Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, it is my hope that we won't have to use the entire 5 minutes in the interest of time.

This is a simple but commonsense amendment to this bill, because it will require of Members of this body to do the exact same thing that we are requiring of Federal agencies, and that is for any Member who is using his or her Members' Representational Allowance to lease an automobile, that they would be required to lease the exact same kinds of vehicles, those that are alternative fuels when available, that we are requiring of Federal agencies.

This amendment is designed for a demonstration to the public that we are serious about energy independence and that we are also going to lead by example.

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

Mr. Chairman, there are about 100 Members of the United States Congress who lease automobiles. And we are requiring, as of 1997, through a mandate from President Clinton, that all vehicles operating under the aegis of the General Services Administration operate with flex-fuel vehicles.

So what we are saying here is that we are willing to require that Federal agencies change their fleets, but that we are not willing to change our fleets. If those vehicles create confusion for us with regard to whether or not they are alternative-fuel vehicles, then we have to stop this entire program because we are already using the language of this amendment as we are requiring other vehicles throughout the Federal Government to use.

I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the chairman of the committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield time to the distinguished majority leader, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

(Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, one of the problems that we have as a body at this time is that the people around the country are constantly observing us and looking at us in ways that are negative because we want to pass laws to impose on everybody except us.

If we are going to declare that we are moving toward energy independence, then the Members of the Congress using taxpayer dollars ought to be willing to give up big Cadillacs in order to lease an energy-efficient car.

The Speaker of the House, just to make a point, did, in fact, request an energy-efficient vehicle. Security, as they should have, said that they were not going to compromise security.

But this late legislation does not even approach those who have security. This says, Members who use their MRA. The Speaker, the majority leader, the minority leaders don't use their MRA. These are vehicles leased by the House of Representatives.

We cannot continue to try to lead the Nation in a direction that we won't lead first.

Mr. Chairman, I urge all the Members to vote to allow Congress to take the lead in moving toward energy independence.

Madam Chairman, I would like to express my support for the amendment to the Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007, H.R. 2419, offered by my friend Mr. Frank from Massachusetts. The amendment aims to remove the expansions in the underlying legislation that would expand the Farm Credit System. The Farm Credit System is a $163 billion direct lending Government sponsored enterprise that has its own regulatory system and preferential borrowing authority.

The proposed expansions of the Farm Credit System in the original measure would have diluted farmer ownership of farm cooperatives and would have undermined farm cooperative principles. Fortunately, the Frank amendment passed last night by a voice vote, as these extensions of the Farm Credit System clearly did not have the support of the majority of my House colleagues. Because the amendment was approved, the Farm Credit System is better able to serve its intended constituency by providing credit directly to family farmers, ranchers, and farmer-owned cooperatives.

The protections afforded by the Frank amendment to the farming sector are also reflected in protecting our financial institutions by preventing an unwarranted expansion into mainstream banking activities. Our Nation's financial institutions have continued to evolve and meet the needs of consumers over the years. These innovations should continue to be fostered while maintaining the security and independence of our financial institutions.

I applaud the passage of the Farm Bill, which will provide our Nation's farmers with meaningful and necessary assistance for the next 5 years. I look forward to continuing to work with my House colleagues to enact effective reform in the financial sector as well.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Let me first of all say that on the positive side, I do have respect for the gentleman from Arizona. He is consistent. He is not mean- spirited with his opposition. There is a lot of mean-spirited conversation that goes on here.

I should say to him, however, that this Member of Congress placed all 120 requested earmarks on my Web site in March, not at the request of anyone. I did it. I am proud of my earmarks. I want everybody to see them. I don't think there is enough money going, though, to this particular project.

When I was mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, we built the American Jazz Museum. It is the only museum on the planet dedicated to the preservation of America's only art form. Jazz is the only art form created in the United States of America. We have what is called the John Baker Collection. If students at the University of Arizona want to study the industry of jazz, the art form of jazz, and they would like to see the soundies, the only place they can see the John Baker Collection, the largest collection of old black and white soundies, is the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City.

People from across this Nation, actually from across the world, come into Kansas City. The city put money into it. Of course, as a former mayor, I know that we send unfunded mandates down to the city. So the city, particularly, since I left office, reduces the funding each year. Since people are using this museum from all over this Nation, I'll bet there are people in Arizona, I hope they are watching, who are using the American Jazz Museum.

So, I believe, first of all, that I have been as transparent as anybody could be. The comments we received from people in our district, Republicans and Democrats, is thank you for being transparent. I don't hide any of it. I want everybody to look at it, examine it. It gives me an opportunity to stand here, and hopefully people in my district are watching me now to stand here and not only defend the earmark, but to promote the American Jazz Museum.

This is the home of Charlie ``YardBird'' Parker, who was born and raised right there and went to school around the street from the museum. This is the place where Count Basie organized his band. This is the place where Jay McShan organized his band. Every major jazz artist in the world wanted to play 18th and Vine.

Now, there is some debate about whether Kansas City or New Orleans is the Mother of Jazz. Of course, New Orleans is wrong, and I try to help them when I can. But the point here is that we need, Mr. Chairman, to have people who are going to put up earmarks to be in a position to feel good about them and to express it. So I don't see this so much as a defense, but as an opportunity to promote what I think is one of the legitimate projects for funding from the United States Congress because it serves the people of this Nation.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel).

Mr. Chairman, I would like to make two final points. The first is the people in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, Harry Truman's district, will have the opportunity to judge whether or not I should have placed these projects before Congress for earmarks next November. I am measured by my representation in that district. I would suggest that they are going to be very pleased with what I have done.

