Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentlewoman from West Virginia, for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Ms. MATSUI asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, it is disappointing we are adjourning after passing only 2 of the 13 appropriation bills that fund the Federal Government. We should have done better, and clearly we could have done better. Instead, we are leaving this year's unfinished business to the next Congress. That is far from the ideal way of handling our constitutional responsibilities.

Nonetheless, that is a reality, and we will deal with it as such when Congress returns next year under new leadership. But the American people should be assured that such a turn of events will not alter the focus of the next Congress. We will remain focused on the critical priorities of American families, priorities that were made clear in the recent election: a sensible energy policy, affordable health care for working families, reforming prescription drug benefits, honest wages for honest work, increasing homeland security, and responsible oversight of and a change in direction of our policy in Iraq.

I hope those issues will be addressed next year in a bipartisan manner, with open debate and a focus on concrete results for the American people.

The time to deal with those will come soon. The problem before us now is that the Federal Government shuts down at midnight tonight unless we invoke martial law under this rule. It concludes the 109th Congress on a less than satisfactory note, but it is nonetheless necessary

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleague, Representative John Doolittle of California, to introduce legislation which is important to California, to Japanese-American communities all across the country, and to our collective understanding of history as Americans. This legislation will initiate a resource study of Tule Lake to determine whether or not it should be included as a unit of the National Park System. However, it represents so much more than just another government study.

Indeed, the information which will be produced from the examination of Tule Lake's potential for inclusion in the National Park System will begin to ease the wrongs of the past and point the way toward a future devoid of prejudice and fear. Passing this bill will help ensure that current and future generations of Americans learn from and avoid repeating the wrongs that were committed during the internment of Japanese and Americans of Japanese descent during World War II.

It has been nearly sixty-five years since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066. From Poston, Arizona--where I was born--to Minidoka, Idaho, productive and loyal Japanese Americans were interned under this executive order in camps which robbed them of their dignity, denied them the opportunity to build their lives, and undercut the very freedom which had attracted these individuals and their ancestors to America in the first place. Few can imagine such an episode occurring in a nation such as ours, which was in the midst of fighting to defeat the forces of tyranny and evil abroad.

Over the more than six decades which have passed since that fateful decision was made to imprison so many innocent people, much progress has been made to analyze, redress, and commemorate the crimes perpetrated against Japanese Americans during this dark period.

My late husband, Representative Robert T. Matsui, for example, was integral in passing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which represented a first step toward healing the wounds suffered by those who were interned. But righting the wrongs of our forebears does not absolve us of our duty to guard against their recurrence, no matter how much we may have increased our tolerance and respect for the many diverse cultures which comprise this great tapestry of a country.

Indeed, as the time of the internment becomes more and more remote, our responsibility to learn its lessons falls ever more squarely upon our shoulders. We can accomplish this solemn task by preserving the locations and structures which stood at places like Manzanar, Heart Mountain, and Tule Lake, so that our children and grandchildren can learn these lessons of tolerance, understanding, and loyalty.

Including Tule Lake Segregation Center as a part of the National Park System will add a critical element to the federal government's inventory of Japanese internment sites. Tule Lake was a camp like any other until the fall of 1943, when it was converted into a maximum- security detainment center for those Japanese Americans who were deemed to be exceptionally disloyal and dangerous. The vast majority of the 18,000 internees at Tule Lake Segregation Center were there because of their answers to one of two questions on a government loyalty questionnaire, which caused them to be categorized as ``disloyal.'' Having been uprooted from their homes in 1941, their lives were upended for a second time when they were transferred from one internment camp to the even more remote installation at Tule Lake, near the California- Oregon border.

For this reason, Mr. Speaker, it is crucial that Tule Lake join sites like Manzanar and Minidoka as units of the National Park System. As a segregation center, Tule Lake embodies some of the most wrenching aspects of the internment. It was there that the unfair choices between heritage and current loyalties were most harshly forced on Japanese Americans. As such, Tule Lake represents an additional perspective to be added to the historical record of the internment. Including it as a unit of the National Park System will ensure that the historical narrative which is unique to Tule Lake is never lost, but instead learned and understood by current and future generations.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which will help marshal the resources of the federal government to ensure that the experiences of World War II and of the internment do not simply contribute to further resentment and anger. With this legislation, we will continue to convert the pain and regret of the internment into a positive force for change in the future.

