Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, this past weekend marked the 36th anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish forces. During the war, approximately 5,000 Cypriots were killed and close to 200,000 Greek Cypriots were forcibly removed from their homes. This anniversary also marks another year in which Cyprus is divided between north and south and between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities.

However, despite 36 years of division in Cyprus, I remain hopeful about reaching a just and lasting settlement. Following his election in February 2008, President Demetris Christofias followed through on his commitment to make the solution of the Cyprus problem his top priority. In September of that year, he embarked on full-fledged negotiations with Mehmet Talat, who was at the time the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. I am encouraged that these negotiations are continuing under the new Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

The ongoing talks aim at reaching a comprehensive settlement for the Cyprus problem with the goal of achieving the unification of Cyprus based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and political equality, as set out in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The agreement should also lead to a single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international personality for Cyprus.

The House of Representatives has voiced its strong support for comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue. On October 9, 2007, the House passed House Resolution 405, which expressed its support for the immediate implementation of the U.N.-brokered July 8, 2006 agreement as the way forward to prepare for new comprehensive negotiations leading to the reunification of Cyprus within a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. In addition, the resolution called upon the United States Government to fully support the immediate implementation this agreement in its entirety.

There are still many difficult issues that need to be resolved before a comprehensive agreement to the Cyprus problem can be achieved. Turkey, which continues to deploy 43,000 troops in Cyprus, is critical to reaching such an agreement. I urge Turkey to work constructively with the Cypriots in support of a negotiated settlement and the peaceful reunification of the island.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Conyers; my good friend, subcommittee chairman Bobby Scott; and, of course, our ranking member, Lamar Smith, for working closely with me to draft a bill that would help put a stop to the sale of animal crush videos while, at the same time, addressing the First Amendment concerns that were raised by a recent Supreme Court ruling.

The district attorney of Ventura County, California, first brought this issue to my attention back in 1999. He explained that, although crush videos were illegal under State laws, the crime was difficult to prosecute because video producers moved their goods through interstate commerce to avoid prosecution.

The FBI, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Justice consider animal cruelty to be one of the early warning signs of potential violent youth. The Boston Strangler, the Unabomber, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Ted Bundy all tortured animals before they began to murder people.

Everyone agrees that these disgusting videos must be stopped. My first bill passed the House in 1999 by a bipartisan vote of 372-42, by unanimous consent in the Senate, and was signed into law by then- President Bill Clinton. The Supreme Court ruled in April of this year that the 1999 law was too broad, but indicated it may uphold a law that is more narrowly drafted.

In response to the court's decision, I, along with my good friend Representative Gary Peters, introduced H.R. 5566, the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010. Based on the testimony of the constitutional experts at the May 26 Crime Subcommittee hearing, I worked with Members on both sides of the aisle to craft legislation that is narrowly focused on prohibiting crush videos rather than prohibiting depiction of animal cruelty.

Immediately after the 1999 bill became law, the crush video business virtually disappeared. It has recently reemerged in light of the court ruling.

Quick passage of H.R. 5566 will once again stop these revolting videos that depict the torture of animals and killing defenseless animals.

I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 5566.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join us in passing this bill, and yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of the Rev. Dr. Frank Witman, a close, personal friend of my wife, Janice, and me, who passed away on Tuesday.

Frank Witman had a calmness about him that belied his inner strength. He arrived in-Simi Valley, California, in the summer of 1969 to assume the post of senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of Simi Valley. It is not an understatement to say that the city was blessed by his presence.

Frank was the sixth of seven consecutive generations of United Methodist pastors on his father's side and the third of four consecutive generations on his mother's side. After serving as a pastor in Rialto and Pomona, he anchored his roots in Simi Valley and branched out into every aspect of community life.

In 1978, Frank founded the chaplain program for the Simi Valley Police Department and for more than 30 years served as the department's senior chaplain. He provided comfort, counseling, prayers and support during most of the city's traumatic and tragic events, including the untimely death of Officer Michael Clark. His support of the city and its police officers earned him the department's Volunteer of the Year Award in 1997, the department's Lifetime Service Award in 2007, and recognition from the Simi Valley City Council in 2008.

