Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true friend of the First District of Tennessee, Mark Keesecker, who passed away Saturday, March 17.

Mark Keesecker lived a life that was filled with entrepreneurship, enthusiasm, and compassion.

Mark was a member of First Baptist Church in Erwin and attended Christ Fellowship in Kingsport.

After graduating from East Tennessee State University, Mark made remarkable achievements in real estate sales, and was an example of professionalism for all of his colleagues. Mark attained some of the highest awards in the Nation for his work in real estate, which included the Century 21 Corporate Centurion Award that is earned by only 5 percent of agents in the Century 21 system.

Throughout all of his success, he was a humble and gracious gentleman. Mark was known for giving supplies to local schools and giving money to various charities.

He left a positive impression on those that he encountered. Mark was a very close personal friend of mine and his unexpected passing is a great loss to the First District.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening in offering our sympathies to the family and friends of Mark Keesecker. He was an illustration of determination, purpose, and kindness.

His friendship and dedication is greatly appreciated, and he will be deeply missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and life of Jack Smith, a friend of the First Congressional District of Tennessee, who passed away March 15, 2007.

Jack Smith lived a life of service, entrepreneurship, and was known by all for his compassion to all those around him.

He was married to Jewell ``Judy'' Garland for 56 years, who preceded him in death in 2003. They had one son, two daughters, and six grand children.

Jack graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1942, with a degree in electrical engineering. He served this great nation for seven years of active duty in the U.S. Navy.

In 1954, Jack Smith started his first ``Piggly Wiggly'' grocery store, which would grow into a modern-day grocery store empire of 95 ``Food City'' stores throughout Southwest Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. He served as Chief Executive Officer until passing the torch to his son, Steven C. Smith, in 2001.

He received numerous community involvement awards through his prestigious career. Jack Smith received: 1996 Grocer of the Year, Junior Achievement Tri-Cities TN/VA Business Hall of Fame Laureate in 1999 and ``The 2002 Clarence G. Adamy ``Great America'' Award.

The ``Food City'' Stores engage in community enhancing programs like ``Apples for the Students'', which provides much needed resources to schools throughout across the First District and beyond.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening in offering our sympathies to the family and friends of Jack Smith. He was a dedicated family man, a true friend of the First District, and entrepreneur.

His service is greatly treasured, and he will be deeply missed.

Thank you, Congressman Price, for giving me an opportunity to join you today. And, Mr. Kline, thank you for your leadership in the Congress and in the military. I appreciate it so very much.

Congressman Price, as you well know, none of us want to be in war; I certainly don't want to be in a war. But the fact is, we are in a war on terror. As a matter of fact, I think back right after September 11, 2001, the first casualty in Afghanistan was Sergeant Davis from my district. A distant family member, the first casualty in the war on terror after we decided that we were going to join the battle. As you well know, that battle didn't start on September 11. This is not a war just limited to Iraq. This war has been going on a long time. It is a global war on terror. This war has been going on for a long time, and it was started by radical Islamic extremists.

This war didn't start on September 11. It has been going on for a long time. Many of you can remember the Iranian hostage crisis. In 1979, 52 Americans were held for 444 days until we had a President that finally came to office and said we are going to have a backbone and we are going to take on the terrorists, and those 52 Americans were set free.

Then we had the bombing of the Beirut barracks in 1983 where 241 Americans were killed.

Then we had the first bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. So you are starting to see a trend here. This war really didn't start on September 11, and it is really not a war that is limited to Iraq.

Then we step forward in time to the year 2000, the bombing of the USS Cole. Seventeen sailors were killed.

Finally, September 11, 2001, almost 3,000 Americans were killed. How soon we forget.

I certainly haven't forgotten. I am sure that the family members of those 3,000 haven't forgotten, and I hope the American people and the Congress and the majority in the Congress never forget those 3,000 people that were killed.

We are going to be fighting this battle somewhere. We are in a war with a people that hate us; terrorists that hate us. They hate our freedoms; and, quite frankly, I think they hate our religion.

