Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 298) to commend the University of Florida Gators for their historic win in the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 298 into the Record.

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

(Mrs. McCARTHY of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Stearns for introducing this resolution. I rise in support of House Resolution 298, a bill to commend the University of Florida Gators for their historical win in the 2007 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

On April 22 the Florida Gators defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 84-75 in the final game of the Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia. The Gators became the first team since 1992 to win back-to-back national titles and just the seventh school ever to be repeat champions.

They were also the first team in history to complete this feat with the same starting lineup. The University of Florida's athletic program has proven to be one of the best in the Nation, now having won 21 national championships in all sports combined. They are the only program to hold both football and men's basketball championships at the same time, and the first school in NCAA history to hold both the basketball and football championship titles in the same calendar year.

The Gators' basketball team was led by their great coach, Billy Donovan, who became the 12th coach to win multiple basketball championships and one of four active coaches to win multiple titles. On top of that, Donovan became the third youngest coach to win more than one NCAA title. Coach Donovan is also a native of the Fourth Congressional District, originally hailing from Rockville Centre, in my district on Long Island.

The Gators finished their season with an impressive record of 35-5, winning the final 10 games of the season. Every player, coach, trainer, manager and staff member of the University of Florida Gators dedicated this season and their efforts to the common goal of repeating as men's NCAA basketball champions, and did so with class and sportsmanship.

I urge my colleagues to show their support for the Florida Gators and vote for House Resolution 298.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again I encourage my colleagues to pass H. Res. 298. And congratulations again and certainly may they have a great future.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 344) congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrars across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 344 into the Record.

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

(Mrs. McCARTHY of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Boustany for introducing this resolution to honor National Charter School Week. He has been the sponsor of this resolution for the past 3 years, and we appreciate his leadership on this issue.

Charter schools across the country are marking this occasion by opening their doors to the community and inviting them to learn about the role of charter schools in public education. With over 3,600 charter schools educating nearly 1.1 million children, charter schools have changed the landscape of public education. Almost 250 schools are created each year. Committed parents and students and community leaders have led the way, creating charter schools to meet the needs of the local community.

Charter schools are free from regulations but not accountability. There are model charter schools that are producing good outcomes for their students. The public school system in this country continues to generate innovative strategies for educating all children. Quality charter schools represent one model for this innovation.

On the occasion of National Charter School Week, I want to commend the 90,000 public schools in this country that are working hard to provide opportunity for children across the country. I urge my colleagues to support our Nation's charter schools and to vote for this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Mr. Chris Murphy.

Madam Speaker, again, I would like to thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Boustany) for introducing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 344.

As you can tell, today we have been talking about the children of this Nation on so many of our different issues. And again, I am very happy to work with my colleague on the committee, Mr. Platts from Pennsylvania.

When we talk about our children and the future of the Nation, obviously, education is the most important thing. So, again, it has been a pleasure introducing these resolutions.

Thank you for yielding.

I want to thank my good colleague, Deborah Pryce, for working on this bill and introducing the bill. I want to certainly thank my colleague on the Education Committee, Representative Clarke from New York, also, for managing the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.Resolution 292. It is important for our schoolchildren to learn outside the classroom.

I am personally a gardener, and I hope that someday I'm actually going to become a master gardener. I also know that bringing my grandchildren into the garden and showing them, number one, how to grow things, and also the whole life of bugs, I know a lot of people might get a little squeamish about that, but to learn the science and to watch a praying mantis and to watch how they live and how the birds and the gardens work together, it is teaching our young children the wonders of the world. It also gets them interested in science. This world is a very complex place.

It is also extremely good for your mental health. I know that certainly with this job here, and all the years that I worked as a nurse, the first thing I went to was my garden when I got home. Just to put your hands in the soil, it gives you an immediate release of the tension that you might feel. So it is an activity that we are seeing more and more young people getting involved in.

I am happy to say that many of my schools on Long Island have gardens going around the school, number one, to beautify it, but also to teach the children how important gardening is. And growing vegetables. We find that children that grow their own vegetables actually enjoy eating vegetables a little bit more.

