Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Americans who are currently serving our country, and those who have served so gallantly in the past. Particularly during this time of war, America's heroes of the past, as well as the present, must be honored and remembered. As such, I join Congressman Hoyer and Congressman Skelton to recognize today as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.

These soldiers, captured while fighting for freedom and the future of America, faced imprisonment with their fates unknown. These brave men and women looked their enemy in the face, persevered with honor, courage, and faith in their country--and survived. Many, however, were not so fortunate.

The ordeal of being a prisoner of war does not end once rescued from behind enemy lines. The physical, emotional, and spiritual toll of internment can take years, even a lifetime, to rebuild and overcome.

As former prisoners of war, you have gone beyond the call of your duty. You put your life, your blood, your soul on the line. This is a sacrifice most of us will never be able to comprehend. That burden, that sacrifice, that unfettered dedication to our country will forever make you national heroes.

We owe an inexpressible debt of gratitude to you, our former POWs, and to your families, whose prayers for a safe return were answered.

Today we honor you for your bravery, strength, and sacrifice. And tomorrow we will not forget.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to register my strong support for ensuring that the supplemental appropriations legislation before us gives the President the critical ability to defend the United States against the threat of weapons of mass destruction.

Two of the most effective ways to do that are to give the President the authority to use the Department of Defense funds to dismantle nuclear and chemical weapons facilities around the world, and to support efforts by the Department of Energy to prevent smuggling of weapons of mass destruction throughout the Middle East and central Asia.

The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards), and I have an amendment that would do just that. It provides the President with the authority that he has requested from Congress to expand the use of cooperative threat-reduction funds for projects and activities in countries outside the former Soviet Union.

My amendment also adds $55 million for Department of Energy nonproliferation programs; of that, $20 million for the Second Line of Defense Program to install radiation detection equipment at key transit points outside the former Soviet Union, and $35 million for materials protection control and accounting activities in regions of concern, including Iraq, should any dangerous agents be discovered there.

Both these provisions were contained in the Senate version of the supplemental, approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee just this past Tuesday. Additionally, CTR authority outside the former Soviet Union is urgently needed for the Defense Department to apply its unique knowledge and capabilities in places like Iraq if and when weapons of mass destruction are discovered.

The additional funds for the Department of Energy would allow for some of the same capability while also enhancing domestic security through radiation detection at transit points overseas.

Two years ago, former Senator Howard Baker and White House counsel Lloyd Cutler concluded, ``The most urgent unmet national security threat to the United States is the danger that weapons of mass destruction or weapons-usable material in Russia could be stolen and sold to terrorists or hostile nations and used against American troops abroad or citizens at home.''

Today, it could not be any clearer that our homeland is at risk and that our troops are getting ever closer to potential weapons of mass destruction.

Congress has the duty to let the President use DOD and DOE nonproliferation programs to protect our homeland and our troops.

I understand that my amendment is subject to a point of order and I will withdraw it; but I deeply urge my colleagues to support this provision in conference, and I urge my colleagues who are conferees to please re-insert this language and support it in the conference.

Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my amendment.

Mr. Speaker, we all wanted diplomacy to find a peaceful solution, and now we all want our troops home as quickly and safely as possible. The enemy should understand that it can take no comfort in the disagreement we have had with President Bush on the wisdom of a unilateral war in Iraq. Once our President sends our men and women into harm's way, we will do everything possible to support our troops abroad and their families here at home.

I share the sadness and concern for our fighting men and women and the people of Iraq. I join my colleagues and Californians in wanting to ensure our troops are safe, innocent civilians casualties are avoided, Saddam is disarmed, and the world community is engaged in rebuilding a democratic Iraq.

When I was in the Persian Gulf earlier this year, I saw many of the men and women who will win this war for America. They are young, they are smart, and they are ready. To the men and women of the Armed Forces, especially those from Travis Air Force Base and Reserve and National Guard units from throughout California and the Bay area, you have the unwavering support of this Congress and the American people. To the families of these brave men and women, let me tell you that your sacrifice is tremendous, and we are praying for your loved ones' safe return.

Now the only exit strategy that remains is victory. I am confident that day will come soon. God bless our troops and God bless America.