Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2245) to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Wenatchee, Washington, as the Elwood ``Bud'' Link Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 2245, a bill to name the VA Outpatient Clinic in Wenatchee, Washington, after Elwood ``Bud'' Link.

Mr. Link, along with his comrades from the Cashmere Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1045, was the driving force in getting a VA clinic built in North Central Washington. A veteran of World War II, Link worked tirelessly to bring accessible health care to his rural community.

And according to the Northwest Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, ``Bud may not be the highest ranking veteran in the community or the one with the most medals. But if you ask us, no one stood taller than him in the veteran community and naming the [clinic] after him will inspire us all to greater heights.''

In a newspaper article on the opening of the clinic, Mr. Link's widow stated that the message of Link's work for veterans was ``if you want to get something done, get a group behind you and go for it.'' Mr. Link did just that, and today, the veterans of rural Washington have a veterans' health care facility.

So today we not only honor the work of Elwood ``Bud'' Link, we also, in a very real sense, recognize the efforts of all of our veterans who work tirelessly day after day to ensure that their comrades get the health care benefits that they earned in service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, everywhere I go across the Nation I find leaders like Bud Link who don't just care about their own benefits, their own next appointment with the VA, but all the veterans, and they work in their community to make sure that we as a Congress respond to those needs. And I hope that we continue to respond to them.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I'm prepared to close and would reserve my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2245.

I urge my colleagues to unanimously support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4264) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs spinal cord injury center in Tampa, Florida, as the ``Michael Bilirakis Department of Veterans Affairs Spinal Cord Injury Center''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support to name the VA Spinal Cord Injury Center in Tampa, Florida, after our former colleague, Michael Bilirakis, and I thank Mr. Miller for bringing us this important resolution.

One of the virtues, I guess--although some people advise against this--of naming a facility after someone who's living and who's a former colleague is that we remember him. It's not a historical kind of moment. We have known Michael for many, many, many years in this House, and his efforts, of course, brought this particular center into being. And it's fitting that we recognize his efforts.

But he was responsible for a great many things. His background was in the Air Force where he served for 4 years. He left for the Congress in 1982, served here for 24 years, retired at the end of the last Congress, and we miss his advocacy for veterans. Although, his son, Gus, has taken his place and is a member of our Veterans' Affairs Committee and I'm sure will achieve greatness in terms of his advocacy for veterans, also.

I just have to say personally about Mr. Bilirakis, if he is listening. Mike Bilirakis was a little old fashioned. He believed in civility, that, in fact, we should relate to each other as human beings. We could differ on issues, but we have to speak with respect and complete integrity in the way we deal with each other.

I will tell you that he was not always happy with some of my statements in my years on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, but he would not just let them go. He came up to me and explained why he thought I should take a different tone.

And he convinced me that working with the other party, working together on the committee, in fact, you can achieve much more. He really became the conscience of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. I think he made that committee far more civil, and we miss him, of course, today.

I admired and watched him for many, many years deal with the issue that not too many people understood, it was called ``concurrent receipt,'' that those who were retirees from our Armed Forces but who also were disabled from their time in the service would get both payments because they earned them both; and yet the law had offset them, and so the disabled veteran was actually paying for his disability.

Michael Bilirakis fought tirelessly to get rid of that offset, to have, in fact, concurrent receipt. He was able to achieve his goal for about half of the veterans. We're going to continue his work. And I know Gus is taking the lead to make sure we get full concurrent receipt and really honor him not only in the naming of this center, but in finally achieving that goal for really millions of veterans.

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

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

To the now Congressman Bilirakis, you honor your father with your work on the committee and your advocacy, and we look forward to many years of that.

And, of course, Mr. Speaker, this is not an obituary. Mike Bilirakis is very much alive and working for veterans still. His work on the Commission for the Future of America's Veterans is important. It's going to be very timely. It's going to be significant. And I hope we all listen to what he says in his new role on that commission.

And, Michael, if you're watching, I don't always meet your ideal of civility, but I remember your teaching. I remember your example every day.

General Leave

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 H.R. 4264.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support the bill.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4289) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Ponce, Puerto Rico, as the ``Euripides Rubio Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic''.

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

I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 4289, a bill to name the VA outpatient clinic in Ponce, Puerto Rico, after Euripides Rubio.

