Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate the Elm Spring Baptist Church of Holden, Missouri, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.

The Elm Spring Baptist Church has undergone many changes since the church's first pastor, George Minton, led the 15 founding members in worship for the first time in July of 1860. Pastor Minton led the congregation until the Civil War disrupted their worship services for six years. After this brief disruption, the church resumed services and constructed the first building on land graciously donated by the Jonathan Newman family. As the congregation has grown, so too has the church's campus; today, the original building is joined by an educational building, a baptistery, and a parsonage. The newest structure is a Fellowship Hall built in 2000.

In recent years, members of the church have focused on serving communities across the United States and the world. To this end, the congregation has led mission trips to Pittsburgh, Orlando, Greenville, and Palissa, Uganda. For 150 years, the Elm Spring Baptist Church has been ``Growing the Family of God,'' and they show no sign of stopping.

Madam Speaker, I trust my fellow Members of the House will join me in congratulating the Elm Spring Baptist Church on the occasion of its 150th anniversary and in wishing its members the best of luck in all future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, one of the surest ways government can help generate economic activity, innovation, and job growth is by cutting taxes on small businesses, which are the backbone of the U.S. economy and employ more than half of all American workers.

I have voted for and cosponsored a number of small business tax cut bills during the 111th Congress and was pleased to vote last week in support of H.R. 5486, the Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act. Among other things, this bill would cut capital gains taxes for small businesses and would quadruple the tax deduction for business start-up expenses from $5,000 to $20,000. H.R. 5486 is common sense legislation and ought to be quickly enacted.

Another way to stimulate business activity and create jobs is to help America's community banks lend money to small businesses. Business owners in Missouri tell me they want to expand but cannot because of a lack of financing. A second bill considered in the House last week, H.R. 5297, would allow small banks to tap into a $30 billion fund at the Treasury Department so they can issue loans to healthy small businesses thirsting for capital to expand operations and hire workers. These funds would bypass Wall Street and go directly to Missouri communities where they can do the most good for small businesses.

Because the creation of this small bank lending fund is so important to economic development and job creation, it is supported by America's home town banks, small businesses, Realtors, and home builders, among others. I was pleased to support H.R. 5297 and encouraged that it passed the House with bipartisan support. I urge prompt action in the Senate.

Mr. Chair, I would like to submit the following exchange of letters:

House Committee on Armed Services, House of

Representatives,

Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.

Hon. John Conyers Jr.,

Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of

Representatives, Rayburn Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R.

5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year

2011. I agree that the Committee on the Judiciary has valid

jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important

legislation, and I am most appreciative of your decision not

to schedule a mark-up of this bill in the interest of

expediting consideration. I agree that by agreeing to waive

consideration of certain provisions of the bill, the

Committee on the Judiciary is not waiving its jurisdiction

over these matters. Should this bill or similar legislation

be the subject of a House-Senate conference, I will support

the appointment of conferees from the Committee on the

Judiciary.

This exchange of letters will be included in the committee

report on the bill.

Ike Skelton,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, when I am home in Missouri, the folks I talk to frequently express their concerns about the economy and jobs. According to the most recent data, 27,630 people in the Fourth District are without work. Families whose breadwinners have lost work and others who fear unemployment must continue to be a priority of this Congress.

Jobs allow for American families to feel secure in their homes. Jobs stimulate economic activity in our home towns and throughout our country. Jobs generate tax revenue for city, state, and federal governments, which help policy makers pay the bills and reduce the deficit. Jobs are essential to breaking out of the Great Recession.

This year, Congress has been working on several jobs bills. One bill known as the HIRE Act, which is now the law of the land, provides tax relief to small businesses and expands important highway projects. Other legislation on which Congress has been working include bills to provide additional small business tax relief, to expand lending opportunities for small businesses, and to stimulate small business growth and expansion.

Today, the House of Representatives is considering H.R. 4213, a bill that would create additional jobs in our country by cutting taxes for American families and businesses and by spurring new infrastructure improvements. It would also take care of American veterans by eliminating the so-called disabled veterans tax for two years, would provide American farmers with tax relief and emergency disaster assistance, and would extend emergency assistance to American families.

H.R. 4213 is supported by Farm Bureau, by veterans, by small businesses, and by AARP.