When not at his church or the Police Department, Frank could frequently be found at Simi Valley Hospital, where he was a charter member of the Simi Valley Hospital Board Strategic Planning Committee, visiting church members and others in need. Following his retirement from the church in 1997, he remained active as a volunteer chaplain for the hospital, filling in for the staff chaplains as needed. Earlier this year, the hospital named its chapel the Witman Chapel in honor of his years of service.

In 1990, I had the honor of nominating Frank to offer a prayer to open a session of the House of Representatives as guest Chaplain, which he did on May 2, 1990.

Frank also co-authored a book on world hunger and two books on church administration. He served as an adjunct faculty member

at the Claremont School of Theology from 1992-2000, teaching church administration with his coauthors in four states.

Frank was recognized numerous times for his unselfish devotion, including the Paul Harris Award, one of the highest honors Rotary International bestows upon an individual, and the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Strathearn Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elsie; sons, Mark and Paul; their wives, Luene and Barbara; and grandchildren, Lauren and Peter, as well as his two older brothers, Harold and Henry.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join Janice and me in offering our condolences to Elsie and the Witman family, and in remembering a remarkable man whose life of service will live on in all those whose lives he touched.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center, which has been designated eastern Ventura County's first Level II Trauma Center by the Ventura County, California, Board of Supervisors.

Beginning tomorrow, Los Robles will provide Level II Trauma Treatment for residents living in the Greater Conejo Valley and the surrounding communities in eastern Ventura County. The Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura will provide trauma treatment for critical patients in western Ventura County.

With its designation as a trauma center, Los Robles will be staffed and equipped to provide trauma care for any type of emergency patient, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Ventura County had been only one of two counties in the state without an approved trauma plan. Two years ago, Ventura County began the process to develop a trauma plan and in March the state approved the county's plan to designate one trauma center in the west part of the county and one in the east.

To be designated a trauma center, hospitals must meet stringent requirements. Los Robles Hospital's Trauma Center will offer immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries. The Trauma Center includes ready-to-go teams that perform immediate surgery and other necessary procedures for people with serious or life-threatening injuries caused by traumatic events.

It involves working together with emergency services throughout the county including EMS services, ambulances, helicopters and other healthcare emergency resources in a coordinated and pre-planned way.

Being named the Trauma Center for eastern Ventura County speaks volumes to the solid commitment from the Los Robles Hospital's Trauma Team members, Emergency Department staff, hospital support staff and medical staff.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center for being named the Trauma Center for eastern Ventura County and in thanking Los Robles doctors and staff for their commitment to providing high quality care for the most seriously injured patients.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Jim Meredith, who has retired from the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Board of Directors in Simi Valley, California, after 28 years.

Jim was Chairman of the Board in 1984, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2008. He was Vice Chairman in 1990, 1993, 1998, 2002 and 2007. In addition, he was President of the Ventura County Special District Association for 10 years, President of the State Board of the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts in 1991 and 2004, President of the California Special Districts Association Board of Directors, member of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Board Liaison Committee, etc., etc. etc.

It's easy to see why Jim is known around town as ``Mr. Parks and Rec.''

While Jim was on the board, the District budget increased from $3.5 million to $16 million, 303 acres of park land were developed and an additional 3,820 acres of land was acquired. Since Jim's first election, the District has added 37 parks to the system and 11 after- school clubs.

Jim was instrumental in nearly every one of the district's expansion decisions during those years. As someone who was a professional baseball player and involved in youth baseball, the Royal High School girl's softball program, adult women's softball program, co-ed softball, youth football, the Simi Valley High School and Royal High School football programs, semi-pro football, soccer programs and the Boy Scouts, Jim has an intimate knowledge of what the community's recreation needs are and how to fill them.

As a result of his vision and dedication, Jim has been recognized with the Founder's Award from the Ventura County Special Districts Association; Board Member of the Year from the California Association of Recreation & Park Districts; 2002 Board Member of the Year from the American Park & Recreation Society; and the 2002 Meritorious Service Citizen Award from the American Park & Recreation Society.

In addition to his recreational activities, Jim is a member of Disabled American Veterans, Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Simi Valley Historical Society and the Simi Valley Christian Foundation for Homeless.