The other issue is that we are talking about a $200,000 earmark, and I had hoped for significantly more than that. We are spending $285 million a day, $11 million a hour in Iraq. If you subtract $200,000, that would reduce the number of Coca-Colas in Iraq by about four cases based on the price they have been gouging.

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

Madam Chair, I would ask to enter into a colloquy with the gentleman from Texas regarding his amendment on this bill. As probably the only person who lived in section 8, I may not be opposed to it; I would just like to get some questions, if I might.

If the gentleman would please help me on this. Are you proposing to amend section 8 or TANF?

Thank you. Because all of the information that your staff sent out contains information about TANF, and you just spoke quite extensively about TANF.

I can't yield because I don't have enough time. But most everything you've said was TANF.

The other two questions that I will ask very quickly is, if a person lives in public housing or section 8, does it mean that they're on welfare?

If you are living in public housing or section 8, does it also mean that you are on welfare? And if so, which law will HUD enforce, the TANF regulation or the amended section 8 regulation which you propose?

Madam Chair, my questions weren't answered, but thank you.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Harry S Truman Presidential Museum and Library. Fifty years ago, on July 6, 1957, former President Harry S Truman, the ``Man from Independence, Missouri,'' proudly dedicated his library. The 33rd President of the United States was not a wealthy man, but through his efforts and determination, he helped raise over a million dollars to build a place to store and exhibit his presidential papers, letters, artifacts, photos, interviews, historical records, and scholarly collections.

After leaving office, people could still visit with President Truman at the library where he greeted library patrons and easily conversed with visitors. Often, he would arrive earlier than the staff and was even known to pick up the phones and supply directions to the library. He was a beloved figure who was always seen walking with a cane in his hand and a smile on his face. It is no surprise that C-SPAN recently did a survey and Harry S Truman ranked fifth on the list of most popular Presidents.

When you enter the library, you are met with an amazing mural painted and designed by the famed Missouri artist, Thomas Hart Benton. The mural captures the history of our area with images of American Indians, settlers, scouts, and the common man forging and founding Independence and the Opening of the West. At one point, Benton wanted to include President Truman in the mural but Truman would have none of this. He stayed true to his character, only offering his distinct brand of criticism to the working artist rather than his likeness. That is until Benton challenged Truman to climb the scaffolding and paint alongside him. Truman responded heartily by picking up a paintbrush.

The Harry S Truman Library was the first Presidential Library to be created under the provisions of the 1955 Presidential Libraries Act. It was established to preserve administrative correspondence and historical materials relating to former Presidents. Truman's vision was to raise funds for the building and then transfer the land, the building and all its contents to the government. Due in large part to Truman's efforts, the public now has access to numerous Presidential documents that give insight into the personal lives and roles of our country's past and present leaders. Many Presidents have followed suit, and the Truman Presidential Library is one of twelve presidential libraries in our Nation operated by the Federal Government.

Mr. Truman, or ``Mr. Citizen'' as many came to call him, cared deeply for the American public. As a former farmer, soldier, and businessman, he drew on these experiences to become a well respected United States Senator and President. If you visit the library in person or delve into Truman's life on the library's website, you come to learn fascinating things about his life.

You discover that he was a modest man who endured great disappointments and recovered from each with greater vigor and success. In his lifetime, Truman was denied entry into West Point because of his poor vision, yet he demonstrated unforeseen courage and leadership on the battlefield during World War I. He had the daunting task of becoming President after Franklin D. Roosevelt's unexpected death during World War II, yet he rose to the difficult challenges and saw the Marshall Plan put in effect and the allies of NATO join forces. Many of his Fair Deal initiatives, while positive and groundbreaking, stalled, but his Civil Rights victories forced our Armed Forces and Federal Government to halt and make illegal any further discriminatory practices.

As a proponent for self education, President Truman's vision for the library was to make these materials available to the people in a place suitable for exhibit and research where anyone could come and learn about the government and the presidency. His reason was that, ``the papers of the Presidents are among the most valuable sources of material. They ought to be preserved and they ought to be used.'' His common sense attitude and foresight are gifts that have proven to be invaluable.

It is with great appreciation and high regard that I congratulate and thank the Truman Presidential Museum and Library for an amazing 50 years. Under the Truman Library Institute Board and the leadership of Directors Philip C. Brooks, Benedict Zobrist, Larry Hackman and now Michael Devine, the Truman Presidential Museum and Library has hosted Presidents, heads of state, and many dignitaries. All visitors are assisted by a professional staff that provides expertise and a wealth of experiences for amateur historians, young people, and industrious scholars seeking information about President Harry S Truman, his life and times. They amazingly seem to know where to retrieve documents and photographs; they meticulously recreate rich and detailed displays, and are the stewards of priceless artifacts and information.

Madam Speaker, please join with me as we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Harry S Truman Presidential Museum and Library that has fulfilled the 33rd President's wish to make available America's history to America's people.

Madam Speaker, we are all concerned about the troops. I am extremely concerned about the troops when they return home.

On this past Saturday, June 23, I visited the 14th annual Kansas City Stand Down. This is a 2-day event, and it opened up in Kansas City on Truman Road, the road that Harry Truman's

house sits on. It was open to homeless veterans. It provided a variety of services. This event is an opportunity for Americans to help Americans, Americans giving respect and dignity to their veterans who are down on their luck and in many cases homeless.

It is believed there are approximately 1,800 homeless veterans in Kansas City, Missouri's largest city. This year 800 homeless veterans attended the Stand Down and received assistance from 500 volunteers. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet and visit with veterans who proudly served the United States of America, and I want to also say at this time it was a proud opportunity for me to thank the volunteers who forfeited their time to make a difference.

