Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory and recognition of my good friend Margaret Mary Lee. Her service for the community of Cleveland and the Democratic Party represents the very best of the hardworking values that are the backbone of America's working class.

Family, worker's rights, education, and community were central to her life. A mother of 11, grandmother of 22, and great-grandmother of 11, Margaret was committed to the concept of family and community. Longtime supporters and friends of mine, Margaret and her family stood staunchly behind the Democratic Party and my candidacy from the beginning. Her late husband Eddie was the Secretary General of the Teamster Local 407. The Lee family was a pillar of the union movement in Cleveland. Both Eddie and Margaret stood up for workers through the Local 407 where they graciously gave countless hours of their lives. to organizing and bringing together members of the community to empower workers. Her endless energy and sharp mind were an indestructible asset to the labor community. Margaret had a unique ability to inspire others.

In addition to the labor movement and worker's rights, Margaret was also very concerned with the issue of education. Her volunteer efforts for Montessori schools helped perpetuate positive programs for urban students. Margaret believed very strongly in her community and investing her time and helping not only her children but also those of the community by dedicating herself to promoting education. This commitment continues even after her death as memorial contributions are suggested to be donated to the Ruffing Montessori. Her presence as a matriarch of the community will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory and recognizing the accomplishments of Margaret Mary Lee as a woman who stood for true American values and may her legacy live on in the recognition of the good work that she did.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Archbishop Fouad Twal and his accomplishments in working toward peace and ecumenical acceptance of all people. Archbishop Twal has served the Catholic Church for over 40 years in Tunisia, Honduras, Germany, Peru, Jordan, Palestine, the Vatican, and Jerusalem. His recent assignment in Jerusalem has led him to the distinguished positions as the Coadjutor Archbishop for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the President of the Bethlehem University.

Archbishop Twal's distinguished career as a vessel of peace through the Roman Catholic Church began in 1966 when he was ordained. Rising through the ranks with remarkable swiftness, he received his Licentiate in Canon Law from the renowned Ecclesiastical Pontifical Academy. With a rich history of public service in peace efforts in the Middle East, he has served the Latin Patriarchate Parishes in Palestine and Jordan, as Archbishop of Tunisia, and in the Council of Political Affairs for the State Secretariat of the Vatican. This outstanding background was merely preparation for his appointment as Coadjutor Archbishop for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem by His

Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. There, he represents the Church's peace efforts in the war-torn region.

In addressing efforts for peace in the Holy Land, Archbishop Twal steadfastly advocates a necessity for justice. In a land inundated by strife, conflict, and bloodshed, he envisions the Church as a ``voice of peace and forgiveness.'' It is this voice of reason, faith, and compassion that Archbishop Twal uses in building bridges instead of burning them. Instead of seeing the world in terms of Christians, Jews, and Muslims, Archbishop Twal has proclaimed, ``the Holy City is the mother of all the faithful children of Abraham.'' By giving respect to all groups involved in the struggle, he has commanded vast admiration from a variety of organizations representing differing viewpoints that are all interested in peace through justice.

Much like his intellectual predecessors, Archbishop Twal has found that a nonviolent, faith-based approach to addressing even the most embittered situations of political strife is the most effective means by which to ensure a lasting, sustainable peace. As the President of Bethlehem University, he has continued to champion the peaceful Christian message through higher education, despite repeated military threats to shut the facility down by force. It is with this unwavering dedication to peaceful Christian values, combined with keen political insight, that Archbishop Twal continues to forge a reputation as a man of hope, peace, and understanding.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honoring Archbishop Twal's continued and unrelenting commitment and resounding efforts to promoting peace through understanding, acceptance, and justice. His work for peace through justice stands as a beacon of guidance for the global peace movement as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and the valiant contribution of the Hungarian people to those efforts. A true expression of democracy, public dissidence, and the spirit of the voice of the people, the nationwide revolt stands today, a half a century later, as a strong, albeit bitter reminder of both the oppression of the former Soviet Union and more importantly the strength and resolve of the Hungarian people in their desire for freedom.

