Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it has come to my attention that Major Brian P. Sharp will be leaving his position as Assistant Marine Corps Liaison to the House of Representatives and will be continuing his military education at the Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia.

Major Sharp has been a valuable asset to the Marines since his enlistment in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1991. He attended the School of Infantry, Camp Geiger, MCB Camp Lejeune where he received the MOS of 0341 mortar man. He was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines for 4 years and

was accepted into Officer's Candidate School in 1995. He has also received a B.A. in History from Ramapo College in New Jersey and was selected for Career Level School through which he attended United States Army Field Artillery School, Captain's Career Course in April of 2002.

Upon graduation from the Basic School, Major Sharp reported to the United States Army Field Artillery School and was designated a Field Artillery Officer. In his first tour, he reported to Battery E, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines and served as forward observer, Guns Platoon Commander, and Executive Officer. During this tour, he was deployed to Okinawa, Japan in support of the 31st MEU (SOC). Major Sharp has also served as S-3A/Battalion Fire Direction Officer following the completion of his tour at 2nd Battalion, Target Information Officer for the 15th MEU Command Element, MEU Liaison to the United Nations for conducting operations to stabilize the new nation of East Timor in the spring of 2000, and Fire Support Officer following September 11, in which he assisted in the planning and execution of the seizure of Forward Operation Base Rhino, Afghanistan, to include combat operations.

Upon his graduation from Career Level School, Major Sharp was assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment and served as Commanding Officer. While he served this position, Major Sharp and Battery B were deployed with Regimental Combat Team 2, Task Force Tarawa, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and participated in the Battle of An Nasiriyah. Upon his return to CONUS, Major Sharp assumed the duties of the Battalion Logistics Officer, and then Battalion Operations Officer.

Major Sharp's decorations include the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat ``V'' and two stars and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Madam Speaker, I know that the Members of the House will join me in thanking and honoring Major Sharp for his exceptional commitment to the United States Marine Corps and wishing him luck in his future endeavors.

I thank the chairman for allowing me to speak on this very important subject.

Mr. Chairman, for too long, Afghanistan has been the forgotten war. Opportunities there have been lost, and progress has been limited. Recently, there has been movement in a more positive direction.

Secretary Gates has been focusing more on Afghanistan and NATO-led and U.S. forces achieved some notable successes against the ongoing Taliban insurgency this spring. This, of course, is encouraging. I commend Secretary Gates for his efforts, and, of course, I commend our troops for their tremendous contributions.

However, over the same time, violence is on the rise in Afghanistan. Roadside bombs, suicide attacks are increasing, and the number of civilian casualties is, of course, troubling. Opium production is at high levels. The authority of the central government remains, of course, limited. Corruption and poverty still plague the country. These are significant challenges that will not be overcome either easily or quickly.

Lasting security in Afghanistan depends on long-term comprehensive efforts that, of course, are well coordinated. It is critical that our NATO partners who are there play a central role in this effort in terms of both troop contributions, as well as aid.

Earlier this year, I traveled to Afghanistan with a delegation led by Speaker Pelosi. I came away from that trip convinced that the effort in Afghanistan is winnable, and I am still optimistic.

But together with NATO, we must ensure that the Taliban and al Qaeda are destroyed and destroyed for good. Afghanistan will never again become a terrorist harbor as it once was.

The House Armed Services Committee, which I am pleased to chair, is committed to doing whatever it can to achieve this goal. Our committee has held comprehensive hearings on Afghanistan this year.

Just recently, in the defense bill that we passed, we had provisions regarding Afghanistan. This bill not only provides funds for Afghan national security forces, but it includes a range of provisions that will promote long-term security, as well as robust oversight of American activities in that country.

I am pleased to see that the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act builds upon our committee's efforts. This legislation includes many important bipartisan provisions that will further advance long-term security in Afghanistan.

I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this. We must build on recent gains in that country and seize the moment to establish real security there.

I do support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of Dr. Benedict K. Zobrist, the former director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library.

Dr. Zobrist was born in Moline, Illinois, on August 21, 1921, son of Benedict and Lila A. Colson Zobrist. He graduated from Moline High School in 1939 and went on to attend Augustana College, but left his studies to join the United States Army in 1942. After serving in World War II and upon discharge from active duty, he returned to complete his college studies. It was at Augustana College that he met Donna Anderson, his future wife. Benedict graduated in 1946 with a bachelor's degree in history and began graduate school at Stanford University. However, he returned to the Midwest to be closer to Donna and on October 23, 1948, they were united in marriage.

