Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2003

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to Marine Sgt. Brian McGinnis of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country on March 30, 2004 in southern Iraq. In the words of his fellow Marines, Sgt. McGinnis was a trusted mentor, a brother, and a hero.

Sgt. McGinnis, a graduate of William Penn High School and native of St. Georges, Delaware joined the Marine Corps because as he stated, he, ``wanted to be a part of the best.'' As a member of the U.S. Armed Services, Sgt. McGinnis had fulfilled his goal of becoming a part of the best fighting force in the world. Sgt. McGinnis had the opportunity to take part in activities he loved in the Marine Corps and had received his crew wings the day before he met with tragedy in southern Iraq. The most important aspect of Sgt. McGinnis' service in Iraq was the sense of pride he felt knowing that he was serving his country.

Mr. Speaker, it is not possible to quantify the sense of loss our great Nation feels when faced with the loss of life of our men and women in the U.S. Armed Services. Nonetheless, I will say that Sgt. Brian McGinnis will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, the Marine Corps, and by his Nation. His service for our Nation and the service of countless men and women before and after him will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach Memorial Day, I would like to rise in honor of a courageous young soldier who died September 7, 2003, of injuries suffered August 30 when the truck he was driving in a supply convoy was hit by a civilian vehicle in Iraq. U.S. Army Specialist Jarrett B. Thompson was a member of the Lewes, Delaware-based 946th Transportation Company, and sadly was our State's first war casualty from a Reserve or National Guard unit.

At only 27 years of age, Jarrett was a brave young reservist who valiantly served his state and country. A Dover resident who grew up in Millington, Maryland and played high school football, Jarrett joined the Army in March of 1994. Following a 3-year tour of active duty at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he continued his commitment to service as a member of the Army Reserve. When he was called to active duty in January 2003, Jarrett dutifully accepted service in the Middle East, where his fellow reservists described him as an energetic, mission- oriented soldier.

In civilian life, Jarrett was a design engineer for Ashland Equipment, Inc. A proud son and devoted husband and father, Jarrett will be deeply missed by his parents, Judy Coleman Thompson and Allen B. Thompson, his wife Kelly, and their sons Conner and Collin. At his funeral in September, Jarrett received a 21-gun salute and the Bronze Star Medal in honor of his noble service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere privilege to honor the life of a proud soldier and heroic representative of the State of Delaware. Army Specialist Jarrett B. Thompson was an honorable defender of liberty, and he deserves our gratitude and respect.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a brave young Army Ranger who died Thursday, April 3, 2003, due to suicide car-bomber at a checkpoint northwest of Baghdad. U.S. Army Specialist Ryan P. Long was a proud Ranger who gave his life, along with two of his fellow soldiers, helping the Third Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment operate a checkpoint outside of Baghdad.

At only 21 years of age, Ryan was an inspirational young Delawarean who graduated from Seafood High School in June of 1999, where he had been vice commander of the Naval Junior ROTC program. Ryan joined the Army and became an Army Ranger, where he was part of an elite group chosen to carry out special missions. He was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia and was deployed twice to Afghanistan before his service in Iraq, where he continued the noble fight against terror.

Ryan was a patriotic American who enjoyed soccer, golf, snowboarding, and motorcycles. Ryan was a fourth generation soldier, his father is retired Major Rudolf ``Rudy'' Long. Ryan followed in his family's tradition and chose to serve his country. He will be deeply missed by his parents, Rudy and Donna, and brother, his friends, teachers, and fellow soldiers.

Mr. Speaker, it is my sincere privilege to honor the life of a proud Ranger and heroic representative of the State of Delaware. Army Specialist Ryan P. Long deserves our gratitude and respect.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the heroic life of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Joseph Garyantes who died May 19, 2004, while securing freedom for the people of Iraq. Staff Sergeant Garyantes was patrolling Muqdadiyah, Iraq, just outside of Baghdad when his vehicle was attacked by sniper fire, ending the life of this dedicated soldier.