For Missouri farmers, H.R. 4213 would extend the five-year depreciation for farming machinery and equipment, would extend the charitable tax deduction for donated food, and would extend the tax deduction for donating conservation easements. H.R. 4213 would also extend critical tax incentives for biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel. The biodiesel tax credit is very important to the development and sustainability of America's renewable fuel industry. H.R. 4213 would also provide emergency financial assistance to farmers for qualifying 2009 agricultural losses. For these reasons, today's legislation has been endorsed by the Farm Bureau and the National Biodiesel Board.

For America's veterans, H.R. 4213 would allow many military retirees who are also disabled veterans to receive both Department of Defense military retirement pay and VA military disability pay for the next two years. Often referred to as the disabled veterans tax, finding a legislative solution to the concurrent receipt issue has been a top priority of our nation's veterans and of Congress. I have worked on the House Armed Services Committee to end the disabled veterans tax and am pleased that H.R. 4213 will provide full retirement and disability benefits to 77,000 of these disabled service members for two years. Its passage is a critical first step toward extending concurrent receipt to all 136,000 medically retired veterans over four years. Because of the bill's positive impact on veterans, it has been endorsed by the Military Officers Association of America, MOAA.

For Missouri businesses, H.R. 4213 would allow credit to flow more easily to small businesses through popular and effective SBA lending programs, would extend the research and development, R&D, tax credit that encourages financial investment and job creation in America's high tech sector, would allow corporations to receive a refund of a portion of their alternative minimum tax credits if they invest during 2010 in capital equipment for use in the United States, would extend the 15- year cost recovery for qualified improvements to restaurants and retail space, and would extend benefits for investments in economically distressed areas of our country. Because the business provisions included in H.R. 4213 are so very important, the bill is supported by the National Restaurant Association, the Independent Community Bankers Association, and the National Retail Federation.

For Missouri families, H.R. 4213 would provide important tax relief. The bill would extend for one year tax deductions for qualified college education expenses. It would extend a special deduction for teachers and other school professionals who use personal funds to buy school supplies for their classrooms. And, the legislation would ensure activated military reservists do not suffer a pay reduction by providing a tax credit for small businesses that continue to pay National Guard and Reserve employees when they are called to active duty.

For Missouri's senior citizens, military personnel, military retirees, and people with disabilities, H.R. 4213 would ensure they are able to continue seeing the doctor of their choice by preventing a 21 percent reduction in Medicare and TRICARE physician fees. Without making these changes, doctors in Missouri and elsewhere would likely not continue to see Medicare and TRICARE patients. That is why H.R. 4213 is supported by AARP and MOAA.

H.R. 4213 would extend other valuable provisions of the U.S. tax code, including deductions for charitable contributions by individuals and businesses, would provide for important pension relief sought after by the Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives, would provide emergency assistance for American families who are impacted by unemployment, would create summer jobs for American youth, and would allow for state and local governments to finance the reconstruction of schools, sewer systems, and hospitals through Build America Bonds and Recovery Zone Bonds--work that would create thousands of jobs across our country. Because infrastructure improvements are so vital to jobs, H.R. 4213 has been endorsed by our nation's mayors and county governments.

The non-emergency spending associated with H.R. 4213 is compliant with the PAYGO law enacted earlier this year. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4213 so that we can provide tax relief to American families, farmers, and businesses, can take care of America's veterans and senior citizens, and can create small business jobs.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to inform you that on Thursday, June 3, the Concordia High School Orioles baseball team became the 2010 1-A Missouri State Champions. Under Head Coach Nathan Beissenherz and Assistant Coach Brandon Figg, the team finished the season with a 19-3 record. This is the first state championship for any sport in Concordia High School history.

After a 15-3 regular season record, the Orioles defeated Wellington (4-2) in the Class 1-A Sectional and then defeated Liberal (5-2) in Quarterfinal play. This earned the club a trip to the finals in Springfield, Missouri, which was hosted at Drury University's Meador Park. The Orioles then defeated St. Elizabeth (9-3) and played Brashear in the final game. The team played solid defense and took advantage of opportunities in the field and at the plate, which propelled the CHS Orioles baseball team over Brashear (6-1) to win the state championship.

Members of the Concordia Orioles baseball team include: Collin Werths, Drew Smith, Kent Schuette, Dustin Heineken, Alic Frerking, Blake Smith, Tyler Tolias, Blake Heimsoth, Travis Flandermeyer, Jesse Flandermeyer, Carter Brown, Hayden Brown, Jacob Summers, Jacob Harms, Cale Brunkhorst, Zach Wolski, J.R. Langkrahr, Chris Latty, Josh Kock, assistant coach Brandon Figg and head coach Nathan Beissenherz.