One of the most popular contributors was Big Bubba's Barbecue, who fed a delicious barbecue lunch to over 700 people on Saturday. Grants were provided by Best Buy, At Home America, and the U.S. Department of Labor. These grants, combined with donations and countless volunteer hours, ensured that the Stand Down would be able to provide the necessary assistance to our homeless veterans.

When a homeless veteran arrives, they know that they will be greeted with respect and provided with shelter, shoes, showers, haircuts, blankets, clothing and hygiene products. Each veteran is given medical health screenings, eye care, dental care and if the veteran does not have identification, they are provided with a picture ID, assistance with legal problems, VA benefit counseling, general benefits counseling, including Social Security, food stamps, local health and human services, substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, employment services which include job referrals, employment counseling, as well as housing services.

I wish the entire Nation could have seen Kansas City turn out to pay respect to their veterans and to provide them with care. I truly appreciate and congratulate the Vet Center, AmeriCorps Vista volunteers and the Stand Down steering committee for a job well done. If this is done all over America the way it was done in the Fifth District of Missouri, our veterans will know that we really do care.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained for rollcall votes 547 and 548.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have cast the following votes on H.R. 2771: to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for the Legislative Branch. Madam Speaker, had I been present for the motion to recommit with instructions, roll No. 547, I would have voted ``no.'' On passage roll No. 548, I would have voted ``yes''.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that people around the country have been wondering what was going on here for the past couple of days. My concern is that the people in Missouri's 5th District are quite concerned about homeland security and many of the issues that we must resolve.

For example, there has been a delay on the construction of a fence on our southern border. If this were in a court, it would be called obstruction of construction. It is a problem that is being caused by this unnecessary delay initiated by the other party.

This is a good bill. It had bipartisan support in the Appropriations Committee, but leaders on the other side of the aisle are choosing to delay things with political games. And so my hope is that from this day forward that both sides will work together to get a solid Homeland Security bill approved, as the American public deserves.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Independence, Missouri School District for receiving a 2007 Community Schools National Award for Excellence. This prestigious award is bestowed upon only two other areas in our nation by the Coalition for Community Schools, honoring communities that demonstrate a commitment to creating community schools.

The Independence School District has worked tirelessly through its ``Inspiring Greatness Initiative'' to put public schools at the center of a connected community, To do this, the Independence School District has initiated programs that serve children, families, and the community before, during, and after school. In this way, the public schools become a hub for the larger community, connecting families and resources.

The ``Inspiring Greatness Initiative'' has had many successes. ``Kids' Safari,'' the school district's before and after school program, which has been studied by Yale University, has resulted in increased classroom performance; greater self-reliance and task completion; and better school attendance, with students in the program attending significantly more days of school per year than those not in the program. In addition, the Independence School District is reaching out to families, providing over 17,000 home visits by social workers in 3 years, and running programs that result in 80 percent of children having contact with the school district before Kindergarten.

The Independence School District is a model of community participation in our schools. Each school has a Site Council, bringing together parents, teachers, students, and community members to assess and address the needs of the school and the neighborhood. In turn, the schools actively give back to the community, providing countless volunteer hours. With the help of the Local Investment Commission, the Independence School District has created a web of partnerships between government, business, and families, with community schools at the center. These partnerships are renewing community involvement and participation.

Madam Speaker, please join me on this wonderful occasion in congratulating the Independence School District; its dedicated staff, students and parents; its outstanding Superintendent, Dr. Jim Hinson, who recently received the distinguished 2007 Robert L. Pearce Award from the Missouri Association of School Administrators; and its superb Board of Education. Their hard work and unwavering commitment are a source of pride to the Fifth District of Missouri, and I urge my colleagues to join me in expressing sincere congratulations to the Independence School District for this remarkable achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Washington for all the work that he has done on this very important issue.

I agree with Mr. Inslee that this problem we face is not irreversible. However, time is not on our side. Almost exactly 7 days ago, I was in Greenland, and on the front page of today's Washington Post is a picture of a harbor at Illulissat, Greenland. This is about 170 miles north of the Arctic circle. And for those who might want to go to the Washington Post Web site or if you have a Washington Post, you will see blue waters.

Now, on the surface, pardon the pun, it would appear that this is normal. However, the Greenlanders explained to our delegation, which was led by Speaker Pelosi, that under normal circumstances at this time of the year this area is completely frozen. In fact, they say that their ancestors at this time of the year would get on the water, which was, of course, frozen solid, and go to Canada to get lumber to bring back to build houses. And they would travel on the water that is frozen with their dogs pulling their sleighs.

Now, I went out in a boat out to an iceberg which was melting. There are 53,000 people who live in Greenland. I did not have the opportunity to speak with 53,000, but I can tell you with no fear of contradiction that every person we spoke with from Greenland spoke to us about their fear of what is happening to their native land. These are not politicians. These are not scientists. These are not college professors. All they know is that never during their lifetime have they seen the kinds of things that they are witnessing now.

For example, they speak now of the fact that their animals can actually graze longer. Now, I never saw a tree in the entire country of Greenland, but at a very short period of time during the summer grass does grow. Greenery does appear on the landscape. And what the natives are telling us, the Greenlanders, is that their animals can graze much longer today than their ancestors and the ancestors before them had ever reported. So this means that something dramatic has happened to the climate.

I was told that just 15 or 20 years ago at this time of the year people who had automobiles could drive out into the harbor and drive around to other villages along the coast of Greenland. Today, it is blue water. This is blue water.