Dr. Zobrist resumed his studies at Northwestern University, earning both a master's degree (1948) and a doctor of philosophy degree (1953) in history. After completing his education, Dr. Zobrist joined the staff of Augustana College, where he became a full-time faculty member in 1960. In 1962, he won a Fulbright Fellowship and studied at Tunghai University in Taichung, Taiwan. He also pursued advanced studies at the East Asia Institute at Columbia University in New York in 1962-63.

Dr. Zobrist moved to Missouri in 1969 to join the staff of the Truman Library in Independence; he became director shortly thereafter. He worked diligently to expand the collections of the library, traveling from coast to coast to meet with members of the Truman administration, as well as other significant figures of that period. Zobrist expanded the work of the Harry S. Truman Library Institute, the not-for-profit foundation associated with the library. He went on to charter a course for the expansion of the Institute's education efforts and its support of the library's operations within the National Archive system. Dr. Zobrist was most proud of instituting ``Truman Week'', a week long annual celebration held around President Truman's May 8th birthday.

Dr. Zobrist maintained his affiliation with the United States Army as a reservist, and retired as lieutenant colonel. He spent many summers on active duty with the Office of the Chief of Military History in Washington, DC,; he also served as a faculty member at the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, and the Army Intelligence School, Fort Bragg.

Madam Speaker, I know the members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to Donna Anderson Zobrist and their three sons: Karl, Mark, and Erik.

Madam Speaker, as our men and women in uniform are deployed all over the world, they leave behind parents, siblings, spouses, children, and friends. It has

come to my attention that Tracy Della Vecchia has formed a network in order for families of those deployed in the United States Marine Corps to stay connected and informed.

When Operation Iraqi Freedom began, Tracy's son, Derrick Johnson, was in marine basic training. Like so many others, he was deployed to Iraq after training. Not long into Derrick's tour Tracy met several other mothers with concerns similar to her own, and it was after this meeting that she decided to create www.marineparents.com. The website was designed for others to reach out through chat rooms in order to post questions and get answers from other families that have been in the same situations and circumstances. Since creating this forum in 2003, Tracy has spent countless hours organizing, sorting, and sending care packages to marines who are serving in Iraq.

Tracy Della Vecchia formed this organization with the intention of making a difference, and the care packages she has mailed have done just that. Recently, she sent hundreds of AA batteries for personal CD players; however, the batteries were put to use in night vision goggles when the unit's supply was exhausted. Personal hygiene and first aid items have also been included in care packages; however, they were used in combat situations to ease the pain of the wounded.

Madam Speaker, I know the Members of the House will join me in thanking Tracy Della Vecchia for all that she does for the United States Marine Corps and the men and women who are currently serving overseas.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 171) honoring the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of his birth, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I hail from Lafayette County, Missouri. Its county seat is Lexington, my home. A few miles westbound on Highway 224 are the small towns of Napoleon, Wellington and Waterloo. These communities, which are nestled into the fertile farmland and rolling hills south of the Missouri River, are named after prominent figures or places in French history. They are a very long way from France. But their names and the namesake of my home county, Marquis de Lafayette, reflect a friendship that has existed between the United States and France since the early days of the American Revolution.

No one person better symbolizes that friendship and the assistance American colonists received from Europe in our struggle for independence than the Marquis de Lafayette. He occupies a considerable place in the history of the United States, which is why I was

pleased to author H. Res. 171, a resolution honoring the life of the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of his 250th birthday on September 6, 2007.

Lafayette was a man of considerable military skill who sympathized with the American revolutionary fighters. After withdrawing from the French army and traveling across the ocean at his own expense, the Congress voted Lafayette the rank and commission of major general in the Continental Army. His military service during the Revolutionary War was invaluable to George Washington, earning him the reputation as ``the soldier's friend.'' Lafayette's strategic thinking and dedication as a general officer serve as a model for our present day military personnel.

After achieving military victory, Lafayette returned to France, helping the U.S. secure trade agreements and critical loans with European nations. He also became a prominent figure in the French Revolution, speaking out in support of universal freedom and human rights.

Because of Lafayette's commitment to America, Congress honored him with awards of money and land. Congress was also presented a life-size portrait of Lafayette that hangs here in the Chamber of the House of Representatives. The other large portrait is of President George Washington, Lafayette's closest friend and role model.

At the invitation of President James Monroe, Lafayette returned to the United States in 1824. He embarked upon a triumphant tour, during which he visited 24 States, including Missouri, and he became the first foreign dignitary to address the House of Representatives. Lafayette also visited many Masonic bodies across America.

