Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who served with honor and distinction in World War II. Following his enlistment in the Army in 1940, Lieutenant Colonel Drummond was honored with the Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Medal and the Air Medal for his actions in battle. Serving in both the Army and the Navy until 1972, Lieutenant Colonel Drummond is truly one of America's heroes.

At the end of 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Drummond entered the U.S. Navy, took basic training and was sent to Treasure Island, California. From there he went to Okinawa and Japan where he loaded a Marine expeditionary force of 1,800 Marines and left for China. Their mission was to evacuate Americans and Allied Nationals to areas where they could be transported to Guam and Hong Kong.

In 1949, Lieutenant Colonel Drummond re-joined the U.S. Army and took basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Upon completion of basic training he was awarded the grade of Corporal and assigned to the 41st Field Artillery. He and his fellow troops then received orders for assignment as part of the first American Division to arrive in support of South Korea.

During his service in Korea, Lieutenant Colonel Drummond was wounded three times by the enemy. Following his third injury, he returned to the U.S. and joined the U.S. Army Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During the rest of his long and distinguished career, Lieutenant Colonel Drummond took command of Headquarters Battery 18th Airborne Corps Artillery, was assigned to the intelligence school staff in Ft. Holabird, Maryland, served as director of the Advanced Intelligence Department U.S. Army Intelligence Staff Officers Course, and had assignments with the Directorate of Staff intelligence in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, U.S. Army, at the Pentagon.

In September 1972 James was medically retired with a total of 27 years of service in the U.S. Armed Forces. He is currently rated as 100% combat-related disabled and upon discharge moved to Federal, North Carolina. During his retirement Lieutenant Colonel Drummond was a charter member of the Lafayette Kiwanis Club and was elected president in 1978.

Lieutenant Colonel Drummond and his wife of 51 years currently live in the Villages in Lady Lake. They have one daughter, Brenda Gail, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker, veterans like James Drummond should be recognized for their service to our Nation and for their commitment and sacrifices in battle. I am honored to present Mr. Drummond with his long overdue Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Medal and all the other medals he earned over his many years of service. All Floridians should know that we truly consider him one of America's heroes.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who served with honor and distinction in World War II, and who was taken from us in battle much too soon. Following his induction into the Army in 1942, Steven LaVallie served outside the continental United States in the cause of freedom and liberty against the Axis powers. While he fought bravely for the better part of 2 years, Mr. LaVallie was sadly killed in action fighting the Germans in France on October 28, 1944.

Originally hailing from Montville, Connecticut, Mr. LaVallie eventually earned his GED certificate. In addition to his marriage to his wife Elsie and the birth of his son Steven J. LaVallie, Mr. LaVallie was an active member of the Masonic Fraternal Organization. I was very honored to present his son, Mr. Steven J. LaVallie of Wesley Chapel, Florida with his father's posthumous Purple Heart in a ceremony earlier this month.

While Mr. LaVallie did not make it home from the front lines of World War II, his contributions to world freedom and liberty will never be forgotten. He may have been taken from his family too soon, but his son and dearly departed widow Elsie LaVallie should know that he gave his life so that others might be free.

Madam Speaker, soldiers like Steven Frank LaVallie should be recognized for their service to our Nation and for their commitment and sacrifices in battle. I am honored to present Mr. LaVallie's son with his long overdue Purple Heart earned on the battlefields of France so many years ago. All Floridians should know that we truly consider him one of America's heroes.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a man dedicated to turning the tragic abduction and murder of Citrus County child Jessica Lunsford into a rallying cause for child advocacy issues. On Saturday, March 1, 2008, Tom will set out from Marina Del Ray, California, on a cross country journey, running 3,000 miles to raise awareness for children's safety and help prevent future children from being harmed by sexual predators.

In the process of planning for his cross-country run, Tom established the Run for the Innocent to gather support for his endeavor. This group is working with Mark Lunsford, the father of Jessica, as well as the Citrus County Child Advocacy Center, Jessie's Place. All of the charity runs scheduled along Tom's path from California to Florida will be coordinated by staff and volunteers from the center, with all charity proceeds going to charity.