Well, maybe to people who are watching they are saying, well, so the water is blue around Greenland. Well, the danger, of course, is that the fact that we are seeing a melting down of the Greenland ice sheet means that the sea levels would inevitably, unavoidably,

predictably rise; and when that happens, it means that coastal areas, including the United States, are jeopardized.

Now, to the Greenlanders, it means a lot of other things, all of them bad. For example, they are noticing fish coming into the waters around Greenland that are not native there. In fact, many of the people who have never left Greenland, they were born there, they fished there, they killed whales. They also, by the way, wanted to make sure that they told us that they never killed whales or caught fish for sport, that when they killed whales they did it in order to eat and survive.

But they say that now they are noticing large numbers of cod coming into the waters. What does that mean? It means that they are running away from the area, fish that are native to that area, because of course they are also predators. So we are finding that the entire environment is now being altered because of global warming.

As I mentioned earlier, they know nothing about the debate that's going on in the United States. They know nothing about the charges that this is some kind of hoax. All they know is that it's getting warmer.

One of the most amazing things I saw in Greenland was a fly. Now, remember that the temperature where we were was in the 20s. This is Greenland. And my wife and I go to the window and look out, and there is a fly trying to get outside. Now, as I reported that to others, they certainly shrugged their shoulders and said, yeah, that's another example of what is happening. Twenty degree weather, which means it's warmer than usual, and flies are coming around.

And so, Mr. Inslee, I am very pleased that you brought this matter to the floor because of its significance. And if we experience any kind of jolt to the Gulf Stream, it can alter weather throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

I think that all Americans should be concerned. Because it is clear from what I saw that people all over the world are concerned, perhaps much more so than we are here. People in Greenland are concerned. The 27 Nations of the EU are very concerned.

I was in Brussels, and they were having a presidential legislation. And as I was asking questions about the election, I was told, Mr. Speaker, that the person who won the election would be the one who convinced the public that he was greener because of the significance of this issue. If you are running for president, you've got to convince the voting public that you are aware of the climate change and that you are willing to do something about it. Unfortunately and tragically and embarrassingly, we can't say that here at home.

I will yield.

There is a great deal of movement toward wind energy in Missouri and in the State of Kansas. In fact, one of our colleagues who is serving here with distinction, Mr. Carnahan, has a brother, Tom Carnahan, who does this full time. He actually has a windmill farm not far outside of Kansas City, Missouri.

One of the things I think is extremely worth noting, particularly as the three of us speak about this subject, is that some people are nervous about discussions that we are having with regards to the changes that need to be made in this country. They falsely believe that we are going to reduce the quality of life, that we are going to damage industry. And what I have said is that if we will unleash this incredibly creative American creativity and ingenuity, that we will be able to transform our energy use in a way that we would create new jobs.

For example, there is a plant in China that produces most of the highly efficient light bulbs. They don't use them in China. We buy them here. And there is not a single plant in the United States that manufactures this particular light bulb. So I think we have the capacity to make alterations without damaging our economy, by not even causing a dent.

Let me just say that, in having had the opportunity to meet with some of the MPs in London, I found out that a bill was introduced March 13, 2007, to the Parliament.

Members from three of the parties were in the dialogue. They said, without any reservations, the bill is going to pass. There is no question. It is going to pass. Now, these are people who don't agree about much else. They agree on one thing, that we are in the midst of climate change, and, number two, they have to do something about it.

So the bill that was introduced is aimed at moving the United Kingdom to a low carbon economy. It would require a mandatory 60 percent cut in the UK's carbon emissions by 2050 compared to the base level, which was 1990, with an intermediate target of 26 to 32 percent by the year 2020.

The EU has also agreed to cut by 20 percent emissions by the year 2020 and by 30 percent if it is a part of an overall agreement that will include the United States. I will just say what we heard over and over again was, what is the United States going to do? The United States is the leader.

In Parliament, as we were talking about the need for us to work together, one of the members of Parliament became quite agitated and said to us, well, it is good you guys are coming over here talking to us about this, but we had a meeting with a Member of Congress. I am not going to call the Member's name. It is not that important. But he said, we had a meeting with a Member of the United States Congress who told us that this was a hoax. Of course, we sat there, and Speaker Pelosi, as she did throughout the trip, made sure that they understood that we were a delegation, it was a bipartisan delegation, that we were not there to cast aspersions on any of our colleagues, that we do have a deliberative body, that there are some people who have not quite caught on yet to what the rest of the world seems to have caught on to. But it is my hope, it is my prayer, that this body will realize what the rest of the world already realizes, that there is climate change and that there is no need to debate the science, only what we are going to do as a result of it.

Well, I am wondering whether or not either of you, and I don't know if you are into horror movies, and there is enough horror going on without having to watch it on television, but there is a movie starring Kurt Russell, and I imagine the movie is 15 years old, maybe older. The movie is called ``The Thing.'' It is a movie about a group of scientists and military people out in Greenland at a facility. At the end, of course, they kill this thing that has been frozen under the ice for perhaps a millennium, and the movie ends with all is well.

The movie was actually based on the Swiss camp which is a real camp that is out in the middle of Greenland where scientists stay out all year long measuring temperatures, measuring the melting snow. They have concluded that the temperature has risen 11 degrees over the last 10 years.

What happens is many of the natives who used to make money by taking tourists out on 12-day excursions on the ice can no longer do that because the ice is melting. You might go somewhere you have routinely gone, and now the ice is cracking and your dogs fall into the water, so that doesn't happen.

I always believe there is a solution, and I think there are a number of things, as Mr. Inslee has mentioned, with regard to capping trade, which I think is, as he said, a part of the solution. There are probably going to be a potpourri of things that we change and implement in order to bring the CO2 level down.

