Floor Statements

Just in response to the comments made by my friend from Florida, also, I agree with most of what you are saying. We need to protect our country. We need to be able to have the tools to go on the computer or to go on the cell phone or whatever we need. But we are a country of laws, and our forefathers created an excellent, excellent country and a Constitution, and that Constitution created checks and balances. That is about what we are talking about here today.

Now, I have an amendment that was before the Rules Committee today that was rejected. One of the administration's biggest arguments is that they need more time and flexibility to track down terrorists without going to a FISA judge. My amendment that was just rejected by the Rules Committee does that.

My amendment extends the duration of emergency authorizations from 7 to 14 days. That means the people who work at NSA have 14 days before they have to go to a FISA judge, but they do have to go to a FISA judge. So if it is the opinion of the administration that there is an emergency situation to protect our country, they can go on that phone to find that terrorist, but they would be able to have 14 days before they go to a FISA judge. But the issue is they have to go to a FISA judge, and that is the check and balance we do have in this country.

If we get information on an important target, we can conduct warrantless surveillance for 14 days before going to a FISA judge. That is giving the tools that we need. That amendment was rejected.

The purpose of my amendment was to make sure that in an emergency there was absolutely no chance that the men and women of the NSA would have to turn off their equipment just because they didn't have enough time to get a warrant.

As the Member who represents NSA, which is in my district, who sits on the Intelligence Committee and is one of the handful of Members briefed into the President's program, I would have hoped that my amendment would have been in order. My amendment was an attempt to do the right thing for the country and NSA.

We should remember that what makes our country great is our system of checks and balances. My amendment would have done that.

We should not have a closed rule on this bill. We should be willing to take whatever amendments are necessary to make the underlying bill the best one we can for the security of our country.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to rise before you today to salute a woman who has spent many years working towards bettering the quality of life in the State of Maryland. Sadly, after 32 years of service the eight time elected Maryland State Attorney, Sandra O'Connor, will give up her post. She is the longest serving prosecutor in the State of Maryland.

As a former prosecutor, I had the privilege of working under Sandy during her tenure. I have great respect and admiration for the work she has done over the last 32 years. She continuously worked to support victims and witnesses. In fact, she is responsible for creating the first unit in Maryland to assist victims and witnesses. Mrs. O'Connor cracked down on criminals by establishing tough standards for people who use handguns as well as commit violent crimes in Baltimore County. As a direct result of her leadership, Baltimore County has the most offenders serving no-parole sentences in Maryland. She has also established a Child Abuse and Sexual Offense Unit, and a Repeat Offender Unit. In addition, she has established programs for Rape Awareness and ``Better Safe Than Sorry''.

Without a doubt, this is a woman of great caliber. Her grace, dignity, and unparalleled determination set her apart from so many in her field. She worked tirelessly through the years to remain free from partisan views and instead focused on how to better assist Maryland citizens.

Mrs. O'Connor not only devoted her time to the State's Attorney for Baltimore County office, but also to a number of other organizations. She is the Vice-President and Director of the National District Attorney's Association; a past president of the Maryland State Attorney's Association; and she was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the State Justice Institute and the Advisory Board for the National Information Center. Mrs. O'Connor has also been honored by a number of organizations for her outstanding service. In addition to serving on these boards, Sandy also lectures at the National College of District Attorneys and in 1991 she was a recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award.

As a graduate of Catonsville Senior High, Indiana University, and Indiana University School of Law she has made her alma maters proud. Mrs. O'Connor has set the standard extremely high and leaves big shoes to fill. Confidently, I can say that she is the best in this field and Baltimore County was lucky to have her for so long.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to salute State's Attorney for Baltimore County, Sandra O'Connor, for a remarkable job. She will always be remembered for raising the bar and setting the precedent for future Baltimore County State's Attorneys.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize a very significant occasion. I am proud to represent two people who have lived a full life of love and happiness. Donald and Margaret Mergler celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary on September 4, 2006.

