Honoring the service and accomplishments of Lieutenant General Russel L. Honore, United States Army, for his 37 years of service on behalf of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 944, honoring the service and accomplishments of Lieutenant General Russel L. Honore United States Army, for his 37 years of service on behalf of the United States. I would like to thank my distinguished colleague Congressman David Scott for introducing this important legislation, of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor.

Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Katrina was one of the darkest hours of our Nation's recent history. Although the courage and generosity demonstrated by the American people was nothing short of heroic, the response of the federal government, especially FEMA, was nothing short of an embarrassment. I never imagined that my neighbors in New Orleans would be called and treated like refugees in war ravaged developed countries. The response of the Bush Administration was unacceptable.

However, even in the midst of tragedy and mismanagement, many Americans throughout this country stepped up to help those affected by this disaster. This demonstrated that once again in our darkest hour that we united as a nation to help our brothers and sisters who sought to recover and rebuild their lives. In particular, a small number of extraordinary individuals became true heroes; one of the most remarkable was Lieutenant General Russel Honore.

Called by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin a man who can ``get some stuff done,'' Lieutenant General Honore's life is truly an American story. Born in Lakeland, Louisiana, General Honore graduated from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After graduating with a baccalaureate degree in vocational agriculture, General Honore was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. General Honore eventually graduated from Troy State University with a master's degree in Human Resources and received an honorary doctorate in public administration from Southern University and A&M College.

General Honore began his distinguished military career serving in a number of infantry command positions for the Army, including overseas tours in Germany and as a commanding officer in the Second Infantry Division in Korea. He saw action in Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. Honore's experience and skill made him a logical candidate to serve as vice director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff; deputy commanding general and assistant commandant of the United States Army Infantry Center and School at Fort Benning, Georgia; and assistant division commander, maneuver/support for the First Calvary Division at Fort Hood, Texas.

But more than his impressive record of military service, Lt. General Russel Honore is perhaps best known for his strong leadership attributes. Lieutenant General Honore commanded the First United States Army, responsible for the training and deployment of 500,000 National Guardsmen and reserve service members. Lieutenant General Honore also led the Joint Task Force Katrina, following the hurricane's destruction of the Gulf Coast in 2005, where he commanded all active-duty troops from all military branches dedicated to the storm recovery operations.

Mr. Speaker, my home district in Houston has been pleased to welcome with open arms well over 100,000 survivors fleeing the storm, including a reported 21,000 children. I spent countless hours after this immense tragedy with the men, women, and children who fell victim to this catastrophic storm; I witnessed first hand the terror and despair of children separated from their parents, men and women who had lost their entire livelihoods, and families who had seen homes full of memories and treasures destroyed in flood waters. I represent thousands of the Katrina evacuees who continue to reside in Houston, I consider their plight and hardship a personal one with which I am intimately familiar, and I am proud of my community's response to this tragedy.

In the hours, days, weeks, and months after the Katrina struck the gulf coast, the actions of Lt. General Honore and those like him were a lifeline for thousands of displaced, frightened, and imperiled residents. His bravery was so often the difference between life and death, or between hope and despair. Those of us who were on the ground in those days and weeks following the storm know just how valuable his actions were, just how vital his leadership was, and just how much the region needed many more leaders like him.

I would like to commend Lieutenant General Honore for his 37 years of service on behalf of the United States. Lieutenant General Honore has proven his dedication and commitment to the Army and his leadership in post-Katrina recovery effort. I recognize his loyalty as a soldier, commander, and leader and for displaying throughout his distinguished military service the highest levels of leadership, professional competence, integrity, courage. Many of those who survived this storm did so only because of the bravery, selflessness, and immense leadership of Lt. General Honore and other heroes like him.

Over two years have passed since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, and we continue to mourn the at least 1,836 innocent victims of the storm. We also continue to address the difficult issues raised by the storm, including the rebuilding of affordable housing in the area, and the restoration of local education systems. As a proud Houstonian, a firsthand witness to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, and a believer in the power of the American people, as demonstrated by Lt. General Honore, I strongly urge my colleagues to remember those who perished, honor those who found such bravery within themselves, and to continue to work to provide for the still-suffering victims of the storm.