But it occurred to me, because I am a United Methodist pastor in my real life, that if people believe it is the government prodding them, pushing them, maybe even beating them into changing, there will be some resistance. But if, on the other hand, they understand that one of the responsibilities of the human race is to be good stewards of the world that God made for them, then it is easier for them to look at their activities, their actions, and make modifications.

In the book of Genesis, we are told that the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, and then God says to mankind, humankind, go out and subdue it. Now he did not say go out and undo it, but rather subdue it.

If you look at the word ``subdue,'' break it down, it actually means taking care of. So we have to take care of it. The good news is on this Thursday evening there is a growing phalanx of legislators in this House who believe that a change is not only necessary but that it is going to come.

One final thing on this, although it is not really all that related.

I have a mobile Fifth District office that we use in my district in and around Kansas City, Missouri. It runs on grease, and the technology is probably not as good as it will be because sometimes, if you stay in it all day, you do smell like a Big Mac. However, it is demonstrating that we can make changes and that the Congress must show the way. As opposed to having one of those big gas guzzlers, we, with great intentionality, had a van designed to use grease.

I have a bill which will require, if approved, that all Members of Congress who lease automobiles with taxpayer money must lease an energy efficient car. I think, as Ghandi said, we must be the changes we preach. I think Congress can show the way; and, in fact, I think Congress is showing the way.

Mr. Speaker, the National Football League, the American sports community and the business leadership in Western Missouri lost a true treasure on December 13, 2006, when the Kansas City Chiefs founder, Lamar Hunt, peacefully passed away at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 74.

Mr. Speaker, this great American is survived by his wife, Norma, and their four children, some of whom are here with us today.

Lamar Hunt is recognized as one of the greatest sportsmen in American history. He served as the guiding force behind the formation of both the American Football League and the Kansas City Chiefs franchise. Hunt served as a positive influence on the game of football for 47 years, dating back to his conception of the American Football League in 1959.

He was the first AFL figure to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This was a remarkable feat, if you consider that he had become involved in the game just 13 years earlier.

It was Lamar Hunt who served as the catalyst, who brought together a group of people whimsically known as the ``Foolish Club.'' He was able to convince eight men to put money up to start a football league that no one thought could survive. This was truly an impossible dream. But the fledgling league took foot on the field for the 1960 season; and on June 8, 1966, the AFL-NFL merger was announced by the NFL Commissioner, Pete Rozelle. On January 15, Lamar Hunt's Kansas City Chiefs were participating in the first Super Bowl.

It is worth noting that when the owners met after the merger and began to discuss this football game that would be the bowl game of bowl games, far more noteworthy than the Rose Bowl or the Cotton Bowl or the Sugar Bowl, it was Lamar Hunt who said the bowl game of bowl games should be called the Super Bowl, and thus was born what is now one of the most watched events on this planet.

Before there was a player, coach or general manager in the league, there was Lamar Hunt. There was the late Patriots' owner William Sullivan who remarked at Hunt's Hall of Fame induction ceremony that ``Hunt was the cornerstone, the integrity, of the league. Without him, there would have been no AFL.''

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to serve as Mayor of Kansas City for 8 years. But even before that, during my time on the City Council, I had the great pleasure of meeting and working with Lamar Hunt. Over the years, I can tell you that I have met many, many men and women, some heads of state. I have met kings and one queen. I have never met a person on this Earth yet who had the humility of Lamar Hunt. I have never seen a man who did so much, who accomplished great things at the level of Lamar Hunt, who could walk around this Capitol and no one would know him because he would be opening doors for everyone and trying to serve.

In the tradition of my religion, humility is held perhaps higher than any other characteristic. In fact, in my tradition, the great prophets all praised people with humility, and the pharisees, who did not have humility, who praised themselves, were denounced.

Lamar Hunt was an innovator. For years and years he advocated the two-point conversion in the NFL. Finally, in 1994, the owners bought into the concept, which is why today there is a two-point conversion. This man would create things in his mind, and he had the ability to share those things.

I attribute, as well as many other African Americans, Lamar Hunt with the credit for African Americans moving into all realms of pro football. Before the AFL, there were only a few African Americans playing in the NFL. For a lot of the young people who watch TV today, they would probably find that somewhat amusing. But it was quite possible in the 1950s and even the early 1960s to watch an NFL game and see maybe one or two and, in some instances, maybe no African Americans at all.

But when Lamar Hunt started the AFL, he went to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and began to create players. And what a crop of players he brought in.

Willie Lanier, middle linebacker. In those days, and young people will probably find this amazing, people in sports would say African Americans can't play middle linebacker. That is the quarterback of defense. They can't play quarterback. Willie Lanier, who is in the building at this time, Mr. Speaker, became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the starting middle linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs for 11 years.

Then there was Buck Buchanan at a little school that most people had never even heard of, a black college called Grambling. Buck Buchanan, Pro Football Hall of Fame. Otis Taylor. And the list goes on and on. And when you look at all of the other teams in the AFL, they, too, would go into these schools. So in addition to being an innovator, he was a great humanitarian.

Hunt was not able to ever see his long-held dream of hosting a Super Bowl in Kansas City. It was something that he worked on. But, before he died, the NFL owners passed a proposal to bring the NFL's championship game to Kansas City in February of the year 2015.