The Merglers are believed to be the oldest living married couple in the United States. In the world we live in today, marriages sometimes don't last more than a year let alone 80. This couple is truly worthy of recognition for such a joyous occasion.

The 98-year-olds have known each other since grade school. They were both born and raised in Havre de Grace, Maryland. As children in grade school the couple knew each other, but it wasn't until Donald offered Margaret a ride home from their church's Christmas pageant, the two became a couple.

After the Merglers were married, Mr. Mergler's career took them on a tour of Maryland's neighboring states. Mr. Mergler was a jockey at the race tracks for many years. After he hung up his reins, Mr. Mergler relocated the family back to the Havre de Grace area where he worked as an assemblyman for the company now referred to as Lockheed Martin. The couple remained here for the rest of their working years. While Mr. Mergler put together helicopters for Boeing, Mrs. Mergler chauffeured military persons and supervised mail distribution at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me to commemorate the union of Donald and Margaret Mergler. Much can be learned from the 98-year-old couple about love, life, and happiness. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to them for reaching their 80th wedding anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor the life of a Maryland soldier who died honorably serving his country in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Private Eric M. Kavanagh from Glen Burnie, Maryland was a dedicated and loyal serviceman. His courage enabled him to be a leader among his peers.

The 20-year-old private was trained as a Bradley tank driver. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. After his training, he was stationed in Iraq for 5 weeks.

I commend Private Kavanagh for his courage to serve our country and to fight for freedom in an unsettled world. Without doubt, his bravery gives his parents, Mr. Kelvin T. Kavanagh and Ms. Rhonda Kavanagh great pride. Private Kavanagh was the oldest of three children. He is remembered for being not only a magnanimous and compassionate soldier but also an incredible brother and son.

Prior to joining the Army, Private Kavanagh worked for a weekly shopping publication, the Pennysaver. Co-workers said he was always happy and smiling. He attended Folger McKinsey Elementary School, Severna Park Middle School, and Chesapeake High School.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor the patriotism of Private Eric M. Kavanagh. His love of country and willingness to serve his country will forever last in our hearts and minds. He made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America and he will always be remembered as a hero from Maryland.

Mr. Speaker, this Friday, September 22, the average American senior will lose his or her prescription drug coverage that was promised by the majority.

This is the same confusing and complicated drug plan the majority created through the private sector rather than through the Federal Government's Medicare program.

Millions of seniors have already lost their coverage, but in the coming days, those numbers will climb as more seniors are expected to be denied their coverage when they hit the $2,250 mark. How can this be? How can the majority create a plan where seniors are still forced to pay monthly premiums but are denied coverage?

How can a majority create a law that is supposed to help seniors and then not allow the government to negotiate to bring down drug prices? We must give the Federal Government the ability to negotiate on behalf of seniors so that we can bring down drug prices and eliminate the doughnut hole so no senior loses their drug coverage.

It is time we take our country in a new direction.

Mr. Speaker, first, I thank Ranking Member Harman, and Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the heroes of September 11.

Our citizens will forever remember September 11 as a day on which our values, our liberties, and our freedoms were attacked.

Our Nation's intelligence agencies and law enforcement officials learned to do business differently after 9/11.

We learned we need to give our law enforcement and intelligence agencies more powerful and flexible, modern tools to detect terrorists' plans and intentions.

As a former prosecutor, I understand the need to balance tough justice issues for criminals but also to respect human rights.

By the same logic, we have to learn what terrorists are plotting before they act so that we can keep the country safe, but we have to fight terrorists in a way that also protects Americans' rights. In passing the PATRIOT Act, Congress struck a balance between civil liberties and strong law enforcement. Not a perfect balance but a good one.

However, not every effort strikes this balance. The President ordered the National Security Agency to conduct a surveillance program in a way that avoids certain required constitutional checks and balances. The House Intelligence Committee could not oversee the NSA program because most of us were not briefed. At the administration's direction, the judicial branch, in the form of the FISA court, was bypassed.