The extremists engaged us in battle. We owe it to our fellow citizens to see that we have nothing less than total victory. We can and we must win this war on terror. We simply cannot allow this Congress to move forward with a slow-bleed strategy. We must not cut off funding for our troops.

I spent several hours last week at Walter Reed Medical Center, and I had the opportunity to see men and women in uniform. Many of them had lost limbs. Many of them had internal injuries. We owe them nothing less than total victory. We asked them to go protect us. I can't imagine a Congress and a government of the United States not standing behind them to make sure that they also have victory.

America cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past by withdrawing from a direct confrontation of the radical Islamic extremists. They will stop at nothing to destroy America. They have proved that.

You know, I can remember when people said they have fought over there, they have been fighting over there for thousands of years, why are we over there? The reason we are over there is because they came over here. They brought the war to us, and they have been bringing the war to us for well over 30 years. This is not something we can turn our backs on.

I have spoken to the men and women in uniform as they have returned, and I can tell you to a person, every one of them said we are doing the right things. We need to stay there. We need to finish this job.

Can you imagine being a soldier over there and knowing that the Congress has the potential to pass a law that we could pull out in 18 months. Can you imagine being a soldier over there at 17 months, 3 weeks, 4 days, and you are on patrol and knowing you can lose your life or your limb, but in 3 days you are going to be pulled out and we are going to lose the war anyway. I can't imagine being a soldier that is being asked to do that. We need to have soldiers that understand that we are going to be there for them because they are there for us.

The consequences of failure in Iraq would be tragic for America and for the entire world. If we retreat, the enemy will follow. Our decisions now regarding how we handle this global war on terror will affect future generations. We have the duty to pursue nothing less than victory.

The good news is the surge is working. It is already taking place. For instance, Brian Williams, anchor of NBC News, hardly a news group that typically sides with Republicans, recently reported a dramatic change in Ramadi. The city is now safer, according to Mr. Williams.

It is already working. How can we be talking about cutting and running and failing on this critical issue?

We need to stop campaigning on the floor of the House, and we need to get about allowing the generals to be the military leaders.

As you pointed out just moments ago, there is one Commander in Chief, not 535. Congress should not micromanage this war, and we need to let our military leaders do just that, lead. That is what they are called to do.

General Petraeus just weeks ago received unanimous approval in the Senate, and a week later you have Senators and Congressmen and Congresswomen saying we don't want to listen to what he says. Actually what he is telling us to do is send in the troops.

It is almost like the cavalry. If you can remember growing up, the trumpet would sound, the bugle would alert, and you would bring in the troops to win the battle. We need to do that same thing.

What we have been doing over the last few years has actually worked again. The United States has been able to prevent further terrorist attacks on our homeland since 2001. We did it by taking the fight to them. They have proven they are going to fight us somewhere, it is either over there or over here. I would much rather keep them busy over there if they want to continue the fight.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle may have the votes to defund the war, bring the troops home, and not use the word ``retreat.'' But if we leave before the job is finished, we have retreated. It is simple. We either win this war or we lose this war.

The good people of the First District of Tennessee and I support the efforts of our troops and we support winning this global war on terror. We can do no less.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present to cast my votes on rollcall votes 133, 134, and 135 earlier today, March 9, 2007. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the Baker Amendment--rollcall 133, ``aye'' on the Motion to Recommit--rollcall 134, and ``nay'' on Final Passage of H.R. 720--rollcall 135.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and life of Ted Testerman, a resident of the First Congressional District of Tennessee, who passed away March 5, 2007. Theodore W. ``Ted'' Testerman lived a life of entrepreneurship, service, and was known by all for his fairness to all those around him, even his business competitors.

He was married to Emma Greene for 55 years. They had two sons Hugh and William, and five grandchildren. Ted was very dedicated to his family, a quality that is sought after in today's world.