I certainly want my colleagues to vote for this. It is a good bill, and it is a good awareness for our young people.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for several votes on April 17. I would have voted:

Rollcall No. 216 on H. Con. Res. 100, condemning actions of the Government of Zimbabwe, I would have voted ``yea.''

Rollcall No. 217 on H. Res. 273, Financial Literacy Month, I would have voted ``yea.''

Rollcall No. 218 on H. Con. Res. 76, International Geophysical Year, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 293 honoring volunteer service and thank Representative Shea- Porter for introducing this bill. As Chairwoman of the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, I wanted to highlight this extremely important issue which is why the first hearing the HFC Subcommittee held was on national service. This is a bipartisan issue, and I am looking forward to working with Ranking Member Platts to move ahead on reauthorizing the service bill.

National service has a distinguished and strong history in our Nation. Our roots in service extend back to the first pioneers, when colonists had to ban together to overcome the challenges of surviving and adjusting to a new land.

Evidence shows that service and volunteering lowers dropout rates among teens, lowers crime rates in communities with high rates of volunteerism, lowers costs associated with the aging population and improves the health and lowers the rates of depression among the elderly. Volunteering is a cost effective way of meeting our Nation's social needs both from the standpoint of the volunteers and the people who benefit from the services.

In my home state of New York, more than 76,000 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs and strengthen communities. There are 239 national service programs in New York alone. In my district we have more than 1,300 service volunteers, and we have almost 3,000 students age K-12 that participate in the Learn and Serve programs.

I truly believe that expanding national service, particularly to disadvantaged youth, is an effective way to combat things like youth gangs and violence, and the evidence bears that out. And it is critical that we begin teaching about participation and service at an early age.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Congresswoman Shea-Porter for her hard work to in introducing this resolution. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program (``the Program''). The Program, established 27 years ago at the Adelphi University School of Social Work, was one of the first breast cancer programs in the country. This highly respected and valued program has developed important services that have been replicated throughout the U.S., and volunteers have been crucial to the services provided. On April 19, 2007, the Program volunteers who have given women a place to turn when faced with breast cancer will be recognized.

The dedicated volunteers and staff of the Program offer crucial information and emotional support to people throughout New York who are coping with breast cancer. Almost all the 100 volunteers have had breast cancer. They know the fear and confusion that comes with the discovery of a breast lump or the diagnosis of breast cancer. Because they have ``been there,'' they immediately provide hope and much more to callers. These highly trained and well-supervised volunteers direct callers to the latest information, sending pamphlets and other resources when needed. They let them know what services are available in their communities. And they are a ``shoulder to lean on'' for callers. They are there to listen and to help and get people through difficult times.

My office has used the program many times when constituents have come to me looking for help for themselves or their family members. I have been able to refer them to the Adelphi Program knowing that they will be handled with care and concern and given the best possible assistance. In the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, of which I am the Chairwoman, we have explored the need for volunteers and I understand how critical volunteerism is to this Nation. I thank the Program and its volunteers for their work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize David Israel on the occasion of his retirement from teaching. For over 40 years Mr. Israel has served the East Williston School District with passion and commitment. With a degree in English, Mr. Israel graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College, and later received his masters in education from Harvard Graduate School. In 1965 he went to work as an English teacher at the Wheatley School, part of East Williston Union Free School District.

David Israel has been a brilliant asset to his community, to local teachers, to statewide legislators, and to the students he has taught. He became president of the East Williston Teachers' Association in 1980, a position which he holds to this day. Throughout his tenure, he has co-founded the East Williston Teacher's Association Scholarship Foundation, which awards a 4-year scholarship each year to a worthy Wheatley School graduate who intends to become a schoolteacher. Recently he has been elected to the New York State United Teachers as a representative of District 19, comprising the northwestern portion of Nassau County. Not only has Mr. Israel been a valuable member of his community, but he has been a great friend to myself and my staff with his guidance and advice.

The future of this country depends on the hopes and dreams of its children, and our community and our Nation are enhanced by the contributions of passionate and committed teachers like David Israel.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Chairman Skelton for his leadership on this issue, as well as the ranking member, Mr. Hunter.

If you look back at what happened at Walter Reed, and it is on the outside of the care, not the inside care of the hospital that we are talking about, the Wounded Warriors Act certainly is a good first step.