If the administration needs new authorities to monitor terrorists, they should ask Congress for them. I see no reason, however, why this program could not be conducted under the rubric of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The district I represent includes NSA. So I have a special interest in the men and women of the NSA who professionally and honorably serve their country, often in secret. They should not have to worry if they are breaking the law when they follow instructions of the White House and the Attorney General.

Our counterterrorism efforts must be governed by the rule of law. To do otherwise would dishonor the heroes of September 11 and their loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, sorrowfully I rise before you today to honor the second sailor from Maryland who died serving his country in the War on Terror. I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the life and memory of an altruistic serviceman from

Towson, Maryland, Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Austin Koth.

Unfortunately, over 2,500 United States servicemen and women have died in the War in Iraq. Each time a servicemember dies, we are reminded of our gratitude for the Armed Services; these people have built a career around protecting American citizens. The drive and conviction Petty Officer Koth and his peers show each day is commendable.

Petty Officer Koth died as a result of an explosive weapon at Camp Victoria, Iraq detonating. He was assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8, serving with Multinational Corps Iraq in Baghdad at the time of his death. He was on his second tour of lraq with only 3 weeks remaining.

Petty Officer Koth is remembered as a devoted sailor who found extreme pride in saving the lives of innocent people. He protected his fellow servicemen and women, and Iraqi civilians by removing bombs from heavily populated marketplaces. He frequently called or wrote home saying he had neutralized a number of bombs while he was a part of the Army Rangers Unit that drove through Baghdad in Humvees and Bradley fighting vehicles in search of such explosives.

Serving the United States of America was in Petty Officer Koth's blood. Both of his grandfathers and four of his uncles served in the United States Navy. This magnanimous serviceman was ambitious and confident from the time he was young. As the youngest of four children, he was well-known for his courage. This notable trait propelled him toward his future in the Armed Services.

While enrolled in Loyola College, Koth joined the diving team where he excelled greatly. Upon obtaining his degree in information systems, Petty Officer Koth went on to train with dolphins at the Naval School of Explosive Ordnance Disposal in Florida. There his notability as a fearless diver taught him how to take apart underwater mines, a task that prepared him for his naval career of dismantling explosives.

His passion for life made him a champion in the eyes of fellow service men and the women and Iraqi people. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join with me today to celebrate the life of Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Austin Koth. His selfless acts of compassion make him truly worthy of great recognition. He will forever be remembered as a Maryland hero.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you to acknowledge the good deeds of a caring and compassionate woman who has been an effective advocate for defenseless animals. Ms. Norcella ``Sally'' Gibson is the creator of Lucky Cat Rescue, an organization established to save the lives of stray and feral cats.

Along with rescuing and re-homing over 250 cats each year, Ms. Gibson can add to her resume the Kindred Spirit Award from the Doris Day Foundation. The award is given to people who show extreme kindness and compassion to animals. By founding an organization that gives cats and kittens medical attention, foster care, proper diet, and loving homes, Sally Gibson was a first-rate candidate.

Sally, the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland Hospital for Children, is known for her devotion to the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable, animals and children.

Lucky Cat Rescue takes in cats and kittens that are considered ``unadoptable'' by other shelters. In fact, these are the cats that would potentially be euthanized. Ms. Gibson maintains three feral cat colonies. She and other

volunteers offer these cats a home and foster families. Proud foster parents report back with incredible success stories.

Lucky Cat Rescue also serves as an educational organization. They provide information and resources to surrounding communities regarding the spaying and neutering of cats in order to reduce the amount of unwanted litters.

I believe it is important to protect animals. I proudly became a cosponsor of the Pet Animal Welfare Statue (PAWS) of 2005. This legislation regulates the pet industry and requires all commercial breeders to comply with basic animal welfare rules.

