Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution offered by the distinguished chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary.

The gentleman's resolution recognizes the efforts of Bernard John Cigrand, a schoolteacher from Waubeka, Wisconsin, who, in 1885, urged his students to observe June 14 as Flag Birthday.

That effort, at a time when the flag had only 38 stars, developed into Flag Day, which President Truman signed into law on August 3, 1949.

As we observe Flag Day, and we consider this resolution, I hope all Americans would, as the resolution urges, reflect on the values that the flag represents: the rights of all Americans under the law to free speech, free press, and freedom of assembly; religious liberty; the right to face their accusers in court; to be secure in their homes and papers; to be free from cruel and unusual punishment; and the right to due process of law.

It is those values and this Nation which fought to protect these rights, that make the flag such a potent symbol. I hope that as we celebrate Flag Day, Mr. Speaker, we will all take time to celebrate what the flag represents.

I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, for bringing this resolution forward; and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 643 introduced by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon), a resolution congratulating Brigham Young University for winning the Division I-II volleyball national championship.

The regular season and the championship tournament truly gave BYU an exciting run to the national championship. I want to extend my hardy congratulations to the head coach Tom Peterson and all of the BYU athletes.

BYU won a school record 21 consecutive matches during the regular season showcasing their true championship spirit.

Winning this national championship has brought national acclaim to Brigham Young University and its student athletes. I am sure this national championship will give the university and its fans something to treasure for years to come.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4278. The bill is a culmination of many months of bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the Assistive Technology Act.

This law is an important component in ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access assistive technology to attend school, to maintain employment, and to live independently.

As Members know, this bill is critically needed. This legislation finally ensures that States grant programs can counts on a stable source of Federal funds to support their operations. The last reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act in 1998 sunset the State grant program. For the past 3 years, many States have wondered whether a certain year would be the last year of Federal funding. This bill erases this doubt by ensuring that all States will be eligible for funding through 2010.

I want to mention the inclusion of the American Indian Consortium as a funded protection and advocacy system under this legislation. Individuals with disabilities in Indian Country are some of the most disadvantaged when it comes to the ability to access assistive technology. This bill will provide resources to this consortium to ensure the needs of Native Americans seeking assistive technology are represented.

This provision alone will have a tremendously positive impact on Indian Country. The momentum behind this bill would not have been possible without a real bipartisan effort to move this bill. I want to thank particularly the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), its former governor, for his hard work on this bill, and I want to thank their staffs for working closely with my staff.

We have truly created a bill that will improve the ability of individuals with disabilities to access assistive technology. This legislation is an excellent example of what we can accomplish if we put our efforts into working together.

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

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

Madam Speaker, this bill makes an important technical change to the American Indian Foundation. I introduced this bill in the 106th Congress, and Congress established this foundation in that Congress to improve the education of Native Americans.

This bill would rename the existing American Indian Foundation as the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education. This is an important technical change that allows this foundation to avoid copyright conflicts with the previously existing foundation with the same name.

I urge Members to support myself and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I remember Ronald Reagan as an enthusiastic American patriot. He truly enjoyed being President. He was just like everyone's uncle or grandfather. He always had a kind word to say. He could disagree, without being disagreeable.

I have served with six Presidents, and I liked him personally.

Even one of his principal opponents, House Speaker Tip O'Neill, liked him.

President Reagan was well known for his great sense of humor. On Saint Patrick's Day, Tip O'Neill invited President Reagan to the Speaker's dining room to have lunch with the Irish Members of Congress. In his remarks, President Reagan said, with great humor, ``I am told that on Saint Patrick's Day, one should spend time with saints and scholars, so you know that when I leave here I will have to go to two other places.''

We all loved it.

On the international level, President Reagan made it difficult for the Soviet Union to compete with us, either economically and militarily.

May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the members of American Legion Post 18 of Bay City, Michigan to pay tribute to their past Commander and life-time member, Mr. Ken Hamlin. The Legion will honor Mr. Hamlin during a special recognition ceremony to be held in Bay City.