During this visit and thereafter, various American leaders honored Lafayette by naming cities, towns and counties for him or for his French estate, known as LaGrange. Schools, monuments and parks were named for him throughout the United States. One of the most prominent is Lafayette Park in Washington D.C., which is located directly across from the White House.

As we take a moment this year to honor the Marquis de Lafayette on the occasion of his 250th birthday, let us remember how he helped secure American independence and helped establish the United States as an international presence. The values of democracy espoused by our Founding Fathers and by Lafayette have been the bedrock of U.S. domestic and international policymaking for generations. I urge all Americans, and especially those wearing the American military uniform, to study Lafayette as America pays tribute to him this year.

As we take to the floor today to honor a respected Frenchman, I would be remiss if I did not also take the opportunity to say a word of appreciation to the current French Ambassador to the United States, Jean-David Levitte.

Through his time in Washington, I have come to know Ambassador Levitte as a fine person and an outstanding representative of the people of France. Last week, I learned that the newly elected French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has appointed Ambassador Levitte to be his chief diplomatic adviser. Let me take this means to wish him well as he takes on more responsibilities. But more importantly, let me thank him for his friendship.

I ask Members to support H. Res. 171.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased that we are able to take this resolution up today honoring the Marquis de Lafayette. Those of us who grew up in Lafayette County knew that there was some special meaning to the name of our county.

It was Lillard County once upon a time, and after Lafayette's visit to the State of Missouri, St. Louis to be exact, the General Assembly of our State named the western county which borders Jackson County, which now encompasses Kansas City, named it after Marquis de Lafayette and called it Lafayette County. We in Lafayette County are very proud of the reason and the heritage that this county has been so named.

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

Mr. Speaker, let me give a special thanks to my friend from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) who, among other assets, has a sense of history which has been exhibited this morning. I appreciate him speaking, as well as the gentleman from Louisiana speaking of his hometown of Lafayette. It was very kind of you to do so, as well as my friend from Texas coming here to discuss the Marquis de Lafayette.

As the gentleman from South Carolina has pointed out, Marquis de Lafayette was a very unusual man. Doing what he did at such an early age and making such a great impact upon this country, it is fitting and proper that we, as a body, honor him, honor his memory, and honor the fact that he was of such great assistance and help to General George Washington in those very difficult days.

As one leaves Lexington, my hometown, on the Missouri River and travels on Highway 224 towards Kansas City, one goes through Wellington, Missouri; Waterloo, Missouri; and Napoleon, Missouri, in that order, and it is rather interesting that part of French history between Lexington and Kansas City is reflected in the names of those communities.

History has not borne out who named them such. There is no way for us to record or learn the genesis of those three names except they do exist, Wellington, Napoleon, and in between, Waterloo. But whoever did it did us all a favor so we can discuss and learn more of history; and today we are learning more about the Marquis de Lafayette and honoring his memory.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland and compliment him on the wisdom in his reflection of the character of our people of our country. Strength of character is the message today.

I compliment my friend from Kansas (Mr. Moran) for introducing this legislation. All of us, of course, express sympathy to the people of Greensburg, Kansas. We rise in solidarity, and you are an excellent reflection of the character of those brave and solid people. We thank you for bringing this to our attention.

A community was destroyed by a massive tornado, and those of us from the Midwest are used to severe weather, thunderstorms, winter winds, ice. Weather conditions are just a part of life for us.

In Missouri, tornadoes have been prevalent during my 30 years that I have served here, and, in fact, I was here just a few weeks in May of 1977 when tornadoes ravaged Pleasant Hill and Sedalia, Missouri.

More recently in 2003, the city of Stockton was decimated by a large tornado. The storm damaged or destroyed over 250 homes, killing three residents and injuring numerous others. Since then, the city's been working with residents and both Federal and State authorities to rebuild the downtown and improve upon the public facilities.

As the people of Kansas deal with the aftermath of Mother Nature's fury, we in Missouri stand with our neighbors to the west.

And again, we thank the gentleman from Maryland for his words. We thank the gentleman from Kansas for introducing this resolution.

Madam Speaker, the United States Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2007. Over the last century, the people who make up the Kansas City District have provided meaningful services to the people of Missouri and of our nation.

In the early days, the Kansas City District's primary mission was to develop and maintain a navigational channel along the Missouri River to encourage barge traffic. Barge traffic remains a vital concern along the river. Since the early 1900's, barges have been critical to moving farm products to markets and to control railroad freight rates via competition along the river. This commitment to navigation has always been so very important to those of us who hail from Missouri.