Madam Speaker, the members of the Concordia High School Orioles baseball team have distinguished themselves as the 2010 Class 1-A Missouri High School Baseball State Champions as well as the first state champions in Concordia High School history. I am sure that my colleagues will join me in wishing Coach Beiz and his team all the best.

Mr. Chair, I would like to submit the following exchange of letters:

Committee on Education

and Labor,

Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.

Re Corrected Bill Number.

Hon. Ike Skelton,

Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, House of

Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Skelton: I am writing to you concerning the

jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Education and

Labor in matters being considered in H.R. 5136, the National

Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.

Our committee recognizes the importance of H.R. 5136 and

the need for the legislation to move expeditiously.

Therefore, while we have a valid claim to jurisdiction over

the bill, I do not intend to request a sequential referral.

This, of course, is conditional on our mutual understanding

that nothing in this legislation or my decision to forego a

sequential referral waives, reduces or otherwise affects the

jurisdiction of the Committee on Education and Labor, and

that a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging

our jurisdictional interest will be included in the Committee

Report and as part of the Congressional Record during

consideration of this bill by the House.

The Committee on Education and Labor also asks that you

support our request to be conferees on the provisions over

which we have jurisdiction during any House-Senate

conference.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

George Miller,

Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the demand for a recorded vote on amendment No. 81 be withdrawn.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order against the motion to recommit.

I object.

Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order against this motion as it is not germane, and I insist on that point of order.

Mr. Speaker, I insist on my point of order.

Mr. Speaker, I insist on my point of order. It is not germane.

Mr. Speaker, I move to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I seek time in opposition to the motion to recommit, although I am not opposed to it.

Mr. Speaker, we have dealt with these issues strongly in the

committee. This adds to those particular issues, and we are in a position to accept this motion. I just wish to point out that there is no difference between the Democrats and Republicans when it comes to fighting terrorism.

I agree with the motion.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the instructions of the House in the motion to recommit, I report the bill, H.R. 5136, back to the House with an amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5136, to include corrections in spelling, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Mr. Speaker, regarding H.R. 5136, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and in which to insert extraneous materials in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I object.

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

Today, we as a Congress perform a duty in compliance with the Constitution of the United States. Article I, section 8 states that Congress shall have the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. It also provides for and maintaining a Navy and making all rules for the government and regulation of land and naval forces.

So today I rise in support of H.R. 5136, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011. I'm pleased to be joined here today with my friend, my colleague, the ranking member, Buck McKeon. Buck's been a true partner in this effort to bring forward a bipartisan bill that addresses the national security needs of our country.

The committee passed the Defense Authorization Bill by a vote of 59- 0.

Our Nation's been at war for nearly a decade. Our troops are worn, and their families are tired, and the Nation recognizes their sacrifices. The bill addresses many of the concerns that they've raised.

I'm proud that this bill is a result of the committee's engagement with the military community and our citizens to determine what issues were important to them as we developed the programs and policies that are included in this bill.

This bill authorizes $567 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. The bill also authorizes $159 billion to support ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during fiscal year 2011. These amendments are essentially equal to the President's budget request for items in the jurisdiction of the Armed Services Committee.

H.R. 5136 continues Congress' deep commitment to supporting U.S. servicemembers and their families and to provide the necessary resources to keep America safe. The bill provides our military personnel a 1.9 percent pay raise, which is an increase of a half a percent above the President's request.

The bill also includes a number of initiatives to support military families, including extending health care coverage to adult dependent children up to the age of 26. We also have the single most comprehensive legislative proposal to address sexual assault in the military.

The bill also fully funds the President's budget request for military training, equipment, maintenance and the facilities upkeep, which continues the committee's efforts to address readiness shortfalls that have developed over previous years.

The bill provides an increase of $12 billion above the fiscal year 2010 budget for operations and maintenance, including $345 million to fully fund the

first increment of construction necessary to modernize Department of Defense schools. There is 13.6 billion for training of an all active- duty Reserve force to increase readiness; an increase of $500 million for day-to-day operations of Army bases, which is a direct impact on our soldiers. It also provides an increase of $700 million above the administration's budget to address the equipment shortfalls on National Guard and Reserve units.