Ken Hamlin was born in Bay City on June 15, 1928. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II and the Korean War. He retired honorably from the Reserve in 1966. Ken has spent the majority of his life serving and protecting. His commitment to the U.S. Navy and American Legion Post 18 is without doubt commendable. Ken has been a member of the American Legion Post 18 of Bay City for 29 years. During his 29 years of service with the Post he has had the honor of being a post service officer for 23 of those years. Ken's dedication to the post and its veterans have not gone unnoticed. In 1994 he was named Post 18 Commander, and later was granted Life Membership status for outstanding service. Also during 1994 he was awarded the Bay County Veteran of the Year award. Aside from Post 18, Ken is also a member of VVA Chapter 494 and a lifetime member and Past Commander (5 times) of AMVETS Post 22. He was the Past Chef DeGear Voiture 690 Bay County, and Past President Bay City Bowling Association. He was elected to the Bay City Bowling Hall Of Fame in 1998, is a member of Post 18 Baseball committee, and a member of the Bay County Naval Ship Committee. One of his most noted contributions to the Bay City Veterans Council was the assistance he provided in forming the Bay County Color Guard with the late George Rowell. Ken's strength, pride and steadfastness in getting the job done whenever and however will always be remembered. He is a leader of high moral standards.

Many veterans are thankful for his generosity and kindness. Without his guidance and the assistance that the many veterans' organizations provide, many of our American Heroes would be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in paying tribute to an outstanding veteran, Mr. Ken Hamlin, for his past service to our Nation and his continued commitment to assisting veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the residents of Frankenmuth, Michigan, to recognize their fire department for 100 years of skilled and dedicated service. On Friday, June 4, 2004, the Frankenmuth community will gather to celebrate this milestone during a special open house and ceremony to be held at the Frankenmuth fire station.

The Frankenmuth Fire Department was organized in 1904. Martin Eischer was named the fire chief, and he held the post until his retirement in 1937. The department at the time of establishment had an appointed staff of 19 men, a $750 steam powered and horse drawn fire engine, and a $535 hose and hose cart. Although the department was fully equipped and staffed, it did not acquire a home until 1905 when the Village Hall was constructed. The hall would serve as the home of the fire chief and fire engine. To ensure a reasonable water supply, the village council provided fire cisterns throughout the village. In 1918, they purchased a Waterous Motor Propelled fire engine, which would be considered as the forerunner of the modern fire engine. The department retained the original horse-drawn engine, and relocated it to a garage across the river. The department assigned a crew of men to the garage to provide fire protection during floods, when normal access across the river was blocked.

In 1937, the department appointed a new chief, Herman ``Whitey'' Eischer; son of retired Chief Martin Eischer. He held the post until resigning in 1947, and Waldemar Veitengruber was appointed. During Chief Herman Eischer's tenure, which was during the onset of World War II, 22 volunteers were added to the roster, the department purchased a 1942 Ford engine, and a Civil Defense team was organized. In the late 1940s, the department received its first gas mask, and in 1979 the Frankenmuth Women's Club donated money to purchase the ``Jaws of Life.'' In 1976 George Reinert was appointed fire chief, after the sudden death of Chief Veitengruber. He served 10 years and was succeeded by Gene Rittmueller. Chief Rittmueller resigned in 1997 and was replaced by the current chief, David Wright.

Aside from work and training, the department is also a community group. They have sponsored several community and station events, including the annual community picnic, fireman's ball, Christmas party, and in the last few years they have sponsored the fire muster. This year over 200 participants are expected. Currently, the department roster for 2004 lists 30 volunteers, including the chief, two assistants and three captains. The department with its skilled crew has handled each emergency over the years with great attention to detail and duty. In the wake of September 11th, the American public has come to better understand and acknowledge the heroic commitment and responsibility that is charged to our nation's fire departments. We are all indebted to you for protecting our community each day.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me paying tribute to the Frankenmuth Fire Department for 100 years of service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 444, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this bill completely misses the mark. American workers need job creation. American workers also need extended unemployment benefits. This sour economy has lost 2 million jobs since President Bush took office. This bill does nothing to address these issues, the most pressing facing our workforce today. Instead, H.R. 444 creates an untested and risky job-training voucher scheme.