The Kansas City District has also played an important role in taming the turbulent and braided Missouri River. The men and women of the District have built numerous river control structures that have stabilized banks and used the force of the river's own current to carve a stable channel. They have constructed canals and river cutoffs that changed the course of the river. At the same time, they have offered easier navigation, opening the stream to, use, as a highway for goods.

In the 1930s and 1940s, the Kansas City District tackled flood control concerns and helped protect property and lives along the river and its tributaries. Because of flooding and the federal government's commitment to employ Army engineer officers returning from battle in World War II, dams were constructed along the main stem of the river and on adjacent streams. The Flood Control Act of 1944

shaped the development of the entire Missouri River Valley region and transformed the landscape of America's heartland. The legislation authorized hundreds of dam and levy projects and established substantial changes in federal policy with regard to the management of the Missouri River. The Kansas City District played a key role in this national effort.

In addition to its responsibilities along the Missouri River, the Kansas City District operates eighteen lakes across Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. It also provides additional services to the nation, both inside and outside its own physical boundaries. Recently, the District has supported the United States Army by overseeing the construction of facilities for the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS, and of the new Lewis and Clark Classroom Facility for the Army's Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Madam Speaker, I know the members of the House will join me in congratulating the people who have worked to make the United States Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District a successful organization and will join me in sending thanks to them on their 100th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, let me congratulate the gentleman from Missouri, the Honorable Emanuel Cleaver, for spearheading the effort in Congress to honor Kansas City Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt, who passed away in December 2006 after living a long and distinguished life. As the Fifth District's U.S. representative and the former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, Mr. Cleaver understands better than anyone in the House how special Lamar Hunt's Chiefs are to the Kansas City community and to people all throughout the Show-Me State.

Missouri's Fourth District, which I am privileged to represent, includes portions of the Kansas City suburbs and most of the rural, west central section of the State. Many of the Missourians who call the Fourth District home are proud Chiefs fans. They don jerseys, t-shirts, hats, and flags emblazoned with the red team color of the Chiefs and travel great distances to watch the Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium. Among the people, there is a great deal of pride for the Chiefs.

Missourians who love the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League, NFL, owe a debt of gratitude to Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who in 1963 moved the Dallas Texans to Kansas City. For 40 years, Mr. Hunt owned and was a critical participant in the Chiefs football club. Under his leadership, the Chiefs won the American Football League Championship game in 1966 and in 1969 and won the National Football League Super Bowl IV Championship in 1970. And, while the team has been competitive through most of its history, it experienced a renaissance after Mr. Hunt hired General Manager Carl Peterson in 1988.

Mr. Hunt also helped mold the direction of the modern-day NFL and served as the driving force behind the merger of the American and National football leagues in 1970. He founded the American Football League at the age of 27 and created and named the championship game known as the Super Bowl. Throughout his career, he advocated for innovative and progressive changes to enhance the NFL, including the inclusion of the two point conversion option for professional football, placing names on the backs of the uniforms, naming the Super Bowl trophy after Vince Lombardi, and adding another Thanksgiving game to the NFL schedule.

In recognition of Mr. Hunt's work in football, he was enshrined in the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1972, was inducted into the NFL Alumni Association's prestigious Order of the Leather Helmet, and received the Francis J. ``Reds'' Bagnell Award from the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia. The NFL also named the American Football Conference, AFC, trophy, which is presented each year to the AFC champion, the ``Lamar Hunt Trophy.''

In addition to football, Mr. Hunt was dedicated to other sports, including soccer, basketball, and tennis. He was also a highly successful businessman and philanthropist.

Mr. Speaker, Lamar Hunt was a remarkable man. Though he was born in Arkansas and lived much of his life in Texas, his decision to establish the Kansas City Chiefs in Missouri has endeared him to Show-Me State residents. And, he made his mark in the history of

the United States by helping to create the NFL, which is revered by so many Americans. As the House of Representatives prepares to pass legislation today to honor Mr. Hunt's life and legacy, let us remember his unique contributions to Missouri and to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition though I am not opposed to the motion to recommit.

I am somewhat disturbed, Mr. Speaker, procedurally on something this important not being shown to anyone on this side until moments ago and it takes a speed reader to go over the amendment and digest it.

We are going to accept this amendment. In truth, in fact, the committee, the Armed Services Committee, fully funded, and I will say it again, fully funded the administration's request for Israeli missile defenses. The committee strongly supports efforts to work with Israel on missile defense. This has been true for years. The bill fully funds the President's request of $73.5 million for the Arrow missile defense system. It fully funds the President's request of $7 million for the joint U.S.-Israeli ``David's Sling'' short-range ballistic missile.

