Commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War on Terror, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 989) commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War on Terror, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 989, a resolution that I introduced that commends the United Kingdom for its efforts in the war on terror and for their work in stopping a terrorist plot in July that could have resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians.

Madam Speaker, since the attack on the United States on 9/11, the United Kingdom has been our closest ally in the war on terrorism. In this effort, there has been extremely close cooperation between American and British police and intelligence agencies.

In addition, Britain has stood side by side with us both in Iraq and in Afghanistan. The British still have more than 7,000 troops in Iraq, and 118 British soldiers have lost their lives in that war. In Afghanistan, 40 soldiers from the United Kingdom have been killed fighting the Taliban and those warlords. Currently, Britain heads the NATO-led international security assistance force in Afghanistan, and British troops have been involved in particularly heavy fighting in the southern part of Afghanistan.

In both of these countries, Iraq and Afghanistan, Britain is the largest contributor of troops of any country after the United States. The American people will not soon forget the sacrifice of our British allies in those wars.

Madam Speaker, H. Res. 989 focuses on the outstanding work of law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom in preventing the planned terrorist attack that would have blown up in midair multiple transatlantic flights from London to the United States. This plot was thwarted by British police and intelligence officials on August 10, 2006, with the arrest of 24 people.

In addition, the resolution cites terrorism as a grave concern for all nations, regardless of boundaries, as terrorist attacks have killed innocent people in countries such as Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Spain, Turkey and, of course, the United Kingdom and here in the United States.

Britain has been a close, long-time friend of the United States, and now they are standing with us in the war against terrorism. It is entirely appropriate for the House of Representatives to recognize their friendship and contribution in this war.

This resolution was approved unanimously by the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats of the House International Relations Committee on September 20. I would like to thank the subcommittee chairman, Chairman Gallegly, and the International Relations Committee chairman, Chairman Hyde, for moving this

resolution very quickly through the committee, and I urge its passage by the full House.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the support of my good friend from California (Mr. Lantos).

Madam Speaker, Winston Churchill once said that the United Kingdom and the United States are two people separated by a common language. As that may be true, we are not separated but united in our determination and we speak in concert in our mission, to win this war on international terrorism.

To the people of the United Kingdom, we, as Americans, are very grateful for their support.

Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, this week, due to a death in the family, I have requested and received a leave of absence. Since Monday, September 25, I have missed the following rollcall votes. I have noted how I would have voted had I been present:

Roll No. 471, September 25, H.R. 5059, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, ``nay''; 472, September 25, H.R. 5062, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, ``nay''; 473, September 25, H.R. 6102, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, ``yea''; 474 September 26, H. Res. 1038, on agreeing to the resolution, ``nay''; 475, September 26, H. Res. 1039, on agreeing to the resolution, ``nay''; 476, September 26, H.R. 5092, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, ``nay''; 477, September 26, H.R. 4772, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, ``nay''; 478, September 26, motion, motion to resolve into secret session, ``yea''; 479, September 26, S. 403, on passage, ``nay''; 480, September 26, H.R. 2679, on passage, ``nay''; 481, September 26, H. Res. 723, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended, ``yea''; 482, September 26, H. Res. 992, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended, ``yea''; 483, September 26, H. Res. 989, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended, ``yea''; 484, September 26, H. Res. 1017, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, ``yea''; 485, September 26, H.R. 6164, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, ``yea''; 486, September 26, H.R. 5631, on agreeing to the conference report, ``yea''; 487, September 27, H. Con. Res. 483, on agreeing to the resolution, ``nay''; 488, September 27, H. Res. 1042, on ordering the previous question, ``nay''; 489, September 27, H. Res. 1042, on agreeing to the resolution, ``nay''; 490, September 27, H.R. 6166, on motion to recommit with instructions, ``yea''; 491, September 27, H.R. 6166, on passage, ``nay''; 492, September 27, H.R. 5637, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, ``yea''; 493, September 27, H.R. 6115, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, ``yea''; 494, September 27, S. 2856, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, ``yea''; 495, September 28, H. Res. 1045, on ordering the previous question, ``nay''; 496, September 28, H. Res. 1046, on ordering the previous question, ``nay''; 497, September 28, H. Res. 1046, on agreeing to the resolution, ``nay''; 498, September 28, H. Res. 1052, on ordering the previous question, ``nay''; 499, September 28, H. Res. 1052, on agreeing to the resolution, ``nay''; 500, September 28, H.R. 4954, on motion to instruct conferees, ``yea''; 501, September 28, H.R. 5825, on motion to recommit with instructions, ``yea''; 502, September 28, H.R. 5825, on passage, ``nay''; 503, September 28, H.R. 6143, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, ``yea''; 504, September 29, H. Res. 1054, on ordering the previous question, ``nay''; 505, September 29, H. Res. 1054, on agreeing to the resolution, ``nay''; 506, September 29, H. Res. 1053, on ordering the previous question, ``nay''; 507, September 29, H. Res. 1053, on agreeing to the resolution, ``nay''; 508, September 29, S. 8930, on passage, ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 989, commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War on Terror, and for other purposes.