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

Mr. Speaker, the internment of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II is a painful part of our past. The memories of the time that so many innocent Americans spent in stark and isolated camps continue to resonate today.

We honor the memories of those people not by forgetting what happened, nor do we honor them by proclaiming that such events could never occur in today's United States. Instead, we honor the past by preserving the sites where the internment took place. In doing so, we deepen our understanding of the internment, and we help educate future generations about how to avoid this recurrence.

Preserving these internment sites is a solemn task we all bear. That is why the legislation before us today is so important.

It directs the Federal Government to partner with local entities to identify and protect internment sites. In the process, it will help to demonstrate our country's commitment to equality, justice and liberty for all.

These are the founding principles of our Republic. We have no greater responsibility as Members of Congress than to protect and further these ideals. This legislation will help us do so by communicating the lessons of the internment to our children and grandchildren.

It has been a distinct pleasure of mine to collaborate with so many of my colleagues to bring this legislation to the House today. I would like to extend my special thanks to my colleague from California, Chairman Thomas; and, as he mentioned, he came to the class with my late husband, Bob. His leadership has been absolutely instrumental in helping to craft this bill and to advance it to the point of passage. I would also like to thank my dear colleague Mr. Honda for his tireless advocacy. He has proven to be a leader on internment preservation issues. He has shepherded this bill through the legislation process, and I truly appreciate his efforts. I am proud to stand with him and with Chairman Thomas as original cosponsors of this timely and necessarily legislation.

Let us pass it today so that those who come after us, like my two young grandchildren Anna and Robby, can visit the places where their grandparents, great grandparents, and great, great grandparents were wrongly imprisoned. Let us pass it today so that those who come after us will know the places where their ancestors struggled for freedom in the country that they loved, and let us pass it today so that those who come after us will have a physical reminder of what they will never allow to happen again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to The Shiloh Baptist Church, its many congregants and The Reverend James B. Rodgers. During the month of October, 2006, they are celebrating Shiloh Baptist Church's 150th Anniversary, a truly remarkable achievement. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in celebrating the Shiloh Baptist Church family and Dr. James B. Rodgers, Pastor on this momentous occasion.

The Shiloh Baptist Church is located in Sacramento, California and was first organized in 1856 as the Siloam Baptist Church. Shiloh is the oldest African-American church west of the Mississippi River and the first Baptist Church organized by African-Americans in Sacramento. Its current faithful leader is Dr. James B. Rodgers, but Shiloh has been shepherded by 27 pastoral leaders during its 150 years.

When Shiloh was first conceived it had no facilities in which to hold religious services, so it forged a strong relationship with the Chinese Americans in the area. As a result, an offer was extended to Shiloh to hold religious services at the Chinese Chapel, located at historic Sixth and H Streets in Sacramento.

The Shiloh Baptist Church is no ordinary church. It has overcome many obstacles through faith and determination. It overcame foreclosure in the 1860s; significant reduction in congregant membership because of relocations; destruction of the church facility by fire in 1861 and 1905; and the inability to secure building loans on several occasions. However, today Shiloh stands firm as a testament to the strong faith, perseverance, determination, character and courage of its founders and early congregations.

With the outstanding leadership of Pastor Emeritus Willie P. Cooke, Shiloh has provided dedicated service to the citizens of the Sacramento region through its 26 year history. Shiloh provides numerous services through its many ministries and participates in a multitude of community based programs. In recognition of these services Shiloh has deservedly received numerous Presidential, Congressional, Gubernatorial and State Legislative commendations since its inception.

In honor of its 150th anniversary, Shiloh Baptist Church began a week long celebration on Monday, October 16, 2006, culminating on Sunday, October 22, 2006. The celebration's theme takes inspiration from Ezekiel 34:26, ``Shiloh, A Godly Heritage: Blessed Future.''