On October 23, 1956, brave students demanding their intellectual freedoms stormed the Radio Building in the Budapest Parliament. Immediately, they were suppressed when the Soviet State Security Police began firing upon these unarmed civilians. News of the attack spread quickly and led to a public uproar in Budapest, where outraged citizens organized immediately to take up arms and defend their natural rights of justice, liberty, and sovereignty. At the forefront of the 12-day struggle for control of the capital and the rest of the country was Gen. Pal Maleter. As the leader of the infantry in Budapest, he courageously went against his orders and, upon meeting with the insurgents, lent his support to their fight for freedom. With the strategic support of Maleter, the outlook of the revolutionary freedom fighters was optimistic. A cease-fire was reached between revolutionary and Soviet forces, and provisional government councils were set up to usher in the new era of peaceful democracy.

The Soviet forces, however, under pressure from the international community to assert its control by uprooting any possible seed of democracy, moved quickly to crush the movement through deadly means. They violated the cease fire by opening fire on crowds of civilians and bombarding the city with artillery tanks. What started as a peaceful democratic independence movement ended in bloodshed with the murder of thousands of civilians through an illegitimate surprise invasion. On November 3, during more cease-fire negotiations, the Soviet military kidnapped Pal Maleter and the Hungarian delegation, charged them with treason and promptly ordered their execution. With the leadership of the revolution arrested, the Soviet military simply invaded again, and took over the city.

The hope for independence, self-rule, and democracy is one that can never be extinguished in any society. The Hungarian people, in the democratic spirit, banded together to fight like many before them for the basic human right of peaceful self-governance. They did not fail. Today, we see Hungary as a regional success story for democracy, the free market, and civil society. This eventual, if delayed, victory shows us though the road to democracy is not always an easy one, the spirit of people will ultimately prevail in the inexorable march toward democracy.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the values of freedom, independence, and democracy that the Hungarian people demanded 50 years ago. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 stands as a reminder of the undying desire of any society to be free from forces of hegemony.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Commission on Catholic Community Action's 25th Anniversary of the Peace and Justice Awards Dinner.

Established in 1969, the Commission on Catholic Community Action continuously pursues their mission to protect and promote human dignity, with a special focus on poor and disenfranchised groups. Seeking to empower the voiceless, CCCA achieves their goals through education, consciousness-raising, organization, mobilization, and advocating for change.

CCCA also promotes peace and justice through the Annual Peace and Justice Awards Dinner. For a quarter of a century, the dinner has been an opportunity to reward the people of the Cleveland community who have dedicated their lives to the causes of peace and justice for all. These men, women, and organizations play a pivotal role in the rebirth of Cleveland. I would like to join CCCA in recognizing this year's recipients: Duane Drotar, Lida Roman (posthumously), the Christ Child Society, Sr. Mary Louise Trivson, S.N.D., and the Women's Re-Entry Network.

In addition, keynote speakers at these events have educated the public on issues such as racial discrimination and interfaith understanding. Generating community awareness throughout Cleveland, the CCCA has provided participants with a new appreciation for celebrating multicultural diversity within the city. Speaking at the Awards Dinner this year is Sr. Mary Sujita Kallupurakkathu, S.N.D., sharing her experiences of working with the poor.

Congratulations to the CCCA on their constant pursuit of peace and justice. We can conceive of peace as not simply the absence of violence but the presence of the capacity for a higher evolution of human awareness, of

respect, trust, and integrity. We can conceive of peace as a tool to tap the infinite capabilities of humanity to transform consciousness and conditions that impel or compel violence at a personal, group, or national level, toward creating understanding, compassion, and love.

My fellow colleagues, join me in honoring the Commission on Catholic Community Action, as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their Annual Peace and Justice Awards Dinner.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th anniversary of the Polish Legion of American Veterans Ladies Auxiliary, Abraham Lincoln Post Thirteen, and to celebrate the commitment of this dedicated group of patriotic women to charity for our veterans and Nation.

The Abraham Lincoln Post Thirteen is the oldest chapter in the State of Ohio, and has maintained their dedication to honoring and supporting veterans throughout the years. The group ensures that American veterans receive the benefits and support they deserve for representing our great Nation. The women welcome new veterans from current wars, as well as bring much needed light into the lives of senior veterans. These women make regular visits to veteran's wards of a local hospital to take the Nation's former defenders to breakfast and religious services. In recent years, the Ladies Auxiliary's great work has raised enough money to dedicate a stone in the Western Reserve National Cemetery. This stone is a noble commemorative monument to the deceased veterans of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, as well as the women of the Ladies' Auxiliary who have loyally supported all the servicemen and women of the United States Armed Services.