He served the great State of Tennessee as a member of the Sullivan County Election Commission since 1974. He was also a past president of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, former member of the Bristol Jaycees, and the Kiwanis Club of Bristol. He was truly a pillar of Bristol.

Theodore W. ``Ted'' Testerman started working in a men's clothing store as a salesman and by 1964 he owned the business, Blakely- Mitchell, which became the epicenter for community discussion in Bristol.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening in offering our sympathies to the family and friends of Theodore W. ``Ted'' Testerman. He was a dedicated family man, a foundation to the Bristol community, and entrepreneur. His service is greatly appreciated, and he will be deeply missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 884. I would like to thank the chairman and the ranking member for bringing this important piece of legislation.

The development and implementation of technology to combat terrorism is critical. The United States and our allies in the war on terror share a common interest in furthering research and development of homeland security-related technology.

As such, this legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security's research and development arm, the

Science and Technology Division, to coordinate international cooperative programs with our allies in the war on terror to advance this important homeland security research.

This legislation implements a 9/11 Commission recommendation that the United States should engage other Nations in developing a comprehensive coalition strategy against Islamic extremists.

H.R. 884 establishes the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office within the Science and Technology Division to promote cooperation between entities of the United States and its allies to engage in cooperative endeavors focused on the research, development and commercialization of high-priority technologies directed at countering acts of terrorism and other high consequence events to address the homeland security needs of Federal, State and local governments.

This bill enables the Science and Technology Division within DHS to coordinate with our allies. By encouraging joint research studies, the sharing of scientific and technological information, the training and exchange of scientists and engineers, as well as the joint use of laboratory equipment and facilities, H.R. 884 further directs DHS to collaborate with their strongest allies that include Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore in the development of homeland security technologies.

This legislation is modeled after a partnership created by Congress in 1977 between the United States and Israel. That was called the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation, also known as the BIRD Foundation. In 29 years, the BIRD Foundation has invested $225 million in 690 cooperative research and development projects mutually beneficial to the United States and to Israel.

H.R. 884 will facilitate collaboration with countries which have extensive experience in combating terrorism and will enable us to benefit and tailor their technology solutions to address our needs.

Israel is a country that has developed successful models to mitigate security threats. Most notably, Israel has pioneered efforts and behavioral pattern recognition, also known as BPR. The United States has begun adopting BPR at airports and is now training police and security officers to detect people who are behaving in a suspicious manner.

It is for these reasons that I support H.R. 884, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and life of Bruce Montgomery, a resident of the First Congressional District of Tennessee, who passed away February 9, 2007 after an extended battle with illness.

Sheriff Bruce Montgomery lived a life of service in law enforcement and his local church. He was a member and Chairman of the Deacons at First Baptist Church in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Bruce was very active in his church. He was interested building the church and taking care of people in need.

Sheriff Montgomery took office in Sevier County in 1994 and continued to serve in this capacity until his passing. Bruce served with distinction and the efficiency that is a model to all law enforcement in our nation. He was caring, but firm in all of his dealings.

He also served his country as a United States Marshal for 23 years, as Marshal for the Eastern District of the state of Tennessee and as Deputy United States Marshal.

Bruce Montgomery displayed excellence as a law enforcement officer, as a compassionate leader in his church, and most of all a caring husband, father, grandfather and a friend. He was known for treating encounters with presidents and paupers with the same genuine smile and indisputable compassion.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening in offering our sympathes to the family and friends of Bruce Montgomery. He was a dedicated family man, a foundation in his church, and a superior law enforcement officer.

His service is greatly appreciated, and he will be deeply missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the resolution but in support of our troops.

According to former Congressman, Senator, and Secretary of State Daniel Webster, ``God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it.'' That was true in the mid 1800s and it is still true today.

I represent the First District of Tennessee. Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State because of our heavy involvement in the Mexican War and the willingness of our men and women down through history to volunteer for service to our country.

Right now, there are brave men and women in our armed services who are sacrificing for our freedom. The people of the First District of Tennessee and I are indeed indebted for their service and we thank these brave soldiers and we pray for them and their families.