Since his daughter was abducted and killed in 2005, Mark Lunsford has led a 50-state effort to strengthen laws targeting sexual offenders and predators. I was proud to work with Mark to pass Federal legislation, the Jessica Lunsford Act, as part of comprehensive child welfare legislation. A man truly dedicated to improving the chances for children affected by abuse, neglect, and sexual predators, Mark established Jessie's Place as a center to serve children affected by child abuse or neglect.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring Tom Bassano for making his commitment to American children and running across the United States to fight violence against children. Tom's effort shows the effect that one man can have on the lives of millions, and should be commended by this entire body for

his novel idea to raise money for this worthy cause. We wish Tom luck on his journey and look forward to welcoming him to Citrus County when he finishes his run.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week.

The Department of Veterans Affairs facilities care for over 98,000 veterans every day.

The veteran organizations in my district are extremely active in visiting and volunteering to help hospitalized veterans being treated in the surrounding medical facilities.

I would like to recognize the contributions of our local Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans posts, as well as the Korean War Veterans, Vietnam War Veterans, the Polish Legion of American Veterans and the Brooksville Elks Lodge. The efforts of these groups pay tribute and express the appreciation of a grateful nation, not only to hospitalized veterans but to every man and woman that has ever worn the uniform.

The contributions of volunteers go a long way, but we in Congress need to reaffirm our commitment to providing veterans with the facilities they need to get the care they deserve.

I am pleased to see that in this year's budget the President included $120 million for the new VA Medical Facility in Orlando, FL, on the Lake Nona site. This new facility will provide acute care, complex specialty care and advanced diagnostic services through a hospital, an outpatient clinic, a 118-bed nursing home, and a 60-bed domiciliary.

I was also pleased that the President's budget included funding for the expansion of the Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center.

This funding will help to improve the facilities and the scope of services available to our severely wounded veterans at the Tampa Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center.

I hope my colleagues will join me in voicing their commitment for the future funding needs of these important projects.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak as one of the original members of the group of Republican House Members who tried very hard to come up with a bipartisan compromise to extend health care insurance to more low- and moderate-income children. Our group met many times with Democrat leaders in both the House and the Senate with the basic goal to give health insurance to more low- and moderate-income children, without breaking the bank and also without giving coverage to illegal immigrants or childless adults.

I agree with many of the speakers today here that SCHIP should be extended for more low-income children who don't have health insurance. But the measure before us today does not target taxpayer funds to those low-income children. Instead, it sends billions to illegal immigrants, childless adults, and spends too much on middle- and upper-income families, not the low-income children originally intended.

When we stand here and we try to override the President's veto of bill when we all know that the SCHIP program has been continued, it's no wonder that the American public has such disregard for Congress.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dorothy Berry of Hernando County, Florida. Dorothy has done something that all of us strive to do, but that very few of us will ever accomplish, celebrate her 100th birthday.

Dorothy was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on September 29, 1906 and is the oldest of five children. Married twice in her long life, her first husband was Thomas and her second husband was Trevor. She gave birth to three children, all of whom have now passed away. Dorothy says she feels blessed with her ten grandchildren, six great grandchildren and her one great, great grandchild, a girl.

When asked what the fondest memories of her childhood were, Dorothy said ``everything,'' because she spent a lot of time with her grandmother, which was a great time. One particular childhood memory brought her into close contact with a U.S. President. She and her friends were playing in the street and they saw a bunch of people down by the waterfront. They went to see what the commotion was and saw that it was a man who seemed to be preaching to the people. After he finished preaching the man came up to them and gave each one a brand new buffalo nickel which had just been released. Dorothy spent her nickel at the candy store and when she got home she told her mother what had happened, and her mother said well that was President Teddy Roosevelt speaking.

After attending school in Fords, New Jersey, Dorothy worked in different factories for a brief time and then became a homemaker. She said the happiest moment in her life was her marriage to her second husband Trevor, remembering that, ``He was a wonderful man!'' Dorothy also remembers in 1918 at the end of World War I everyone was celebrating in the streets. She said that, ``There was so much hugging and kissing going on, it was so exciting.''

Although her eyesight and hearing are almost gone, Dorothy spends her days sitting and talking to God to give her strength. In fact, her best advice to young people today is to, ``sit down and read the Ten Commandments and obey them.'' While there is nothing that Dorothy would change or do over in her life, she would like to go back to her younger days. On vacations, she would visit Florida and had decided that when she retired she would retire on the Gulf Coast. Dorothy eventually moved to New Port Richey about thirty-five years ago and then moved to Hernando County in 1980.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring Dorothy Berry for reaching her 100th birthday. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as her.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Theodore A. Dangelmaier of Pasco County, FL. Theodore will do something later this month that all of us strive to do, but that very few of us will ever accomplish, celebrate his 100th birthday.