In a recent media interview, Lt. General Honore spoke of what he hoped his legacy would be. He spoke of an effort to guide civilian America, encouraging a ``culture of preparedness'' in the spirit of his own cold-war upbringing. He stated that despite government investment in disaster response mechanisms, civic response remains weak, stating, ``I'm sure you and your wife have a plan to meet at Uncle Joe's house, but does your plan include asking Mrs. Smith next door if she needs a ride?'' This is a vital, and too often overlooked, component of disaster planning.

Mr. Speaker, I would again like to voice my support for H.R. 944, and finally give back something to a man that has already given so much to his country.

Madam Speaker, during the week of February 25-29, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 69-87.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 69, H. Res. 978, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 70, H. Res. 930, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 71, H. Res. 944, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 74, H. Res. 974, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 75, H.R. 3521 the Sires of New Jersey Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 76, H.R. 3521 the Meek of Florida Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 81, H. Res. 1001, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 83, H.R. 5351 on Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 84, H.R. 5351, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 85, S. 2272, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 86, H.R. 4454, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 87, H.R. 4454.

Madam Speaker, during the week of March 3-7, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 88-106.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 88, H.R. 1143, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 89, H.R. 1311, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 90, H.R. 816, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 91, H.R. 4191, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 92, H. Con. Res. 278, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 93, H. Res. 951, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 96, H. Res. 1014, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 97, H.R. 4774, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 98, H. Con. Res. 286, ``nay'' on rolicall vote 100, H.R. 1424 the Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 101, H.R. 1424, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 102, H.R. 5400, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 104, H. Res. 1015, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 105, H.R. 2857 the Flake of Arizona Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 106, H.R. 2857 the Inslee of Washington Amendment.

Madam Speaker, during the week of March 10-14, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 108-145.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 108, H. Res. 537, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 109, H.R. 3196, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 110, H.R. 4166, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 115, H. Res. 924, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 116, Motion, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 117, H.R. 2082, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 118, H. Res. 948, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 119, H. Res. 493, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 122, H. Res. 1031, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 130, H. Res. 1036, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 131, H.R. 5563, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 132, H. Con. Res. 316, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 133, H. Res. 936, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 134, S. 2733, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 137, H. Con. Res. 312 Kilpatrick of Michigan Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 138, H. Con. Res. 312 Lee of California Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 140, H. Con. Res. 312 Ryan of Wisconsin Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 141, H. Con. Res. 312, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 142, H. Res. 991, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 143, H. Res. 1041 On Ordering the Previous Question, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 144, H. Res. 1041 On Agreeing to the Resolution, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 145, H.R. 3773.

Madam Speaker, during the week of March 31-April 4, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rolicall votes 147-160.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 147, H.R. 3352, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 148, H.R. 2675, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 149, H. Con. Res. 302, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 150, H. Con. Res. 310, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 151, H. Res. 1005, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 152, H. Res. 1021, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 154, H. Res. 1065 On Ordering the Previous Question, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 155, H. Res. 1065 On Agreeing to the Resolution, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 156, H.R. 5501 Carson of Indiana Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 157, H.R. 5501 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 158, H.R. 5501 On Passage, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 159, H.R. 4847 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 160, H.R. 4847 On Passage.

Madam Speaker, during the week of April 7-11, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from rollcall votes 161-182.

Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 161, H.J. Res. 70, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 162, H.R. 2464, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 163, S. 793, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 164, H. Res. 1084 On Ordering the Previous Question, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 165, H. Res.

1084 On Agreeing to the Resolution, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 166, H. Res. 1077, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 167, H.R. 2016 the Grijalva of Arizona Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 168, H.R. 2016 the Bishop of Utah Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 169, H.R. 2016 the Bishop of Utah Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 170, H.R. 2016 the Bishop of Utah Amendment, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 171, H.R. 2016 the Altmire of Pennsylvania Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 172, H.R. 2016 the Pearce of New Mexico Amendment, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 173, H.R. 2016 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 174, H.R. 2016 On Passage, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 175, H.R. 2419, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 176, H.R. 5489, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 177, H.R. 5472, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 179, H. Res. 1083, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 180, H. Res. 1038, ``yea'' on rollcall vote 181, H. Res. 1092, ``nay'' on rollcall vote 182, H.R. 2537 the Flake of Arizona Amendment.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

And, Mr. Speaker, I will just tell you it's a privilege to stand on the floor here today to hear the testimony of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in tribute to this great American.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to stand here today in support of H. Res. 944, recognizing the 37 years of service of Lieutenant General Russel Honore.