There are some who would want to limit their discussion to Iraq, while in fact we are involved in a global war on terror. We must be committed to win this war on terror that was started by radical Islamic extremists. This war did not start on September 11. We have been in a war for many years.

Many of you will recall the Iranian hostage crisis, 1979, 52 Americans held hostage, 444 days.

As we move forward in history, the Beirut bombings, 1983. Two hundred forty-one of our brave marine soldiers were killed.

Then we had the first bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993.

Then we had the USS Cole in 2000. Seventeen Americans killed.

Then finally, September 11, 2001, 3,000 Americans killed.

This war didn't start on September 11 and this war is not with Iraq. This is a war with radical Islam. We are involved to win a battle with terrorists who hate us, who hate our freedoms and who quite frankly hate our religion. The extremists have engaged us in battle. We owe it to our fellow citizens to see that we have nothing less than total victory.

Congress should not micromanage this war. We have one Commander in Chief. It is fine to disagree and to point out mistakes, but this resolution is a step to weaken the morale of our troops and it will embolden our enemies. We cannot allow this to become another Vietnam situation, a situation where politicians tried to manage the war.

My emotions run high as I remember that era. My first cousin, Fred Gouge, was laid to rest just 1 week ago. Fred was wounded in that war in Vietnam, a war that was micromanaged by politicians. Because of that conflict, he spent the better part of the last 40 years in a wheelchair. He received a Purple Heart for his service. He was a war hero, just like the men and women of our military are right now.

We cannot afford to ignore the advice of General Petraeus, who was recently unanimously approved by the Senate, and the advice of his commanders. I would ask, Madam Speaker, what message does a nonbinding resolution really send? This resolution says that this Congress will support our troops who have defended our freedoms, or who are currently serving in harm's way, but that is little comfort for those brave men and women who would be called upon to protect us and our families in the future. This nonbinding resolution is only playing politics with our brave soldiers, their lives and our future as a nation. To suggest that we can support the troops but not be in the battle to win is ridiculous and shortsighted.

I can remember as a child watching many different western television shows. Growing up, I don't know of many my age that didn't want to be the cowboy in the Wild West. After seeing many of these stories, you realize that when the hero is in trouble, they sound the alarm, or blow the trumpet, and in races the cavalry to join their brothers in arms to win the fight.

Madam Speaker, the trumpet has been sounded. It is time for the cavalry to join our brothers and sisters in arms to gain victory in this global war on terror. As the trumpet has been sounded, we have politicians in Washington who want to sit on their hands and not send in the troops.

Looking at the latest news, as additional forces are moving in, radical Islamic leaders like al-Sadr are fleeing for their strongholds. It has been reported that he has left Iraq for his own protection. The additional troops are already having a positive impact on the region. We have the ability to win this war on terrorism, and we must win this war to protect America today and for our future generations.

Madam Speaker, that is why I will join many of my colleagues in voting ``no'' on this resolution.

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. Thank you for your leadership and bringing this important debate.

And thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to rise. One of my favorite people in Washington all through history was President Ronald Reagan. Most of us know that the anniversary of his birth was just this week; 96 years ago President Reagan was born. And he once said, we don't have a $1 trillion debt because we haven't taxed enough. We have a $1 trillion debt because we spend too much. And I think that is important for this Congress to understand. I think that is a commonsense approach that the people of America can understand. It is about spending. It is not about taxing. We overspend, we don't overtax. I think that is very important.