Staff Sergeant Garyantes was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and for most of his childhood called the Rehoboth Beach area home. He attended Epworth Christian School in Laurel, and at an early age contemplated a life in the Christian ministry. Eventually his selflessness and unwavering desire to help others drew him to military service. From what I have learned about this remarkable young man, it is apparent that Staff Sergeant Garyantes truly enjoyed helping others overcome the difficulties in their lives. For example, he wrote a letter to the editor while stationed in Germany, in response to a young soldier's complaint about the difficulties of Army life. His response was not negative or demeaning, he offered solutions and words of encouragement to this fellow soldier.

Staff Sergeant Garyantes, because of his inherent desire to lead and guide others to greatness, certainly would have found a way to inspire others in any career he chose, but he chose to join the U.S. Army. He chose to subject himself to the daily rigors of military service because he valued the well-being of others--ultimately at the cost of his own life. And although he will be missed tremendously by his wife and children, his family and friends, and his fellow soldiers, it is my hope that they can take comfort in his devotion to serving those in need, which will be his legacy.

Mr. Speaker, it is not often that I have the opportunity to honor the life of a true hero and American patriot such as Staff Sergeant Joseph Garyantes. His devotion to his fellow man is truly amazing, and he deserves our utmost respect and admiration.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of our troops. I rise in support of all of our men and women serving in our armed forces, and especially the 300,000 brave men and women that have been serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To our young countrymen and women serving their country in Afghanistan and Iraq, I salute you and I offer you the following:

As our Nation once again honors those who have served, I pray that this Memorial Day finds you healthy and well.

Some of you may know that, although, I supported our action against al Qaeda in Afghanistan, I voted against President Bush's demand for advance congressional authorization to use military force against Iraq.

In the absence of a clearly demonstrated imminent danger to this Nation, I concluded, giving the President a ``blank check'' for war would be an abdication of my constitutional duty as a Member of the Congress. Further, I believed it would put our young men and women into a conflict that would yield enduring unfavorable outcomes. Once Saddam Hussein was toppled, for what and with whom would we be fighting? Where is the proof of WMDs or the presence of al Qaeda in Iraq? These were just a few of the many questions I and many Members of Congress wanted to ask. But in the administration's rush to war and its subsequent insolence, these and many questions remain unanswered.

Today, my reasoning for that conviction remains unchanged. There is not today--nor has there ever been any dispositive proof that Iraq is an imminent danger to our country. Like the majority of the international community, I believe ``imminent danger'' is the proper litmus test for waging a preemptive war. The current administration does not and ignored warnings from many countries who were friends in our fight against terrorism. I ask the Commander-in-Chief, who suffers and will continue to suffer as a result of this affront to the international rules of engagement? The answer is that we all do, but it is our troops who bear the blunt of this suffering.

There has been a tragic loss of life--both among our American troops and among Iraq's civilian population. I knew the human losses would be too great and I did not want our families--or the Iraqi people--to experience the overwhelming grief and remorse that accompanies waging war unnecessarily.

The moral authority of the United States has been undermined-- establishing a devastating international precedent that we may well see echoed within other troubled regions. I believe that the Middle East region has been destabilized, harming the international cooperation that we desperately need to defend this Nation against terrorism.

We must now contemplate the prospect of American troops remaining in Iraq for an indefinite period of time, at great cost to the lives and treasure of our Nation, while its government regroups a country that has been involuntarily bowed.

Tragically, none of these cautions about war prevailed, and hundreds of thousands of young Americans now struggle to survive in harm's way.

With so many questions about the wisdom and consequences of this war left unanswered, what can America say to you--the young men and women who have been called upon to risk your lives?

What can we say to your wives and husbands--or to your parents and children--that could possibly justify your sacrifice?

The current administration that waged this war must search for his own answers to these soul-wrenching questions--and I must speak to you in my own way.

Young people, I hope that these words reach you in Iraq.

You have a right to expect encouragement and support at this difficult and dangerous time. I encourage you and commend you for your bravery. I know you are dealing with circumstances beyond our comprehension.

Nevertheless, you stand at the brink of eternity--and you deserve an honest appraisal. You are doing your duty, just as we in the Congress must do everything within our power to protect you.