The committee also supports Israel's effort to obtain information on the THAAD system, which is being held up by the Pentagon.

It's interesting to point out that Representative Terry Everett and I wrote a letter on March 12 of this year to the Secretary of Defense asking that he work to release the THAAD information to Israel.

Mr. Speaker, at this moment, I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from California, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces (Mrs. Tauscher).

At this time, Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

I yield, Mr. Speaker, 30 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman).

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire if I have any additional time?

Mr. Speaker, we will accept this amendment.

I will yield to the gentleman from California 15 seconds.

That was not the same amendment, I must point out to my friend from California; that was not the one that was offered to the Rules Committee.

Nevertheless, let's point out that we have fully funded. We have worked with in the past and we will continue to work with Israel. It is of primary importance. No one can doubt the commitment of the Armed Services Committee in this regard.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the instructions of the House on the motion to recommit, I hereby report H.R. 1585 back to the House with an amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of the bill, H.R. 1585, the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, cross-references, and the table of contents, and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in amending the bill, and that the Clerk be authorized to make additional technical corrections, which are at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that votes in series be reduced to 2 minutes.

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

Mr. Chairman, today the House begins consideration of H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. This bill is a collective effort in the bipartisan tradition of the House Armed Services Committee, which approved the bill in markup last week by a vote of 58-0.

I want to thank our committee members, particularly our subcommittee chairmen and ranking members, for their outstanding work. And special thanks go to the ranking member, Duncan Hunter, and I appreciate his working so hard in a very bipartisan manner to make this bill come to the floor. He's been a partner in this, and I appreciate it. I am proud that we're always able to work together in our efforts to enhance our Nation's defense.

Mr. Chairman, the polestar of this year's Defense authorization is readiness. Continued reports on the state of readiness for our ground forces, particularly our nondeployed and next-to-deploy forces, are of deep concern. To restore readiness and ensure our forces will be ready if they are called upon for the next fight, this bill fully funds the budget request for the Army and Marine Corps reset of equipment at $13.6 billion and $8.4 billion respectively.

They add some $1 billion in a strategic readiness fund to meet critical readiness requirements identified by a new Defense Readiness Production Board.

It increases training by $250 million so that our units may get more training time.

It requires a plan and a timeline for replenishing prepositioned stocks.

And it strengthens the National Guard by adding $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment from their unfunded requirements list, ensuring that the National Guard is able to meet its homeland and civil support missions, and also adding a range of authorities through the National Guard Empowerment Act.

This bill looks out for our troops in harm's way by dedicating substantial resources to improve protection, including $4.6 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, known as MRAPs, and providing funds for personal body armor and up-armored Humvees.

To reduce the strain on our force and in keeping with the House Armed Services Committee's long advocacy of the need to boost end strength, that is, the number of troops, the bill has authorized an increase in the size of the Army by 36,000 Army troops and Marines by 9,000.

Our servicemembers and their families make countless sacrifices and our pride in them knows no bounds. We express our thanks to them through a 3.5 percent pay raise, by blocking TRICARE and pharmacy program fee increases, by expanding special compensation for combat- related disabled retirees, and establishing a special survivor indemnity allowance to begin to address the offset to the survivor benefit plan and the dependents indemnity plan.

Provisions also include the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act, which addresses many of the problems identified at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; and, Mr. Chairman, you will recall we passed that as a stand- alone bill just a few weeks ago.

Accountability with respect to our own ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan is also an important component of the measure. The bill requires General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker to report on the implementation of the Joint Campaign Plan for Iraq, as well as on efforts made by the Iraqi Government to achieve political reconciliation.

Secretary Gates is also required to report on the proposed force levels for the 6 months following September, to discuss the missions of our forces, and to inform Congress about contingency planning. The information from this report will help us ask the right questions, the tough questions, and make frank judgments about how we are going to pass the baton on to the Iraqis. I am convinced that the sectarian violence will only be overcome by Iraqi political progress, and thus far, I haven't seen much of that since then.

September's report will be an opportunity for General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker to lay out the straight facts. Time is short with the American people, and the Iraqis must act soon. This report will provide real and substantial information.

Calling attention to the forgotten war in Afghanistan, the bill provides funds for the Afghanistan security forces and requires a long- term sustainment plan so that the Afghans can build the logistics and other capabilities they need for long-term security.

The bill establishes a new Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction to ensure accountability in contracting there and extends the authority of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction.