We live in a fast-paced world. Often times, the needs of animals can get overlooked. Ms. Gibson's, Lucky Cat Rescue is a place that shelters these creatures from cruelty. It gives me great pleasure to have a strong organization such as this in the Second Congressional District of Maryland.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to bring before you today a woman with such a strong sense of empathy and humanity. The acts of kindness she has shown saved the lives of hundreds of animals. Ms. Norcella Gibson is worthy of great recognition for her kindheartedness.

Mr. Speaker, it isn't often a gifted and talented athlete has an opportunity to exercise his skills as a coach. It is even less common for that athlete to coach at his alma mater. It is rarer still for that athlete to be recognized as one of the best coaches on the collegiate level. For this reason, it gives me great pleasure to rise before you today to celebrate the career of a good friend, a strong athlete, and an exceptional basketball coach, Mr. Gary Williams of the University of Maryland's Terrapins.

I have had the privilege of knowing Gary for a number of years. We were undergraduates at the University of Maryland at the same time. While I devoted my time to the university's lacrosse team, Gary could be found tearing up the university's basketball court.

Throughout his career, I have watched Gary excel as a leader in collegiate athletics. The university's basketball team won only nine games the year before Gary took over as head coach. Under his leadership, they turned around their losing streak by winning 19 games in his first season. After his 17th season as the Terrapins's coach, Gary Williams surpassed legendary Charles ``Lefty'' Driesell as the University of Maryland's ``winningest coach''--reaching 353 career victories.

Gary led his team from a troubled period to national distinction. Under his direction, the Terrapins have made it to the Sweet Sixteen seven times, had two consecutive Final Four appearances, and relished a national championship in 2002. His is a story of pure determination, impeccable drive, and unprecedented excellence.

The former point guard for the Terps received the highest honor as an alumnus by being inducted into the university's Alumni Hall of Fame. He was ranked ninth among active NCAA Division I coaches. He was named the Washingtonian Magazine's ``Washingtonian of the Year'' and he was inducted into the Greater Washington Sports Hall of Champions, as well as the Washington, DC Metropolitan Basketball Hall of Fame.

Gary Williams has cemented his legacy by not only devoting his time and energy to the Terrapins, but by giving back to the community at large. Throughout the year, Gary remains active in charity work, fundraising, and public speaking engagements. He is involved with Coaches vs. Cancer, the Cystic Fibrosis

Foundation, National Autism Research, the National Physical Education Council, the Salvation Army, and the Babe Ruth Museum.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you please join with me today in recognition of the achievements of an outstanding athlete and coach. Mr. Gary Williams has made significant strides in collegiate athletics. His leadership has allowed his team to dominate basketball courts for 17 seasons. His legacy will be remembered for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of H.R. 9, the Voting Rights Act. August 7, 2006, will mark the 41st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act has been one of the most effective civil rights laws in granting access to the ballot boxes for all Americans.

Congress enacted the Voting Rights Act in response to persistent and purposeful discrimination through literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation, threats and violence.

The Voting Rights Act has enfranchised millions of racial, ethnic, and language minority citizens by eliminating discriminatory practices and removing other barriers to their political participation.

I want to make one point. I have been to Iraq and Afghanistan on many occasions in my capacity on the intelligence committee. U.S. soldiers of all races, religions are fighting every day in harsh climates to risk their own lives to bring basic freedoms to other people, and they are being told that they are doing what is right: fighting for freedom, justice, and liberty.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

First, let me say that this amendment is very direct and simple. All it does is require the FEMA director to use plain language and easy to understand terms when issuing regulations and revising materials and publications for policyholders regarding insurance coverage in standard flood insurance policies.

This issue hits very close to home for me and several Members of the House. On September 18, 2003, Hurricane Isabel made landfall at the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane. Over the next 24 hours, the hurricane moved across southern Virginia, into Western Pennsylvania and Maryland. The storm surge in the Chesapeake Bay area surrounding Baltimore was 6 to 8 feet above normal levels.

Even though Isabel was only a Category 2 when making landfall, the hurricane was directly or indirectly responsible for 50 deaths, including 7 in Maryland. The hurricane caused approximately $410 million in insured property damage in Maryland alone, with the number even higher when including uninsured property damage.

