Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the outstanding men and women of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, who are responsible for the most advanced flying machine in the hands of our armed forces, the B-2 Spirit Bomber.

Nearly 3,500 members of the 509th Bomb Wing, operating from both their home base in Missouri and from a forward-deployed location, have kept B-2s in the air around the clock, day and night, since the beginning of our campaign to liberate the people of Iraq.

The 509th Bomb Wing started Night One of Operation Iraqi Freedom by launching six B-2s and hitting 92 separate regime, command-and-control, and other high-value targets in downtown Baghdad. This unprecedented feat in aerial history was successfully completed by crews flying 38- hour round-trip sorties.

A tremendous effort has gone into training and equipping our great American airmen. They have proven, once again, that the B-2 is the first to fight. In this case, they have been the only bomber thus far that has been put directly in harm's way over Baghdad. The B-2 has demonstrated that it is an invaluable asset to coalition operations.

We recognize and thank the members of the 509th Bomb Wing for their sacrifices, both at home and overseas. I know that the members of the famed 509th are also proud and greatly appreciative of the outstanding support they continue to receive from their friends and neighbors in Missouri. On this day and every day, our thoughts and prayers are with all our military members and their families.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 88, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, Floyd Spence was a true Southern gentleman, a good friend, a dedicated Congressman, and a champion of a strong national defense. I had the pleasure of serving with him on the Armed Services Committee during his chairmanship, and I found that he always worked for the betterment of our men and women in uniform and of our national security. I miss him very much.

About 2 years ago, an overflow crowd gathered in the House Armed Services Committee hearing room for the unveiling of Floyd's portrait as chairman of committee. Often we do not have the chance to let friends know how we feel about them before they are gone, so I am very grateful that we had that evening together to enjoy Floyd's company and let him know how much he meant to us.

Floyd Spence began serving his country as an active duty member of the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Korean conflict. That service continued until the end of his life. Our former chairman understood that our Nation needs a strong national defense, and he worked tirelessly with Members on both sides of the aisle to strengthen our Armed Forces, and to take care of our men and women in uniform and their families. No one spoke out more forcefully on the need to maintain readiness. On rare occasion, we disagreed. But never disagreeably. Our relationship was one of mutual

respect based on values which we both learned in small towns named Lexington--one in South Carolina and one in Missouri.

During the years Floyd Spence served on the House Armed Services Committee, he blessed us with his leadership; honored us with his friendship; and inspired us with his courage. Floyd Spence was courteous, thoughtful, respectful of others. It was a pleasure for me to serve in Congress with this decent, fair, and honorable man. We are all the richer for his years of dedicated service to the Armed Services Committee, the Congress, the people of South Carolina, and the Nation. It is so fitting that we act to name the post office in Floyd Spence's hometown in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me.

I first wish to compliment the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for this resolution and bringing it to the floor. So I rise in support of this resolution, which demands that the Iraqi authorities abide by the principles and obligations of the Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war.

Our Nation is at war with Iraq. Service members on both sides of this conflict have been taken prisoners of war. Yet while the United States has held up its obligations under the Geneva Convention, recent news reports from the Middle East suggest that the Iraqi government and its leaders are not following the requirements of international law.

Mr. Speaker, I recently saw the Al Jazeera tape that has been played regarding the American prisoners of war and those who were killed. Words cannot express my disgust.

The United States has allowed representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross free access to Iraqi prisoners, as required under the Geneva Convention. The Iraqi government so far as not provided any access to American prisoners of war by the Red Cross.

The Geneva Convention also requires that prisoners of war not be exposed to fire in combat zone, not be used as human shields and not be held up to public ridicule. The United States has fully complied with all these obligations. It is unknown if the Iraqi government has used its American and British prisoners as human shields or exposed them to fire in the combat zone, but as those of my colleagues have seen the videotape that ran on Al Jazeera TV knows, the Iraqis have permitted American casualties to be filmed and have held up our prisoners to public interrogation and ridicule. This is simply unforgivable.

American allies have lost several of their sons and daughters in uniform in this conflict. Our Nation mourns their loss, and the thoughts and prayers of all Americans are with their families and loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, we must demand needed compliance with the Geneva Convention by the Iraqi authorities. Representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross need to be provided immediate and unfettered access to our prisoners of war. And let there be no misunderstanding, Mr. Speaker. We will give no quarter to those who would blatantly violate the laws of war. They will be held accountable.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 76, I was unavoidablY detained outside the House Chamber and was unable to cast a vote in favor of H.R. 1307, the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me the time.

We had a well-known Missourian named Mark Twain who once said, ``The more you explain it to me, the more I don't understand it.''

A few moments ago my friend and colleague from Georgia (Mr. Linder) spoke about this budget taking care of the military. I have the privilege of serving on the Committee on Armed Services, which is a hard-working and, I might say, very bipartisan committee, but also I might point out, Mr. Speaker, we are at war.

Last night were the opening volleys to bring down Saddam Hussein, and yesterday I appeared before the Committee on Rules to ask for an amendment to recognize the fact that we would soon be at war and would soon have expenses for the aftermath in the country of Iraq.

Sadly, the Committee on Rules did not accept my ability to offer an amendment. I offered an amendment which would establish a $20 billion reserve fund. This was done back during the initial era of the war on terrorism, and I chose a modest amount, a $20 billion amount, for this reserve fund because it was estimated that it would cover a 5-month occupation and a 1-month conflict. Hopefully, that will be the case. In all probability, it will be much longer than that.

We have war-related costs, and this budget does not accept the fact or recognize the fact that we need to pay for this war. We are telling the American people, should this budget be passed, that there will be no money, no reserve fund, no dollars, no war-related costs that would help the troops, the ships, the fliers in working toward a victory. It would provide no humanitarian assistance for the inevitable flow of refugees, nothing to establish a transitional government. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, some analysts believe that the American costs could exceed $100 billion, and yet my amendment was for a mere $20 billion to recognize reality.