One of the things that I want to address, I want to say thank you to Chairman Murtha for the commitment he has made to our military as far as making sure the money is in there so that we can implement what we need to do.

As we all know, head trauma has become the focus of a lot of these veterans that are coming home. With the IEDs in Iraq, traumatic brain injury has become the signature wound of this conflict. Our soldiers receive outstanding acute medical care; but people have to understand, it used to be thought that after 6 months of treatment, someone with a head injury would be fine and they would just kind of let them go. That is not true.

Back in 1993, my son was shot in the head and he certainly sustained very traumatic head injury. It takes a long time, and we know that we can give treatment for years after. It is 13 years since my son's head treatment, and he is still receiving therapy. So this is a good first start, and I hope we continue with it.

Mr. Speaker, today, I will vote in favor of H.R. 1591, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act of 2007 to fully fund our troops and end the war in Iraq.

This legislation will fully fund the troops serving in Iraq. It is imperative that they have the necessary equipment to conduct their mission as safely and swiftly as possible.

Today's vote marks a major shift in the strategy for Iraq by imposing real responsibility on the Iraqi government. President Bush outlined several benchmarks for the Iraqi government in his January 10 address. Unfortunately, there were no real consequences for the Iraqi government if these benchmarks were not met. Today's vote put real pressure on Prime Minister Maliki and the Iraqi government to meet these benchmarks. If the Iraqis do not step up and take control of their own security, U.S. forces will begin a phased redeployment as early as July 1, 2007. All U.S. troops must begin their redeployment by March 1, 2008, by which time, the Iraqis will have had ample opportunity to be trained and take control of their situation.

The U.S. cannot remain in Iraq indefinitely. During the past 4 years, the U.S. has suffered over 3,000 casualties and countless injuries attempting to curb the violence in Iraq. The time has come for the Iraqis to stand up and make a real investment in the security and future of their nation.

I will continue to support our troops and ensure they are trained and properly equipped for battle. But the course in Iraq must be changed, and that change has begun today.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

I would like to thank some of my colleagues who have been instrumental in getting this legislation to the floor today. Chairman Skelton of the Armed Services has done a tremendous job. We were under a lot of pressure to try and have the bill on the floor today, and I appreciate everything that he has done. Also, my good friend Congresswoman Nancy Boyda and Congressman Joe Wilson have been great friends to the glider pilots, and I thank you both for the issues that you have been fighting for.

We are here today to honor the glider pilots of the World War II. Glider planes were lightweight aircraft without engines that were used to drop supplies and reinforcement personnel for troops and surveillance. They were effective because they made no noise, and they could fly into enemy areas undetected.

The gliders would be towed by larger planes in order to take off, but then would fly and land on their own. The glider pilots flew dangerous missions and were constantly at risk of being shot down.

We have heard in the past that some of these pilots that volunteered to be glider pilots were suicidal. They were not. They wanted to fly, and they wanted to be part of protecting this Nation. So they became glider pilots because that was the only way they were going to get into the air at that particular time.

Glider pilots were instrumental in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, despite the fact that pilots had to improvise where to land, since no appropriate landing strips were known to be behind enemy lines. Later in the war, Germans would plant wooden poles in open fields to prevent glider pilots from landing.

The U.S. Army Air Forces began training glider pilots in 1941. The program quickly grew during the war. Eventually, thousands of men were trained to be glider pilots.

Throughout World War II, the glider pilots flew many successful missions. The glider pilots' first mission occurred on July 19, 1943. Operation Husky, which it was called, called for glider pilots to carry British airborne troops into Sicily. Despite the heavy casualties from landing at sea, the glider pilots did complete their mission.

In March of 1944, the glider pilots completed Operation Broadway in Burma. The glider pilots took the Japanese completely by surprise, carrying troops, airborne engineers and equipment by night. They seized and prepared landing strips for forthcoming transport planes to evacuate the wounded.

When you think about World War II and you think about the equipment that these glider planes were carrying and how they were able to accomplish this feat as far as making roadways for wounded, they did it in 2 hours, in 2 hours. Completing a mission like that would have taken much, much longer. Usually a trip like that to the front lines to get the wounded back would have taken so much longer by ambulance.