At a time it seemed our country's civil fabric was tearing before our very eyes, all of us felt we saw a Nation in peril. The efforts of elected officials at the local level, at the State level, at the Federal level were not up to the task of dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It took officers of the United States Armed Forces who provided the security that the whole country longed to see, and at the center of that was Lieutenant General Russel Honore.

Mr. Speaker, it was my honor to go with my committee to the City of New Orleans in October of that year to try to help with the restoration of some of the medical care of the City of New Orleans, and during that trip, I went to the Oschner Clinic, which is there near downtown New Orleans. It's on a natural sort of rise between the Mississippi River and downtown New Orleans, so it was buffeted by the winds of the storm but spared from the floodwaters and was struggling valiantly to keep up with the stream of human injury that was coming through the doors on a 24-hour-a-day basis.

Specifically, I spoke with some doctors in the emergency room at the Oschner Clinic. The feeling at the clinic was that they were going to be okay from the standpoint of did they have enough diesel fuel to run their generators, did they have enough medicines, but the civil unrest, which was building outside their walls, clearly continued to imperil them. Again, these were individuals who had ridden out the storm. They had stayed in the hospital during the storm to see the sick and wounded who managed to come in. They had stayed at their posts as the floodwaters rose around them, not knowing if the floodwaters would stop before they got to their doors, but, indeed, stop they did.

But you can imagine the heartbreak of this young emergency room physician who described to me 3 days into their turmoil, 3 days into their task, saved from the winds, spared from the waters, but they could hear the civil unrest boiling outside the doors. They could hear the gunshots. They could hear the shouts of the crowds. And they knew that their facility was clearly going to be targeted because they had seen on the news where other health care facilities had been targeted, because of perhaps drug-seeking behavior, who knows why, but they were very much at risk.

This emergency room doctor had brought his wife to the hospital because he felt she wasn't safe at home. He described how they had spent the night under his desk in their office waiting for the end to come. They had survived the winds. They had survived the water. They were not going to survive the riots outside the door.

And then right before dawn, he heard a helicopter. Not unusual because there were news helicopters circling around the city on an almost continual basis. But this was a different kind of helicopter. It had a much throatier roar. And then there was another one and another one and another one. And they turned on the television to see the landing of Lieutenant General Russ Honore taking command of the city, taking control back. I cannot tell you today the relief in this young man's

voice as he described that scenario that unfolded before him.

I'm happy to come to the floor with my colleagues and honor the service of Lieutenant General Russ Honore.

Thank you, sir, for what you did in restoring order to our country. Thank you for helping that young family in the emergency room that day. This Nation will forever be in your debt.

To my two distinguished colleagues who have taken the leadership on this time on the floor, I thank you for your graciousness in allowing us to bring up H. Res. 944 and at the same time to recognize what is arguably an extraordinary and great moment in American history.

For this man, Lieutenant General Russel Honore, the only word that comes to mind, Mr. Speaker, is that word ``great.'' There have been some great moments and great events in the last 7 years of this country that have threatened the very foundation of our country. The 9/11 of 2001 that launched the vicious attack on this country that led us into this extraordinary period of this war on terror, and then just 4 years later a great catastrophe, one of the greatest natural disasters to have ever hit the United States of America and to the gulf coast of this country: Hurricane Katrina. Great events, great occasions bring forth the need to rise up to this occasion and these great occasions great men.

We are here today to honor a great American, and we ought to pause for a moment and think about this word ``great'' that we are using to describe this great American, Lieutenant General Russel Honore. The word ``great'' means something of great magnificence. When that question was put to the great philosopher Aristotle, what does it take to be a great man, Aristotle said the first thing you've got to do is know thyself.