Mr. Hunt was a great man, a great leader. He did a lot for our community. I had the pleasure of traveling with him around the world. I had the chance to see him in many, many situations; and I can tell you, this was a giant, even though he never tried to project himself as a giant in any situation, he tried to just blend in. But there is no way the history of the National Football League can be complete without a major section entitled ``Lamar Hunt.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in supporting H. Res. 53, which is to honor the life and legacy and accomplishments of Lamar Hunt.

The National Football League, the American sports community, and the Business Community of Kansas City lost a true treasure on December 13, 2006 when Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt peacefully passed away at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas at the age of 74.

He is survived by his wife, Norma and their four children, Lamar, Jr., Sharron Munson, Clark and Daniel. He was also the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren. Recognized as one of the greatest sportsmen in American history, Hunt served as the guiding force behind the formation of both the American Football League and the Kansas City Chiefs franchise. Hunt served as a positive influence on the game for 47 years dating back to his conception of the American Football League in '59. He was the first AFL figure to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in '72, a remarkable feat considering he became involved in the game just 13 years earlier. Hunt served as the catalyst, who brought together the whimsically-named ``Foolish Club'' comprised of the eight original AFL owners. His ``impossible dream'' became a reality when his fledgling league took foot on the field for the '60 season. On June 8, 1966, the AFL-NFL merger was announced by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle and on January 15, 1967, Hunt's Kansas City Chiefs were participating in the inaugural Super Bowl.

``Before there was a player, coach or a general manager in the league there was Lamar Hunt,'' late Patriots owner William Sullivan remarked at Hunt's Hall of Fame induction ceremony. ``Hunt was the cornerstone, the integrity of the league. Without him, there would have been no AFL.'' Despite his many accomplishments, Hunt's humility was one of his most unwavering and most endearing traits. While he modestly declined to take credit for his efforts, he truly played an important role in the design, ongoing development and direction of the modern-day National Football League. Whether it was serving as the driving force behind the formation of the AFL, serving as a key player in the AFL-NFL merger talks in the '60s, or overseeing many crucial issues concerning pro football and the Chiefs franchise during the past 4 decades, few individuals helped change the face of America's favorite game for the better than this quiet Texan. In addition to being a principal negotiator in the merger of the AFL and NFL in the late '60s, he was a contributor to the design of the NFL playoff format. He is also credited with accidentally putting the name ``Super Bowl'' on the NFL's championship game--the name coming from his children's toy ``Super Ball.''

For many years, he was a persistent advocate of the 2-point conversion option for pro football--an old college and AFL rule that was finally adopted by the NFL in '94. Hunt had also lobbied for many years that an additional Thanksgiving game be added to the NFL schedule and in 2006, those efforts were rewarded when the Chiefs hosted the first-ever Thanksgiving contest at Arrowhead Stadium. Perhaps Hunt's biggest influence on the league over the years was his quiet, yet persuasive voice of reason. Hunt's name is rightfully mentioned alongside other legendary family surnames in pro football history such as Halas, Mara and Rooney for his commitment to putting the betterment of the league ahead of any potential individual gain. As the founder of the AFL, he helped pave the way for much of the modem growth of pro football. Possibly the greatest tribute to his contributions to the sport was the naming by the league of the Lamar Hunt Trophy, which is presented annually to the champion of the American Football Conference. The early days of the AFL were problem-filled and often tenuous, but Hunt saw his Dallas Texans franchise achieve on-field success. In 1962, the Texans won the AFL Championship with a double-overtime victory over the Houston Oilers, the first of 3 titles won by the Texans/Chiefs during the league's 10-year existence.

After three years in Dallas, Hunt moved his team to Kansas City in '63, where the organization was renamed the Chiefs. Hunt truly helped put Kansas City on the ``big-league'' map, thanks to a star-studded football team that was the winningest in the 10-year history of the American Football League. Hunt's team repeated as AFL champions in both 1966 and 1969. By winning the 1966 AFL title, the Chiefs earned the right to play in the first Super Bowl against the NFL Champion Green Bay Packers. Three years later, the Chiefs claimed Kansas City's first major sports championship by defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. In the late 1960s, Hunt was closely involved in the original development plans for Arrowhead Stadium, a facility which provided the Chiefs and their fans with one of the most decided home-field advantages in all of sports. While other venues of a similar vintage have long since been termed obsolete or have been demolished, Arrowhead continues to serve as a point of pride for the Chiefs and the Kansas City community.

Thanks in large part to the vision and lobbying efforts of Hunt, Jackson County Missouri voters approved a 3/8 cent sales tax in April of 2006. That measure is expected to raise $425 million for the Truman Sports Complex, of which $325 million has been earmarked to renovate Arrowhead in order to bring the facility up to today's state-of-the-art standards. Those improvements should only further solidify Arrowhead's status as one of America's foremost sporting venues.

Hunt's longtime dream of hosting a Super Bowl in Kansas City appeared to become a reality when NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced on November 16, 2005 that NFL owners had passed a proposal to bring the NFL's championship game to Kansas City in February of 2015.

Unfortunately, a provision in April's election that would have resurrected the ``rolling roof'' concept for Arrowhead Stadium did not pass. The ``rolling roof'' was part of Hunt's initial vision for Arrowhead Stadium in the '60s. In its

21st century incarnation, the ``rolling roof'' would have provided a climate-controlled facility suitable for hosting the Super Bowl, the Final Four and other prestigious events.

While Hunt did not realize his goal of seeing an NFL title game played in Kansas City, he worked diligently to bring other prominent sporting contests to Arrowhead over the years. The ``Home of the Chiefs'' served as host of the Dr Pepper Big 12 Conference Championship Game in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2006. In addition to numerous other collegiate football contests, the Chiefs hosted several international soccer matches at Arrowhead thanks to Hunt's influence.

