Floor Statements

I certainly think there are a lot of very good things in this bill. Our intelligence community is a critical piece of fighting terrorism. Their counterterrorism efforts are absolutely at the top of the list of what the Intel Committee does.

We are supporting all of our agents in the CIA and throughout the intelligence community, and we thank them for their brave efforts. We are aware that they are putting their lives on the line to prosecute this war every single day. This bill supports them across the board. It has the resources and support they need to do their job.

I could say a lot more about that, but I really want to take issue with some of the things that the minority has said, in particular with these alleged massive changes to our approach to counterterrorism. We have heard about Miranda all day long and what the Justice Department does.

It would surprise people listening to the debate to know this administration has not changed the policy on when or when not to give Miranda to people in the field. Under the Bush administration, the Justice Department went through the same set of issues. If you are looking at a domestic U.S. prosecution of that individual, then you give Miranda. If not, you don't.

There is no blanket order across the Justice Department right now telling the FBI to give Miranda to everybody it has captured throughout the world. It does not exist. It did not happen, despite what the minority has said. You have to make that decision.

In addition, we continue, under the Obama administration, to hold people right now, without Miranda, without trial, without those rights, terrorists from foreign places that we can't do anything else with but we understand they are a threat. That policy has not changed.

What we have attempted to do is clarify those policies for the members of the intelligence community in the field so they know what they are supposed to do and, yes, also to prevent things like Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, which every single member of the Armed Forces and the intelligence community has told us was a crushing blow to our effort in the counterterrorism effort. To do that, to make those changes is necessary.

But to listen to the minority, you would think that we have given up prosecuting terrorists outside of civilian court.

We haven't. You would think that we would read Miranda to absolutely everybody. We don't. We are trying to make intelligent decisions.

We need to do a better job of intelligence. We need to better coordinate that intelligence. That's what I think we learned from the Christmas Day attack. There is stuff in this bill to try to do this.

We need to do oversight better. We need to have a better idea from the intelligence community to do what they are going to tell us and when, and to make sure there is a record of it, which is in this bill, so that no one can later dispute what they were or were not told.

The minority has a critical role to play in making that happen. Instead they make these baseless charges that somehow we have given up in the fight on terror and we are not supporting the intelligence community. That is absolutely untrue. Majority and minority strongly support our intelligence community, and we are absolutely committed to prosecuting this war to the fullest extent possible.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, February 22, 2010, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 49 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4425) and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 50 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4238).

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, February 2 and Wednesday, February 3, 2010, I was unable to be present for votes while I was attending to a health-related matter.

Had I been present on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 26 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4495), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 27 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 957), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 28 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1014).

Had I been present for votes on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 29 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1051), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 30 (on agreeing to H. Res. 1051, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4061), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 31 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1043, as amended), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 32 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 901, as amended), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 33 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1044, as amended).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Deputy Walter Kent Mundell of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, who was shot in the line of duty on December 21, 2009 and succumbed to his wounds on December 28, 2009. Deputy Mundell was a selfless police officer who dedicated himself to serving his neighbors and community. He will truly be missed by his colleagues and all who he served and protected.

Drawn to law enforcement service as a second career, Deputy Mundell joined the Pierce County Sheriff's Department in early 2000. He worked as a patrol deputy in South Hill and the Mountain detachment, and during his tenure with the Sheriff's Department, was a member of the Clandestine Lab Team, Air Operations, and a Safety Committee Representative.

Sheriff's Deputy Mundell and his partner, Sergeant Nick Hausner, responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home near Eatonville, Washington on the evening of December 21, 2009. Shortly after their arrival at the scene, Deputy Mundell and Sergeant Hausner found themselves ambushed by a suspect who drew a previously-concealed handgun and opened fire on the officers. Mundell and Hausner, who were wounded, were able to return fire, killing the suspect.