My fellow colleagues, please join me in recognizing the wonderful work and dedication of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Polish Legion of American Veterans on this momentous anniversary. The chapter members are proud of their Polish heritage, culture, and we share in their 75 years of accomplishments. I am confident that the Polish Legion of American Veterans Ladies Auxiliary will continue their commitment to work for the veterans and country well in to the years to come.

Yesterday, permanent trade relations for Vietnam was brought before the House with no committee hearings and under suspension of the rules. I spoke against the bill and demanded a rollcall vote, and last night the bill failed to get the necessary two- thirds, so it was defeated.

Now, the people of Vietnam deserve our help. The United States actually has a moral obligation of a long-standing nature with respect to Vietnam that we don't really need to elaborate on, because we understand what this Nation did to Vietnam. If you care about Vietnam, you should care to know that the permanent trade relations would have this effect, this bill. It would cause millions of peasants to be thrown off the land as agricultural supports are withdrawn.

Millions of workers losing their jobs at State enterprises wither in the face of foreign competition or downsize and

speed up operations in an effort to stay competitive. As a result of these and other factors, there would be a surge in income and wealth inequality, exacerbating dangerous trends already under way.

Until we have a trade policy that has workers rights, human rights and environmental quality principles, all that free trade means for nations like Vietnam is more exploitation of the country and of the workers. That is why we need to vote down this bill when it comes back this week.

Would the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin yield for a question?

Mr. Sensenbrenner, as I am reading through this act and looking at the types of injuries that would occur to people, it occurs to me that there are existing Federal statutes which come into play with respect to inflicting bodily harm on individuals. Why are we creating a specific classification here?

Please.

Well, reclaiming my time, I certainly stand with every Member of this House in defense of the rights of individuals to be free of bodily harm or injury under all and any circumstances. I think it would be a little bit easier for some of us to support this legislation.

I certainly will yield.

Reclaiming my time, and I thank the gentleman for pointing that out. However, I must say that the reach of the Federal law includes any place which does Federal research, and all these universities are involved in research projects as universities who are supporting this bill.

I cannot see why we need to have a specific law with this regard. I mean, just as we need to protect peoples' right to conduct their work without fear of assault, so too this Congress has yet to address some fundamental ethical principles with respect to animals. How should animals be treated humanely? This is a debate that hasn't come here.

There are some specific principles with respect to humane treatment of animals. My concern about this bill is that it could have a chilling effect on people who, the law says, well, their first amendment rights are protected. But the law also is written in such a way as to have a chilling effect on the exercise of the constitutional rights of protest, and so for that reason, I can't support this. I think that it would be important for this Congress to look at the claims of people who are sincere advocates of animal rights.

I am not talking about people who would threaten anyone with death because they don't agree with them, but there are individuals who love animals, who don't want to see animals hurt, who have a point and a right to speak out. I think for that reason, this bill has not yet reached its maturity.

I think I understand what the sponsors of this bill are trying to do, but I don't think that the end that it is going to, you are hoping to achieve, that you are going to reach, because unless this Congress makes a clear statement about ethical principles with respect to animals, and how we treat animals, how are animals treated in research, these are really serious questions that millions and millions of Americans care about.

So I understand the intent here. But I just think that you have got to be very careful about painting everyone with the broad brush of terrorism who might have a legitimate objection to a type of research or treatment of animals that is not humane. So, again, I wanted to express this note of caution about this legislation, but notwithstanding that there are specific statements about protection of the first amendment. This bill is written in such a way as to have a chilling effect on the exercise of peoples' first amendment rights.

Would the gentleman yield?

I thank the gentleman. To calm the gentleman's concerns, I have read the bill, and I underlined the sections that I expressed concern about. I am concerned about, as you are, anyone who wants to commit violence against anyone. Remember, I am the author of the bill to create a Department of Peace and Nonviolence. I share your concern about violence. I am suggesting that carving out a special section of law here has a chilling effect.

Again, I applaud the gentleman from Wisconsin for his commitment to protecting people from harm. I would like to read the next paragraph that he didn't get to, because it raises a question about why this bill is necessary: nothing in this section shall be construed, number 3, to provide exclusive criminal penalties or civil remedies with respect to the conduct prohibited by this action.

