispanic president of UT Pan Am and the long- est seated Hispanic president of any four-year institution of higher learn- ing. He has a total of over 30 years of service to UT Pan Am, including his tenure as a professor in the education department, associate dean of men, vice president for student and univer- sity affairs and, of course, as president and leader of the university. Dr. Nevarez has repeatedly been rec- ognized for his leadership, including being named one of the ‘‘100 Most Influ- ential Hispanics in America’’ and as one of the ‘‘ 50 Most Influential His- panics in Business Technology.’’ His commitment to education has fun- damentally and forever changed not only the Rio Grande Valley but else- where across our Nation as UT Pan Am graduates have assumed positions of leadership. It is not surprising to any of us who have worked with Dr. Nevarez that, after a much-deserved sabbatical, he will be returning to work with Dr. Velma Menchaca and the outstanding faculty of the Department of Edu- cational Leadership. There, he will re- turn to teaching, and he will be work- ing primarily with the doctoral and master’s programs involving higher education, organizational behavior and organizational management, programs that came into being through his lead- ership as the president at UT Pan American. Just as the commencements that we are celebrating across America rep- resent both an end and a beginning, so does this announcement by Dr. Nevarez. The opportunity is there for us to step up to the challenge of giving students all the education for which each is willing to work. We can honor this legacy of Dr. Nevarez not only by the quite appropriate naming of a post office down the street in his honor, but by giving our public institutions of higher learning the financial support that they need to do the job to which he has dedicated his life, and particu- larly, in preparing our students for quality jobs upon graduation, by giving them the financial assistance that they deserve. With the overwhelming majority of students at UT Pan American quali- fying for student financial assistance, but with too many unable to receive the assistance that they need at cur- rent funding levels, it would be par- ticularly appropriate to honor Dr. Nevarez with the further tribute of ex- tending and expanding that financial assistance. I believe that we must dou- ble the maximum amount of Pell Grants in order to achieve that objec- tive. Dr. Nevarez already has the grateful thanks of a community that he has served for decades. Today, as we des-
ignate this post office with his name, this body, the United States Congress, affirms our gratitude for his life’s work in service, not just to the Rio Grande Valley but to our entire Nation in de- veloping the leaders who will guide our country in the future. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. RODRIGUEZ). Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity also to rise on behalf of the Texas delegation and congratulate the gentleman from Texas (Mr. HINOJOSA) and the gen- tleman from Texas (Mr. DOGGETT ) on these efforts. Let me share with my colleagues that H.R. 4299, which designates the fa- cility of the United States Post Office that will be located at 410 South Jack- son Road in Edinburg, Texas, as the Dr. Miguel A. Nevarez Post Office Build- ing, is fitting and proper. Let me just say that I had the oppor- tunity to serve in the Texas House for 11 years in the higher education com- mittee; and during that period of time, I had the opportunity to work with the doctor there, and there is no doubt that his tenacity, his perseverance, and his dedication were displayed. I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate him on the efforts not only at Pan Am but in higher edu- cation throughout Texas. During that period of time, we have found ourselves in Texas in the crossroads of lacking a lot of resources, and one way was to start capping enrollment and was to begin to expand the opportunities for south Texas; and I know Dr. Nevarez was there for us as a whole, making sure that those opportunities were there. When we started to sue the State of Texas during that time, he was there to make sure that we followed through; and the results of those efforts resulted in a piece of legislation that allowed opportunities for the expansion not only at Texas Pan Am but also the 4- year institution at Brownsfield, the 4- year institution at Downtown San An- tonio, the 4-year institution at Corpus Christi, the 4-year institution at La- redo, the expansion at A&I in Kingsville and others. b 1530 And he played a significant role in those efforts. So I rise today in support of the nam- ing of the United States Post Office for Dr. Miguel Nevarez and to congratulate his service. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may con- sume to advise my colleague that I have no further requests for time. I would simply congratulate the gen- tleman for his introduction of the bill and urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
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I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 4299. I also understand that Dr. Nevarez will actually be an honoree at a dinner reception on Fri- day night in McAllen, Texas. And cer- tainly on behalf of all the Members of this body, I want to thank and wish Dr. Nevarez the very best in his retire- ment, and I specifically want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. HINOJOSA) for introducing this legisla- tion. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. P UTNAM ). The question is on the mo- tion offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. MILLER) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4299. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of those present have voted in the affirm- ative. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair’s prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
f
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF PEACE OFFICERS ME- MORIAL DAY Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res.
- supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. The Clerk read as follows: H. R ES. 622 Whereas the well-being of all people of the United States is preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance and dedication of law enforcement personnel; Whereas more than 957,500 law enforcement personnel, the highest amount ever in the United States, serve their fellow citizens as guardians of peace; Whereas peace officers are on the front line in preserving the right of the children of the United States to receive an education in a crime-free environment, a right that is all too often threatened by the insidious fear caused by violence in schools; Whereas 145 peace officers across the Na- tion were killed in the line of duty during 2003, well below the decade-long average of 166 deaths annually, and a major drop from 2001 when 230 officers were killed, including 72 officers in the September 11th terrorist at- tacks; Whereas every year, 1 out of every 9 peace officers is assaulted, 1 out of every 25 peace officers is injured, and 1 out of every 4, peace officers is killed in the line of duty; Whereas section 136 of title 36, United States Code, requests that the President issue each year a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of Federal, State, and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty; and Whereas on May 15, 2004, more than 20, peace officers are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. to join with the families of their recently fallen comrades to honor those comrades and all others who went be- fore them: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representa- tives— (1) supports the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local peace officers killed or dis- abled in the line of duty; and (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe such a day with appro- priate ceremonies and respect. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. MILLER) and the gen- tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentle- woman from Michigan (Mrs. MILLER). GENERAL LEAVE Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extra- neous material on H. Res. 622, the reso- lution under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentle- woman from Michigan? There was no objection. Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 622 supports the goals and the ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day. This Sat- urday, May 15, is Peace Officers Memo- rial Day, a day that serves as an impor- tant remembrance of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials who were killed or disabled in the line of duty during the past year. According to the text of the resolu- tion, 145 peace officers were killed dur- ing 2003. Mr. Speaker, remarkably, nearly 1 million Americans serve their country in some law enforcement ca- pacity today. Their daily professions remain inherently dangerous, therefore all Americans must recognize and cher- ish their contributions to our liberty and to our security. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Police Week, which occurs each year during the calendar week in which Peace Officers Memorial Day falls. Thousands of law enforcement per- sonnel and their families will attend several events in the Washington, D.C. area during this week, culminating with the 23rd annual National Peace Officers Memorial Day services at noon on Saturday, May 15, at the west front of this revered building, the United States Capitol building. We all owe our Nation’s peace offi- cers a tremendous debt of gratitude for their commitment to the safety of every citizen. Therefore, today, I am pleased the House is considering House Resolution 622 during this meaningful and somber week for those who defend our homeland. Mr. Speaker, I highly commend the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. HEFLEY) for shepherding House Resolution 622 to the floor today. Primarily, I wish to thank him for his work to recognize the sacrifices of the men and women of American law enforcement.
This is a solemn piece of legislation, and I encourage every Member of the House to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may con- sume. Mr. Speaker, each day, police officers nobly protect our families, friends, and neighbors from crime. While it is im- possible to suitably thank these brave Americans for the tremendous sac- rifices they make, we pause to salute them for their courage, dedication, and service, and to pay our respects to those who have fallen in the line of duty. Peace officers work to improve the quality of life for all of us. For that, they deserve our sincere apprecia- tion and our respect. Every year, one out of every nine peace officers is assaulted, one out of every 25 is injured, and one out of every 4,400 is killed. In the last year alone, 145 police officers were killed in the line of duty. And while this number reflects a decrease in officers killed, each death is a tragedy and a loss to the community, and especially to the families. Sergeant Philip J. O’Reilly of Chi- cago was killed in an automobile acci- dent while on patrol at 5 a.m. Sunday, March 16, 2003. Sergeant O’Reilly was assigned to the Foster Avenue Police District and had been with the Chicago Police Department for 16 years. He is survived by his wife, six children, and seven siblings. Sergeant O’Reilly’s fellow officers re- member him as a devoted officer, a tre- mendous father, and a great man. It is our duty as Americans to honor the service of men and women like Ser- geant O’Reilly who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may all sleep a lit- tle easier at night knowing that our community and our world is a safer place. On Saturday, May 20, Sergeant O’Reilly’s name will be among the 362 fallen officers who will be officially added to a memorial at a candlelight vigil. I support the goals and ideals of Police Officers Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local peace officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. And I call upon the people of the United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and re- spect. You can never give more than your life, and these men and women give the very best of what they have. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colo- rado (Mr. HEFLEY), the sponsor of this resolution. Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS) for pushing this through in time for the actual me- morial.