So, I will continue to call for clear and convincing evidence that war was necessary and I will continue to support the Federal funding that has helped to make you the best trained and equipped military force in the world. You deserve nothing less.

Human life is too precious to allow anything less.

I am among those whom the administration has not convinced about the wisdom of war in Iraq. Yet, I want you to know that I support you wholeheartedly. You are there to protect and defend and you are serving and have served valiantly.

You are honorable young Americans.

When the President committed your lives to battle, you went to war with your Nation's prayers and unconditional support. I pledge that we will not allow this Nation's response to your service degenerate into the shameful neglect that followed U.S. efforts in Vietnam. We will not blame the failures of our generation upon yours.

Indeed, you have my undying respect.

Neither President Bush nor I have ever been required to risk our own lives in battle. We have not been forced to move forward against the mechanized hell of modern warfare. We have not endured the screams of tormented friends who have fallen at our side.

War leaders of old did not direct war from the safety of their homes. There was great wisdom in the ancient custom that required a leader who ordered others into battle to, himself, fight on the front lines. The danger is not real when it's second-hand.

You are honorable young Americans--you are our young women and men who now stand at the brink of eternity. Over 700 of your brethren and of the Allied Forces have perished. Over 4,500 of you have been injured or maimed. At least 10 claim Maryland as their home State and I have attached their names in memoriam and in recognition of their brave service to our country.

May those who lead America today regain wisdom and bring the rest of you home safely. May our actions from this day forward live up to the example of your sacrifice.

And may God bless you and keep you in His hands.

In Memoriam and in recognition of brave service to our Country-- Operation Iraqi Freedom: Jakia Sheree Cannon, Brandon Lee Davis, Jason Christopher Ford, Cornell Winston Gilmore I, Jason David Mileo, George Arthur Mitchell, Jr., Adam Garber Mooney, Bryan Nicholas Spry, Jeffery Calvin Walker, Kendall Damon Waters-Bey.

Mr. Speaker, southwest Missouri learned early in the War on Terrorism of the sacrifices necessary to defend our way of life. Two men from the 7th Congressional District died in less than a week of hostilities in Afghanistan.

Stanley L. Harriman, 34, a Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Army, was the first American killed in combat in Afghanistan on March 2, 2002. His death brought the harsh realities of war home to the Ozarks. Harriman was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While Harriman's hometown is Wade, North Carolina, he had family ties to Southwest Missouri. He attended and graduated from Strafford High School in 1985. ``Stanley died for you and you and you,'' his wife, Sheila Harriman, told reporters at Fort Bragg, N.C., ``and for your freedom. All Stanley ever wanted to do was be an American soldier.''

Two days later, Army Sergeant Philip Svitak of Joplin was killed in action. Svitak was killed by friendly fire while in combat with Taliban and al Qaeda forces in eastern Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda on March 4, 2002. Svitak was 31. He was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Group at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. His wife and two children survived him. He was the only son in a family of veterans. Both his mother and father served in Vietnam. Roseann Svitak said her son ``told me before he went, `Mom, the terrorists have to be stopped.' He said, `If they send me over there and anything happens to me . . . I'm proud to die for my country.' ''

Daniel Kisling, Jr. of Neosho died of injuries suffered in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on January 30, 2003. Kisling and three other servicemen were aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that crashed during a training exercise. Staff Sergeant Daniel Kisling, Jr. served in the U.S. Army for eight years. At the time of the fatal crash he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division based at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He was the crew chief aboard the Black Hawk helicopter. Daniel Kisling was survived by his parents Daniel Leon and Velinda Kisling of Neosho, Missouri, and his sister Lisa. Kisling was married to Georgie McNeill for 14 years. They have three children: Nathan, age 13; Jessie, age 10; and Riley, age 3. A fourth child was born to the couple after Sgt. Kisling's death.

In early May, 2003, Private-First-Class Jess A. Givens was killed in a tank accident along the banks of the Euphrates River west of Baghdad, Iraq. Jesse Givens, son of Connie Givens of Springfield, Missouri, attended Springfield Glendale High School. He was 34 years old. His wife and five-year-old child, who live in Ft. Carson, Colorado, survive him. Givens was with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. His siblings live in Joplin and Springfield.