This voucher scheme cuts off workers from regular job-training benefits when they accept a PRA. This legislation also demeans workers by assuming that those receiving unemployment benefits need a financial lure to go back to work.

I am not sure about other congressional districts, but unemployed workers in Flint, Michigan, my hometown, and other areas of Michigan do not need an incentive to find work. They are in desperate search of work right now. They do not need an incentive to be able to afford their mortgage or to provide for their family. They need jobs.

I am surprised there are those in this body that think that American workers need a financial incentive to find a job. The real story behind this bill is that it simply fails to address the most pressing needs of the American worker. It is a sham.

Let us look at the real problems facing the American worker. Two million jobs have been lost since the beginning of the Bush administration, 8.2 million individuals are unemployed, 1.5 million workers have exhausted their unemployment benefits, wages have barely kept up with inflation, and this bill does nothing to address these problems.

Substantive help for American workers lies in an initiative to create jobs and to extend unemployment insurance. Yet this Republican Congress and the Bush administration has continually failed to address these needs. The last extension of UI benefits ran out late last year. Despite some meager job growth in the past few months, we remain two million jobs in the hole since the beginning of the Bush administration. The Republican answer to these problems is a pilot project for job training vouchers.

This bill brings no new resources to help American workers. Instead, it would steal funding from other proven job training programs. How could this respond to the needs of the American workers?

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to oppose this bill. We need real-world solutions to real-world problems, not unfunded, untested legislation which will not address the true needs of the American worker.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney), a member of the committee.

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

Chairman Greenspan before the Committee on Education and the Workforce indicated that he supports the extension of unemployment benefits. And after he made that statement, of course, the President of the United States announced that he would reappoint Alan Greenspan, would extend his tenure. Well, if he does that, let us extend those unemployment benefits which Mr. Greenspan supports.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

(Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

(Mr. HOLT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I am in its present form.

Mr. Speaker, my motion to recommit is simple: It authorizes the extension of unemployment benefits.

Mr. Speaker, 1.5 million workers have exhausted their initial unemployment benefits. These individuals have yet to find employment due to this very sour economy. Despite the need for these workers to provide for their families, this Congress has turned a deaf ear. We have continually failed to ensure the financial security of these workers and their families.

The question for this House is how can we pass legislation providing job-training vouchers when there are no jobs. We need to first ensure the financial security of those workers who have lost their jobs, and we have not done that. This amendment does that by authorizing the extension of unemployment benefits.

Mr. Speaker, we have a moral responsibility today. In Michigan and many other States around the country, job growth is nonexistent or anemic. Nationally, 8.2 million individuals are unemployed. The unemployment rate is 5.6 percent. It is quite evident that American workers want to work. The simple truth is that jobs do not exist. How long are we going to ignore the needs of the American workforce.

The underlying legislation is completely inadequate in addressing the problems facing the American worker. We cannot simply authorize a job- training voucher program. That does not meet the need. We have to act today, and we have to act now by extending unemployment benefits.

I want to remind Members that the House has considered nearly identical language to this motion to recommit during the debate on the Community Services Block Grant bill. I urge Members to support my motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop).

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

In conclusion, I would say adoption of my motion to recommit would really begin to touch immediately the needs of those people who are unemployed, rather than this anemic approach offered in the bill itself. I urge that we support the motion to recommit.

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

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude to all of the pages who have served so diligently here in the 108th Congress. We all recognize the important role that congressional pages play in helping the U.S. House of Representatives operate. You come from across the Nation. You represent what is good about our country.

To become a page, you have had to prove yourselves to be academically qualified. You have ventured away from the security of your homes and families to spend time in an unfamiliar city. But through this experience, you have witnessed a new culture; you have made new friends and learned the details of how government operates. And you have seen Congress at its best and sometimes at its worst. We are human beings, but this is the greatest democracy in the world.