Perhaps the most famous mission of the glider pilots was the Battle of Normandy. On D-Day, the glider pilots participated in the largest combined airborne and seaborne invasion in history. They carried troops of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and their equipment to landing areas behind enemy lines. Their work helped to secure victory in World War II.

Madam Speaker, each year we lose more and more of these courageous veterans. We are lucky enough to have a glider pilot in the gallery with us today. His name is Michael Samek, and he is the gentleman that asked me to do whatever I could to recognize the glider pilots. I believe Congress must recognize their accomplishments for future generations.

When you think about even the war today that we have, so many of our

young men and women and many people are coming home, and they are veterans. From the beginning of time, we have honored our veterans, and I am sure that we are going to find many other veterans that we have not honored, and I hope the committees will honor each and every one of them as time goes on.

But that is why I have introduced House Concurrent Resolution 42. This bill recognizes the glider pilots and the many troops who put their lives on the line to defend the ideas and the freedoms of this country.

All of the glider missions were successful. Unfortunately, casualties were still suffered.

Earlier today, ``Silent Wings,'' a DVD on these brave men, was released. Robert Childs, who was the director who became interested in glider pilots, started working on this project almost 11 years ago. I will be sponsoring the screening of the film tonight for all Members and staff. These events help to truly honor the sacrifices and bravery of the glider pilots.

I hope you will all join me in celebrating with these veterans. We must remember and teach future generations about the sacrifices that glider pilots and all our veterans made for our country.

I urge my colleagues to support the glider pilots and to vote for H. Con. Res. 42.

Again, I will say there is not enough that we can do for the men and women certainly of past generations and for this generation that support our country, fight for our country to give us our freedom, and for that, I truly am honored to be able to sponsor this resolution.

Will the gentleman yield?

It is so important for those that are watching this when you have veterans out there. We have the oral history of our veterans that is going to the Library of Congress. I know projects that I have been doing back home, we have been working with an awful lot of veterans who were prisoners of war, because what you said earlier is so true.

Veterans need to be remembered for everything that they have done for this Nation, but certainly there are so many veterans out there that are not honored. I just wanted to say that with your words and talking about your father, and I know that our colleague here probably wants to talk about her dad, who was also in the war.

With that, I really appreciate your words, and I really think that all of us should be encouraging our veterans to talk about their experiences so the younger generation does know about it.

Mr. Speaker, as you have heard our colleagues coming down to the well and talking passionately on the anniversary of the Iraq war and the debate that will go later on in this week and a vote that will come on to the floor of the House, I think that this is what certainly the American people want to see; but tonight, Mr. Speaker, I also want to talk about something else.

We in Congress must keep our eyes and ears open on all things that are happening around us; and today I want to talk about the tens of thousands of Federal Aviation Administration employees that are working without a contract.

Most of these workers are represented by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Professional Airways System Specialist, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The FAA under the Bush administration has attacked the collective bargaining process. The FAA has not implemented a single negotiated and ratified contract with any of its contract unions. FAA employees need a fair collective bargaining process restored.

Just as this House gave collective bargaining rights to TSA employees in the 9/11 bill, which was the right thing to do, we must do no less for the employees of the FAA. Let me be very clear on this point. Our air traffic controllers do not have a contract with the FAA.

The FAA imposed work and pay rules on these individuals last September. There is no Federal law that recognizes imposed work and pay rules as a contract. Morale among FAA employees is extremely low. Retirements are far exceeding FAA's planning. Fatigue among those employees who remain is a major concern, and these are all direct effects of the unilaterally imposed work rules.

In 2003, there were over 15,000 air traffic controllers. At the end of 2006, there were barely 14,000. Of the 14,000 working today, almost 2,000 of them are trainees and not fully certified. At the same time, and by no means by coincidence, operational errors are on the rise at the FAA's busiest facilities, including Atlanta-Hartsfield and the Southern California TRAY-CON.

Current FAA projections are that by the year 2010, which is only a few years away, 40 percent of the air traffic control workforce will have 4 years or less on the job.

This House has a duty to these individuals to a fair process. That is all they are asking for, nothing more, nothing less.