The Congressional Medal of Honor, Mr. Speaker, is the highest military decoration for bravery beyond the call of duty and action in the face of enemy attack. Euripides Rubio was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. His citation reads as follows:

``For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Rubio, Infantry, was serving as communications officer, 1st Battalion, when a numerically superior enemy force launched a massive attack against the battalion defense position. Intense enemy machinegun fire raked the area while mortar rounds and rifle grenades exploded within the perimeter. Leaving the relative safety of his post, Captain Rubio received two serious wounds as he braved the withering fire to go to the area of most intense action where he distributed ammunition, re- established positions, and rendered aid to the wounded. Disregarding the painful wounds, he unhesitatingly assumed command when a rifle company commander was medically evacuated. Captain Rubio was wounded a third time as he selflessly exposed himself to the devastating enemy fire to move among his men to encourage them to fight with renewed effort. While aiding the evacuation of wounded personnel, he noted that a smoke grenade which was intended to mark the Viet Cong position for air strikes had fallen dangerously close to the friendly lines.

``Captain Rubio ran to reposition the grenade but was immediately struck to his knees by enemy fire. Despite his several wounds, Captain Rubio scooped up the grenade, ran through the deadly hail of fire to within 20 meters of the enemy position, and hurled the already smoking grenade into the midst of the enemy before he fell for the final time. Using the repositioned grenade as a marker, friendly air strikes were directed to destroy the hostile positions. Captain Rubio's singularly heroic act turned the tide of the battle, and his extraordinary leadership and valor were a magnificent inspiration to his men. His remarkable bravery and selfless concern for his men are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on Captain Rubio and the United States Army.''

In the words of the veterans' groups who support this legislation, ``Captain Euripides Rubio's selfless and courageous actions, which earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, reflect the highest ideals of the United States Army and serve as an inspiration for the people of Puerto Rico, soldiers and civilians alike.'' Today, by passing H.R. 4289, which would designate the outpatient clinic in Ponce, Puerto Rico, as the ``Euripides Rubio Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic,'' we honor the bravery and sacrifice of Captain Rubio.

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

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 H.R. 4289.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to approve H.R. 4289.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4918) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Miami, Florida, as the ``Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer my support for the bill to name the VA Medical Center in Miami, Florida, after Bruce W. Carter.

I have a biography, but I never knew Mr. Carter and I'm sure Ms. Ros- Lehtinen knows him best or knows his record the best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 4918, a bill to name the VA Medical Center in Miami, Florida, after Bruce W. Carter.

For his actions during Operation Idaho Canyon in the Quang Tri Province of the Republic of Vietnam in 1969, PFC Bruce W. Carter was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1971. The citation reads, in part:

Pfc. Carter and his fellow marines were pinned down by

vicious crossfire when, with complete disregard for his

safety, he stood in full view of the North Vietnamese Army

soldiers to deliver a devastating volume of fire at their

positions. The accuracy and aggressiveness of his attack

caused several enemy casualties and forced the remainder of

the soldiers to retreat from the immediate area. Shouting

directions to the marines around him, Pfc. Carter then

commenced leading them from the path of the rapidly

approaching brush fire when he observed a hostile grenade

land between him and his companions. Fully aware of the

probable consequences of his action but determined to protect

the men following him, he unhesitatingly threw himself over

the grenade, absorbing the full effects of its detonation

with his body. Pfc. Carter's indomitable courage, inspiring

initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest

traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He

gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

H.R. 4918, which would designate the VA Medical Center in Miami, Florida, as the ``Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center'' honors the service and sacrifice of this Marine Corps hero.

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

Mr. Speaker, I also thank the gentlewoman from Florida for telling us so eloquently about Mr. Carter.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4918.

I would urge my colleagues to support unanimously H.R. 4918 and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1291) expressing gratitude for the contributions of the American GI Forum on its 60th anniversary.

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

I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1291, which comes to us courtesy of Mr. Rodriguez from Texas. I just want to point out that what we are doing here is expressing the gratitude for the contributions of the American GI Forum as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. We all know that the GI Bill of 1944 made an immense impact on the lives of returning veterans by guaranteeing educational, medical, housing, and other basic benefits.

Though this legislation was groundbreaking, it takes much more than words on paper to ensure that institutional goals are implemented. One man who understood this was Army Major Hector Garcia, who realized that the disparate treatment and denial of benefits to many Hispanic veterans must be ended. To carry out this purpose, he inspired to rally around him a group of fellow veterans who formed the American GI Forum.

Their motto is, ``Education is our Freedom and Freedom Should be Everybody's Business.'' The ideals which they stand for, equal education opportunities, equal economic opportunities, equal justice under the law, and equal political opportunities are ingrained in the fabric of American values. Since its inception, branches around the country have reached milestones in veterans' issues, in education, and civil rights.