The bill also brings more contracting accountability to both Afghanistan and Iraq by forcing the Departments of Defense and State to work together in assigning responsibility for overseeing the thousands of contractors in these places, particularly those who do carry weapons.

And finally, Mr. Chairman, the bill requires that the Secretary of Defense undertake an analysis of the Department's roles and missions. In 1947, a similar effort helped shape the Pentagon through the National Security Act. After 60 years, it is time for a new analysis to help eliminate duplication among the services, identify core competencies, and strengthen the Department of Defense and the military while helping us spend money much more wisely.

Before I close, let me spend just a moment talking about something that is not in this bill. The Military Commissions Act, which was made into law by the last Congress, precludes detainees in Guantanamo from petitioning courts under habeas corpus. This bill does not include a provision to restore the principle of habeas corpus for detainees at Guantanamo, even though I feel strongly it should.

My judgment is that the most promising course of action will be for this House to take up this issue as a separate bill. To that end, I have prepared legislation to address the habeas corpus issue, and I intend to work with the leadership, members of our committee and with the Judiciary Committee on that issue.

Mr. Chairman, this is a critical time in the defense and security of our Nation. This is a very important bill. I urge the Members in this House to support this Defense authorization bill. It does so much to restore readiness, to support our men and women in uniform, and to protect the American people.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness.

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

Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his kind and supportive remarks.

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Arkansas, Dr. Snyder, who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) for the purpose of making a unanimous consent request.

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

Madam Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces.

Madam Chairman, pursuant to sections 3 and 4 of House Resolution 403, and as the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, I request that during further consideration of H.R. 1585 in the Committee of the Whole and following general debate, the following amendments be considered in this order: amendment No. 33, amendment No. 29, amendment No. 49, the en bloc package, and amendment No. 8, amendment No. 14, amendment No. 21, and amendment No. 38.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Unconventional Threats and Capabilities.

Madam Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher) who is the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.

Madam Chairman, may I inquire as to the time remaining on each side on general debate, please.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This is deadly serious business, Madam Chairwoman. I have witnessed here the number of procedural motions, which I have refrained from commenting upon, but this is deadly serious business.

This is a bill to authorize funds for the United States military. That is our constitutional job to do. And procedural motions are fine, but let's get on with taking care of the troops and giving them their pay raise and the medical care and the equipment that they need.

As we say back in Missouri, ``'nough said.''

I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Madam Chairwoman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. And first I want the gentleman from Texas to know how much the committee appreciates his strong support for our Nation's Armed Forces, particularly for the United States Army. He is just superb. The Army is bearing the brunt of the burden of military operations in Iraq, as well as Afghanistan, and our committee has worked to ensure that soldiers on the ground have the equipment they need to accomplish their mission and come home safely.

Beyond taking care of the needs of the warfighters in the field today, we must address the Army's long-term modernization and readiness requirements. That is why the bill before us here today fully funds the most critical elements of the Future Combat Systems program, which will keep the program on track to conduct the limited user test next summer.

While the bill cuts some funding for some redundant programs and overhead costs, along with parts of the program which are not scheduled to be fielded until 2015, the $2.8 billion in the bill includes full funding for all Spinout 1 activities, allowing them to continue as planned.

I want to assure the gentleman from Texas that we will continue our efforts to balance the Army's immediate near-term as well as long-term needs as we work through the conference process. As Congressman Abercrombie said last week during consideration of the bill in the committee, finding that balance is a work in progress.

To the gentleman from Texas, you have my assurance that we will provide funding for the FCS program so that the Army can move forward with modernizing its equipment and its networks.

As we focus our efforts, as we focus our dollars on today's soldiers, we can't shortchange our future forces.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney), a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend, the gentlewoman from New Hampshire, Ms. Shea-Porter.

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes at this time to the gentleman from Georgia, my friend, Mr. Marshall, who is also a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Madam Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman, my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), who is also a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell).

I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

At this time I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Carney).

Madam Chair, may I inquire on the time, and may I also inquire if the gentleman from California has additional speakers.

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Madam Chair, we are nearing the end of the general debate portion of the consideration of this bill.

I want to thank my ranking member, my friend, Duncan Hunter, for his hard work and for his cooperation in getting us to this point. And it was difficult at times, but we have gotten here. So I just want him to know that I am appreciative.

And I also want to say that the purpose of our affection and attention is the young men and young women in uniform. Despite all of the procedural motions that we have had, out of all of this at the end of the day, and maybe

at the end of tomorrow, we will have done an excellent job, because this bill is basically a very good bill for the defense and for the young people of our Nation in uniform.