Well, I am here to tell you, Mr. Speaker, Russel Honore knew himself, and not only did he know who he was, Russel Honore knew whose he was, that he was foremost and first of all a child of God that had been brought on this Earth for a great need and a great occasion.

Later on in history that question was put to the great Roman general and soldier Marcus Aurelius. The question was put to Marcus Aurelius, what does it take to be a great man? Marcus Aurelius said, in order to be a great man, you must, first of all, discipline yourself. And so much has been said about the great soldiering of this great American. The hallmark word is ``discipline,'' ``focus.'' He endured hardness and toughness as a good soldier, and through that discipline came the loyalty, came the courage that it took to fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but, more than that, to expound the toughness and the discipline that was needed to our fellow soldiers that came under his care. For there is no greater thing of General Honore than the love of his soldiers, and he exemplified that by heading up the commandant post in my district at Fort Gillem, Georgia. For three-quarters of the National Guard that had to be positioned, had to be trained, had to be deployed into the war zones came through the hand of Russel Honore at Fort Gillem in Clayton County and Forest Park in Georgia and my congressional district.

And, finally, that question was put to the great Messiah and prophet Jesus Christ when He was asked, Jesus, what does it take to be a great man? And Jesus replied, first of all, in order to be a great man, you must sacrifice yourself. And, oh, what a great sacrifice. And you must love your fellow man as you do yourself. And what greater exemplary of that was in going down into Katrina and not just soldiering, not just taking the time to protect the area, but clothing the people there, finding food and shelter for them, and taking the time to stop beside the road of the agony that they were experiencing, put an arm around them, and help that gulf coast to recovery.

Yes, ``greatness'' is the word for General Russel Honore. And we are so grateful for him, for the role that he has played, and for the greatness of this man. For he came at the most opportune time to provide the most opportune service, and he is truly a great American serving a great Nation.

Madam Speaker, on February 25 and 26, 2008, I was unavoidably absent from the House due to a family illness.

If I had been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #69, a motion by Mr. Courtney of Connecticut to suspend the rules and agree to the passage of H. Res. 978, expressing support for the designation of the week of March 3-7, 2008, as ``School Social Work Week'' to promote awareness of the vital role of school social workers in schools, and in the community as a whole, in helping students prepare for their future as productive citizens.

I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #70, a motion by Mr. Courtney of Connecticut to suspend the rules and agree to the passage of H. Res. 930, supporting the goals and ideals of ``Career and Technical Education Month.''

I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #71, a motion by Mr. Courtney of Connecticut to suspend the rules and agree to the passage of H. Res. 944, honoring the service and accomplishments of Lieutenant General Russel L. Honore, United States Army, for his 37 years of service on behalf of the United States.

I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #72, on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal of the last day's proceedings.

I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #73, a motion by Mr. Hastings of Florida to order the previous question on adoption of H. Res. 974, a resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 3521 to improve the Operating Fund for public housing of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #74, on agreeing to H. Res. 974, a resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 3521 to improve the Operating Fund for public housing of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #75, an amendment offered by Mr. Sires of New Jersey to H.R. 3521. The amendment clarified the intent of an amendment offered by Rep. Velazquez and adopted by the Financial Services Committee by ensuring that public housing authorities that apply to HUD for ``stop-loss'' do not have their applications rejected on the basis that the management and related fees they establish pursuant to this bill are not reasonable as defined by HUD. Additionally, the amendment was a restatement of current law with respect to the ineligibility of illegal immigrants for assistance.

I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #76, an amendment offered by Mr. Meek of Florida to H.R. 3521. The amendment holds HUD responsible, in the case of receivership, for performing the same responsibilities that the local housing agencies have in respect to working with tenant associations before building public housing. Additionally, in the case of receivership, before building new public housing HUD must honor any formal agreements entered into before the commencement of such receivership between the local housing authority and the tenant association.

I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #77, a motion by Mr. Sires of New Jersey to table the motion of Mr. Smith of Texas to appeal the ruling of the chair that the provisions of the amendment contained in the instructions accompanying the motion to recommit offered by Mr. Smith were not germane.

I ask unanimous consent that this statement be inserted in the appropriate place in the Record.