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to thank and congratulate the Shiloh Baptist Church for its 150 years of invaluable service to the greater Sacramento community. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in wishing the Shiloh Baptist Church and Dr. Rodgers continued success in all their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Curtis J. Mitchell's twenty years of service to the people of Sacramento as pastor of Antioch Progressive Church. Over the weekend of October 7th and 8th Dr. Mitchell's parishioners, family and friends will gather to recognize his good work. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring one of Sacramento's finest leaders.

For over thirty years Pastor Mitchell has been in the gospel ministry in various locations across our Nation. He has earned a Doctorate of Philosophy and Master of Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburg, Indiana, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

His tireless work on behalf of the Sacramento community has been surpassed by few. Since coming to Sacramento, Pastor Mitchell has turned Antioch Progressive Church into a pillar of the community by offering a welcoming spiritual environment and a wide range of needed services to area residents. Since the church was established, the immediate neighborhood has greatly improved its well-being and spirit.

The church's motto, ``We Dare to be Different'' aptly describes their continued service to our community. Under Pastor Mitchell's guidance, the church has offered job fairs, after school programs and marriage counseling, just to name a few. Every week the church's parishioners give back to the community by distributing free food to the most needy among us.

Pastor Mitchell has personally shaped our community. He has worked with the Sacramento County Department of Health, the Task Force on AIDS, the Board of Directors of the Goodwill Industries, and with the Sacramento Police Department in an effort to steer kids away from gangs.

With almost a thousand parishioners, a large and beautiful house of worship and acres of land for the community to enjoy, Antioch Progressive Church has become a staple of the Sacramento Community.

Mr. Speaker, as Pastor Curtis Mitchell, his wife Kay, their children and grandchildren gather on this momentous occasion, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most distinguished citizens. His successes have been many, and it is an honor for me to recognize his twenty years of contributions to the people of Sacramento. I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing Pastor Mitchell continued success at Antioch Progressive Church and in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an organization with a distinguished history of community service to the Sacramento capital region. Legal Services of Northern California is celebrating 50 years of providing free legal services to the low-income residents of Sacramento County and 22 other counties in Northern California. As the staff and supporters of Legal Services of Northern California gather to celebrate this momentous milestone, I ask all my colleagues to join me in saluting one of Sacramento's most important and respected organizations.

In 1956, Legal Services of Northern California, then known as the Legal Aid Society of Sacramento County, was born out of the insight of prominent members of the Sacramento Bar Association and a budget of $12,000. With the assistance of volunteer pro bono attorneys and a staff consisting of one part-time attorney and one social worker, the Legal Aid Society of Sacramento County finished its first year having provided assistance to nearly 2,900 low-income clients.

From these humble beginnings 50 years ago, the Legal Aid Society has grown significantly. In 1967, the organization began to expand its services beyond Sacramento County and opened offices in Yolo County. By the late 1970s, the Legal Aid Society of Sacramento County had acquired a state-wide reputation for resolute and effective advocacy on behalf of the poor and disabled, and had won significant victories on behalf of its clients. To reflect its expanding geographic reach, the organization changed its name in 1979 to Legal Services of Northern California, which today operates offices serving 23 counties, with a budget of over $7 million and a staff of over 120 employees and 1,000 volunteers.

Legal Services of Northern California has also greatly expanded its scope of services beyond providing traditional legal assistance to low- income individuals. The organization now operates the Senior Legal Hotline, the Health Rights Hotline, Ombudsman Services of Northern California, and the Disability Employment Rights Advocacy Program, As a testament to its far-reaching services, the Senior Legal Hotline fields almost 9,000 calls each year from seniors all over California. Also notable was in early 2006 when Legal Services of Northern California acquired the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, an organization that advises thousands of seniors on the different prescription drug plans available to them under Medicare.

Mr. Speaker, for 50 years the good men and women of Legal Services of Northern California have dedicated countless hours to identifying and defeating the causes of poverty and injustice. As the staff and volunteer attorneys gather to reflect upon a half century of exemplary service to the community, I am proud to recognize such a reputable organization. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating Legal Services of Northern California and wishing them many more years of continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Mike Boyd, a legendary television reporter and anchor whose level of career achievement was matched only by his passion for living life to its fullest. Sadly, Mr. Boyd passed away on October 14, 2006 at the age of 74. As his friends and family gather to celebrate Mike's remarkable life, I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in saluting this outstanding citizen and model reporter.