Deputy Kent Mundell is survived by his wife Lisa, 16-year-old daughter, and 10-year-old son. I ask my colleagues to join me in affirming our support for the law enforcement community at large, and extending our heartfelt condolences to Deputy Mundell's family and the Pierce County Sherriff's Department, who are grieving this devastating loss.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the seven brave Americans who recently lost their lives in Afghanistan.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the seven Americans who died in the December 30th suicide blast at Forward Operating Base Chapman. This tragic bombing was the deadliest single attack on U.S. intelligence personnel in decades.

Over and over again, the men and women who serve the Central Intelligence Agency have shown their dedication to their mission and the protection of the United States.

These seven Americans served with distinction at a facility on the front lines in the Khost province, an area which borders North Waziristan and is believed to be al-Qaeda's home base.

Unfortunately, this terrible event also has a connection to my home state. We've been hit hard in the Northwest. Over 60 service members from Washington State or assigned from Washington military installations have died in Afghanistan. Of that, 32 were killed in the past year from Fort Lewis, a major Army base in my district.

Regrettably this tragic event only adds to that total. One of the victims, Dane Clark Paresi, was a DuPont, Washington resident and former Fort Lewis soldier. Paresi retired from 1st Special Forces Group at Fort Lewis in 2008, concluding 27 years in the Army. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents and five siblings.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family and the families of the other brave Americans who lost their lives. Their service will not be forgotten.

For the six additional Americans that were injured in the attack, I would like to offer my support and hope for their full recovery.

The men and women of the CIA have done everything their country has asked of them and more. We all should have the utmost respect and admiration for their service and sacrifice. The loss of these highly trained counterterrorism experts will be deeply felt throughout the Intelligence Community.

And with that, Madam Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, December 14, 2009, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 969 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 779, as amended) and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 970 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 942, as amended).

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, I was unable to be present for recorded votes because I was attending the memorial service held in Tacoma, Washington for the four police officers of the Lakewood Police Department who were killed last week in the line of duty.

Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 931 (on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3288); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 932 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 199, as amended); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 933 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 206, as amended); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 934 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 940); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 935 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 845, as amended); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 936 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2278, as amended); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 937 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 915); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 938 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 907).

I want to thank the Speaker and this Chamber for so quickly bringing this resolution to the floor.

As we have now heard of the tragic events of last Sunday, we are here to offer our condolences to the families, also to honor the lives and the service of the four officers who were so brutally slain, and to express our grief over their loss. They were ambushed early on Sunday morning, simply getting ready to go to work. It is a tragedy that has had a deep impact on our community. And I want to also offer my condolences to all the people in Lakewood, especially their police force and the city officials, who have been so impacted by this tragic event.

The four officers who were killed were part of the police force and all of the police officers in this country who so selflessly serve and protect all of us.

They were Sergeant Mark Renninger, who was a 13-year law enforcement veteran. He started out with the Tukwila Police Department before moving on to Lakewood. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.

Officer Tina Griswold served 14 years in law enforcement, starting with the Lacey Police Department before moving to Lakewood. She is survived by her husband and two children.

Officer Ronald Owens, who has served 12 years in law enforcement, started off with the Washington State Patrol before moving to Lakewood. He is survived by a daughter.

Officer Greg Richards served 8 years in law enforcement. He began with the Kent Police Department before going to Lakewood. He is survived by his wife and three children.

It is very appropriate that Congress makes clear to the families and to all members of the law enforcement community that we stand with them in grieving their loss and honoring their service. And it is also important that we remember as often as possible what our law enforcement personnel do for us.

I had the opportunity to serve as a prosecutor for a few years and work with many of the members of our law enforcement community, and what a lot of people forget is the constant danger that they are in and the courage that it takes to do their job every day. It's easy to see a police officer on a patrol or on the beat, see them driving around, and think of the job simply in that context. But every second of every day, people who serve as police officers know the risk and danger that they are taking. And the impressive thing is they take it every single day and they do it to protect us, to give us a sense of safety and security in our community despite the danger that they face.

The tragedy in Lakewood makes that all too clear. They were simply sitting down for a cup of coffee to get their paperwork together before going on shift. That makes it clear just how much our officers are always at risk and how willingly they take that risk and protect us.