In my district alone, several hundred of my constituents lost their homes and everything they owned due to the flooding.

People who lost everything have to pick themselves up and try to rebuild if they can. Many hurricane victims thought they had the right insurance and were covered for these losses. They were wrong.

Hundreds who thought they were covered discovered that they did not have the proper coverage. They thought they understood their policies and what they were covered for. They did not.

It was the technical nature of the policy documents and materials that were provided to these people that led to their confusion.

My amendment seeks to remedy this situation so that, in the future, flood insurance policyholders will have a better understanding of what exactly their policy covers. We need to do that. We need to do what we can to make it crystal clear to policyholders what they are signing up for.

My amendment will not rebuild houses or levees, but it is my hope that this amendment will help people better understand their policies and the National Flood Insurance Program so they are better prepared in the future. Our constituents deserve it, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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

Mr. Speaker, the strength of America is found in the commitment of the service men and women defending our liberties, and the lifelong dedication of American engineers and scientists developing the technologies upon which these brave warriors depend. Today I have the opportunity to recognize Joe Gessler, one of these unsung engineers, who at the age of 82, is finally taking a well deserved retirement as America's oldest active thermal battery engineer.

For over half a century, Joe Gessler has quietly made a profound contribution to our nation's defense through development of the battery technology that has become an essential component in a vast array of modem defense systems. Receiving his bachelors degree in chemistry and math from Loyola College in 1945 and his masters in chemical engineering from Johns Hopkins, Joe immediately

entered the thermal battery business at its infancy, joining Catalyst Research, a division of Mine Safety Appliances (MSA), in 1948.

Catalyst Research had just been challenged by the National Bureau of Standards to develop a battery that could sit inertly on a shelf for years, and when needed, be instantaneously turned on without requiring any mechanical activation. Thermal batteries were the answer. Joe was part of the team that in the early 1950's provided the first thermal batteries for the U.S. Navy. Over the next decade, Joe helped refine this technology for use by our other services. In 1964, Joe went to the U.K. to start up a new MSA thermal battery factory in Scotland meeting the needs of our NATO allies.

Joe Gessler's contribution goes beyond engineering; he has been both a teacher and mentor. As the production and engineering manager at Catalyst Research, Joe had a direct and future impact on his current employer, Saft America. Three of the engineers he trained met him for lunch one day to announce they had decided to go out on their own and form KDI Score Thermal Batteries, which was eventually acquired by Saft.

Joe himself joined Saft in 1983 where he shared his expertise until his ``first'' retirement in 1990. But retirement for Joe Gessler meant he only worked 40 hours a week as a ``part-time'' employee. In the 16 years since then, Joe was instrumental in ramping up Saft's battery production for Operation Desert Storm and applying his vast knowledge of battery technology and production to help grow Saft America's Cockeysville facility to where it is today, the largest supplier of advanced lithium ion battery systems to America's Armed Forces.

Whatever the challenge, at an age when most men are content playing golf or sitting in a club house, Joe Gessler puts in a full 40 hours every week generating amazing results with the same positive ``can do'' attitude he had on the day he graduated college.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join with me today in recognizing Joe Gessler for over 58 years of dedication and contributions to the defense of the United States through superior technology, and congratulates him on his retirement as America's oldest thermal battery engineer.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 292, I missed this vote due to attending Maryland State Delegate John Arnick's Funeral. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, whether you are for or against the war in Iraq, the fact is we are there now and we must support our troops. We must give them the resources they need to protect themselves.

In Congress and across the country, we all want the same thing. We all want the Iraqi military to be able to take control of their own country and secure their cities so that we can bring our men and women home that are in uniform.

What we disagree on, though, is strategy. We have been staying the course and continuing down a bumpy, dangerous and deadly road for a long time. The American people are losing confidence in the war in Iraq. Americans are turning on the news and opening up the newspaper to see more and more stories about troops being killed by roadside bombs and suicide bombers.