So what is this all about? This bill, in effect, does provide exclusive criminal penalties for a certain type of conduct, and yet the drafting of this bill makes section 3, under rules of construction, totally contradictory. This says there aren't any exclusive penalties, but the whole of the bill maintains and establishes exclusive penalties. So this is why bringing up a bill like this under suspension, no matter how well intentioned it may be, is problematic.

This bill has an inherent flaw that I am pointing out. In addition, when that flaw is held up against the constitutional mandate to protect freedom of speech, what we have done here is we have crippled free expression.

I am not and never have been in favor of anyone using a cloak of free speech to commit violence. The Supreme Court Justice said, your right to swing your fist ends at the tip of my nose. No one has the right to yell ``fire'' in a crowded theater. We have heard those kinds of admonitions.

On the other hand, the chairman's recitation of the statements of animal rights activists, statements that I, myself, would disagree with, those statements, in and of themselves, are constitutionally protected speech.

Yet under this bill they suddenly find themselves shifting into an area of doubt, which goes back to my initial claim that this bill was written to have a chilling effect upon a specific type of protest.

Again, I am not for anyone abusing their rights by damaging another person's property or person, but I am for protecting the first amendment and not creating a special class of violations for a specific type of protest.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5602. Opposing PNTR for Vietnam is in the interest of the Vietnamese and the American people. As you know, Vietnam has been subject to a trade agreement with the United States since 2001. How has it gone? If you care about Vietnam, then you should care to know that Vietnam has a lot to lose as poor as that country may be.

Vietnam had a growth rate of 9 percent between 1993 and 1997, the year the Asian financial crisis hit. In other words, under the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, economic growth was very respectable, but the global experience of developing countries with WTO roles is disappointing at best.

During the WTO decade, that is 1995 to 2005, the number and percentage of people living on less than $2 a day has jumped in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and the Caribbean. The rate of worldwide poverty reduction has slowed. Per capita income growth in poor nations decline when they sign up for the

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory and recognition of Lauretta Lisa Zarlenga. A wife, mother, and grandmother, Lauretta dedicated her life to her family.

Born in a small town in Italy in 1913, Lauretta immigrated to the United States during the Great Depression as a teenager. Settling in Chicago, Lauretta's family carved out their presence as a working class immigrant family. Learning quickly the skill of artistic hat design at night school, Lauretta practiced her craft to support her constantly growing family. It was also at night school that she met her future husband, Dino, whereupon the two coincidentally chose the same topic for an essay assignment and subsequently discovered they came from neighboring villages in Italy.

Lauretta went on to serve her Chicago community in the restaurant industry where she eventually managed several dining rooms at Chicago's premier establishments. Once, while running the dining room at the Drake Hotel, she accommodated a desperate Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, who had been denied entrance to another restaurant based on their attire. The two had been referred to Lauretta by her brother, who said, ``You give these guys good service.'' This story exemplifies the two strongest qualities for which we remember Lauretta: service and family. Lauretta's ability to always hospitably put others before herself stood out to anyone who knew her. As a mother of four, she modestly provided her children with any opportunities she could and supported them in all their endeavors. In this way, she truly accomplished her own American Dream.

Lauretta Zarlenga's legacy continues to live on through her posterity. Lauretta's inspiration and support of her family shows itself in the work of her children who include a lauded poet, successful restaurateur, and a notable scholar of monetary reform.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory and recognizing the accomplishments of Lauretta Zarlenga. Her unwavering commitment to her family, friends, and community framed her life and served to make a difference in the lives of countless individuals.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Joseph Pizzorno, Jr., N.D. Dr. Pizzorno is a pioneer in naturopathy, the founder of Bastyr University, author of several books, and acclaimed by various health organizations.

Dr. Pizzorno has illuminated the field of naturopathy, or treatment by natural, holistic methods, in the modern world of medicine. He has founded Bastyr University, a multidisciplinary accredited school in natural health sciences; where he served as president for 22 years followed by serving as president emeritus, senior advisor to the president, member of the Board of Trustees, and a professor, until his recently announced retirement. Dr. Pizzorno was appointed by President Clinton to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy and by President George W. Bush to the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee. He has also served on the Seattle/King County Board of Health, founding board of directors of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, the Scientific Review Board of the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, chair of the American Public Health Association, and vice chair of the Institute for Functional Medicine Board of Directors. Dr. Pizzorno is an accomplished author having written several acclaimed books and is the founding editor of Integrative Medicine: A Clinicians Journal. In 2001, Dr. Pizzorno founded SaluGenecists. Inc. to develop artificial intelligence-aided advice systems to provide smart, personalized heath promotion, and self-care guidance for the public and practitioners.