United Kingdom and the United States have been close allies in not only two World Wars and Operation Desert Storm, but also the Global War on Terror. We are cousins and we are friends, with a common history and common cause.

On September 11, 2001, the United Kingdom reached out to us in sympathy and friendship, and joined us in facing the emerging threat of religious fundamental extremism.

Sadly, on July 7, 2005, we reached out in turn as Britain suffered a terrorist attack on its London Underground and a bus, killing 56 people including four suicide bombers. As they suffered, so did we suffer, remembering the pain and confusion, the shock and the remorse.

We have struggled to find sound policy to protect our homelands, and have stood shoulder to shoulder to develop effective strategies. Though we earn the criticism of many nations, including that of the United Kingdom, the conversation remains honest and open.

The averted threat this past summer in fact illustrates the necessity of a global strategy, as well as the partnership of the United States and the United Kingdom.

On August 10, 2006, British police arrested 24 people for plotting to commit acts of terror on trans-Atlantic flights with the help of the Pakistan Government. As of August 31, 2006, 12 citizens have been charged for their roles in the terror plot, including eight citizens charged with conspiracy to murder. This is only the latest demonstration that terrorism is not restrained by borders. Our gratitude for this heroic and brave effort can only be expressed in our ongoing perseverance and commitment to eradicating threats such as these.

We are brothers in arms, united by history and by creed. I wish the same blessings for the United Kingdom as I do for our own nation-- safety, security, prosperity, and wisdom to make decisions that are forward thinking, democratic, and just.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and honor the accomplishments of the United Kingdom in the War on Terror.

Mr. Speaker, I was not able to attend a number of votes that took place September 26, 2006 on the House floor. I take my responsibility to vote very seriously and would like my intentions included in the Congressional Record.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 479, or the Child Custody Protection Act, S. 403; ``yea'' on rollcall 480, or the Public Expression of Religion Act, H.R. 2679; ``yea'' on rollcall 481, or the Calling on the President to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, with specific emphasis on civilian protection, H. Res. 723; ``yea'' on rollcall 482, or the Urging the President to appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan, H. Res. 992; ``yea'' on rollcall 483, or the Commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War on Terror, and for other purposes, H. Res. 989; ``yea'' on rollcall 484, or the Affirming support for the sovereignty and security of Lebanon and the Lebanese people, H. Res. 1017; ``yea'' on rollcall 485, or the National Institutes of Health Reform Act, H.R. 6164; and ``yea'' on rollcall 486, or the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007, H.R. 5631.

Mr. Speaker, if I had been present to vote on Monday, September 25 and Tuesday, September 26, 2006, I would have voted in the following way:

Yes--H.R. 5059--New Hampshire Wilderness Act of 2006

Yes--H.R. 5062--New Hampshire Wilderness Act of 2006

No--H.R. 5092--Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006

No--H.R. 4772--Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006

Yes--H. Res. 989--Commending the United Kingdom for its efforts in the War on Terror, and for other purposes

Yes--H. Res. 1017--Affirming support for the sovereignty and security of Lebanon and the Lebanese people

Yes--H. Res. 1038--Rule providing for H.R. 2679--Public Expression of Religion Act

Yes--H. Res. 1039--Rule providing for S. 403--Child Custody Protection Act

No--S. 403--Child Custody Protection Act

Yes--H. Res. 723--Calling on the President to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, with a specific emphasis on civilian protection

Yes--H. Res. 992--Urging the President to appoint a Special Envoy for Sudan