Knowing the effects of unequal treatment, Army Major Garcia devoted himself to standing up for the isolated Hispanic members of our veteran community. We are happy to honor the organization he founded. We look forward to working with them for the common good and welfare of veterans for many years to come.

The broad-ranging and comprehensive initiatives which the GI Forum has undertaken over the last 60 years include the cofounding of SER- Jobs for Progress, Incorporated, a top-10 national Hispanic nonprofit organization, and the National Veterans Outreach Program, which is designed to assist military veterans in securing affordable housing and provides counseling and employment assistance services.

It is not the years though, however, that the GI Forum has existed, but how much it has accomplished that indicates their impact and why we are honoring them today. Leaders of the forum, from Army Major Garcia, on to the current president, Antonio Gil Morales, have an irrepressible spirit and a dynamic energy, using their benefit for the benefit of others.

Today, the GI Forum continues to challenge disparate policies on behalf of Hispanic veterans by challenging barriers and enhancing understanding. For their support of all veterans, specifically Hispanic veterans, and their leadership in being a beacon of hope and an avenue of involvement for returning veterans and ordinary citizens aspiring to improve conditions within their communities, we take the occasion of the 60th anniversary of their founding to recognize the GI Forum with this resolution as evidence of the high esteem in which it's held by all its members.

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

Before I recognize the author of the bill, I just want to say that the very definition of institutional racism is the fact that people in the institution don't even recognize its being practiced.

Mr. Rodriguez, you have served us for 10 years. You have been a leader in getting this Congress and this Nation to follow the ideals that we talk about with Mr. Garcia. We thank you for this resolution.

I recognize the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez) for such time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, in closing, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., used to say we have come a long way with regard to civil rights, but we have a long way to go. I would just ask my ranking member from Indiana not to think that any institution in this country, even at a time when we are nominating the first African American of a major political party for President, that discrimination and racism has been cleansed from the American body politic. It exists, it is real, and we have to commit ourselves to continually fighting against it.

That is why this resolution is so important. It reminds us of those who took on the struggle when it was so blatant and so urgent. But that struggle is not over, and we have to recommit ourselves to ending racism and discrimination in any form.

General Leave

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 House Resolution 1291.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, yesterday the GAO sustained a protest filed by Boeing Company over the Air Force's decision to award a lucrative contract for aerial refueling tankers to a team led by Northrop Grumman and the European firm behind Airbus.

GAO's decision followed a 100-day review of the Air Force's selection process for the $35 billion tanker program. In the decision, GAO recommended that the Air Force reopen discussions with the contractors, obtain revised proposals and make a new decision. The Air Force was also directed to reimburse Boeing for the cost of the protest.

I am very pleased, as many Members of this body are, as millions of people across America are, and we hope the Air Force completely rebids the contract. But this opens a whole bigger issue that we ought to be discussing.

We need to step back, take a look at the bigger picture--the impact of the Defense Department contract outsourcing on American jobs. As we know, the American economy was founded with a base of manufacturing jobs. Today, it is still those jobs that keep the economy strong.

Right now the stock market is down, the dollar is down, unemployment numbers are up. It doesn't take a Harvard MBA to see our economy is faltering because of the erosion of manufacturing jobs.

Let's keep our jobs in America!

Madam Speaker, on rollcall 388, I was unable to vote because I away from the Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall 389, I was unable to vote because I was away from the Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, on rollcall 390, I was unable to vote because I was away from the Capitol region in my capacity as Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 370, I was unable to vote because of pressing business with my constituents in my home district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 371, I was unable to vote because of pressing business with my constituents in my home district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 372, I was unable to vote because of pressing business with my constituents in my home district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 373, I was unable to vote because of pressing business with my constituents in my home district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Chairman, on rollcall 374, I was unable to vote because of delays in my air travel. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Ehlers

Madam Chairman, on rollcall 375, I was unable to vote because of delays in my air travel. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Welch of Vermont

Madam Chairman, on rollcall 376, I was unable to vote because of delays in my air travel. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. Matheson

Madam Chairman, on rollcall 377, I was unable to vote because of delays in my air travel. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 378, I was unable to vote because of delays in my air travel. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

(By unanimous consent, Mr. Braley of Iowa was allowed to speak out of order.)

Moment of Silence for Victims of Iowa Tornadoes

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 379, I was unable to vote because of delays in my air travel. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 367, I was unable to vote because of pressing business with my constituents in my home district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall 368, I was unable to vote because of pressing business with my constituents in my home district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''