Twenty-one-year-old Jonathan Paul Barnes from McDonald County was killed in a grenade attack July 26, 2003 in Iraq. Barnes was a member of the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment. He joined the Army in April, 2001. At the time of his death he was guarding a hospital with two fellow soldiers who were also killed. James Barnes, Jonathan's father, who lives in Anderson, Missouri, and pastors the Greenwood Community Church near Southwest City, Missouri, described his son as a ``strong boy, who loved God and his country. He wanted to go,'' his father said. ``He died doing what he wanted to do.'' Jonathan Barnes was survived by his wife Amanda and daughter Michelle of Goodman, Missouri.

1st Lt. Benjamin J. Colgan was killed on November 1, 2003 in Baghdad while responding to a rocket propelled grenade attack. His wife Jill Kathleen Asay of Aurora, Missouri, said, ``He loved his country and wanted to make a difference in the world, and he gave his life to make a better life for the people of Iraq and for all Americans.'' Colgan had been in the U.S. Army 12 years. He was in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Division. Jill Asay gave birth to the couple's third child in December 2003. Daughters Grace, age 2, and Paige, age 1, also survived their father.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant James `Doug' Douglas Mowris was among 7 U.S. servicemen killed January 29, 2004 in an explosion in Ghazni, Afghanistan, about sixty miles southwest of the country's capital city. ``My husband was proud to serve,'' Mrs. Mowris said. ``He gave the greatest sacrifice anyone can give; that was his life . . . . He was a good husband and wonderful father.'' Doug Mowris was a member of the 414th Military Police Company based in Joplin, Missouri. Mowris had been in the U.S. Army or Army Reserves since 1984. Mowris was 37 years old. He was survived by his wife of 15 years, Michelle, and children Craig, age 14, and McKenzie, age 9.

These men died, leaving friends, family, and children to grieve and remember. We also remember another group of Americans who are civilian casualties of the War on Terror. John Willett and Craig Amundson were Ozarks natives who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.

All of these brave men are the faces of this war. They remind me every day of what we are fighting for.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Memorial Day, 2004, we honor both the veterans who fought America's wars, and those who stand on the front lines of today's combat engagements.

Each day it seems, news from Iraq carries the awful news of combat deaths as we try to quell a nation and leave it in better hands than before. Most importantly, our troops are still pursuing al Queda and Osama bin Laden in the mountains of Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world to root out the entity that attacked us on 9-11. This generation's solemn mission is to undermine and eradicate the terrorist movement, which continues to grow and evolve, from the face of the Earth.

Today we honor all those who fought for this nation throughout our history. Americans all over the world are remembering friends, family members and countrymen who made the ultimate sacrifice for liberty and democracy. In South Texas, the list of young people lost in the global conflict with al Queda, and now in Iraq, is becoming longer than we can bear. We continue to welcome home other sons and daughters who were injured or captured. Please remember these brave young warriors and their families on this Memorial Day.

As a member of Congress who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, I know what we ask of people in uniform, and I know the difficulties of service. As a veteran, I know what is expected of soldiers and sailors in combat--or in the possibility of combat. The very least we must do for the men and women who serve this nation is provide adequately for their health care now and in their later years.

The attack on our nation on 9-11 served to remind us that firemen, law enforcement officers and doctors also stand on the front lines in the first war of the 21st Century. The world has entered this century through pillars of fire, and the United States is called to fight a global war again, this time against al Queda and the terrorism they sponsor and continue to inspire. Americans, as always, fight for this country, and South Texans always make an extraordinary contribution to our military force.

Today, let us pledge anew to face the challenges of our world with compassion, strength, and understanding as we stand on the watchtower of freedom. On this Memorial Day, let us remember the heroes of our history as we wish for peace as the poets and the dreamers do--but remain ever ready to fight the battles that are righteous, where the values of freedom and democracy are at stake.