Jim also found the time to be a husband, father and grandfather during those years. He and Amy have been married for more than 50 years and have five children and numerous grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, the mark James L. Meredith leaves on Simi Valley and Oak Park--the communities the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District serves--is both deep and enduring. I know my colleagues join me in thanking Jim for his tireless dedication to his community and in wishing him and Amy great joy in their retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise in memory Donna Jevens, a close friend of mine and my wife, Janice, and anyone who ever knew her or worked with her.

Donna was a vivacious woman who was the center of all that was positive. She worked with me for nearly 7 years in my Ventura County office, retiring to Surprise, Arizona, with her husband and high school sweetheart, Jim, in 2000. Donna was one of my case workers, handling every problem with efficiency and great empathy for the people whose problems she helped to solve. My staff do not consider themselves coworkers; they are family and Donna was an intregal member of our family.

She also worked for another member of this chamber, Representative Tom McClintock, when Tom was a State representative. Tom and I both remember an unflappable personality with an ever-present smile. Her very presence brightened a room.

Just before she died earlier this month, Janice and I traveled with my district director Paula Sheil to Arizona to visit Donna and Jim. Though near death, Donna was still upbeat and positive. She was a remarkable woman and will be remembered dearly.

Prior to her work with Representative McClintock and me, Donna was an elementary school teacher. Donna was a proud member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority at the University of Wisconsin, from which she graduated in 1961. She was also a longtime member of P.E.O., Camarillo Chapter UM, in California.

During their retirement, Donna and Jim traveled the world and often visited their children and grandchildren.

Aside from Jim, her husband of nearly 50 years, Donna is survived by her son, Rob, in Chicago; and son, Tom, daughter-in-law Heather, and granddaughters Emily and Allison, in San Jose, California.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in sending our condolences to Donna's family and in remembering a remarkable public servant, mom, grandmother, wife and friend whose spirit will live within us forever.

Godspeed, Donna.

Mr. Speaker, I support targeted sanctions against the government of Iran in an effort to stop the Iranian regime's pursuit of nuclear weapons. For this reason, I voted in favor of the Conference Report on the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act on the floor of the House today. The effectiveness of this legislation will now depend on whether the sanctions are forcefully implemented by the Obama Administration. I urge the President to work closely with our allies and use all the tools provided by the Act to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear capability.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) for its quick and effective response to locating and rescuing Abby Sunderland, a 16-year-old sailor from Thousand Oaks, California, whose sailboat was severely damaged in the Indian Ocean.

Abby was attempting to sail solo around the world when rough seas tore the mast from her boat, Wild Eyes, rendering cell phone communication with her sail team impossible. Abby activated two distress beacons, whose signal was picked up by the AMSA's Rescue Coordination Centre.

At the time, Wild Eyes was in the search and rescue region of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at La Reunion, which is operated by France. However, AMSA immediately offered assistance. La Reunion asked for air search assistance and an AMSA crew departed from Perth at first light in a QANTAS A-330 Airbus passenger aircraft.

Before the aircraft arrived on the scene, Abby's beacons indicated Wild Eyes had drifted into AMSA's search and rescue region. She was spotted at about 4 p.m. Australian time (11 p.m. PDT) about 2,000 nautical miles from western Australia. The AMSA crew made radio contact and found that Abby was alive and well, although with some scrapes and bruises.

AMSA then coordinated with La Reunion to have a ship retrieve her from Wild Eyes. About 40 hours after Abby activated her beacons, the French fishing vessel, Ile De La Reunion had Abby safely on board. AMSA had dispatched a Global Express aircraft to the scene, which provided top cover during Abby's transfer to the fishing vessel and served as a communications relay between Wild Eyes and Ile De La Reunion.

Media reports this morning stated that the crew of Ile De La Reunion delivered Abby to the remote Kerguelen Island yesterday afternoon, where she will catch a French patrol boat for the next leg of her journey home.

Madam Speaker, while we are grateful to the French fishermen and French authorities for their role in Abby's rescue, it is the Australian government that took lead in ensuring she was found and rescued. I personally called Australian ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Kim Beazley, AC, on Friday to thank him for Australia's role in locating and rescuing one of my constituents at considerable time and cost to them. I would also like to publicly thank the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the QANTAS crew, and all the support personnel who made Abby's rescue possible. I know my colleagues join me in thanking our ally and friend for her quick response to one of our citizens in distress.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to my friend, Ken Starr, who is leaving his post overlooking Malibu, California, and the Pacific Ocean as dean of Pepperdine University's School of Law to return to his native Texas as Baylor University's 14th president.