So let's not forget the purpose of what we are doing here. Let's not forget that we are doing this in a bipartisan effort. Let's not forget that, at the end of the day, we will make America one major step safer by passing a good piece of legislation for our country.

Yes. If the gentleman would yield.

I certainly do agree. I think that's a reasonable request, and I think the gentlelady from Illinois also would agree to it.

Madam Chairman, let me take this opportunity to compliment the gentlelady, Ms. Schakowsky, and also Mr. Price, the gentleman from North Carolina, and thank the ranking member, Mr. Hunter, for working this out. It's a step in the right direction. It's also an example of bipartisanship, and we appreciate it.

Madam Chairman, I claim time in opposition, though I will not oppose this amendment.

Madam Chairman, actually I thank the gentleman from New York for bringing this amendment forward. It would provide cost free vouchers to allow mailing of packages to members serving in Iraq and also in Afghanistan, and the committee has no objection and appreciates the thoughtfulness on this issue.

Madam Chairman, I yield back.

Madam Chairman, may I make an inquiry?

Would it be possible, Madam Chairman, to bring forward the amendment of the gentleman from Pennsylvania at a later moment as opposed to what was announced earlier?

Yes.

Amendments En Bloc Offered by Mr. Skelton

Madam Chairman, I offer amendments en bloc.

Madam Chairman, I urge the committee to adopt the amendments en bloc, all of which have been examined by both the majority and the minority.

Madam Chairman, at this time I yield 1 minute to my friend, the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my friend from California (Mr. Thompson).

Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Mitchell).

Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz).

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for bringing the issue forward. And I assure the gentleman we do not want to raise the price of drugs for America's veterans and neither do we want to raise the price of drugs for men and women in uniform and their families. I will be pleased to work with the gentleman and my ranking member, Mr. Hunter, to request that the GAO conduct a study of the impact of Federal pricing on both the Department of Defense as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs and report back to Congress on its findings.

Well, it is certainly kind of you to make mention of that, and I appreciate it very much. I thank you for your friendship, of course, through the years. I do agree that we have been good friends and we have worked together so well. So that, of course, is all behind us. Thank you very much.

I do look forward to working with you and Mr. Hunter on the issue as we move forward to protect not only our Nation's veterans, but our military personnel as well. And I think we will get there in this matter.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, if you are a young man or young woman in either Iraq or Afghanistan in American uniform, you would like to know that monies authorized and appropriated from this body for Iraq or Afghanistan will not be diverted to planning any operations elsewhere. That's what this is. This simply ensures that funds that Congress approved for other purposes are not diverted to planning operations against Iran. It's that simple.

It increases the ability of Congress to provide oversight for planning of military operations, and it would not restrict the Department of Defense from planning any necessary contingencies regarding Iran using the base defense budget.

This is a good amendment, and I compliment the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews) for offering it.

I certainly do.

I understand that the gentleman from California requires additional time; is that correct?

I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

All you have to do, Mr. Chairman, is read the amendment. This amendment does not preclude any effort of expending funds from the base Defense authorization appropriation. This merely makes sure that the moneys meant for Afghanistan, meant for Iraq, go to those soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen there. It is that simple.

As my old law school professor once said: read it. What does it say?

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to sections 3 and 4 of House Resolution 403, and as the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, I request that during further consideration of H.R. 1585 in the Committee of the Whole and following consideration of amendment No. 38, the following amendments be considered in this order: amendments en bloc No. 2 and amendments numbered 20, 49, 31, 15 and 32.

Mr. Chairman, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson), a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to a member of the Armed Services Committee, my friend from Oklahoma (Mr. Boren).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

Madam Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to enter into a colloquy with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz).

Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) for the purpose of a colloquy.

I thank the gentleman for raising this important issue, and I assure the gentleman from

Texas that I will assist him in achieving clarification of what appears to be an inherent depot maintenance function that affects the Army's and Marine Corps' ongoing equipment reset efforts.

These are all important questions, and I fully support the gentleman's efforts to review whether it is appropriate to transfer what appears to be an inherent depot function.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I find myself in opposition to this amendment.

A $764 million reduction has already been made in the Missile Defense Agency programs. An additional billion dollars would terminate or cancel long-term missile defense programs which I think would not be in the correct mode for the United States. This amendment simply goes too far.

This amendment would effectively terminate most, if not all, of the Missile Defense Agency's longer term research and development programs. Given the dynamic security environment we find ourselves in today, I don't believe it is prudent to do this.

I oppose this amendment because, quite frankly, the committee strikes the right balance in cutting the amount of $764 million, and it should stay as the committee recommended.

Madam Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman.