Please take a moment of silence and remember the South Texas heroes who answered this nation's call to military service, especially those who gave this nation the ultimate measure of devotion. We remember them all and their families today and always. Our South Texas heroes:

Killed aboard the USS Cole: Petty Officer 3rd Class

Ronchester Santiago, 22, from Kingsville and Fireman Gary

Swenchonis Jr., 26 from Rockport, TX

Army Spc. Edward J. Anguiano, 24, from Los Fresnos, 3rd

Combat Support Battalion from Los Fresnos; he went missing on

March 23, 2003, when his convoy was ambushed in Iraq; his

remains were recovered on April 24

1st Sgt. Joe J. Garza, 43, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry

Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, from Robstown;

he was killed on April 28, 2003, when he was struck by a

civilian vehicle in Iraq

Pfc. Juan Guadalupe Garza Jr., 20, 1st Battalion, 4th

Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division from San Benito; he was

killed in action on April 8, 2003, in central Iraq

Staff Sgt. Hector R. Perez, 40, 1st Battalion, 327th

Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air

Assault) from Corpus Christi; he was killed when his military

convoy came under fire north of Hawd, Iraq on July 24, 2003

Spc. Jose A. Perez III, 22, 6th Battalion, 27th Field

Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, from San

Diego, Texas; he was killed in an ambush of a convoy on May

28, 2003, in Taji, Iraq

Sgt. Christopher Ramirez, 34, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry,

1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, from McAllen; he died

from injuries sustained during combat operations in Al Anbar

Province, Iraq, on April 14, 2004

Sgt. John W. Russell, 26, 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation

Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), from

Portland; he was killed when two 101st Airborne Division UH-

60 Black Hawk helicopters collided in mid-air over Mosul,

Iraq, on November 15, 2003

Pfc. Dustin M. Sekula, 18, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine

Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary

Force, from Edinburg; he died due to injuries sustained from

enemy fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on April 1, 2004

Lance Cpl. Ruben Valdez Jr., 21, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine

Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary

Force, from San Diego; he died from combat injuries in Al

Anbar Province, Iraq, on April 17, 2004

May the Lord bless their souls, and make strong their families, who must live forever without them. And may this list grow no longer . . .

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, February 27, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in open session to consider the nominations of the Honorable Stephen A. Cambone to be Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence; Mr. John Paul Woodley, Jr., to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; and Ambassador Linton F. Brooks to be Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator for Nuclear Security, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. to receive testimony regarding energy production on Federal Lands.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Thursday, February 27, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., to hear testimony on Examining the Administration's Fiscal Year 2004 Health Care Priorities.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, February 27, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. to hold a Hearing on American Public Diplomacy and Islam.

agenda

Witnesses

Panel 1: The Honorable Charlotte Beers, Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy, Department of State, Washington, DC and the Honorable Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, Chairman, Board of Broadcasting Governors, Washington, DC;

Panel 2: Andrew Kohut, Director, The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, Washington, DC; the Honorable Kenton Keith, Senior Vice President, Meridian International Center, Washington, DC; and Dr. R. S. Zaharna, School of Communication, American University, Washington, DC.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Governmental Affairs be authorized to meet on Thursday, February 27, 2003 at 11 a.m. for a hearing to consider the nomination of Janet Hale to be Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security; the Honorable Clark Kent Ervin to be Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security; and Linda M. Springer to be Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, February 27, 2003, at 2:30 p.m., to hold a closed hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Special Committee on Aging be authorized to meet Thursday, February 27, 2003, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in Dirksen 628 for the purpose of conducting a hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, February 27, at 3 p.m., to receive testimony regarding S. 246, a bill to provide that certain Bureau of Land Management land shall be held in trust for the Pueblo of Santa Clara and the Pueblo of San Ildefonso in the State of New Mexico; S. 32, a bill to establish institutes to conduct research on the prevention of, and restoration from, wildfires in forest and woodland ecosystems of the interior west; S. 203, a bill to open certain withdrawn land in Big Horn County, Wyoming, to locatable mineral development for bentonite mining; S. 278, a bill to make certain adjustments to the boundaries of the Mount Naomi Wilderness Area, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space be authorized to meet on Thursday, February 27, 2003, at 2:30 p.m. on U.S. involvement in aerospace research.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure be authorized to meet on Thursday, February 27, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the Federal Highway Administration's FY 2004 budget.

This meeting will be held in SD 406.