As we all know, the job of congressional page is not an easy one, and no one knows that more than you. Along with being away from home, the pages must possess the maturity to balance the competing demands for their time and their energy. In addition, you must have the dedication to work long hours and the ability to interact with people on a personal level; from the powerful to everyone. You have had to deal with people, and I am very proud of how you have dealt with them.

At the same time, you face a challenging academic schedule of classes in the House page school. I am sure that you will consider your time spent here in Washington, DC, to be one of the most valuable and exciting experiences of your lives. With that experience, you will move ahead and lead successful and productive lives.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt back in the mid-1930s uttered these words, but they are as relevant today as they were during those very difficult times. He said, ``There is a strange cycle in human events. To some generations, much is given. Of other generations, much is expected.''

This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.

And having met all of you and seen you at work, I am confident that you will meet the challenges of that rendezvous.

Mr. Speaker, as the Democratic member of the House Page Board, appointed by Speaker Tip O'Neill. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this group of distinguished young Americans. I am personally proud of you. I have benefited from you. I think we all add to one another. You added to my experiences. You have presented to me a challenge to do better. And when you go back home, you will have had a special experience that no one else will have had.

There is a great program in this country called Close Up. It is a great

program, and I always meet with all my Close Up students. But no one has seen this government as close up as you. When you go back home, you will have every opportunity to talk about government and how, despite the faults and shortcomings, this is a great body and this is the greatest democracy in the world. And you are one of the reasons it is.

Thank you very much, and God bless you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to bring to your attention that during the month of February 2004 the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 629 (Dort Highway) of Flint, Michigan celebrated their 100th year of brotherhood.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles formerly known as the ``Seattle Order of Good Things'' was founded in Seattle, Washington on February 6, 1898. The organization's informal slogan is `` People Helping People'' (F. Hector Gauthier, North Uxbridge, Mass.) Six short years later, on February 17, 1904 the Flint Dort Highway Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 629 chapter was chartered with 61 members. Former Flint Mayor George McKinley was the chapter's first President and Floyd Simson a Pharmacist/Drugstore owner was the Secretary. The club held meetings in the old Woolworth building twice a month until they relocated to the 2nd floor of the State Theater in June of 1905. In 1907 they moved to Castel Hall where they occupied the entire 3rd floor. As the organization's location changed so did its membership. In 1938 their Auxiliary was chartered with 71 members while located at the Smith and Waters building, which was purchased from Dort Motor Company in 1922. The club added a 10,000 square foot addition to the building which they called home until a fire destroyed the building and forced them to move to the second floor of the Samons building located at First and Garland. They remained there until 1980 when they purchased the building known as the Freeman Ice Cream Building. The organization began remodeling efforts immediately, with most of the work being done by its members. The building was completed in 1981 and a banquet hall was added just in time for their 1984 District Wide Initiation. New candidates from all the clubs in District Four were initiated during the event. The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an organization committed to the American people. Throughout its 100 years, they have strived on a daily basis to make this country a better place for all. This is an extraordinary club of men working for the betterment of our nation. I am proud to say that there is a chapter in my hometown of Flint addressing the needs of my community.

Mr. Speaker, many people have greatly benefited from the generosity of these fine men. They are indeed men of moral character committed to improving the welfare and dignity of those in need. I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in paying tribute to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 629 (Dort Highway) Flint Chapter as they celebrate 100 years of solid brotherhood and in wishing them the very best in future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I also rise in opposition to this closed rule and urge Members to defeat the previous question. This rule cuts off meaningful debate on real-world solutions to the real-world problems of American workers.

The underlying bill creates an unproven and risky job-training voucher program that does not address the main issues facing American workers. American workers need help now. Those who exhausted their unemployment benefits need Congress and the Bush administration to enact an extension of those benefits. The American

worker also needs new job opportunities.

Under this administration, 2 million jobs have been lost, 8.2 million individuals are unemployed, 1.5 million workers have exhausted their unemployment benefits, and wages have barely kept up with inflation. This bill does nothing to address these problems.

The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) and I filed amendments to respond to the true needs of American workers. The Committee on Rules blocked both of these amendments.