Judge Starr has had a long and storied career. After graduating law school, he became a clerk for then-Chief Justice Warren Burger. He left Justice Burger to work as an attorney in Los Angeles for several years before returning to Washington, DC, in 1981 to serve under U.S. Attorney General William French Smith.

Judge Starr was a federal judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals from 1983 to 1989 and was U.S. Solicitor General from 1989 to 1993. While on the bench, Judge Starr won the respect of both political parties. He was often mentioned as a potential U.S. Supreme Court nominee.

In 1994, Judge Starr was appointed independent counsel to continue the investigation into the Whitewater land transactions begun by Robert Fiske. He was charged with investigating several allegations connected to President Clinton, eventually issuing a report on President Clinton's intentional cover-up in the Monica Lewinsky case, which led to the President's impeachment.

On April 6, 2004, Judge Starr was appointed dean of Pepperdine University's School of Law--the second time the post was offered.

During the Whitewater investigation and impeachment hearings, Judge Starr was painted by his enemies and the media as a wild-eyed zealot whose only goal was to bring down the presidency. The Judge Starr I know, and the Judge Starr history will record, is a soft-spoken and intelligent attorney and judge whose only goal has always been to serve the law.

For the past 6 years, he has inspired young legal minds at Pepperdine University to embrace that goal as well. Beginning June 1, he will inspire young minds at Baylor.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Judge Starr for his appointment as president of Baylor University and in thanking him for his dedication to our up-and-coming leaders, for his contribution to the legal community, and for his long and distinguished service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Dean Rasmussen, businessman, philanthropist and recipient of this year's ALS Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dean's father died from ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig's Disease, more than 20 years ago. Always a man of action, Dean joined the National Board of Directors for The ALS Association. He spearheaded advocacy programs in Washington, DC, and Sacramento, California, and was instrumental in the growth and success of the Los Angeles Chapter.

Known as the godfather of The ALS Association's advocacy efforts, he served as the catalyst and provided seed money for the creation of the association's Advocacy Department. Subsequent advocacy efforts have resulted in nearly $1 billion of support for research, patient care and advocacy that helps people with ALS throughout the United States.

Dean's success in driving The ALS Association to new heights is typical of his drive in business, sports and advocacy for education and our children.

Dean graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and served 2 years aboard Standard Oil of California tankers as a third mate before enrolling in Arizona State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in construction. In 1968, he joined the company his father founded 4 years earlier as vice president and general manager.

Dean is now the managing member of C. A. Rasmussen Co., LLC, and emeritus chairman of the board of C. A. Rasmussen, Inc., a privately- held, general engineering contracting firm that builds highways and other infrastructure throughout California.

Among Dean's other activities, he is a former member of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Advisory Board, emeritus member of the board of trustees of Harvey Mudd College and former trustee/president of Harvey Mudd College's Friends Committee. He is also a former trustee and campaign chairman of Viewpoint School in Calabasas, California, past president of the Southern California Contractors Association and emeritus director of Casa Pacifica (an abused children's home serving Ventura County).

Dean enjoys spending time with his wife, Kathleen, and his four children; reading history; collecting shotguns and fine wines; as well as bird hunting and other shooting sports. He is a member the Ventura County Game Preserve Association, the Point Mugu Gun Club, a life member of the National Rifle Association, and is on the Board of the L. C. Smith Collectors Association.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating my wife, Janice's, and my friend of 40 years, Dean Rasmussen for earning The ALS Association Lifetime Achievement Award and in thanking him for a lifetime of service to his community and country.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of Gills Onions, a Ventura County, California, company recently awarded the Grand Conceptor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), considered the Academy Awards for engineering.

Gills Onions, owned by Steve and David Gill, teamed with HDR Engineering to develop a groundbreaking waste-to-energy system fueled solely from onions.