Born January 25, 1908 in Rochester, NY, Theodore attended Rochester High School and later served as a technical sergeant in World War II. Following his military service, he went on to work at the Washington Post newspaper in the production department. Theodore eventually left the Washington Post and accepted a new position working for the Gannett Newspaper Company where he worked until his retirement in 1969. Some of his happiest times were taking sabbaticals from the newspaper during the summer months to operate a resort hotel in Canada with his wife for 8 years.

Married to his first wife in 1929, Theodore was blessed with three children. In 1996, he married his second wife, Edna, and the two have been happily married for the past 11 years. When asked to recount the proudest moment in his life, Theodore said it was when his son was made executive vice president of a bank holding company. A truly caring individual, Theodore has been blessed over the years with a loving and caring family and says that what gives him the most pleasure today is helping friends and family.

While Theodore has lived a long and enjoyable life, one thing he would change in his life if he could do it over would be to travel more. Ever since he retired to Florida in 1969, he has enjoyed the friendly and helpful people of Hernando County and knew it was a good fit. He also likes the area because it is quiet and restful. As someone who has lived a full century, Theodore wanted to pass along his best advice for young people today. He says they should ``enjoy a clean life while young, be kind and helpful to others.''

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring Theodore A. Dangelmaier for reaching his 100th birthday. I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as him.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 1185, I inserted my card to vote but did not check it. Apparently it did not register my vote. Had my card worked, I would have voted ``yea.''

I thank the gentleman from South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 542, which expresses the unconditional support of the House of Representatives for the members of the National Guard. I certainly want to thank the chairman and ranking member of the Armed Services Committee.

As we all know, December 13 was the 371st birthday of the National Guard. I could not think of a better way to celebrate this tremendous milestone than to honor the men and women who serve in the National Guard with the resolution before us today.

The National Guard certainly serves a unique purpose. Its main duty, of course, is to secure and defend our homeland. However, the National Guard also plays a vital role in aiding States when natural disasters strike. Whether it is helping to harness the wildfires that recently raged throughout California, or aiding in the aftermath of hurricanes or tornadoes in Florida and across the Southeast, the National Guard has been there lending a helping hand.

While helping out in times of need across the United States leaves a lasting impact, it is the work that the National Guard does on beyond our borders that truly sets it apart. When National Guard units are called up, the men and women who answer the call leave their careers, families, and loved ones behind. These men and women put their lives on hold to protect this great country, and for that we must be eternally grateful. In fact, over 329,000 members of the National Guard have been mobilized in support of numerous military operations since September 11, 2001.

The National Guard units from my district have played a critical role in many of these operations, and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for everything they do in defense of all of our freedoms. Their contributions have been a tremendous asset, and without the National Guard, the United States Armed Forces would not be able to operate at the high level it currently does.

As many of you know, an issue that is extremely important to me and the people of my district, and most likely your district too, is illegal immigration and the need for greater border security. That's why it is also important to note that the National Guard is playing a vital role in protecting our borders.

There are currently 6,000 National Guardsmen serving along our borders, doing their best to stem the tide of illegal immigration that threatens this country. The National Guard is playing an every- increasing role in the defense of our great country, and I encourage my colleagues to show their support for the sacrifices these men and women make by supporting this resolution.

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

I rise in strong support of H.R. 1413, legislation sponsored by my good friend and fellow New Yorker, Nita Lowey, and me that seeks to close an important loophole in the airport security program.

Since 9/11, Congress and the airline industry have taken strong affirmative actions to tighten security at our Nation's airports. However, one of the few areas of security that has grown unchanged since the horrific events of 9/11 is airport workers screening. While airline passengers are searched from head to foot before we board a plane or reach the gate, most airports do not screen 100 percent of their employees when entering into secure areas.

Earlier this year at the Orlando International Airport just outside my congressional district, airport employees were able to smuggle loaded weapons onto a plane bound for Puerto Rico. This significant breach in security could have been avoided with 100 percent screening of airport workers. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the employees' intent was not to incite terror. However, had those guns been used to hijack a plane to commit a larger terrorist act, I am confident that we would have 100 percent screening at all our airports and that would already be in place as we speak.