Dr. Pizzorno was recognized as a ``Pioneer in Holistic Medicine'' by the American Holistic Medical Association; awarded ``Naturopathic Physician of the Year'' by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians; granted the ``Founder's Award for Pioneering Complementary and Alternative Medicine'' by the National Foundation for Alternative Medicine; and declared ``Humanitarian of the Year'' by the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Mr. Speaker and my fellow colleagues, today I ask you to join me in commending the actions of the noble Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, Jr. His dedication to the medical community has improved the medical field for everyone and his doctrines are certain to endure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of my friend and our colleague, the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones, for her 25 years of service to the people of Ohio. The residents of the 11th Congressional District, the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as all Americans, are fortunate to have such a tremendously dedicated Representative.

A woman of courage, integrity, and passion, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones is the first African American woman elected to the U.S.

House of Representatives from Ohio, as well as the first to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee. During her tenure, she has led the charge to make quality healthcare and education available for all. Additionally, she has fought tirelessly for working people, having introduced the Predatory Mortgage Lending Practices Reduction Act, the Campus Fire Protection Act, and the courageous ``Count Every Vote'' Act.

I have been honored to stand with Congresswoman Tubbs Jones in representing Cleveland for the past 8 years. The Congresswoman's dedication to the city is unmatched. She fought tirelessly to help not only save more than 1,000 Cleveland jobs with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, when it was nearly shut down, but to add an additional 475 jobs. And when proposals were issued to eliminate 700 jobs in Northeast Ohio at the NASA Glenn Research Center, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones helped lead a charge that crossed party lines, and was successful in preserving this critical part of Ohio's economy.

Throughout her public service career, family has always remained her top priority. She was a giving wife to her late husband, Mervyn L. Jones Sr. for 27 years, and is the proud mother of their son, Mervyn L. Jones II. Still, her dedication to public service has not wavered. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was elected judge of Cleveland's Municipal Court in 1981, and later served on the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County. From 1994 to 1999, she worked as the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1999.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, it is truly an honor to recognize the most distinguished, Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones for 25 years of public service to the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and all Americans whom she now serves. Her successes are testaments to hard work and dedication to the people she works so diligently to serve: her constituents. There is no other person I would rather have the privilege of working with in representing Cleveland than Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and few that I admire more.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in honor and tribute to the 75th Anniversary of the St. Sava Serbian Singing Federation, and the local St. Sava Cathedral choir in Parma, Ohio.

Vjajko Lugonja founded the Serbian Singing Federation in 1931. His legend continues to thrive in the voices of the singers today. On a local and national level, the Singing Federation's member choirs contribute their Serbian cultural heritage through song and music. In Ohio alone, there are six member choirs. The group also boasts the largest collection of Serbian music, contained in its library, featuring the work of 96 Serbian composers.

The Serbian Singing Federation also supports local high school seniors trying to afford college tuition through its Paul Bielich Scholarships, given to multiple students for general studies, as well as the Petar and Minnie Sekulovich Scholarship awarded to a young member of the choir who wishes to study music in college.

In celebration of its 75th Anniversary, the Serbian Singing Federation is hosting a concert this Saturday, September 30, which will feature not only its 40-member ensemble, but also guest choirs, including the Kosovo Men's Choir of Cleveland and the Hamilton Ontario Choir.

Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honoring the last 75 years of diversity the St. Sava Serbian Singing Federation has brought to Northeastern Ohio. They are an indispensable characteristic of Cleveland, and the Serbian community is one of the many groups that piece together this colorful city. By artistically perpetuating their culture through music, the choir offers a beautiful gift to all people.

A war based on lies. An administration lost in ideological fantasies, stubbornly ignoring the best advice of military commanders. Getting ready for the next war. A President who refuses to see a situation collapsing around 130,000 young men and women he sent into battle. A global war on terror has become a war of errors, undermining our security around the world and here at home. A national security state has emerged, and America is immersed in lying, spying, and dying.

It is time for a new direction. It is time for a new direction in international relations, achieving security through cooperation. It is time for a new direction here at home in health care, Medicare for all. It is time for a new direction in job creation and infrastructure bill. It is time for a new direction.