Gills Onions and HDR were chosen from a field of eight finalists selected from among 163 projects worldwide. ACEC represents more than 5,600 engineering firms throughout the United States. Other finalists included the new $1.3 billion Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the Sea-to-Sky Highway project in British Columbia, Canada.

Gills Onions hired HDR Engineering to develop the Advanced Energy Recovery System (AERS), which converts 200,000 pounds of daily onion waste (peels, stems, and tops) into biogas. The biogas, in turn, powers 300-kilowatt fuel cells to supply plant operations.

Gills Onions is the world's largest processor of fresh-cut onions and distributes them across the nation.

AERS satisfies 60 percent of Gills Onions' annual power needs--an estimated $1.1 million savings. In addition to increased energy independence, AERS has allowed Gills Onions to eliminate a waste stream, reduce its operational costs and provide a smaller carbon footprint.

The combination of the energy produced, cost savings generated and grant funding achieved by the project will result in a full payback in less than six years.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me congratulating Steve and David Gill and Gills Onions for being awarded the Grand Conceptor Award and for their out-the-box thinking that has possibly revolutionized how food processing waste is treated.

Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Christie Stanley, the first female District Attorney for the County of Santa Barbara, California, who died this week at 61 years young after a courageous fight against cancer.

Christie was elected District Attorney in June 2006 with 70 percent of the vote. In many ways, she epitomizes the American Dream and how hard work and perseverance can bring a person to the pinnacle of her career.

Christie graduated from Ventura College of Law Magna Cum Laude, first in her class, while married, caring for two young daughters and commuting from Lompoc for 4 years--a round-trip of about 160 miles.

She was drawn to a career in law enforcement while in Kansas for her uncle's funeral. While she was there, her uncle's murderer was caught and brought through the small town square. Armed townspeople waited, intent on vengeance. The officers who had him in custody--friends and colleagues of Christie's uncle--brought the killer in safely so he could be prosecuted.

``I was and am consistently impressed by law enforcement professionals who do the right thing, even when it is the hard thing to do,'' Christie said of the experience.

Christie practiced civil law for 2 years before she joined the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office in 1980. Soon after she was assigned to supervise the Lompoc District Attorney's office. She prosecuted hundreds of cases, including murders, rapes and arson, and had a nearly perfect conviction record.

In 1984, she was recognized as ``Deputy District Attorney of the Year.'' She had been an associate member of the Santa Barbara County Law Enforcement Chiefs since 1991,

was an original Core Committee Member for the creation and operation of the Substance Abuse Treatment Court and trained volunteers for the Lompoc Rape Crisis Center.

Christie is survived by her husband Gary; daughters Renee Edman and Dawn Wright; stepchildren Mark Stanley, Ryan Stanley and Tami Millican; mother Jeanette Claycamp; and her grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in offering our condolences to Christie's family and friends and in remembering a life dedicated to incarcerating criminals and caring for their victims.

Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Deb Holler, who will be honored Friday as the 2010 Woman of the Year by the First Ladies of Simi Valley Hospital Foundation.

Every year, First Ladies honors one remarkable woman from a local business or organization who gives of her time, talents and treasures to a local organization that benefits the community.

Deb Holler gives of her time, talents and treasures in spades.

Deb and her husband, Bob Huber, have been close personal friends of my wife, Janice, and me for many, many years and I know firsthand the contributions she has made. For the past 20 years, Deb has been deeply active in the community she calls home. She supports many community events and has graciously opened her home for a wide variety of fundraisers for community organizations.

Deb has been a member of the Rotary Club of Simi Valley for the past 13 years and is the current President. She also serves on several boards within the community, including the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, where she served as its Chief Financial Officer, and the Boys & Girls Club.

Deb also has been involved with the Moorpark Community College Foundation Board and is a graduate of Leadership Simi Valley. In 2006, Deb was named Business Person of the Year by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce for her high ethical business standards and outstanding leadership abilities.

Over the years, Deb has hosted numerous fundraisers for many worthy organizations, including the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, the Rotary Club of Simi Valley, the Simi Valley Community Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club, the Samaritan Center and the Moorpark College Foundation.