May 11, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H
recognizing and honoring the tenth an- niversary of Vietnam Human Rights Day. The Clerk read as follows: H. R ES. 613 Whereas May 11, 2004, is the 14th anniver- sary of the issuance of the Manifesto of the Non-Violent Movement for Human Rights in Vietnam and the tenth anniversary of Viet- nam Human Rights Day, as designated on May 11, 1994, by Public Law 103–258; Whereas Vietnam Human Rights Day rec- ognizes the important contributions of the author of the Manifesto, Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, and uncounted numbers of innocent Vi- etnamese, including religious leaders and ethnic minorities who have been tortured, imprisoned, or held under house arrest by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam because of their nonviolent struggle for freedom and human rights; Whereas the Manifesto, which calls upon Hanoi to respect basic human rights, accept a multiparty system, and restore the right of the Vietnamese people to choose their own form of government through free and fair elections, reflects the will and aspirations of the people of Vietnam; Whereas the leaders of the Socialist Repub- lic of Vietnam are expanding diplomatic and trade relations with the rest of the world; and Whereas the United States, as leader of the free world, has a special responsibility to safeguard freedom and promote the protec- tion of human rights throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representa- tives— (1) honors and recognizes the 10th anniver- sary of Vietnam Human Rights Day; (2) supports the designation of a ‘‘Vietnam Human Rights Day’’; and (3) urges all Americans to share in this commemoration so as to have a greater ap- preciation of the role Vietnam Human Rights Day has played in helping to defend and further the liberties and freedom of all Vietnamese people.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. MILLER) and the gen- tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentle- woman from Michigan (Mrs. MILLER). GENERAL LEAVE Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extra- neous material on H. Res. 613, the reso- lution under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentle- woman from Michigan? There was no objection. Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago, the Con- gress designated May 11, 1994, as Viet- nam Human Rights Day through a joint resolution that became Public Law 103–258. The resolution was intro- duced in response to the issuance of the Manifesto of the Nonviolent Movement For Human Rights in Vietnam. That manifesto, written by the great human rights leader Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, in- tended to push pressure on the Social-
ist regime in Hanoi to respect the human rights of all Vietnamese citi- zens. This is the tenth anniversary of the Vietnam Human Rights Day, which is the focus of House Resolution 622, be- fore us today. The distinguished chair- man of the Committee on Government Reform, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. TOM D AVIS), brought forth this im- portant resolution, and I commend him for introducing this important meas- ure. Mr. Speaker, while progress has been made in the fight for a free and demo- cratic Vietnam, the regime there con- tinues to imprison, to attack, torture, kill, and otherwise persecute many of those who publicly express their views. This resolution aims to generate valu- able awareness to Hanoi’s uncivilized treatment of political dissidents, and I am pleased the House is considering it this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, it is easy to take for granted our Nation’s priceless freedoms of speech and expression and, con- versely, to lose track of the reality that countless people around the world in fact pay a great price to express their view. On its tenth anniversary, the principles of Vietnam Human Rights Day continue to act as an im- portant defense of the liberties and freedoms of the Vietnamese people. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may con- sume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 613 and commend the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS), chair- man of the Committee on Government Reform, for his introduction of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, as an American, I take great pride when I see that nations value human rights. It brings me a great deal of joy to stand before you on the anniversary of Vietnam Human Rights Day and to honor the nation of Vietnam for its commitment to human rights. Ten years ago, in Hanoi, a bril- liant man by the name of Dr. Nguyen Dan Que wrote a manifesto that called upon the people of Vietnam to respect human rights, to accept a multiparty system, and to restore the right of the Vietnamese people to choose their own form of government through free and fair elections. Today we honor that manifesto, as well as the many innocent people who were tortured, imprisoned, or held cap- tive against their will for their peace- ful protests against oppression by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Those of us in the United States were reminded last week that we are not perfect. In fact, we are far from it. Be- cause we are imperfect, it is important that we recognize the struggles other nations have undertaken in the pursuit of freedom so that we may never forget what a special privilege freedom is. I stand before my colleagues today as a Member of this honorable body to