As a matter of fact, if we continue on the pace that we have today, our revenues are outpacing us, and we continue to do that, we have our revenues outpace our spending over the next 5 years, President Bush's budget will be balanced by the year 2012, and we can do that without raising taxes. Now, to me, that is an exciting prospect to be able to balance the budget without raising taxes. And we do that at the same time maintaining the successful pro-business economic policies that we put in place. I think that is very important. And it is not just Republicans saying that. It is the Congressional Budget Office. It has actually given us data to support the data that we have in front of us. Just last week, the CBO supported the fact that tax cuts of 2003 helped boost the Federal revenues by 68 percent. Cut taxes, bring in more revenue, allow people across America and from the First District of Tennessee to keep more money in their pockets. As they do that, they spend it back in their districts. It circulates through the economy. It helps the Federal Government. You do it by keeping taxes low, not overtaxing. And we need to do that at the same time we keep fiscal restraint in place. Our economy has actually grown through 21 straight quarters. That is a good thing. We don't want to go back on that. We want to make sure that we stand strong, keep our tax cuts in place, keep our economy humming along and see that we could go from 21 straight quarters to 22 to 23 to 24.

In the period between 2004 and 2006, Federal tax revenues rose by the largest margin in 40 years. You do it by keeping taxes low, not by raising them.

Another exciting fact about our economy, the deficit has been cut in half 2 years ahead of schedule. And we did it by keeping taxes low. I think that is what the people of northeast Tennessee, good commonsense, hardworking people, want to have happen. Keep our taxes low. Let us keep the money in our district. Let us provide for our families. And as we do that, the economy will grow. As the economy grows, we take care of the Federal Government.

I think we need to look at government much like we look at a family sitting around a family table back in east Tennessee. People do have tight budgets. Unlike the Federal Government, though, people back in east Tennessee have to make tough decisions. When they have a tough budget, they can't say, well, I will just go out and raise my taxes and have somebody send me some more money so I can spend more. What they do in east Tennessee and across America is they have to make decisions about, well, I can't spend as much as I used to. And if we continue to do the right things, they will have that money back home.

The President, once again, in his budget is calling for making the 2001 and the 2003 tax relief provisions permanent. The administration projects total revenue growth to grow 5.4 percent per year if we keep those tax cuts in place.

Tax cuts are critical to maintaining our present healthy economy. We simply have a choice. We have a choice of a bigger economy or bigger government. That is the choice we have. And I certainly hope that my colleagues here on the House floor will understand how important it is to allow people back home to keep more of their money and keep government small and allow families to take care of themselves.

To reach the goal of a balanced budget, we need to hold the line on spending. We need to reduce earmarks. And I think we need to pass line item vetoes to crack down on worthless pork barrel spending. I don't think the Congress has done a good enough job on that.

I know there was a bill passed just last week and said there was no earmarks. Well, reading through the data, I am from east Tennessee, and I didn't realize we had a rainforest in Iowa. That is interesting for me to know. I didn't study that back in school in east Tennessee. Maybe someone else can explain that to me when they get up to speak. But that is an earmark that was in the resolution that passed last week.

We are being disingenuous with the American people. And the American people are smart. They will catch on to

what is going on. They will not be fooled.

Another thing that I heard before I came over, I was sitting in my office, and I heard the other side speaking. And they talked about the Medicare cuts and what we are doing to health care. The reality is, under President Bush's budget, Medicare will grow 5.6 percent. Now, back in east Tennessee, that is not a cut. That is a growth of 5.6 percent in Medicare. So please, do not be fooled. Do not be fooled. There is not a rainforest in Iowa, and Medicare is not being cut.

I think if people continue to use common sense, they will support the Congress. They want the Congress to do the right thing. It goes right back to what Ronald Reagan said. We don't have a $1 trillion debt because we haven't taxed enough. We have a $1 trillion debt because we spend too much. And I ask my colleagues to make sure we don't spend too much in this Congress. Thank you for allowing me to take part.

Thank you, Ms. Foxx. I appreciate your leadership and your friendship just across the mountain in North Carolina from Tennessee. And thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to speak today.

It is an interesting time in America; things are going well in the economy. It is going well because Americans are working hard. I grew up in an era of politics looking back at Ronald Reagan, who was a great President. And as we all know, his birthday is today. If you go back 96 years ago was the date of his birth. And one of his quotes was, We don't have a trillion dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough, we have a trillion dollar debt because we spend too much. And I think that is a good starting point as we look towards our economy and how we run this Congress and how we work for the people across America.