We are homeward bound, America. We are coming home. We are coming back to take care of things that matter to people here at home, jobs and health care and education. Time for a new direction.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri for his defense of basic constitutional principles. I would say that the basic premise of military commissions, that the U.S. military should try unlawful enemy combatants using draconian rules, that basic premise is false.

The jury of commissioned military officers are not peers of these detainees. The detainees are accused of crimes against humanity and should be tried like all other such persons. The U.S. should hand over these detainees to the International Criminal Court. The U.S. should offer evidence that would be legal under our Constitution and the Geneva Conventions. This model of justice would set a precedent for other nations where the rule of law remains unfair, unjust, and inhumane.

The wrong approach is to create a court system that has more in common with the nations that torture, jail and hold indefinitely anyone without legitimate evidence.

The second point: H.R. 6166 and S. 3930 cast a wide net in defining unlawful enemy combatants that would include any American supporter of a national liberation movement which is seeking to overthrow a U.S. Government-supported despot.

For instance, with such a loose definition, the thousands of Americans, many of whom are church clergy, who provided support to the armed and unarmed opposition to the disposed dictatorships of El Salvador and Nicaragua, could have been designated as unlawful enemy combatants.

This hypothetical could occur since, one, it would only take a determination by the President or Secretary of Defense that the opposition to a U.S.-favored dictator was engaged in hostilities against the U.S., and that, two, the act of solidarity by the American clergymen supported the opposition group.

This is very dangerous. It is widely known that the U.S. conducted a dirty war throughout Central and South America to uphold repressive regimes there.

The third point I would like to make is that H.R. 6166 and S. 3930 could make similar solidarity actions in the future a crime. Those crimes should not be triable by military commissions. They would be new crimes and expose Americans to prosecution simply for supporting unfortunate people in other countries who are struggling for their freedom.

The other point is that H.R. 6166 and S. 3930 create a large loophole to keep administration officials out of jail for violations of the War Crimes Act of 1996. Section 4 amends the War Crimes Act to immunize from prosecution civilians who subject people to horrific abuse that may fall short of the definition of torture.

It is clear that senior administrative officials signed off on aggressive and illegal techniques and are potentially liable under the War Crimes Act of 1996. Instead, Congress is going to gut the War Crimes Act to protect those who permitted torture of detainees.

If those who think the so-called war on terror is about ideas such as good versus evil and democracy versus thuggery, then H.R. 6166 sends the wrong message about the true values of Americans. Let's stand up for the principles that this country was founded upon. Let's stand up for the Constitution, for the land of the free, for the home of the brave.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I want my colleagues here to know that my comments have nothing to do with a lack of appreciation for your efforts on this bill, but rather relate to some institutional and historic concerns that I have.

The U.S. can spend tens of billions of dollars less and do a far better job of protecting our Nation. The defense-industrial complex follows a misguided strategy of buying weapons that provide Americans with no increased safety; buying ever more expensive fighter jets, massive naval ships, and a missile defense system that provides no additional protection for our Nation. There are no fighter jets or naval ships that can challenge our Air Force or our Navy.

Furthermore, the claimed ballistic missile threat is grossly overexaggerated. Terrorists do not possess ballistic missiles and the few nation states that do have no desire to face the understood retaliation of our ballistic missiles.

This defense-industrial complex wrongly believes that the $270 million F-22 fighter is an important new weapon system. However, the current F-15 remains unchallenged and inexpensive upgrades can keep our Air Force supreme. The F-22 cannot bomb away the beliefs of a small number of radical fighters.

The advocates of advanced weapons systems fail to understand these new systems do not match up an effective defense capability with the terrorist threats. Only a new approach to foreign policy can effectively mitigate the terrorist threat.

We need to provide for the traditional sense of security by first ensuring economic security, health security, and job security for all. The roots of terrorism begin not in hatred, but in desperation. All people, no matter their ethnicity, seek the basic necessities such as food, clothes, shelter, good health, and the ability to earn a decent living. If you can level this playing field, there is no desperation that may potentially evolve into radical hatred.

I will support a defense budget that matches real threats to our security with appropriate defensive measures. In the long term, the federal budget needs a fresh look at our foreign policy, that promotes an economic stability worldwide, thereby eliminating the true roots of terrorism, desperation.