I thank the House for pausing for a few moments today to remember the service of these four officers, to honor them for that service, to grieve over their deaths, and to express condolences to their families, to all of the people in Lakewood, and to the larger law enforcement community that does so much to protect us and show so much courage in doing so.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, November 16, 2009, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 889 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 1314), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 890 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3539), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 891 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3767).

Madam Speaker, on Monday, November 2, 2009, I was unable to be present for the last two series of recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 832 (on passage of the bill H.R. 1168, as amended), ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 833 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 291), and ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 834 (on passage of the bill S. 509).

Madam Speaker, on Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27, 2009, I was unfortunately unable to be present for recorded votes while at home recovering from a collapsed lung.

Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 814 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 368, as amended), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 815 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 562), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 816 (on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2996), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 817 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2489, as amended), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 818 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 854).

Madam Speaker, on the afternoon of Thursday, October 15, 2009, I was unfortunately unable to be present for the last two series of recorded votes while I was attending to a matter related to my personal health.

I request that the record show that had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 786 (on ordering the previous question on the rule for H.R. 2442, H.Res. 830), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 787 (on agreeing to the resolution H.Res. 830, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2442), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 788 (the motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 789 (on passage of the bill H.R. 2442, the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009).

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 754) honoring the citizen-soldiers of the National Guard of the State of Pennsylvania, including the 56th Brigade Combat Team (Stryker) of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard on its return to the United States from deployment in Iraq.

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

I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Holden).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Mrs. Dahlkemper).

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 445) recognizing 100 years of military aviation and expressing continued support for military aviators of the United States Armed Forces, as amended.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

I rise to support House Resolution 445 and thank my colleague from Texas (Mr. Olson) for introducing this measure.

This resolution recognizes 100 years of military aviation and expresses continued support for military aviators of the United States Armed Forces.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am privileged to

be joined here today by a number of my colleagues in the House to recognize the service, sacrifice, professionalism, and commitment of all those who serve and have served our Nation as aviators in the United States Armed Forces.

Our Nation's military aviation began on August 2, 1909 when the United States Army accepted its first aircraft built by the Wright brothers. Military aviation quickly expanded to the other services. Less than 2 years later, in 1911, the Navy ordered its first aircraft. Marine Corps aviation had its inception in 1912 when the first Marine Corps officer reported for duty at the Naval Aviation Camp in Annapolis, Maryland, and qualified as a pilot less than 3 months later. Coast Guard aviation began in 1916, when its first officer received orders for flight training.

World War I focused more attention on aviation. Despite a combat record of only 9 months, February-November 1918, the Air Service made a respectable showing during World War I. The 740 American aircraft assigned to squadrons at the front on November 11, 1918, Armistice Day, represented little more than 10 percent of the total aircraft strength of Allied nations, but the Air Service had conducted 150 separate bombing attacks.

World War II began an enormous expansion of military aviation. The U.S. Army Air Forces strength in World War II would swell from 26,500 men and 2,200 aircraft in 1939 to over 2.2 million men and 63,000 aircraft by 1945. Similarly, U.S. naval aviation began the war with one small and seven large aircraft carriers, about 5,200 aircraft and about 27,000 men. During that war, this force grew to over 100 carriers of various types, over 40,000 aircraft, 160 airships, and 60,000 pilots.

After World War II, President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, which created today's Department of the Air Force. Since World War II, military aviation forces have played major roles in such conflicts as the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as all major humanitarian and combat operations. America's first seven astronauts were all military aviators, paving the way for future decades of American leadership in space.

Today's military aviators have been engaged in Operation Noble Eagle since September 2001, Enduring Freedom since October 2001, and Iraqi Freedom since March 2003, and are performing with valor, distinction, and steadfast commitment to accomplish this mission.