When I go to the Committee on Rules recently, I am reminded of what Dante had engraved above the gates of Hell in his ``Inferno.'' Engraved there was: ``Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.'' I have not been given an amendment up there, by the present committee and I have been here quite a few years.

The amendment to be offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) would have allowed local communities to hire and train first responders. This amendment would have created jobs, while also protecting our villages and towns from security threats. My amendment would have extended unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted their initial 26 weeks.

Both of these amendments are critically needed if we are to ensure that American families can provide for their own financial security. I urge Members to defeat the previous question so we can have a full and open debate on the Ryan amendment. If the previous question is not defeated, I urge opposition to this rule.

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

Mr. Speaker, I think I have seen this movie before. It was known at that time as H.R. 2211. It brings to mind, if I could sing I might sing it, but it seems to me I heard this song before. It is from an old familiar score. However, despite the fact that we are running this bill through again, the substance of this bill is certainly acceptable to this side.

I know this because, as I say, we voted on this before. It is over in the Senate under its previous title. In fact, we voted on this exact bill a few months ago. I think it was last year this House reported the bill by a vote of 404 to 17. And I would hope we would get even more votes on this second time around today. I intend to support this bill today again.

Why are we doing this? Why pass the exact same bill in the same Congress? Why is the House starting to repass the same bills in the same Congress? I do not think we have had a constitutional amendment that if a bill passes one House twice, it goes straight to the President, but nevertheless we are doing that. No one, however, watching this debate today should be fooled by it. We are not breaking new ground with this bill. In fact, we are not really even legislating.

The action taken by the House today on this bill and the other two bills that will follow are really unnecessary. Rather than wasting our time repassing legislation, as we are today, we should be investing in America's students and America's families. This investment would mean increasing Pell grants, holding down tuition, and allowing all students to benefit from today's low interest rates. The buying power of today's Pell grant is $500 less in real terms than these grants were worth 30 years ago.

President Bush has frozen the maximum Pell grant over the last 3 years. This bill does not add a single dime to Pell grants. Instead of expanding college access through increased Pell funding, we are repassing bills already passed by the House. Tuition has skyrocketed as States cut their higher education budgets. Tuition has risen by more than 30 percent since 2001. The Republican answer, repass bills already considered by the House.

We are at a time of historically low interest rates, the lowest in a generation. Some individuals who have previously consolidated their students loans now cannot benefit from these low rates. Instead, they are trapped with student loans at high interest rates. Is this legislation going to allow these students to reconsolidate their student loans at today's low interest rates? The answer is no. Instead of reducing the cost of college, this Congress is repassing bills already passed by this House.

Mr. Speaker, I again want to say that I am going to support the legislation which is before us today. However, we are simply squandering our time and resources by repassing this bill. This legislation is not making a single improvement to our higher education programs, nor does it ensure that a single teacher is more qualified.

Again, Mr. Speaker, though I have seen this movie before, I will support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Education Reform.

Mr. Speaker, on this summer rerun I now yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen).

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this carbon copy of H.R. 2211 and urge its adoption; and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, we have been here before. We have already voted on this legislation. As with the last bill, this legislation has already passed this House. Less than 1 year ago, this House reported the exact bill by a good bipartisan voice vote. That bill also improved our graduate programs. While this is a worthwhile goal, today's action does not actually move us further toward these improvements.

I am going to support this bill today, but there is a more important question for this body: Why are we repassing legislation? During the last bill we considered, I asked this very question. Since I did not get a satisfactory answer then, I really do not expect to get one now. But rather than wasting our time, Mr. Speaker, repassing legislation, we should be investing in America's families.

During the last bill, I talked about some much-needed improvement to our higher-education programs that this Congress should be considering. Now I will spend my time on how this Republican Congress and the Bush administration has not provided economic security for the American worker and their families.

The Republican Congress and the Bush administration have refused to provide extended unemployment benefits to those workers who have exhausted their initial benefits. Despite the fact that 1.5 million workers have exhausted their benefits, this Congress has refused to act. These workers who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing and the sour economy do not have the financial security to provide for their families. This Congress and the administration continue to turn a blind eye.