The Department of Defense released today that 2,500 troops have died in the war in Iraq since it began more than 3 years ago, and more than 20,000 have been injured.

The only people sacrificing in this war are the troops and their families. I have been to Iraq four times and just returned from my most recent trip over the Memorial Day recess. I also serve on the House Select Intelligence Committee where I am briefed often on the situation in Iraq and the global war on terror.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we need a new strategy in Iraq. I believe we must have the Iraqi security forces take on more responsibility in securing their country. I believe we must move American troops to the perimeter of the urban areas and let the Iraqi military patrol the streets in their cities.

Under this perimeter strategy, the American military will still back up the Iraqis in an emergency. This will reduce the Iraqi dependence on Americans and help them gain confidence in their own ability to secure their country.

This perimeter strategy will free up American troops to start the process of bringing our servicemen and -women home. Having the Iraqi military patrol their own streets will show the Iraqi people that their new government has been created and their own forces are now protecting them.

It will also give the American public new hope that the Iraqis are taking more control of their country and U.S. troops are not put in the dangerous situation of patrolling the Iraqi streets every day.

This perimeter strategy will allow the American military to do what it does best. Our intelligence analysts can use technology to locate insurgents and al Qaeda operatives.

Our special operations forces can focus on high-value targets, and our air power can be used to take them out. Changing the mission of U.S. forces, redeploying them to perimeter areas, and lowering the profile of the U.S. forces in urban areas will break the dependency the Iraqi military has on U.S. forces.

Mr. Speaker, you know, it is not about being a Republican or Democrat. It is about having the right strategy, it is about having the Iraqi military secure its own cities, and it is about bringing our men and women in uniform home.

I believe this new perimeter strategy will help us do that. I also, with the remaining time that I have, want to talk about the issue of the Iraqi war versus terrorism. There is no one that I know in the Democratic Party that is not behind the United States fighting the war strongly against terror.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Port of Baltimore on its 300th Anniversary.

Baltimore and the state of Maryland are home to some of the most cherished and enduring symbols of our Nation.

It was during the War of 1812 that Francis Scott Key while sequestered on a boat off the shores of Fort McHenry in Baltimore was inspired by the American Flag to write our National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. It was also during that war that Fort McHenry protected the City of Baltimore and the Port of Baltimore.

I believe that today, Flag Day, is an appropriate day to recognize the Port of Baltimore on its 300th Anniversary.

Established in 1706, the Port of Baltimore is here today because it was successfully defended by the American soldiers and militiamen at Fort McHenry and North Point during the War of 1812.

Today, the Port of Baltimore is one of America's busiest international deepwater ports and serves as a critical anchor for Baltimore and the Inner Harbor. It is also an economic engine for the state. From cars to tractors, from coal to paper, from sugar to aluminum, the Port of Baltimore handles 400,000 containers a year filled with goods that help us in our everyday lives. The Port employs more than 19,000 people, supports more than 42,000 jobs related to the maritime industry, and generates more than $2 billion in revenue annually.

A busy Port has ensured a buzzing economy and more jobs for Maryland residents. The hard work and dedication of Baltimore's port workers together with the support of local, state, and federal leaders have ensured that the Port will be a success today as well as tomorrow.

It is impossible to comment on the success of the Port of Baltimore without recognizing the strong commitment to the Port by former Congresswoman Helen Delich Bently. Recently Governor Robert J. Ehrlich, Jr. of Maryland announced that the Port will be renamed the ``Helen Delich Bently Port of Baltimore.'' Former Congresswoman Bently served in the United States House of Representatives from 1985-1995 representing Maryland's Second Congressional District and has since become one of the Port's most staunch supporters.

In honor of the Port of Baltimore, I am introducing a resolution, with the support of the entire Maryland Delegation in the House, to honor the Port of Baltimore on its 300th Anniversary.

I urge my colleagues to join me and the Maryland Delegation and honor the Port of Baltimore on this patriotic day.