Mike Boyd was born in Maine in 1932, the son and grandson of attorneys. He graduated from the University of Maine and after a number of broadcasting jobs along the East Coast, he joined Sacramento's KCRA Channel 3 News in 1963 where he remained until his retirement in 2001. Mike became an institution in Sacramento as thousands of Sacramento residents tuned into his hard-hitting, exclusive stories throughout his 38-year tenure at KCRA. His memorable, deep, and booming voice made him ideal for a career in broadcast journalism.

His tenacity as an investigative reporter led him to cover some of the past half-century's most unforgettable stories. In 1968, Mike Boyd was at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated and his reporting of the tragic event was broadcast across the country. When the rumors began to circulate about Ronald Regan running for President, it was to Mike Boyd that Nancy Reagan admitted that she hoped Ronald would not run.

Perhaps Mike Boyd will be most remembered for his coverage of some of the nation's most notorious crimes. Boyd was always looking for the scoop, and he was often successful. He was the first reporter to interview Charles Manson in prison. Manson went so far as to offer Boyd his steak dinner. Years later, in 1988, he had an exclusive interview with the infamous landlady Dorthea Puente, who was convicted of killing eight of her tenants in downtown Sacramento. His ability to connect with his interview subjects clearly showed through, as evidenced by the retirement gift Puente sent Boyd from prison.

Mr. Speaker, as Mike Boyd's friends and family gather to honor this great American, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most respected citizens. His integrity, morals and enthusiasm for his job were inspirations to young reporters everywhere. He will be deeply missed. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in acknowledging Mike's invaluable contributions to Sacramento and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, today, my colleague, Mr. Petri, and I introduced the Troops to Teachers Improvement Act of 2006. I am proud to bring this bipartisan effort before the House. I first learned about the Troops to Teachers program at a California Purple Heart Veterans Day event in my district. Two different veterans who are participating in the Troops to Teachers program spoke with me about the program and how it had offered them the chance to continue to contribute to our country. After serving their country in the Armed Forces, they were now able to teach in high-need school districts.

With a slogan like, ``Proud To Serve Again,'' Troops to Teachers is a unique program that provides stipends to military retirees to obtain the necessary certification for a second career in teaching. Equally important, the program places much needed math, science and special education teachers in the classroom. In fact, over 46 percent of Troops to Teachers participants teach science, a significant improvement over the national average of 18 percent. Additionally, veterans who participate in the Troops to Teachers program fill another void for male and ethnic minority teachers. Right now, our country is seeing 7 percent of the Nation's teaching force leave every year, and we have a need for highly qualified science and math teachers. Simply put, the Troops to Teachers program has never been more important.

First authorized in 1993, the program was designed to help members of the military obtain teaching credentials to teach in large districts with low-income schools. A variety of retired, separated, active duty and transitioning military members and veterans--including disabled veterans--are eligible to participate. Those who are interested are required to have a bachelor's or advanced degree, or if applying for a vocational or technical teaching position, are required to have at least 6 years of experience in the field. The program has successfully recruited and placed almost 10,000 veterans in school districts since then. In my home State of California, 571 veterans are currently participating in the program.

Unfortunately, a small change under the No Child Left Behind Act, NCLB, of 2001 greatly affected where veterans could teach to fulfill their stipend. In some areas of the country, retiring military and veterans interested in the program now have to drive 50 to 100 miles to find an eligible school. This has resulted in a 20-30 percent drop-off in veteran participation, which has seriously hindered this productive and necessary program.

The bill that my esteemed colleague Mr. Petri and I are introducing today would fix this error. The bill would allow participants to fulfill their teaching obligation at any school that receives title I funding, and is therefore, considered a high-need school. Prior to the NCLB change, participants were able to fulfill their teaching obligation in any school within my district in Sacramento, as they all receive title I funding. However, under the more restrictive rule, only 211 of the 350 schools in my district are eligible. Currently, 61 percent of the high schools in my district are not eligible.