Revenues are coming in at a record pace. If we continue the pace that we are at now, we will actually be able to balance our budget by the year 2012 without raising taxes; and I think that is exactly what the American people would like to see. I think they want us to hold the line on spending, I think they want a pro-growth economy, and they want a good, sound financial policy.

If you look at the Congressional Budget Office, the CBO, which is nonpartisan, it confirmed just last week that tax cuts of 2003 have helped boost our Federal revenues by 68 percent. That is good news. There are other signals that keeping taxes low, coupled with fiscal restraint and economic growth, help move us forward and help us balance our budget; and we can do that and take care of that deficit that we have.

If you look at some other statistics that are vitally important, our economy has grown for 21 straight quarters. That is rather impressive. And in the period between 2004 and 2006, Federal tax revenues rose the largest margin in nearly 40 years, not because we had raised taxes, but because we had lowered taxes. In addition to that, the deficit has been cut in half 2 years early, or ahead of schedule. That is good news for Americans. I think that is the type of leadership that America is looking for.

If you look at the way you balance a budget, like a small business does back in east Tennessee, or a family sitting around the kitchen table, and they have a small budget, their budget is tight, they are trying to decide what they need to do, they have to decide, do you cut what you spend or do you bring in additional revenue. And most people understand, as they sit around their kitchen table, you have to hold the line on spending; you can't spend more than you make, unlike government.

I am excited about a good starting point that we see from the President in his budget. It calls for making the 2001-2003 tax relief provisions permanent. I think that is exactly what the American people want. And if we do that, the administration projects total revenue to grow an average of 5.4 percent per year. The way we maintain this healthy economy that we have today is keep tax cuts permanent; that is what the American people want us to do.

We really have a simple choice, Mr. Speaker: we have the choice between a bigger economy or bigger government. And I really believe that if we look forward, what the American people want is us to hold the line on spending, hold the line on increasing the taxes and allow the economy to work the way it has worked in the past and the way it is working today.

We also need to work very hard to make sure that we hold the line not only on spending, but we need to take a good strong look in a bipartisan way at reducing earmarks. I think we need to pass the line item veto. And if we do that, it will allow the President to have better control of how tax dollars are spent.

I would also like to see a biennial budget process where we can actually sit back and let this House and this Congress take a breathing period from every other year and to find out if what we are doing works. And back in Tennessee, as State legislature, I was a State representative for 8 years, we had a balanced budget amendment in our constitution. We couldn't spend more than we brought in. And I signed on as a cosponsor to House Joint Resolution 1, which calls for a balanced budget amendment right here at the Federal level. I think that is exactly what the American people are looking for.

And, again, going back to what Ronald Reagan had to say, just to reiterate, President Reagan said: ``We don't have a trillion dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough, we have a trillion dollar debt because we

spend too much.'' And if we can remember that in this body and over in the Senate and we pass a good balanced budget that would take care of the deficit without raising taxes, I think the American people would be very pleased.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ronald Phillips, a resident of the First Congressional District of Tennessee, who has recently accumulated over 3 million accident-free miles during his career as a truck driver.

In June 2004, Ronald was the first driver to receive the 2 Million Mile Safe Driving Award at Con-way.

His other accomplishments include: 25,000 Safe Driver & Worker Hours Distinguished Driver Recipient; Member Con-way Freight's Elite President's Club; Quarterly Leaders Award from Con-way; National Finalist for Ray O'Brien Award in 2003, 2004, and 2005; Tennessee Truck Driving Championships--2nd place in straight truck class in 2006; Highway Watch Member; Certified Driver Trainer and Mentor; Con-way Defensive Driver Trainer; National Eagle Scout Association Member; Regional Values Task Force Member for Con-way; Member Trucker Buddy International.

Ronald Phillips is an AWANA leader at his church and has participated in several mission trips and charitable work.