Deb has consistently made herself available to help others for many years, oftentimes putting her own needs aside to do so. Deb Holler is categorically deserving of this honor.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join the First Ladies of Simi Valley Hospital Foundation and me in thanking Deb Holler for her numerous contributions to her community and in congratulating her for being awarded Woman of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, if Congress wants to remove fraud and abuse from the healthcare system, it can start by overturning this bill.

The Congressional Budget Office released an updated analysis of H.R. 4872. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill will cost taxpayers $1 trillion. The analysis also confirmed that this bill will raise healthcare premiums $2,100 more a year for millions of families than if Speaker Pelosi had left healthcare alone.

It also reaffirmed that as many as 9 million people now enrolled in employer-based plans will lose their coverage.

At a time when our military men and women are fighting terrorists around the world, the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars urged Congress to vote the bill down because it does not protect veteran healthcare plans.

At a time when unemployment has hit a record 11.6 percent in Ventura County and 10.4 percent in Santa Barbara County, Speaker Pelosi's bill adds $569.2 billion of additional taxes onto the backs of American families and $52 billion on struggling employers.

It hurts seniors with $200 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage and raids Medicare and Social Security to fund the new mandate and hide the true cost of the bill.

This bill must be overturned before the bulk of its provisions take effect in 2014. I support real reform that reduces premiums, reduces government spending and protects the doctor-patient relationship.

I cosponsored a bill that would provide real reform, but Speaker Pelosi will not allow a vote on it. It includes:

Allowing small businesses to band together to purchase health insurance for employees and use their combined bargaining power to negotiate better health benefits at lower prices.

Reforming medical liability laws to discourage unnecessary and frivolous lawsuits, which only drive up prices for everyone and force doctors to practice defensive medicine.

Removing unnecessary regulations that prevent health insurance companies from operating across state lines--which will provide the competition without government-run health care.

Establishing high-risk pools to help people with pre-existing conditions find affordable insurance.

I and many of my colleagues believe issues of portability, increasing costs and rescinding coverage must be addressed. However, in doing so, we must also protect a patient's right to choose the best coverage for him or herself in a vibrant, competitive marketplace, not force Americans into a one-size-fits-all government-run program designed by Speaker Pelosi.

Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of an extraordinary actor, a gentleman, a family man, a successful vintner and hotelier, and a patriotic American, Fess Parker, who died Thursday after 85 years of making the world around him a better place.

My wife, Janice, and I were fortunate to call Fess Parker and his wife, Marcella, our friends.

I first met Fess in 1987 when by chance we were seated together on a flight from Washington, DC, to Los Angeles. He had just left the White House where he had been a guest of his old friend Ronald Reagan and I was on my weekly trip home.

From that chance meeting, we built a lasting friendship. I had the good fortune of visiting with Fess on several occasions at his home in Los Olivos. Fess was a humble man with a great sense of humor. He shared many great stories, like how he was discovered by Adolphe Menjou, the debonair movie star of the '30s and '40s.

At the time, Fess was a student at the University of Texas and president of his fraternity. Fess chauffeured Mr. Menjou on his visit to the university, they built a rapport and Menjou paved the way for Fess's own success in Hollywood.

There were many other stories, but none that I enjoyed more than how he met the love of his life, Marcella. It was a true love story that even the most talented of Hollywood writers could not have created.

My experience with Fess is typical. He never acted like a Hollywood star in private life.

After more than 20 years in Hollywood, Fess and Marcella moved to Santa Barbara County. There he produced Fess Parker wine from his 2,200-acre vineyard and opened two top-class hotels, the Fess Parker Wine County Inn and Spa in Los Olivos and Fess Parker Doubletree Inn in Santa Barbara. His wine bottles feature the familiar coonskin cap he made famous in his role as Davey Crockett, as do wine glasses sold at the winery. Fess Parker was known to spend hours signing wine bottles for visitors while regaling them with stories of Hollywood.

He and Marcella also were well-known in town, often seen walking hand-in-hand.

In addition to Marcella, with whom Fess celebrated 50 years of marriage in January, Fess Parker is survived by his son, Eli; daughter, Ashley; 11 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; hundreds of friends and millions of fans.

Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in offering our condolences to Marcella, Eli, Ashley and their entire family, and in remembering a Hollywood icon whose off-screen values and successes in many ways surpassed the successes of his onscreen personas.