I believe in this program and want to see disabled and retiring military have a second chance at serving our country. Recently, the Disabled American Veterans magazine published a story about William Mimigia, a retired Marine Corps major who proudly served in our military for 31 years. Now a middle school special education teacher, Mr. Mimigia was recently named the 2006 Middle School Teacher of the Year by the California Troops to Teachers program. In the article, he is quoted as saying, ``I served with good people who sacrificed so much for our country. I promised myself I would find a way to help them some day. What better way than to help their kids and the kids some of them would never have a chance to have? Teaching lets me do that.''

Mr. Mimigia's dedication to serving our country and contributing to future generations is honorable. This program offers our returning veterans an opportunity for them to feel the same sense of fulfillment that Mr. Mimigia expressed. Troops to Teachers brings important math, science, and foreign language expertise to our classroom and fills a critical need among our educators. These characteristics make Troops to Teachers an excellent source of highly qualified educators and my colleague and I bring this bill before the House today to ensure that others can continue to serve our country--whether in the military or in the classroom. I hope that we can work swiftly on this bipartisan bill to do just that, and will continue to support the ideals behind the Troops to Teachers program in the 110th Congress.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. It expresses congressional support for the goals and ideals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

This resolution, which I cosponsored, is an effort to increase awareness across the Nation of the dangers lurking in cyber space. It is also to educate Americans about the availability of tools and practices to minimize these dangers.

I want to congratulate the National Cyber Security Alliance for originating the idea for this observance and for its efforts to improve cyber security.

The National Cyber Security Alliance is a public/private partnership led by industry. It is focused on improving cyber security for home users, small businesses and educational institutions.

The Alliance seeks to alert computer users to threats such as viruses, hacking attacks and identity theft. Additionally, it provides information to users on best practices and technologies available for countering cyber threats.

Each year, nearly 10 million Americans are affected by identity theft, and it cost businesses almost $56 billion in 2004. I frequently hear from my constituents in Sacramento about their experiences with identity theft and questions on how to avoid being a victim.

Consumer awareness has proven to be an effective weapon against identity theft, especially regarding Internet security. In fact, I received an overwhelmingly positive response when I hosted an information session on preventing identity theft in Sacramento.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month includes a range of special events designed specifically for home users, small businesses and the education community.

To reach its objectives, the Alliance organizes national and regional events. These events range from small business workshops and student assemblies to cyber security boot camps, which would take consumer education to the grass-roots level. The Alliance also makes public service announcements to inform consumers about on-line best practices and to protect their valuable personal data, and it publicizes its on- line resources for computer users. This includes beginner guides, computer security tips and free security scans.

The resolution before the House calls attention to and endorses the commendable efforts of the National Cyber Security Alliance to increase awareness of cyber security throughout the Nation. This is a message we should all heed.

Mr. Speaker, I commend this resolution to my colleagues and ask for their support for its passage by the House.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Boy Scouts of America Troop One of Sacramento as they celebrate their 90th anniversary and ask all of my colleagues to join

with me in saluting the Scouts and alumni of Troop One.

Troop One was founded in 1916. It has a storied history and is widely known as the oldest continuously operating troop west of the Mississippi River. In the past 90 years, an estimated 1,500 young men have been members of Troop One, earning over 15,000 merit badges.

Not only is troop 1 one of the oldest troops, it is also one of the most successful troops in the United States. Historically, only five percent of Boy Scouts nationwide achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop One, however, far surpassed that mark with an impressive 20 percent, totaling over 300 Eagle Scouts.

Over its 90-year history, Troop One has performed many community improvement projects: they repaired and restored the Old City Cemetery, constructed park benches throughout the city and landscaped numerous elementary, middle and high schools. The troop has a historic commitment to service and received an award for selling war bonds during World War One. These are just a few of Troop One's community service efforts benefiting Sacramento and the Nation.

This troop has also produced more than its fair share of local and national leaders. One of the most prominent alumni is the former Governor of California and Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Earl Warren. Chief Justice Warren's sons were both in Troop One when he was Governor of California and his wife opened the Governor's mansion for the troop's mother's meetings. One of its most active local leaders and troop alumni, George Morrow, has had twelve family members achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, carrying on the troop's strong family tradition.