The war in Afghanistan is a critical mission that is essential to our national security. To ensure that our strategies in both Iraq and Afghanistan are effective and achieve the intended goals within well- defined timelines, the bill requires the President to assess U.S. efforts and regularly report on progress, including providing timelines by which he plans to achieve his goals.

It also extends the authorization of the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund through fiscal year 2011 to allow commanders to help Pakistan quickly and more effectively go after terrorist safe havens. The bill also provides $1.6 billion for Coalition Support Funds to reimburse nations that are providing logistical, military, and other support to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

On Iraq, the bill upholds Congress's responsibility to provide oversight to the process of drawing down the mountain of material purchased, transported, and built up in Iraq at tremendous expense to the taxpayer.

In the area of nonproliferation, the bill continues our focus on keeping weapons of mass destruction and related materials out of the hands of terrorists and strengthens our nonproliferation programs and activities. The bill increases funding for the Department of Energy's nonproliferation programs and adds funding to continue the administration's plan to secure and remove all known vulnerable nuclear materials that could be used for weapons.

There are other good things in this bill, which my colleagues will cover.

I want to recognize the members of the Armed Services Committee for their contributions in making this bill one of the best that the committee has put forward in recent years.

I also, Mr. Chair, want to brag about the wonderful staff that we have on the Armed Services Committee. They make it all work well.

Mr. Chair, our committee has been and will continue to be strong proponents of our Nation's security and the people that it defends. We will continue to do what is right and necessary to ensure that our country is safe and secure. We must continue to work with the President to ensure that our citizens are safe and our Nation's security is paramount.

I urge my colleagues to support our troops and their families and vote for the defense authorization bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to my friend, my colleague, the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith).

(Mr. SMITH of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor), who's the chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces.

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my friend, my colleague, a former marine, and the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the gentleman from Arkansas, Dr. Snyder.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my friend, the chair of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my friend, the distinguished chair of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to section 4 of House Resolution 1404, and as the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, I request that, during further consideration of H.R. 5136 in the Committee of the Whole, and following consideration of amendment No. 4 printed in House Report 111-498, the following amendments be considered: en bloc No. 1; amendment No. 13; en bloc No. 2; en bloc No. 3.

Mr. Chairman, I now yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.

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

I yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire of the time remaining, please.

Would the gentleman from California care to proceed?

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, my friend, the distinguished chairman of the Budget Committee who is also a member of our Committee on Armed Services, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt).

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire about the available time.

I yield 1\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews), the chairman of the acquisition reform task force.

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

Mr. Chair, pursuant to section 4 of House Resolution 1404, I hereby give notice that amendment Nos. 80 and 82 may be offered out of order.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin).

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

Mr. Chairman, picture in your mind an American soldier, a corporal, patrolling in Afghanistan, wearing his American-made uniform, carrying his American-made M4 rifle, having been transported in an MRAP security vehicle to his place of patrolling, with a radio on his back which was made in America--all of these items furnished by the Congress of the United States and under our duty and the duty to train and to allow him to be fully prepared to fight the fight that he is.

That is what is important in what we do today. That is the purpose of an authorization bill. It is required by the Constitution of the United States. It is paramount. It is the most important job that we have to do--to provide for the security of those who fight and who protect us in their line of duty.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk, amendment No. 1.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague, the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Tsongas).

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to section 4 of House Resolution 1404, I hereby give notice that amendments number 21, 42, 47 may be offered out of order.

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 1404, I offer amendments en bloc No. 1.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

(Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

I yield 1 minute to my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McMahon).

I yield the gentleman an additional 15 seconds.

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

I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko).

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

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

The gentleman from Indiana spoke about the challenge of those returning from the Gulf and facing the depression that often ends in suicide. The gentleman from Rhode Island did the same.

The tragedy of a serviceman or woman and suicide came home to many of us in the State of Missouri not long ago when a young marine from Sedalia, Missouri, suffered that tragedy. It breaks the heart of not just the family but of all who knew him.

I think it's up to us to do our very best to continue to study this issue and make preparation for those who come home so that these tragedies can be put behind us that they can come back to a grateful Nation and warm and loving home and fit in and continue to

perform their duties in uniform and duties at home. So those of us who knew this young marine from Sedalia understand fully the comments of the gentleman from Rhode Island and the comments of the gentleman from Indiana.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 1404, I offer amendments en bloc No. 2.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman).

(Ms. HARMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).

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

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to reclaim my time.

I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).

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

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

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

I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Driehaus).