I rise in opposition to this. A similar amendment was offered in committee and was defeated by a 34-24 vote. With the cuts that were correct, well thought out, on the committee level, our bill still authorizes $9.5 billion for missile defense programs.

This committee's reallocation is just over 8 percent of the Missile Defense Agency's budget or $764 million to such programs as are necessary.

For too long, the missile defense program's been focused on developing futuristic technologies rather than near-term capabilities. Our bill fully funds, or actually increases, funding for key near-term missile defense systems, and for this reason, I do oppose this amendment.

Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Some things are hard to understand. I think this is a very bad idea. By adopting this amendment, we are sending a message to the Iraqi people that we are there forever. We are sending a message to the American people we are going to be in Iraq forever. And what we are doing there is, at the end of the day, trying to create trust among the Iraqi people, and this is a major step backwards.

The President has not affirmed one way or the other on this, and I think we in Congress should strongly say that we are not there permanently, that we are there to bring stability, that we are there to encourage the representative government that is struggling along; but we are not there as a permanent resident either on a base or otherwise. And this is a message amendment that is to the Iraqi people and to the American people, and it is just a downright unclear and bad idea.

I yield 1 minute to my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

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

I yield 1 minute to my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Madam Chairman, what this amendment says is this: Excuse me, Mr. And Mrs. Iraqi. Hey, we're here permanently. That's the message that this amendment sends. And I doubt if there are many households in Baghdad or Tikrit or anywhere else that will read this amendment. But they'll get the message, should this amendment pass. The message is, Mr. And Mrs. Iraqi, we're here forever.

We can't do that. I oppose this amendment.

Madam Chairman, I yield back my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

I think that the gentleman should be commended and complimented on working with us to finally get the language that was the real intent of the amendment, and that what it does is requires a report to Congress on specific items. It does not specify detainees to be transferred or any change such as that.

So seeking information, I think, is basic to what we do as a country and what we do as a Congress. And I thank the gentleman very much for working with us to clarify this amendment, and appreciate you yielding.

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment. This is just downright good law enforcement.

You must understand that so many jurisdictions, so many States have videotaping of interrogations for the very reasons that you stated, to make sure that their rights were preserved, to make sure that they said what was said to have been said, and there is a taping that cannot be refuted.

And you must remember that everyone is a potential defendant before a military commission. And what better evidence is there to present before a military commission, either for the defense or for the prosecution, than what was actually taped during interrogation? I think that we are just trying to catch up with other States that do this and require this. It is just good law enforcement.

And I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) for a unanimous consent request.

(Mr. SCOTT of Virginia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Virginia.

At this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley) for the purpose of a colloquy.

I thank the gentlewoman for raising this important issue. I assure her that we will make sure that the Reserve Component Reintegration Working Group as well as the Yellow Ribbon National Guard Reintegration Program consider all options to include expanding the current program from 5 to 15 days during their deliberations.

I certainly agree. And we look forward to the findings of the Reserve Component Reintegration Working Group and the Yellow Ribbon National Guard Reintegration Program.

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

I thank my friend for yielding. And without going into great detail, I am appreciative of the fact that Mr. Andrews and you, Mr. Hunter, have worked hard on achieving a balanced solution to this amendment as it is in final form here this evening. I think it's very commendable, and I am very much in favor of it. I thank Mr. Andrews for raising it, and I thank you, Mr. Hunter.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, my manager's amendment which is before us this moment makes a series of technical and conforming changes, all of which have been set forth for the Members throughout the day, and I ask all the Members to support it.

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

I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, my friend (Mr. Tim Murphy).

I thank the gentleman for raising this very important issue. I assure the gentleman from Pennsylvania that I will assist him in pursuing new options for protecting these important benefits at the Kelly support facility.

Mr. Chairman, I agree. A combined commissary and exchange store may be the key to the future military resale activities at installations such as at the Kelly Support Facility.

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

Mr. Chairman, at this time, we are nearing the end of all the debate. We have finished all the amendments.

Mr. Chairman, my heart is filled with gratitude for the other Members, for our ranking member, Mr. Hunter, and to our amazing staff. The American people should know what a wonderful staff we have in putting together this defense bill. So many of them have stayed up late at night, early in the morning, all night long to write and make sure that we have the t's crossed and the i's dotted, to make sure that the young men and young women, as well as those who lead the young men and young women, have the tools with which to keep our country safe and, of course, free. We have a great deal of gratitude for all of them, and I just can't thank them enough.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to my friend from California.

Mr. Chairman, I am grateful for the gentleman's comments and grateful for his work.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 1585.