Condemning the theft from the Mojave National Preserve of the national Mojave Cross memorial honoring American soldiers who died in World War I.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1378) condemning the theft from the Mojave National Preserve of the national Mojave Cross memorial honoring American soldiers who died in World War I.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1378 was introduced in May by Representative Lewis of California. The resolution condemns the theft of a cross from the Sunrise Rock in the Mojave National Preserve. This cross was first placed on Federal land in 1934 as a memorial to American soldiers who died in the First World War. Legal proceedings regarding constitutional issues raised by the cross are ongoing.

However, the theft of the cross is inexcusable. We support this measure's condemnation of that theft and urge all Federal law enforcement officials to continue their efforts to recover the cross and bring those responsible for the theft to justice.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Mr. Lewis of California for his leadership in bringing this resolution before the House. The recent theft of the Mojave Cross memorial honoring American soldiers who died in World War I is an act that merits our strongest condemnation. So I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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