Hunt's decision to hire Chiefs President, General Manager and CEO Carl Peterson in December '88 set the stage for a football renaissance in Kansas City. During the decade of the '90s, Hunt and Peterson, earned the distinction of becoming just the fourth Owner/General Manager combination to preside over a franchise for all 10 years of a 100-win decade as Kansas City compiled a stellar 102-58 (.638) regular season record from '90-99. Under Hunt's stewardship, the Chiefs developed an intensely-loyal fan following, not just in Mid-America, but across the country and around the globe. Hunt took great satisfication in the fact that the Chiefs boasted season-ticket holders from 48 of the 50 states (all but Maine and Vermont), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada. He was also appreciative of the fact that Kansas City was selected to represent the NFL in 4 American Bowl contests--Berlin, Germany ('90), Tokyo, Japan ('94, '98) and Monterrey, Mexico ('96).

While the Chiefs always remained Hunt's most prized sporting entity, his passion for athletics encompassed more than just the game of football. Appropriately nicknamed ``Games'' during his childhood, Hunt's love of sports was his true lifeblood, an enthusiasm which led to his involvement in 6 different professional sports leagues and 7 sports franchises.

In addition to his formative role in the creation of the American Football League, Hunt was involved in the development of both the North American Soccer League and a tennis promotion company, World Championship Tennis. Hunt's involvement in those ventures resulted years later in his induction into the respective Halls of Fame of both United States Soccer (located in Oneonta, New York) in '82 and International Tennis (located in Newport, Rhode Island) in '93. He was also inducted into the state Sports Halls of Fame of both Missouri ('95) and Texas ('84). In total, Hunt was selected to 8 ``Halls of Fame,'' including the Texas Business Hall of Fame ('97) and the Kansas City Business Hall of Fame (2004). In '81, Hunt was inducted into the NFL Alumni Association's prestigious Order of the Leather Helmet and in February of '93, he received the Francis J. ``Reds'' Bagnell Award from the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia for continuing positive contributions to the game.

Truly a sportsman for all seasons, Soccer America Magazine named Hunt one of its ``25 Most Influential People'' in '99 after the 91-year-old U.S. Open Cup was renamed the ``Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.'' That same year he also received the U.S. Soccer Federation Hall of Fame Medal of Honor, joining former U.S. Soccer President Alan Rothenberg as the only other individual to earn that prestigious distinction. In 2005, the U.S. Soccer Foundation honored Hunt with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The Hunt Family served as the Investor/Operators of the Kansas City Wizards franchise of Major League Soccer from '95-06 and reveled as the Wizards claimed the 2000 MLS Cup. The Hunt Family still oversees the operations of 2 MLS franchises, F.C. Dallas and the Columbus Crew.

The Hunt Sports Group has been at the forefront of stadium development in the United States, beginning with America's first soccer-specific stadium, 22,555-seat Crew Stadium which opened in '99. In 2005, Pizza Hut Park was completed in Frisco, Texas, giving the Dallas area one of the world's most unique and futuristic soccer facilities. Hunt was also one of the founding investors in the 6-time World Champion Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association. In total, Hunt was the owner of 13 distinctive championship rings from 5 different professional sports associations (AFL/NFL, MLS, NBA, NASL and the U.S. Soccer ``Open Cup''). His football championship litany included a Super Bowl IV ring from the '69 Chiefs, as well as AFL title rings from the '62 Texans and '66 Chiefs. A highly-successful businessman outside of sports, one of Hunt's most notable innovations was Sub-Tropolis, the world's largest underground business complex, located just north of Arrowhead Stadium. This naturally climate- controlled, subterranean industrial park serves as home to over 50 local, national and international businesses. Hunt also envisioned and developed Worlds of Fun, a 165-acre family entertainment complex which opened in '73, as well as the 60-acre family water recreation park, Oceans of Fun which was completed in '82. While both of those entities were sold in '95, Hunt Midwest Enterprises, Inc. continues to oversee a diverse range of business interests, including limestone mining and real estate development.

Hunt was born on August 2, 1932 in El Dorado, Arkansas and graduated from SMU with a B.S. in Geology in '56. While at SMU, he was a 3-year reserve end on the Varsity Football Team. Hunt was an avid supporter of his alma mater and was an annual fixture at the Cotton Bowl. He and his wife Norma were also involved in numerous philanthropic and civic efforts in Dallas, across the state of Texas and in the Kansas City community.

Madam Speaker, I was home last week, and although there was a great deal of discussion about gas prices, still the number one issue among the people of my district in Missouri is the military action in Iraq. And one of the things they are confused about is the fact that this is the most unpopular war in the history of our Republic and yet nothing seems to change. Over 70 percent of the American public is against the war, and we continue to travel down the same road over and over again.

One of the reasons I believe we have two ears and just one mouth is that we are to listen more than we speak. Therefore, it seems to me that the people of this country are speaking but we are simply not listening.

It is my hope that all blank checks and rubber stamps will be put away. And while we are waiting to discuss this, the Democrats are moving forward with our commitment to make serious changes in Iraq.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained for Rollcall votes 337 through 341 held on Thursday, May 10, 2007, beginning with Rollcall 337.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have cast the following votes on H.R. 2082: to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes. On passage Passed by recorded vote: 225-197 (rollcall No. 341). I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, had I been present for the motion to recommit with instructions, rollcall No. 340, I would have voted ``no.''