Ronald Phillips resides in Gray, Tennessee with his wife of 23 years, JoAnn. They are the proud parents of one daughter, Regina (21) who is graduating from King College this year.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my fellow members to join me in honoring Ronald Phillips, a testament to hard-work, determination and the values that have made this Nation so great.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.

Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State because we have consistently been willing to go and to serve. There are approximately 70,000 veterans in the First District of Tennessee. My district is also the home of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, a 500-bed teaching medical facility located in northeast Tennessee.

Veterans possess special qualities and skills such as a strong work ethic, training, discipline, and dedication to make the ideal candidates for employment. Our dedicated men and women have sacrificed so much for us. Now it is our turn to support them.

I would like to encourage President Bush to issue a proclamation calling upon employers, veterans service organizations, and Federal and State and local government agencies to lend their support for an increase in employment for the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Roger Carter, a resident of the First Congressional District of Tennessee, who has recently been elected one of 7 National Directors for the Ruritan Club.

Roger Carter led the ticket in votes by garnering 503 of 666 ballots issued at the 76th Annual Ruritan National Convention held in Louisville, Kentucky.

Roger Carter is a member of the Ottway Ruritan Club where he has served as President, Vice President, Board of Directors and all Service Committees. The awards he has received: Club Ruritan of the Year, Outstanding President's Award, National President's Golden Key Award, and National President's VIP Award. He also has received the Tom Downing Fellow the highest award that a member can receive.

Roger Carter has served as President and Vice President of the Greene County Council of Ruritans.

Roger Carter is a resident of Afton, Tennessee, where he and Kimberly, his wife reside.

Roger Carter is a Transportation Technician 1 Roadway Inspector for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Roger also is a member of: Greeneville Optimist Club, United Volunteer Fire Department, Greeneville Moose Lodge #692, Greene County Agriculture Advisory Committee and Union Freewill Baptist Church.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my fellow members to join me in honoring Roger Carter, a true servant of community, whose commitment and unwavering determination continue to make a lasting impact all throughout East Tennessee.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Barry Brickey, a resident of the First Congressional District of Tennessee, who has received the 2006 Tennessee Public Fire Educator of the Year award.

Barry Brickey is a native of Kingsport, Tennessee. He graduated from Sullivan North High School and entered into the Tennessee Air National Guard where he served this great nation and was honorably discharged. He has been the voice of the Kingsport Mets, Co-host of a popular children's radio program entitled, ``The WHCB 91.5 FM Kids Show'' and now serves in his current capacity as Fire Education Officer for the Kingsport Fire Department.

Barry Brickey is a devoted husband and father. He is married to Rebecca and together they have two children, Nathaniel age 3 and Hannah age 1.

Barry Brickey teaches children of all ages fire safety precautions. He is dedicated to the success of safety in the City of Kingsport and surrounding areas. Last year alone, he oversaw the distribution of 10,000 smoke detectors and educated over 6,000 students about fire safety.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening in honoring Barry Brickey for his service, commitment, and determination. It is true that our children are our future. Because of the hard work of people like Barry Brickey, our future continues to be bright.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and here we are in our third week of 100 hours, and that is not east Tennessee math. I represent the beautiful area of northeast Tennessee and the 1st Congressional District and am very honored to do so.

One thing I recall when we went through the elections last year, being a freshman legislator here in Washington, I remember the talk about we need change, and I think the American people actually voted for change, Mr. Speaker. But I am not so sure the American people are going to be happy with the change that is taking place here on the Hill.

One of the things that has happened as we have moved forward in this first 100 hours, one of the very first things that we did under the new Democrat majority is, we took a vote to not require recorded votes in the Rules Committee. Now, remember, back in the elections during the talk of change, this was going to be the most open Congress that had ever been known on Capitol Hill. Well, when you go into a committee and you take a vote and that vote is not open and recorded for the people back home, you are not opening up sunshine, you are actually pulling the blinds down on government.

I don't think that is exactly what the American people wanted to do. I don't think that is the change the American people wanted.