honor and to recognize the tenth anni- versary of Vietnam Human Rights Day and to urge all Americans to share in this commemoration so that we may all have a greater appreciation of the role that Vietnam Human Rights Day has played in helping to shape, defend, and to further the liberties and free- dom of all Vietnamese people. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gen- tleman from Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS), the distinguished chairman of the Com- mittee on Government Reform. Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I rise today to support H. Res. 613, recognizing and honoring the tenth anniversary of Vietnam Human Rights Day. Vietnam Human Rights Day serves as an important commemoration of the extensive struggle the Vietnamese peo- ple have endured for many years in their ongoing fight for basic human rights and freedom. b 1545 Ten years ago, the United States ended its trade embargo with Vietnam and normalized relations with Hanoi. While the U.S. continues to open diplo- matic relations with Vietnam, we must remember that many issues remain un- resolved, including human rights viola- tions, lack of religious freedom, and government corruption. I traveled to Vietnam in 1998 to learn about these issues firsthand, as well as to raise these concerns with high-level officials. In addition, the large Viet- namese-American community in the 11th district, which I represent, con- tinues to update me on continuing con- cerns. As a member of the Vietnam Caucus, I am dedicated to promoting awareness and public policy debates among the U.S. Congress, the American public, and the international community about the greater need for fundamental human rights in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. House Resolution 613 recognizes the important contributions made by Nguyen Dan Que, the author of the Manifesto of the Non-Violent Move- ment for Human Rights, and uncounted numbers of innocent Vietnamese for their nonviolent struggles for freedom and human rights. Dr. Que is one of the most vocal ad- vocates for freedom, democracy, and human rights in Vietnam. Since 1975, Dr. Que has refused to leave Vietnam, and he has turned down an offer to re- settle in the United States or to live in exile. He has consciously chosen to stay in Vietnam to speak out and de- fend human dignity and the rights of all Vietnamese people. He is a profile of courage. The Vietnamese Communist govern- ment has arrested Dr. Que three times for his unrelenting pursuit of human
H2754 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 11, 2004
dignity and freedom. He has been im- prisoned off and on for nearly 20 years, beginning in 1978 through the present. During Dr. Que’s captivity, he was im- prisoned without trial, tortured, beat- en, and put into solitary confinement in chains, accused of trying to over- throw the government, charged with espionage, and is now being held in strict incommunicado. Undaunted, during his time he re- mained the strongest voice inside Viet- nam for equality and dignity. On May 11, 1990, Dr. Que founded the Non- violent Movement For Human Rights, issuing a manifesto that appealed to individuals and groups inside Vietnam and throughout the world for support of his moderate, nonviolent struggle to establish human rights for all Viet- namese people. The arrests of Dr. Que, along with many others, demonstrate the ongoing human rights abuses and lack of reli- gious freedom in Vietnam. We must continue to bring attention to these issues, generate pressure on Viet- namese officials, and hold the Viet- namese Government accountable. It is only through the hard work and effort of individuals such as Dr. Que and the support of the international community that we can bring an end to human rights abuses and religious per- secution in Vietnam. My resolution urges all Americans to share in the commemoration of Vietnam Human Rights Day and to have a greater ap- preciation of the role it has played in helping to defend and further the lib- erties and freedom of all Vietnamese people. I am hopeful H. Res. 613 will serve as a small stepping stone towards the ul- timate liberation and freedom of the Vietnamese people. However, at the least, I believe it will bring much need- ed additional awareness to the atroc- ities committed by the Socialist Re- public of Vietnam every day on its own citizens. I urge my colleagues to join me in the passage of this important resolution. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ). Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of Cali- fornia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gen- tleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 613, the resolution which recognizes the 10th anniversary of Vietnam Human Rights Day, which is today, May 11. I thank the gen- tleman from Virginia (Mr. TOM DAVIS) for sponsoring this resolution and al- lowing me to be an original cosponsor; and I am proud to share with the gen- tleman membership in the Vietnam Caucus, along with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. LOFGREN) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH). The initiatives of the caucus, including this bill, are examples of what we can accomplish when we de- cide to work together in a bipartisan manner.