Mr. Speaker, the Boy Scouts of America, Troop One of Sacramento, clearly has become a family and community tradition. Troop One has helped young boys develop into community leaders. For 90 years, the troop's service projects have helped shape and improve the Sacramento community, and I am confident the troop will continue its work in Sacramento for many years to come. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing the Boy Scouts of America, Troop One of Sacramento, a happy 90th anniversary and continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I might consume.

(Ms. MATSUI asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, the rule before us makes in order a conference report for the fiscal year 2007 defense authorization bill. The underlying agreement has been a long time in the making, and I am happy to report that it is a clean agreement. I applaud the conferees for refraining from adding extraneous provisions. This bill is about our troops, and I appreciate the Members preserving that focus.

I am not unsympathetic to the desire of many Members in this Chamber to do more before we adjourn. As my colleagues and I have been urging all week, Congress should not leave town without allowing for floor debate on the American people's priorities. These include fully implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendations, allowing a clean vote to increase the minimum wage, and restoring the massive cuts in student financial aid passed by this Congress earlier this year. Despite being the waning hours of this Congress, there is still time to conduct the business of the American people. There is certainly time for debate and a vote on these other urgent priorities.

But to return to the rule we now debate, it allows for consideration of a bill of our national defense and it is a good agreement.

When H.R. 5122 was first considered by the House, I discussed that this bill serves two critical roles: first, as a planning blueprint in order to ensure that our military has the resources and tools to meet any threat from abroad; and, second, to provide for the men and women on the front line of our Nation's defense.

I am happy to report that the conferees kept both of these goals in mind in crafting this responsible agreement. It goes far in the support of the most professional and dedicated military in the world.

The agreement does not permit increases in the military's TRICARE prescription drug program, as the House version of this bill would have done. That is a very good thing. Our men and women in uniform should not pay more to access their benefits, particularly in a time of war.

Additionally, the agreement also maintains a critical role of our military chaplains and what they play in the spiritual lives and health of our troops. In a time of war, we cannot afford to change the rules in ways which may degrade readiness and unit cohesion.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that conferees preserve the wisdom in the underlying bill, which preserved the troop strength of our National Guard. The tragedy of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the annual wildfires in my home State of California and other parts of the West, as well as many members of the Guard called to duty in Iraq, demonstrate the numerous demands placed on the Guard and the important role they play.

For all that we ask of them, these individuals, be they members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Reserves, or National Guard, ask very little of us in return. What they ask is that we provide the equipment they need to get the job done, provide for them, provide for their family. And the agreement we have before us today would do that. I thank the conferees for their efforts to craft this compromise.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my good friend, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) to respond.

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

Mr. Speaker, the rule before us makes in order a balanced agreement on the fiscal year 2007 Defense authorization bill. I urge all Members to support its adoption.

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

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Ms. MATSUI asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, Democrats and Republicans agree in the primacy of national security issues. But Democrats also recognize that middle-class Americans are worried about several other things as well, all of which affect a different type of security: Their economic security. And Democrats are prepared to remain here until the full scope of problems facing our constituents is addressed.

H. Res. 1046 is a martial law rule suspending the rules of the House. It would allow the majority to bring several bills to the floor the same day the Rules Committee meets to report those bills. Two of the three items allowed to come immediately to the floor were made public late last night. The third bill may be passed by the Senate today.

What this means is that, yet again, it will be almost impossible for Members to read the bills before being asked to vote on them. This abbreviated approach to legislating is not new. However, the 109th Congress seems likely to have taken this to a new level. We are on track to set a record for the fewest days spent voting in our lifetimes.

This is beyond being unreasonable to the American people. They sent us all here to do a job, to vote, and to do our part to fix the problems they face each and every day. They pay the price for our inaction at the pharmacy, at school, and in their paychecks. So it is worth taking a look at what remains undone when Congress works so little.

We still need to fully implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations here. We have not passed a comprehensive national energy policy that puts us on the path to energy independence by focusing on alternative and renewable sources of energy. We should allow the Federal Government to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors and people with disabilities. We should restore the massive cuts to Federal student financial aid that Congress made earlier this year. And we have not had a clean vote to raise the minimum wage.