I was known as a Tennessee legislator that actually worked to open up government in Tennessee. When I went there, I found out in Nashville, Tennessee, that they were doing the very same thing. They were going into committees and subcommittees and people were taking votes, and you could go to the speaker of the house and say, Mr. Speaker, I am with you; don't worry about that, I will vote with you on that issue. And then you could go back home and say, don't worry about me, I am with you on that issue, and you would be telling two completely different stories.

Well, after 8 years of working in Tennessee, we finally changed that. And so I was looking forward to coming to Washington where we were going to have the most open Congress that had ever been known on Capitol Hill. Well, here I come, and the first week of the 100 hours, 3 weeks ago, I find one of the first things the majority party did was to actually stop recording votes. That is not the change the American people wanted, Mr. Speaker.

On another issue, Mr. Speaker, when the Republicans had the majority, if they wanted to raise taxes, if there was a need to balance the budget with taxes, it took a super majority to raise those taxes. It took three-fifths of the Members of this august body to raise those taxes.

Well, the American people voted for change. Not sure they got the change they wanted, though, because one of the very first things that took place here on Capitol Hill was, they lowered that super majority to raise your taxes down to a simple majority. So now taxes can be raised without one Republican vote.

I don't think they would have done that if that was not something they are looking at as a possibility in the future. I am not sure that is the change the American people voted for. I think they ought to be concerned. I think it can lead to bigger government, and it is going to lead to a bigger bureaucracy. We are seeing that in some of the votes.

Not sure that is the change the American people voted for.

One of the votes we voted for the second week of the 100 hours was to threaten life.

What a tragedy when you don't protect the life of the unborn. We were talking about stem cells. And I am a big supporter of actually using adult stem cells. There is new research that has come out that says you can use amniotic fluid. And if you look at the science, the science tells you that there are about 72 diseases that have been treated with adult stem cells. There is zero diseases that have been treated with the embryonic. And that debate was not really about can you do it or can't you do it. It has already been legal. And I can tell you, being a businessperson, if there had been a lot of scientific possibilities for that there would be some business somewhere that would have invested capital, risked that capital because there is a potential for success in the future.

Well, under the Democrat control, under the majority control, unfortunately, they decided to pass the piece of legislation to allow embryos to be destroyed; in other words, allow life to be destroyed. I am not sure that is the change the American people wanted, Mr. Speaker.

Then, again, in the second week of the first 100 hours, a bill actually passed here on the floor to allow our national security to be controlled by the United Nations.

Now, living in the mountains of East Tennessee, I don't know many east Tennesseeans that would want the U.N. to be in charge of our security. We are a sovereign Nation, and I honestly believe Americans across the Nation are just like most east Tennesseeans, we don't feel like we have to go ask the U.N. if we can protect ourselves. I can't think of anything that is more important than a government that is willing to protect its citizens. That is our number one responsibility is the security of our citizens. So putting us under the auspices of the U.N. is, I don't think, the change the American people wanted.

Then there is going to be a bill coming up tomorrow on energy taxes, and there is a lot of talk about big oil and what are we going to do with this issue. And we are giving special interest. Well, the reality is the special interest that I want to protect is the person that turns on his light switch back in east Tennessee tonight, or has to turn their heat on because it has gotten colder outside, or the family back in east Tennessee that is having to stop and fill up their automobile with gas tonight. That is the special interest that I want to protect. And raising taxes during this 100 hours is not the change that the American people wanted, Mr. Speaker. That is not what I hear from east Tennessee, and that is not what I hear from Americans.

Big government simply isn't the answer all the time. Oftentimes, I find, as I talk to the good commonsense folks back in east Tennessee, is sometimes the government is the problem. And bigger government leads to bigger bureaucracy. I think the way we solve these problems is not look to big government, but look back to our families, back across America. Families can make good decisions for their children and for their grandchildren. Then look to the States. States have a good handle on what is going on back across the United States and look to local governments. Look to businesses. Big government's not always the answer. I don't think that is a change that the American people wanted, Mr. Speaker.