Mr. Speaker, a lot of people do not understand the job that air traffic controllers have, yet they have the control of the thousands and thousand of lives on a daily basis. Every single day that people fly, it is the air traffic controllers that are basically controlling the skies to make us safe.

And being that we are talking about 9/11, think about what our air traffic controllers did on that day. They brought down thousands and thousands of planes without one incident. They saved so many lives, and yet here the administration is taking away the right for them to earn a decent pay.

The pressure that is up in those towers is unbelievable. I have spent time there just to see what that job was like. They are not asking for more or less. All they are asking for is a contract.

This House has a duty to make sure that those workers have what is due them.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Subcommittee Chairman Wexler and Ranking Member Poe.

As the author of H.R. 222, I rise in support, as all of the members of the Friends of Ireland Caucus do.

This month, the peace process of Northern Ireland has an opportunity to make great strides. Several significant events are taking place this month. On March 7, new assembly elections were held. On March 14, new members for a power-sharing executive will be nominated. And, finally, on March 26, London will rescind direct rule and restore Northern Ireland's devolved government.

It has been a long road to get to this point, but restored progress has been made. Recently, Democratic Unionist Party leader Mr. Paisley, and Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams spoke directly across the floor on the Northern Ireland Assembly. Some people will say this was a small matter. For those of us that have been involved in this issue, it was a great stand.

This dialogue is a major achievement in the ongoing peace process. However, there is still much work to be done, and this month is critical to ensure a successful devolution on March 26.

President Bush's Special Envoy on Northern Ireland has recognized the importance of this month's events and the need for Congress to help galvanize the momentum to achieve the March 26 deadline.

Former U.S. Senator George Mitchell believes a power sharing deal in Northern Ireland is now possible, following the March 7 assembly elections, but believes the U.S. still has a huge role to play in stimulating the investment and the trade in Northern Ireland.

With that in mind, I have introduced the Good Friday Agreement. This resolution shows Congress' support for the Good Friday Agreement, commends the efforts of Prime Minister Blair and Irish Taoiseach Ahern and all the parties for abiding by the St. Andrews Agreement. H. Res. 222 further encourages the parties to work in good faith to meet the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr. Speaker, we have an opportunity to make a difference in Ireland by helping to make sure that we keep this momentum going. But I think, more important, when we see the troubles throughout the world today, Ireland has always been something that many of us here in Congress have been fighting for to bring both sides together. The people of Ireland want this peace process to go through. It is good for the whole nation. We here in Congress will be going as an envoy to Ireland during the Easter break, hopefully to be congratulating everybody and telling them we will do whatever we can to make sure the government stays up and running. But, more importantly, it is the people of Ireland that have overwhelmingly on both sides said, ``We want the peace process to go forward.''

I urge my colleagues to vote for peace in Northern Ireland and support H. Res. 222.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Davis of Illinois and Congressman Westmoreland from Georgia, also.

March marks the 95th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, with only 18 members, Girl Scouts is now the finest organization for girls in the world, with close to 4 million active members and more than 50 million former members, and I am proud to say I am one of them.

Girl Scouts provides high-quality, age-appropriate experiences for girls locally, nationally and internationally that build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

For 95 years, Girl Scouts has served girls through a remarkable leadership development program delivered by dedicated volunteers in every community across the country. All programs are girl-driven and provide girls with a wide variety of leadership building activities that promote teamwork and the development of strong decision-making skills.

There are many programs to choose from, including more than 70 achievement badges encouraging girls to pursue education and careers in math, science and engineering, an anti-bullying and violence prevention program, and a program that connects girls with their mothers who are incarcerated.

Girl Scouts also offer a huge range of outreach activities to girls who have never had the opportunity to be a Girl Scout, including Latina and Native American girls, along with girls in rural communities and in public housing developments.

Girl Scouts recognizes the importance of giving a voice to girls by sharing original research reviews that have helped change the dialogue among the media, policymakers and community leaders on issues important to girls. They have released numerous reports that have helped shape policy discussions in this country.

In celebrating 95 years of excellence and the significant contributions, Girl Scouts will raise the bar in being the voice for all girls.

Help me commend the Girl Scouts of the United States of America for its leadership and expertise in meeting the needs of girls throughout their 95 years of remarkable programs, knowledge and information about girls who recognize the nearly 1 million current adult volunteers and volunteers through the decades.