Democrats want to address each of these issues before we go home for the elections, but the majority has made it clear, through this rule, that the House leadership will not consider these priorities before leaving town.

This martial law rule would allow us to consider a conference report for homeland security funding. But even after this agreement passes, massive holes will remain in our homeland. The majority has not taken action to make sure that first responders can talk to each other, a key problem on September 11, 2001. According to legislation passed by this majority, the issue will not be fixed until 2009. That is unacceptable.

According to the 9/11 Commission, the Federal Government still does not have a consolidated terror watch list at our airports, and without proper funding, TSA cannot implement the full range of security measures necessary to protect us.

Finally, we do not have 100 percent screening of cargo coming into our ports. These holes are the reason that the 9/11 Commission gave Congress failing grades late last year.

The majority has defeated multiple Democratic attempts at fixing these problems. Democrats want to fix these holes before we leave town.

Let us consider another of the issues that I mentioned. The need to create a forward-thinking energy policy that places us on the path to energy independence. Energy touches the core of our national security during a time of global upheaval, so it affects the economic security of every person across this country and it affects the ability of businesses to compete. We cannot afford to be dependent on volatile regions of the world, and it is impractical and unwise to believe we can drill our way out of this problem.

It is long past due for the Federal Government to make an unprecedented commitment towards energy independence. We need to drive the development and deployment of renewable and alternative sources of energy. We also need to encourage the use of energy efficient technologies to help our families and businesses reduce their energy consumption.

Achieving energy independence will not happen overnight. It will require a long-term sustained effort of government, businesses, and families. But America has always been up to challenges like this, and Democrats want that effort to start now, before we go home for the elections.

Another issue we failed to address is the need for the Federal Government to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for seniors. Almost eight out of every 10 seniors who signed up for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit in California have a plan with a so-called donut hole. This means that almost 300,000 seniors and disabled workers will see a gap in coverage. Even though these individuals will receive no help with their prescriptions, they are required to keep paying premiums to the Federal Government.

And those drug prices are higher than they need to be. Congress already allows the Veterans Administration to negotiate prices directly with the drug companies. As a result, veterans get the prescriptions they need for less. It is a great program. But when Congress passed the Medicare prescription drug bill, it specifically prohibited the Federal Government from doing the same price negotiation for seniors. That is wrong, and Democrats will fight to fix this problem before we leave town.

Madam Speaker, also as a result of working only 88 days thus far, we have also neglected to fix the misguided cuts in student aid that Congress approved earlier this year. In February of this year, the majority voted for the largest cut in student aid in history: $12 billion. Congress took this vote despite the fact that parents and students all across the country are struggling to access this doorway to opportunity.

With the cost of college skyrocketing, the average college student is now more than $17,000 in debt. Many are paying above-market interest rates in order to finance their education. Madam Speaker, a college education should be an opportunity, not a burden. Democrats are committed to reversing these terrible cuts before we leave town so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

In closing, Madam Speaker, Democrats are interested in addressing the full range of problems that worry the American people. As I have mentioned, we should start by allowing the Federal Government to negotiate prescription drug prices, we should also reverse the cuts to student aid, and we are prepared to stay at work until we do so.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), my good friend.

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

Madam Speaker, to correct the record, there has been no clean vote to raise the minimum wage, and it is that important.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey).

Madam Speaker, before I yield to the next speaker, I would like to yield 10 seconds to the gentleman from Wisconsin to respond.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Madam Speaker, I just want to make a comment that the Department of Veteran Affairs has been very successful lowering prescription drug prices by negotiating directly with the drug companies.

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 10 seconds to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) to respond.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to vote ``no'' on the previous question. If the previous question is defeated, I will amend the rule so the House can immediately take up five important bills that actually do something to help Americans and make them safer.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment and extraneous materials immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, my amendment provides for immediate consideration of the following five bills.

One, a bill to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Two, legislation to increase the minimum wage to $7.25.

Three, a bill to give authority to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Four, a bill to repeal the massive cuts in college tuition assistance imposed by the Congress and would expand the size and availability of Pell Grants.

Five, a bill to roll back tax breaks for large oil companies and invest those savings in alternative fuels to achieve energy independence.