The real root of the problem for today's American workers is that there are not any jobs. I was in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, this past weekend; and I went into McDonald's and ordered the No. 9. They were hiring, but General Motors is not hiring. The really good jobs are not there.

There are 8.2 million individuals now unemployed. On his watch, President Bush has lost 2 million jobs. That is a staggering figure when you stop to think about it. The administration has failed to keep the jobs needed to keep pace with an expanding workforce, but also we are 2 million jobs in the hole.

The Republican Congress and the Bush administration have failed to pass an unemployment insurance extension and other critical legislation directly affecting the financial security of families. Instead, Congress is debating legislation that has already passed.

Clearly, Mr. Speaker, we need to refocus our priorities on restoring the economic well-being of our workers and the families for which they provide. Mr. Speaker, I again want to say that I am going to support this legislation which is before us today. However, this legislation is not moving us toward improving our graduate programs. We simply are squandering our time and resources by repassing this bill today.

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

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

The gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) has said we are repassing these bills to get the attention of the Senate. I suggest it might be cheaper and more efficient to send a respectful message to the Senate, and I will be glad to cosign a letter with my colleague to do that.

But, nevertheless, I will support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to an outstanding individual, Mr. Donald J. Krapohl. On May 23, 2004, family and friends will gather to honor Donald, as he celebrates his 75th birthday.

Donald is a longtime resident and tireless advocate of Genesee County. He held the election positions of Mt. Morris Township Trustee and Supervisor. In addition, Don served his community in many other capacities, including but not limited to the Beecher Board of Education, Genesee County Economic Development Corp., Genesee County Parks Commission, Genesee County Bicentennial coordinator, Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission, Mt. Morris Twp. Housing Commission, Department of Outdoor Recreation advisory committee, National Association of Counties Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement committee, Forward Development Corporation, Genesee County water and waste division advisory committee, and Chairman of the Mt. Morris Twp. Senior Citizen Board of Directors.

During his career, Don has received numerous recognitions for his outstanding community leadership. He was named an honorary Fireman by the Mt. Morris Central and Beecher Fire departments. The Mt. Morris Township Senior Citizen Center was named in his honor. To know Don is to appreciate him. He is a hard working and unselfish leader. He is an inspiration to others who are serving their community. Aside from his duties in public service, he is the coach for the Beecher Schools little league football program.

Don and his lovely wife Barbara have four wonderful children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member of Congress representing Genesee County, Michigan, I ask my colleagues in the 108th Congress to please join me in not only recognizing my good friend Mr. Donald Krapohl for his outstanding citizenship and concern for the people of Genesee County, but to wish him a very happy 75th birthday, and many more to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the brave men and women of our Nation's Armed Forces who are performing so magnificently in Iraq, under very difficult circumstances. America is exceedingly blessed to have such citizens who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our Nation.

Some who serve in Iraq have made the supreme sacrifice by giving their very lives in defense of our Nation. And to those heroes we owe our eternal gratitude, and we give our deepest sympathy to their families and loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, several families in my congressional district have lost loved ones in Iraq. I list their names and hometowns for my colleagues in Congress.

SGT Michael F. Pedersen, U.S. Army of Flint, MI, killed in action in a helicopter crash on April 2, 2003.

SSG Scott Sather, U.S. Air Force of Clio, MI, killed in action on April 8, 2003.

PFC Jason M. Meyer, U.S. Army or Swartz Creek, MI, killed in action when struck by mortar fire on April 8, 2003.

SSG Brett J. Petriken, U.S. Army of Mundy Township, MI, killed in action escorting a convoy on May 26, 2003.

SPC Artimus D. Brassfield, U.S. Army of Flint, MI, killed in action when struck by mortar fire on October 24, 2003.

SPC Richard K. Trevithick, U.S. Army of Gaines, MI, killed in action by an improvised explosive device on April 14, 2004.

Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to observe Memorial Day later this month, it is incumbent upon us to remember the service and sacrifice of, not only those who have fought in previous wars and conflicts, but also the fine men and women who are currently serving our Nation in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. We particularly want to express our gratitude to those heroes who have given their lives in the service of our country. May they rest in peace.