Mr. Speaker, spending time as a Girl Scout when I was a young child I have to say was a wonderful, wonderful experience. Back then, we only worked on homemaking skills. We did things that girls did in the early 1960s, but today I am proud to say that when you see the Girl Scouts working together, serving, certainly volunteerism in nursing homes and helping our elderly, mentoring for those students that need it, they have come a long way and they are on the right track, certainly expanding their horizon for what they are going to do. When they meet with other Girl Scouts internationally, it is a wonderful opportunity so different countries can get to know each other.

They are the future of our Nation, and I am proud of them, and I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the glider pilots of World War II.

Glider planes were lightweight aircraft without engines that were used to drop supplies and reinforcement personnel for troops and surveillance. They were very efficient, because they made no noise and could fly into the enemy areas undetected.

The gliders would be towed by larger planes in order to take off, but then would fly and land on their own. The glider pilots flew dangerous missions and were constantly at risk for being shot down. Glider pilots were instrumental in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, despite the fact that pilots had to improvise on landings, since no known landing strips were known to be behind enemy lines.

Later in the war, the Germans would plant wooden poles in open fields to prevent glider pilots from landing. The U.S. Army Air Forces began training glider pilots in 1942. The program quickly grew during the war. Eventually, over 6,500 men were trained to be glider pilots.

Throughout World War II, the glider pilots flew eight successful missions. The glider pilots' first mission occurred on July 19, 1942, Operation Husky, which was called for the glider pilots to carry British airborne troops into Sicily. Despite the heavy casualties from landing at the sea, the glider pilots completed their mission.

In March of 1944, the glider pilots completed Operation Broadway in Burma. The glider pilots took the Japanese completely by surprise, carrying troops, airborne engineers and equipment by night. They seized and prepared landing strips for forthcoming transport planes and evacuated the wounded. The glider pilots accomplished this feat in 2 hours, completing a mission that would have taken 2 months by ambulance.

Perhaps the most famous mission of the glider pilots was the Battle of Normandy. On D-Day the glider pilots participated in the largest combined airborne and seaborne invasion in history. They carried troops of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division and their equipment to landing areas behind enemy lines. Their work helped to secure victory in World War II.

Mr. Speaker, each year we lose more and more of these courageous veterans. I believe Congress must recognize their accomplishments for the future generations of our veterans. That is why I have introduced House Concurrent Resolution 42. This bill recognizes the glider pilots and the many troops who put their lives on the line to defend the ideas and the freedoms of our country. All of our glider missions were successful. Unfortunately, casualties were suffered.

On March 20, ``Silent Wings,'' a documentary on these great pilots, will be released. The documentary features interviews with glider pilots, Members of Congress and media icons. I will be sponsoring a viewing of this powerful film on the evening of March 20.

I hope you will all join me to commemorate these veterans. We must all remember and teach future generations about the sacrifices that glider pilots and all veterans made for our country. I urge my colleagues to support the glider pilots and cosponsor H. Con. Res. 42.

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Strengthening unions results in a stronger and more vibrant middle class, which is something we can all support.

Madam Chairman, we have heard arguments about how this legislation is taking away a worker's right to vote.

Let me make it absolutely clear, this bill does no such thing!

It does not take away the voting rights of workers.

The bill says that if 30 percent of workers want an election instead of a majority sign up, they get the election.

I want people to know, though, that most workers do not want to go through the so-called election process because it is so favorable to the employers.

Despite recent arguments from the bill's opponents, we are not talking about anything remotely similar to the American election system.

During our election season, we will be exposed to ads on our TVs that we can turn off.

With the union elections, employers hold employees captive for one on one meetings with supervisors to listen to anti-union rhetoric.

Having someone tell you how to vote on campaign ads over and over again might be annoying.

But imagine if it was your boss telling you how to vote with your job hanging over your head.

In Committee, we heard about situations where employees have to walk past armed law enforcement to cast their votes.

One witness, a Smithfield Foods worker, talked about a time when on ``election'' day, sheriffs officers were dressed in battle gear with guns lining the long driveway leading to the plant.

This is not the traditional American election.

Madam Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and give workers the choices they deserve.