Mr. Chairman, I speak in favor of the committee position, which is to have an alternate engine for the F-35. If one looks at the graph of the F-16 alternate engine program, one will clearly notice that from the mid-1980s, the cost of the engines went down because of the competition. Competition is important. Single source often causes a steep increase in price.

Last year, this House passed the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act, which requires more competition in Department of Defense programs, not less. What this position of the Armed Services Committee does is live up to that reform act, requiring more competition. It is as simple as that.

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 1404, I offer amendments en bloc No. 4, including modifications to amendment No. 18.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

I certainly thank the gentlelady from Texas for her observations.

Yes, of course, I agree that NASA space programs have made important contributions to our national security. In specific response to your concern, the industrial base required for reliable space launch could be placed at risk by the proposed changes in the human spaceflight program. Further, I understand the department is carefully evaluating the impact of those changes.

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to section 4 of House Resolution 1404, I hereby give notice that the amendments numbered 15 and 62 may be offered out of order.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen), my friend and colleague.

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

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

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to section 4 of House Resolution 1404, I hereby give notice that amendment Nos. 68 and 81 may be offered out of order.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

(Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

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

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 1404, I offer amendments en bloc No. 7.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Childers).

Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader.

Madam Chairwoman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster).

Madam Chairman, the bill before us is an excellent piece of legislation; it's one of the best that our committee has written. It's strong on our attempt to quell terrorism, it takes care of the troops, and it looks after their families.

On this issue before us, inquiry was made of Secretary Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen. A letter dated April 30 states: ``Therefore, I strongly oppose any legislation that seeks to change this policy prior to the completion of this vital assessment process. Further, I hope Congress will not do so as it would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that, in essence, their views, concerns, and perspectives do not matter on an issue with such direct impact and consequence for them and their families.''

I oppose the amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 1404, I offer amendments en bloc No. 8.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell).

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

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

I yield 2 minutes to my friend the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren).

That is correct. The amendment is simply asking for a plan to speed up the process, as appropriate. The sponsor of the amendment believes, as do I, that all appropriate security and background checks must be carried out in the right way to best protect our national security.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).

Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Resolution 1404, I offer amendments en bloc No. 9, including modifications to amendment No. 32.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentlelady from California (Ms. Matsui).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, a member of the Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

I might make a comment about the gentleman from Missouri. It was our fellow Missourian, Harry Truman, upon awarding a Medal of Honor to a World War II marine, said he would rather have that than be President. And it is quite an honor, and it's a good thing that you do.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentlelady from Colorado (Ms. Markey).

I yield 2 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. Chairman, I wish to pay special tribute to the ranking member, Buck McKeon, a gentleman of the first order who has not only continued the bipartisan attitude and bipartisan work in our committee, but has made it work very, very well. We all owe him a debt of gratitude, and I want to say a special word of thanks to him for his excellent work and cooperation in making our committee so bipartisan in nature.

A special thanks also to the fantastic staff that we have. We Members take credit for all of the good work that they do. So often they go as unsung heroes, but they really make this committee work so well and so solidly; and to each one of them, who are professionals, I express deep thanks and gratitude.

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

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Madam Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to William M. Krause who is retiring after 30 years of active duty and federal civilian service. He currently serves as the Director of Business Operations on Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

In August of 1980, Mr. Krause began his service as an airman in the United States Air Force. After 10 years of active duty service, he started his career as a contract specialist for the Air Force. He distinguished himself early on as a leader and innovator in this field. For his superior performance and unique approach to the job, Mr. Krause was named the Director of Business Operations in 1993.

As Director, Mr. Krause mentored small businesses in Missouri through the Department of Defense Small Business program and during my annual Procurement Conference. His mentorship and expertise strengthened Whiteman's security, improved relationships with local businesses and communities, and bettered the lives of the servicemen and women who call Whiteman home.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Krause's tireless dedication and outstanding contributions to the Whiteman community will continue to be felt for generations to come. I wish him, his wife Peggy, and his son Josh the very best in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1385) recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, May is Military Appreciation Month; and to honor our men and women and uniform and our veterans, I, along with my good friend and ranking member from California (Mr. McKeon), have introduced H. Res. 1385.

Mr. Speaker, I grew up around veterans of the First World War. My father served in the Navy onboard the U.S.S. Missouri in that conflict; and he, like so many young men who returned from that war, became the civic and political leaders of their day.