Mr. Speaker, I represent the largest Vietnamese community in the world outside of Vietnam in Orange County, California. It is fitting then to speak on the House floor about this anniver- sary of Vietnam Human Rights Day. More importantly, it is the 14-year an- niversary of the Manifesto of the Non- violent Movement For Human Rights. This was written by a courageous and bright man, Dr. Nguyen Dan Que. I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Que. In fact, I went to his home in 1998 when I was in Vietnam. As we were meeting, his home all locked up, the military police came to the home to try to get me out of there. Of course we had locked up the house, and we con- tinued our conversation. One of the things that Dr. Que said to me was that it was important for America and Americans to continue to push for human rights in Vietnam. What type of human rights are we talk- ing about here? Well, the right to as- semble as we do here today, that is not allowed in Vietnam. The right to choose your own God and the way you want to worship that God, that is not allowed. You have to only do it through the official church or churches that the state of Vietnam approves. The right to free press. Every piece of paper written to be distributed must be done by the state in Vietnam. In fact, when I was meeting with the cardinal of the Catholic Church of Vietnam, he said one of the things that he cannot do is to hand out a newsletter to people that come to church on Sunday. The right to collectively bargain one’s labor for decent wages and a decent place to work. All of these things are not allowed in Vietnam, and this is what Dr. Que speaks to. He speaks to the human rights issues within Vietnam. I guess the most important thing that Dr. Que said to me that day in 1998 was that the reason we need to keep pushing for human rights in Vietnam is that it in- spires and it gives hope and it gives courage to those within Vietnam who are fighting for basic human rights. Religious leaders like the Venerable Tic Kwzug Doh; a geologist like Gizug; and General Do, whom I had an oppor- tunity to meet with, who had been a former communist and understood what was going on in the country and decided he would speak out; and, yes, Dr. Que. Mr. Speaker, these are just a few of the dissidents within Vietnam who speak every day; and yet each and every one has been imprisoned, either taken away without charges or with false charges, or imprisoned in house arrest. I hope today we will vote this unani- mously to send a strong message that human rights are important in every country, and in particular for those who have not seen them for a long time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I just also note that yesterday was my father’s 93rd birthday, and I take this
opportunity to wish him a happy 93rd birthday, and I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today to recognize, House Resolution 613, recognizing and hon- oring the tenth anniversary of Vietnam Human Rights Day. H. Res. 613 observes the four- teenth anniversary of the issuance Manifesto of the Non-Violent movement for Human Rights. Vietnam Human Rights Day serves as an important commemoration of the extensive struggle that Vietnamese have endured for many years, in their ongoing fight for basic human rights. H. Res. 613 recognizes the important con- tributions made by Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, the author of the Manifesto, and uncounted num- bers of innocent Vietnamese, including reli- gious leaders and ethnic minorities who have been tortured, imprisoned, or held under house arrest by the Socialist Republic of Viet- nam because of their nonviolent struggle for freedom and human rights. This measure urges all Americans to share in this commemoration so as to have a greater appreciation of the role Vietnam Human Rights Day has played in helping to defend and further the liberties and freedom of all Vi- etnamese people. These arrests demonstrate the increasing human rights abuses and lack of religious freedom and free speech in Vietnam. As we consider our ongoing economic relations with Vietnam, our goal in Congress must be to continue to bring attention to these issues, generate pressure on Vietnamese officials, and hold the Vietnamese government account- able. We all realize that U.S. economic relations with Vietnam have improved in recent years. In 1994, the United States lifted its trade em- bargo with Vietnam and normalized relations with Hanoi. However, I will continue to fight for better human rights for all Vietnamese people and the right for families from Vietnam to re- unite with their families in America. H. Res. 613 indicates how far Vietnam has come in its struggle for human rights. This is an anniversary that deserves to truly be cele- brated. Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, during the month of May, we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage to commemorate the con- tributions Asian Pacific Americans have made to the fabric of our communities and to this nation as a whole. I could easily spend this month, and longer, describing the tremendous accomplishments of Asian Pacific Americans. However, today is the tenth anniversary of Vietnam Human Rights Day and we sadly must recognize that Vietnam has not come far enough in respecting the human rights of its citizens. Just one month ago, on Easter Week, Human Rights Watch reported that peaceful protests by indigenous minority Christian Montagnards turned violent when police used tear gas, electric truncheons, and water can- nons on protestors. Reports indicate that po- lice arrested several individuals, many whose whereabouts are currently unknown. Worse yet are reports of torture, police beatings, and deaths associated with this crackdown on the Montagnards. Today, my colleagues, Congressman CHRIS SMITH , TOM DAVIS, LORETTA SANCHEZ and I