Let's not wait for such an attack to occur before we take action. H.R. 1413 will create a pilot program for TSA to test the plausibility of screening of all airport workers at seven airports. While some have objected to the 100 percent worker screening in principle, they have no broad federally operated test case upon which to base this opinion. The value of this pilot project is that it allows TSA to evaluate thoroughly the strengths and weaknesses of 100 percent airport worker screening on a small scale. While no one wants more bureaucracy for bureaucracy's sake, we do need to protect the traveling public.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida from the airport that, I might add, does have 100 percent screening.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted Mr. Mica does want to work with us. Certainly, the type of screening he is talking about, where we are able to determine or hopefully determine the intent of the workers coming in, is a very good one. But I think we also need to be very vigilant to make sure that they are not bringing in suitcase bombs in what may look like a worker's toolbox.

This situation was actually brought to my attention by TSA workers who, at one of the airports that I was at, said to me, You know, we have to screen you, but would you believe people are coming in the back door without any kind of screening at all, other than a swipe card? These are people who may work at the airport; they work at the concession stands. And certainly the TSA workers are screened, Members of Congress are screened, candidates for President are screened when they go through the airport, but imagine this, that individuals are coming in the back door with just a swipe card.

We need to make sure that money is well spent, I agree with Mr. Mica, and I think that what we need is a variety of ways to deter any acts of terrorism, and that clearly is what this pilot program is all about. I look forward to working with Mr. Mica and being able to utilize his many years of experience on this.

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

I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2517, the Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children does invaluable work for our Nation, and I was proud to cosponsor this bill reauthorizing the funding. We should commend Representative Lampson for sponsoring this very important bill.

When a child is missing, the center is often the only source of hope to families. This hope is rooted in the incredible success that the center has had in fulfilling its mission, which is to help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation as well as finding missing children.

Since 1984, the center has helped law enforcement with more than 135,800 cases, resulting in recovery of more than 118,700 children. The services provided by the center never shined more brightly than during one of our country's darkest hours, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Amidst the chaos and destruction in New Orleans and the gulf coast, the center played a critical role in helping children return to their families. If you take a moment to look at the center's Web site, you will see success story after success story about children being reunited with parents and loved ones after harrowing experiences in the storm. For those who had already been through so much, the work of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was truly a godsend.

I only regret that this bill did not go through committee so that valuable amendments could have been offered. If this bill had been marked up, I would have taken that chance to insert language from the Audrey Nerenberg Act, H.R. 271, which I introduced.

The Audrey Nerenberg Act would expand the center's mission to aid in the recovery of missing adults who have been certified with a mental capacity of less than 18 years of age. That bill is named after Audrey Lynn Nerenberg, who went for a walk on July 15, 1977, and never came back. She was just 10 months past her 18th birthday and has been missing for 30 years without a trace. Audrey suffered from mental illness, and although she was ill, the 18-year-old was not searched for in a way that a missing 8-year-old would have been.

While I'm disappointed that this amendment could not be offered, I certainly continue to support the bill that's before us and the fine work of the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children.

Mr. Speaker, this year I introduced H.R. 92, the Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act. H.R. 92 makes a responsible and reasonable commitment to veterans throughout this country. Under the bill, if a veteran cannot get an appointment with a primary care physician within 30 days, that veteran may see a private physician at no additional cost. Unfortunately, the Veterans' Affairs Committee refuses to move my bill and allow the House of Representatives to vote on it.

This year, I have witnessed the majority leadership use veterans as a political pawn. They've held the Military Construction and Veterans appropriations bill hostage. I won't allow the same thing to happen with veterans access to health care.

I ask my colleagues, regardless of their party affiliation, to stand up and protect veterans as they once stood up to protect you. And I ask the leadership to move H.R. 92.

Madam speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding young leader, Jakob Gregory-Stramiello, a 7th grade student at Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology. At 12 years old, Jakob has found a unique way to help veterans in his community and has done something that all patriotic Americans can admire; give back to the men and women who fight to preserve our rights and freedoms around the world.

This past semester, Jakob's social studies class was assigned a project inspired by the Pay It Forward Foundation. Pay it forward is a philosophy started by Catherine Ryan Hyde that claims if we help a few individuals, and they in turn help a few more individuals, pretty soon, a great many people have been helped.

Jakob was inspired by this program to take a stake in this world and change it for the better. This kind of selflessness is to be commended among young adults and is a testament to what is possible when we give children the skills and confidence they need to make a difference.