Mr. Speaker, every one of these bills will make important changes to help hardworking Americans and their families. These bills should have been enacted a long time ago. But there is still time and opportunity to do something today. All it takes is a ``no'' vote on the previous question. For once, let's do the right thing and help the people we were sent here to serve.

Again, vote ``no'' on the previous question.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, Beverly Wilson, ``Bev'' as she was known, was many things: a mother of five, a grandmother of 15, and a dedicated Postal Carrier for nearly thirty years. The naming of the Lincoln Post Office at which she worked is fitting for such a tremendous woman.

On January 6, 2005, just one month before retiring from the U.S. Postal Service, longtime Lincoln, California resident Beverly Joyce Wilson, 65, was involved in a fatal car accident while on the job.

The public sentiment after her death left one of her son's to remark, ``How can one little old woman touch the lives of so many people?'' It is quite clear from the heartfelt comments from her relatives, friends, coworkers and residents of Lincoln that she truly has made a lasting impression on Lincoln.

But the circle of admiration didn't stop in Lincoln. According to Ralph Petty at the Sacramento Metropolitan Area U.S. Postal Service, ``She was a model employee, very dedicated to her work. Her rural carrier job was her life. She loved the people that she serviced every day.''

It is undeniable from all of the accounts, that she loved her life and valued and respected others, and in turn they have asked for the new Post Office to be dedicated in her memory. This Post Office naming bill represents all postal employees, and everything that the USPS stands for. Her legacy will forever be remembered.

I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this closed rule and the underlying bill. This is a debate about whether we are willing to preserve the fundamental protections our Nation has fought for centuries to maintain.

As written, the underlying bill rejects these essential protections in favor of vague assurances and provisions open to interpretation. The potential erosion of our legal safeguards is a serious matter. That is why several members of our armed services raised these concerns when they testified to Congress several weeks ago.

Mr. Speaker, certain rights are considered so fundamental to our Nation and to our Constitution that they cannot be sacrificed. The right of every American to have his or her day in court is one such right.

But a number of law experts, including Martin Lederman, who worked at the Department of Justice for both President Clinton and President Bush, believe that this legislation would put that right in jeopardy. As written, this legislation could be used by the President as evidence of congressional agreement of a number of his legal assertions. That includes his assertion that holding an American citizen indefinitely without access to a lawyer is legal.

From my family's personal experience, I know something about what can happen to the rights of Americans when the executive branch overreaches in a time of war.

Restricting the legal rights of our citizens is something which, if done at all, must be done carefully and with a proper balancing of concerns. I know that Members of both Chambers tried to meet that standard with the administration on this legislation, but this proposal fails to achieve that balance. For that reason alone, we should reject this bill.

I am also concerned because the history of this legislation fits a pattern we have seen before, one in which officials assert expanded powers while ignoring their career professionals in the process.

A few weeks ago, Congress heard from a long line of generals and judge advocates general. Their collective testimony outlined a swift, tough approach to these tribunals that protected our troops, and it did so while preserving our moral authority in the world. This bill disregards their testimony and their expertise.

They argued forcefully for detainees to see the evidence presented against them, with some adjustment for classified evidence. They stated that evidence obtained through torture should not be permitted, not only because it is morally offensive but also because it is inherently untrustworthy. They clearly reiterated their position that judicial review must be preserved.

And, above all, they argued strenuously that any legislation must affirm the United States' commitment to the Geneva Conventions. They believe this because they know, better than anyone, that these safeguards protect our troops fighting on battlefields around the globe.

Unfortunately, Congress did not listen to these experts in military law. Instead, the bill made in order under this closed rule would permit evidence obtained through torture in some cases.

The legislation does include a list of certain grave breaches of the law. Beyond those, however, it gives the President the authority to determine what is and what isn't torture as long as he publishes it in the Federal Register first.

These provisions undermine our Nation's moral authority, and, once given away, it will be that much harder to earn back.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill is vague when it should be specific; it is casual with regards to important legal protections when it should be vigilant; and it is a fundamentally flawed approach to prosecuting terrorists.

I urge all Members to reject this rule and to vote against the underlying bill.