Madam Speaker, had I been present for the Schiff amendment rollcall No. 339, I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, had I been present for the Rogers (MI) amendment rollcall No. 338, I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, had I been present for the Hoekstra amendment rollcall No. 337, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, as best as can be determined, I have delivered at least 15,600 sermons. I have never been investigated, I have never been indicted. I have spoken in churches and synagogues all around this country. I have spoken to thousands of pastors and clergy. I know not one who has been investigated for a sermon.

And so today I must not say I cannot, I must not, I will not sit silently and watch any injustice because in the words of my unlettered grandmother, ``The God I serve don't make no trash.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize history in the making. Today, for the first time in Kansas City, Missouri's history, a majority women's City Council will be sworn in at City Hall. While I wish I could have joined them in person in the Council Chambers I used to serve in as Mayor of Kansas City, I want to honor today's incoming Mayor, Mark Funkhouser, and the talented twelve City Council members who represent our State's largest city. Among them, seven women who are making history; by proving that our society can deliver change when the people call for it. These extraordinary women have demonstrated that the social norms by which women have traditionally been confined can be eradicated and the prospect for real change is not only plausible, but possible.

The women that stand before the City Clerk today and take the oath of office as members of the first majority women City Council are: Deb Hermann--serving the 1st District-at-Large, Melba Curls--serving the 3rd District-at-Large, Sharon Sanders Brooks--serving the 3rd District, Beth Gottstein--serving the 4th District-at-Large, Jan Marcason-- serving the 4th District, Cindy Baker Circo--serving the 5th District- at-Large, and Cathy Jolly--serving the 6th District-at-Large.

Deb Hermann was first elected to the City Council in March 2003 and was immediately appointed Chairwoman of the Neighborhood and Housing Committee and member of the Operations Committee. She brought with her experience and leadership ability through active participation and involvement in nearly thirty civic and community organizations since 1979. She was a member of the Gracemor Randolph Community Council for 24 years and served as its President from 1994 until her election to the City Council. Councilwoman Hermann served as the Chairwoman for the Property Maintenance Advisory Committee in 2001, and in 1999 was appointed as a Kansas City Plan Commission Board Member. Councilwoman Hermann has proudly served the citizens of the 1st District-at-Large for the past four years and continues to place a high priority on her commitment to neighborhoods.

Melba J. Curls has served the 41st District in the Missouri House of Representatives since 1999, ending her service in 2006 to run for City Council. While in office, she championed many causes, the most notable being legislation that extended renewal of the KC Area Transportation Authority's taxing ability to ensure that the critical needs for public transportation services remained funded in our community. This helped the less fortunate with their need for public access to jobs and health care. Curls has a long history of public service. Prior to her State election, she was employed in the Mayor's Office with the City of Kansas City, and before that, she served as a staff assistant in the Kansas City office of U.S. Senator Tom Eagleton. Curls is a life-long resident of Kansas City, and attended the University of Missouri- Columbia.

Sanders Brooks has served the 37th District in the Missouri House of Representatives since 2000, ending her service in 2006 to run for City Council. While in the State Legislature, she championed many causes, the most notable being a bill that outlived mandatory set- asides for Minority and Women-owned businesses. She has long been committed to protecting our community's history and brings that passion to fight for the causes of her constituents with her to City Hall. Prior to her State election, Brooks was successful civil rights investigator. A long-time friend and parishioner of mine, Brooks is a graduate of American University in Washington, DC where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Beth Gottstein formerly served as the Resource Development Manager at the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation before stepping down to run for City Council. Gottstein has also been known to spearhead several local candidate campaigns and has long been active in our region's political organizations, including assisting with my first election to Congress. Gottstein has prior City Hall experience and has also been intimately involved with the Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus, a local organization that promotes women's involvement in politics. Gottstein earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri and a Master's of Public Administration from University of Missouri-Kansas City.

For the past sixteen years, Jan Marcason has served as the Executive Director of the Mid-America Assistance Coalition, where she managed an annual budget of more than a million dollars and helped direct millions of dollars to local social service organizations. She was also the former President of the Women's Political Caucus. Previously, Jan's public service extended to Washington, DC, where she worked for former Vice President Walter Mondale. Marcason was born and raised in Kansas City. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Kansas, and a Master's in Business Administration from University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Cindy Baker Circo has been a small business owner for more than two decades; she has also been the neighborhood President of the Country Valley Homes Association, an eastern Kansas City suburb, and is a former Public Improvements Advisory Council member for the 5th District. As 5th District Councilwoman, Circo plans to continue to focus on addressing the basic needs of the community, including infrastructure issues that face so many of our neighborhoods. Circo is a lifelong resident of the Kansas City area and an active member of St. Mark's Church.

Cathy Jolly has served the 45th District in the Missouri House of Representatives since 2000, also ending her service in 2006 to run for City Council. While in our State's Capital, Jolly sponsored several pieces of legislation related to reducing crime and protecting our community through harsher sentences for criminal action. Prior to her State election, Jolly served as an Assistant Prosecutor in Jackson County, where she was instrumental as the coordinator of the Drug Abatement Response Team. Jolly is also an active member of the Women's Political Caucus and a recipient of their highest award, the ``Torch Award.'' A resident of South Kansas City, Jolly earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in recognizing this historical moment, the first majority women City Council in Kansas City, Missouri's history. Their past experiences and impeccable records are certainly indications of all the good that is to come. With this recognition, we join the citizens of Kansas City in paying tribute to these extraordinary women. On this historic occasion, I wish my best to our incoming Mayor, Mark Funkhouser, and all of the members of the Kansas City Council. I urge my colleagues of the 110th Congress to join me in congratulating the first majority women City Council since the establishment of Kansas City's modern government in 1925 as they set an example and precedent we can all be proud of and strive to replicate across our Nation.