Tom Brokaw wrote a best-selling book entitled, ``The Greatest Generation,'' the saga of those who fought the two-front Second World War. These veterans changed the complexion of our country in every walk of life. Their experiences in war, sometimes on the battlefield, instilled in them tremendous confidence and a sense of duty and, like the generation of war veterans before them, the World War I veterans, returned to hometowns across America, large and small, to become leaders in their communities.

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman ordered U.S. military intervention on the Korean peninsula. In many respects, our participation in the Korean conflict has served as a model for the way our military operates today. Korea was the first multilateral United Nations operation, and it has become the longest standing peacekeeping operation in modern times. While we are inclined to remember the leaders who ultimately brought us victory in the Korean War--Truman, MacArthur, Acheson, Walker, and Ridgeway--it's really the men and women who served so bravely to whom we pay tribute.

The need to contain the spread of communism brought U.S. servicemembers to a small country in Southeast Asia called Vietnam. It was 1964 when Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution and 1973 before the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam. Much is owed to the men and women who served in that conflict, and it must be remembered that those who fought and died in service to the United States in Southeast Asia are owed the appreciation of a grateful Nation, even though so many did not receive the welcome home that they deserved.

The Persian Gulf War was a tremendous display of U.S. military technology, but what must not be forgotten is that the swift end to combat operations was the result of a sound strategy and the ability of U.S. service personnel to carry out that strategy.

And of course today our men and women in uniform are engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan. I predict those returning from these conflicts will be another great generation. Rising from the sands of the Middle East, these veterans, who have toiled and fought there to bring peace and civilization back to those two beleaguered countries, are truly America's future.

In addition to large-scale conflicts, U.S. military forces have been involved in far more small-scale contingency operations. In each instance, in numbers both large and small, the men and women of the United States' armed services have answered the Nation's call.

So let us remember the importance of those who wore the uniform and those who wear it today. They have served this Nation, and now we must do right by them in Congress, in our communities, and in our everyday lives. Today, we honor their courage and their sacrifice, and to all of them we say thank you.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

Washington, DC, May 21, 2010.

Hon. Ike Skelton,

Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, Rayburn Building,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Skelton: On May 20, 2010, H. Res. 1385,

recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of members

of the Armed Forces and veterans was introduced in the House

of Representatives. This measure was sequentially referred to

the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

The Committee on Veterans' Affairs recognizes the

importance of H. Res. 1385 and the need to move this

resolution expeditiously in order to honor the courage and

sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

Therefore, while we have valid jurisdictional claims to this

resolution, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs will waive

further consideration of H. Res. 1385. The Committee does so

with the understanding that by waiving further consideration

of this resolution it does not waive any future

jurisdictional claims over similar measures.

I would appreciate the inclusion of this letter and a copy

of your response in the Congressional Record during

consideration of H. Res. 1385 on the House floor.

Sincerely,

Bob Filner,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, Hector Polla graduated from West Point in June of 1941. After the infantry officers' basic course in Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to his first military assignment--the Philippines.

It was on December 8, Philippine time, that the Philippines were invaded by the Japanese. Hector Polla helped defend the Peninsula of Bataan, receiving a commendation for heroism, a Silver Star for his actions, in February of 1942. In April, he, along with the other American forces, surrendered. He survived the death march on the way to Cabanatuan prison camp, and he was kept there over the years. In December 1944, he was put aboard a Japanese ship to be taken to Japan to do slave labor. American bombers bombed that ship, and he survived. On January 19, 1945, he was again placed on a Japanese ship to go to Japan to do slave labor. The American bombers bombed that ship, and Hector Polla died as a result of the wounds received.

There are others throughout that war who saw that battle--the combat, the deprivation. Yet, at the end of the day, the American forces did well in that sector of the Asia-Pacific and also in Europe. So many of them came home and became leaders in the community--in the businesses, in the churches, in the civic organizations, in politics. Today, we are the recipients of what they have done.

I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) for his words and for his cosponsorship of this resolution.

It is important that we as a Congress express our appreciation for those who served, not just in the Second World War, but in all of the wars down through and including today. I hope that we will recognize them when we see them at the airports or on the streets or in the coffee shops or in church so we can just say ``thank you'' to them. That's what this resolution does. It expresses appreciation. After all, it was the sister of a great Roman orator who once said that gratitude is the greatest of all virtues.

This is our opportunity as a Congress to say we are grateful for those men and women who have worn the uniform. We are proud of them and we thank them.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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