As a Representative of the Ninth District of the State of Washington, I would also like to take a moment to especially note McChord Air Force Base. Their service is part of the Air Mobility Command, primarily flying C-17s and serving our country across the world.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor 100 years of air service in the military. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of House Resolution 445 to recognize those 100 years of military aviation and express continued support for military aviators of the United States Armed Forces.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 627) honoring the citizen-soldiers of the National Guard of the State of Washington, including the 81st Brigade Combat Team (Heavy) of the Washington Army National Guard, as amended.

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

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

I rise today to pay tribute to the men and women of the Washington National Guard, including the members of the 81st Brigade Combat Team, who recently returned from an overseas deployment in Iraq.

I want to thank the entire Washington State delegation, who have all cosponsored this resolution in honoring this unit for their service to our State and to our country.

Throughout the Nation, hundreds of thousands of men and women in the Guard and Reserves serve our country. Over the last 8 years, we have asked more of them than anybody could have possibly imagined, and every single time, they have answered that call at great personal sacrifice. These are men and women who have lives, they have other jobs, they have families, and it is highly unpredictable when they are going to be called up and asked to serve, and yet they always respond.

It is critical to the safety and security of our country that they do this. They do it with great courage and dedication, and they honor our country by their service.

In my home State, various elements of the Washington National Guard have been deployed over that time period overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also we must remember that the Guard and Reserves serve us here at home as well. We have had numerous emergencies in the State of Washington during that time period on which the Guard and Reserves have helped us out. As well, we have had them deployed across the country in places like Louisiana. When Hurricane Katrina hit, they were called upon to do that. Their service continues for all of us in the State and across the country.

Most recently, the 81st Brigade Combat Team, led by Colonel Ronald Kapral and Command Sergeant Major Robert Sweeney, just completed their second 12-month deployment to Iraq. The brigade primarily engaged in convoy security, force protection, provincial reconstruction, and base operations missions around Iraq during their yearlong deployment.

They made our State proud during this service, as they have during all of their previous deployments. Again, this is done at no small sacrifice both by the individual members of our Army National Guard and also by their families, who have to deal with the disruption.

One of the most important things we can do in our State and across the country is to always support the families when the men and women are deployed, and to let them know that they are not alone in their service.

Their deployment was highly successful, honored by all who watched them serve. Tragically, one member of the team died during the course of his service. Specialist Samuel Stone, of Port Orchard, was killed on May 30, 2009. We all honor his loss and his service, and I ask that we keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

The National Guard serves our State and our country in ways that most of us are unaware of, but it is absolutely critical to the security of our country. With our all-volunteer force, it simply could not function without men and women who are willing to take on this dual responsibility to continue in their civilian lives and who are also making themselves available for service whenever they are called, and they do not know when that is going to be.

As I said, it can be from the Governor in the State or across our country, or as has happened most recently, overseas deployments can come up when they are asked by our Federal Government to serve our Nation. Yet they are always ready, and they always respond, and they have served our Nation in a way that should make us all proud.

We literally could not have the national security we have in this country without their willingness to serve, and I thank the 81st Brigade Combat Team for their service on this most recent deployment, and I thank all those in the Washington National Guard who have served and who, today, stand ready to continue to serve. We honor their service. We thank them.

Again, I want to thank my colleagues in the Washington State delegation for unanimously signing onto this resolution honoring their service.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume just to offer closing remarks.

I want to thank Congressman Baird for his very well-expressed remarks and Congressman Shuster for his support as well. I urge us to support this resolution honoring the 81st Brigade Combat Team for their service in Iraq. I think we also need to remember, as we go forward in a number of policy areas, the support that we need to show for the Guard and Reserves and for their families, whether we're talking about dealing with their retirement issues, with the GI Bill, as Congressman Baird mentioned, with the ability to retrain and to give more service to the men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserves--anything we can do to support them and make it easier and more possible for them to continue to serve and, as Brian mentioned, to make sure that their employers continue to employ them and to work with them.

We need to do this in this House as we work not just on these resolutions but on the legislation that offers the support that is so critical to the men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserves and to their families.

With that, I urge passage.

I yield back the balance of my time.