Madam Speaker, Jakob has a special place in his heart for the nation's veterans. Over the years, his family has contributed a great deal to our nation's armed forces. Both his mother and his grandfather are former service members. And for this reason, perhaps more than most, Jakob is acutely aware of the challenges faced by our returning service members.

Jakob knows that despite their limitless contributions to ensuring this nation's freedoms, veterans throughout Florida still appreciate the support of their neighbors. With the holidays right around the corner, Jacob set out to make sure he could help meet the needs of less fortunate veterans and their families.

With supplies donated by Comfort Systems Heating and Air Conditioning, and a considerable amount of time and teamwork, Jakob made angel necklaces to sell around his community. Pricing the necklaces at $1 each, Jakob soon had enough money to make a sizable contribution to the veteran's action project of Hernando County. This veteran organization performs outstanding outreach to the veterans of Hernando County, including their drive to provide thanksgiving food baskets to local veterans who need them.

Madam Speaker, Congress should take a moment to recognize Jakob's efforts, because I believe we can all take a cue from his leadership and a lesson from his ingenuity. This remarkable young man has used the only assets at his disposal, his determination and his creativity, to provide the most he could for his fellow Americans. In doing so, Jakob Gregory-Stramiello has made a mighty difference for the veterans of Hernando County and I am grateful for his efforts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the centennial celebration of the historic Dunn House in Citrus County, FL. The current owners, Rev. Harvey and his wife Astrid Dunn, have had the Dunn House in their family since 1916. Originally constructed in 1907 as a field house and meeting place for the Florida Mutual Mining Company, the building was purchased and turned into a home by the Dunn family in 1916.

At the center of the phosphate boom in the 1890s and into the early 1900s, Citrus County was home to several mining companies, among them the Florida Mutual Mining Company. The company built what became known as the Dunn House in 1907, not as a home, but as a field office. Historical documents describe the house as a place for the owners and stockholders to go when they needed to conduct business in the area.

The field superintendent of the company's Floral City Mines was William Harvey Dunn, Rev. Harvey Dunn's grandfather. While many Dunn family members called the house a home, one of the Dunn family members born there, Hampton Dunn, became a well-known Citrus County historian and writer. A prolific author, Hampton is best known locally for his work, ``Back Home, a History of Citrus County, Florida.'' A World War II veteran, Hampton also had careers as a reporter, author, editor, soldier, historian, preservationist and a crusader for traffic safety.

In 1973 Harvey and Astrid Dunn took over the Dunn House after a 20- year vacant period, working to rehabilitate and restore the home to its original state and beauty. Today the Dunn House is of the pride and joy of Citrus County residents, with its two-story, porch-over-porch house and eight original fireplaces. In fact, the front of the house faces an old abandoned mine road which existed long before the current Bedford Road. Therefore, visitors approach the property from the back and side of the house, not the front as you would at most other period homes.

Madam Speaker, the historic Dunn House is a venerable institution and tourist attraction in Citrus County, FL. The residents of Floral City take great pride in the home, and look forward to celebrating its centennial anniversary this year. I know that the Dunn family has spent many years preserving and restoring the Dunn House to its full glory, and I congratulate them on their commitment and effort.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, it is no secret that Americans are facing a growing crisis in the subprime housing market. Subprime mortgage foreclosures have spiked and crashed for the last 6 years. Rates have ranged as high as 9.25 in 2002 for foreclosures and as low as roughly 3 percent in mid 2005. In the first quarter of this year, they crept back up again to 5 percent.

However, foreclosure rates among loans the Federal Housing Administration insures have stayed somewhat consistent throughout that time. Since there has been less than 1 percent fluctuation in these foreclosure rates since 2001, I think it is very imperative that we have this amendment adopted.

This amendment excludes loans insured by FHA from the provisions of this bill. The language is actually very similar to an amendment that I offered and that was accepted in the Financial Services Committee, one that exempted VA loans.

Mr. Chairman, the provisions in this bill will help Americans in the pursuit of owning their own home, many believe, but there are still millions of Americans who without FHA probably would not have had this opportunity. But if VA and FHA are already writing loans that are clearly good for their customers, Congress should leave them alone and let them carry on with their business. Obviously, it is working, and as the old axiom goes, if it's not broke, don't fix it.

Therefore, I urge Members to support my amendment that exempts FHA- insured loans from the provisions of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I certainly appreciate the fact that the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), the chairman of the Financial Services Committee, has worked with me both on the VA and the FHA loan exemption. I think it is the right thing to do, and I would urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.