We are in a war. This budget should recognize that. This budget should have allowed an amendment to be offered in that case. The Committee on Rules was wrong not to make my amendment in order. I am saddened by that fact. They failed to include it in this provision, and consequently, Mr. Speaker, I will ask my colleagues in this Chamber to vote against the resolution.

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

This is a solemn moment for this body. We are here this evening representing Americans all across our land, and we are here to say on their behalf thank you to the young men and women who wear the uniform today, just as those veterans have done in yesteryear.

I appreciate the Speaker mentioning to this body that our colleague and friend the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) has been called to Active Duty. We will remember him in our thoughts and prayers, just like we do every soldier, sailor, airman and marine who represents us in this struggle for freedom and the end of a regime that could cause great harm to the free world.

It is too bad that we have to have a resolution for our young men and women when they are in danger. Maybe we ought to pass one when there is a time for peace, when there is no conflict or a threat of conflict. It was the British poet Rudyard Kipling that put it so well in his poem ``Tommy'' when he said, It's Tommy this and Tommy that and throw them out the brute, but savior of his country when the guns begin to shoot.

I think we should show respect and thanks and appreciation to those who wear the uniform, who are trained daily, working daily, and, when they are called upon as they are now, be ready.

So I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), my good friend and chairman, for his efforts. We have worked so well, as we did on a previous resolution just a few days ago, and sadly, the process by which we find ourselves here tonight has not met with full understanding. Nevertheless, we are here to commend those troops for what they are about to do and what they are doing on the field of battle this evening.

We unite as Americans in support of our troops, who are the truest expression of what this country stands for: courage, strength, compassion. They are the finest sons, daughters we have to offer the world as defenders of freedom, both in the United States of America, for the Iraqi people, as well as for those who love freedom across this globe.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. We will have a number of speakers, and as a result thereof, I will cut my remarks short, and I thank the gentleman from California for his efforts in this behalf.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the minority leader.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the very distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner), the ranking member of the new Select Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), the ranking member on the Committee on the Judiciary.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca).

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ 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. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Strickland).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek), who is a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

(Mr. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell), an Army veteran and distinguished Member of this body.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor), a distinguished member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the Democratic whip.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

(Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

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

May I inquire of the Chair how many minutes we have remaining on each side?

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

As I mentioned earlier in the evening, this is a solemn moment. I wish I had the eloquence of diction to sway everyone within hearing distance to vote for this resolution. However, in my mind it is one that speaks loudly and clearly about the young men and young women who wear the uniform today, many of whom will be in harm's way very soon. They are all not Active Duty. We have 212,000 National Guard and reservists called up; 26,000 are in the Gulf area. Our hearts and thoughts are with them.

Earlier in the evening the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) quoted that famous poem that came out of the First World War, Flanders Fields. Part of that poem reads:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Every generation, it seems, has thrown the torch of freedom to hold it high. The generation today that stands guard for Americans wherever they may be, fighting terrorists or in the Gulf, are the ones that are holding that torch high today. We salute them and thank them.

Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone in this body to support this resolution. I give a special thanks to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the chairman, a veteran of the Army, the Vietnam conflict, for his courtesy and help in putting this resolution to the floor.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn).

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from California for his eloquent statement.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

(Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Some discussion has been held tonight regarding foreign policy. Let me say my foreign policy. I speak of the valor and the courage and the dedication of young men and young women who are protecting freedom and safety of our country and of the free world, whether they be on the outskirts of Iraq or in Afghanistan or wherever they may be in this world. I hope everyone will see themselves clear to support and vote for this resolution so we can say thanks to those brave souls of America. We have lost some, as was recently said this evening, whose families will grieve, but it is for us to carry on and say thank you.

Mr. Speaker, the great Roman orator once said that gratitude is the greatest of all virtues, and I hope tonight by this vote we can express our gratitude and exhibit that virtue by voting for this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the ranking member recognizing me on this very important bill, the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003. So I rise in support of this bill which is much-needed tax relief for our men and women in uniform. And although there was some delay, I am glad that the majority has agreed to remove the extraneous amendments and bring a clean bill to the floor, and we thank them for that. A bill to provide tax relief for brave men and women is not the appropriate vehicle for extraneous amendments.

I hope that this bill will now be able to move forward expeditiously so that our servicemen and women, particularly those in the Guard and Reserve, will be able to receive meaningful and proper tax relief.

Since the end of the Persian Gulf conflict in 1991, our reliance on the Reserve components has steadily increased. In 1993, for example, Reservists and National Guardsmen provided 5.7 million man-days' worth of support to our military. In the wake of the attacks on September 11, 2001, Reservists provided more than 41 million man-days of support to meet military requirements, primarily because of operations Noble Eagle, which of course is protecting the United States, and Enduring Freedom, which was liberating Afghanistan. The demands on our Reservists to participate in military operational missions have more than doubled in recent years.

The global war on terrorism has also increased burden on the Reserves and National Guard. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, some 85,500 Reserve and National Guardsmen personnel were mobilized for active duty. Thousands were sent to guard our Nation's airports. This provided security for bridges and power plants and water treatment facilities and other important infrastructures that are vital to the American economy. Today, more than 50,000 Reservists still remain mobilized for the global war on terrorism, and almost 20,000 Reservists, and I will say there again, almost 20,000 Reservists face a second year of involuntary active duty.

The last several months have seen the number of mobilized Reservists soar to over 120,000 to meet potential demands for our conflict in Iraq, and these numbers continue to rise daily. Allowing travel expense deductions for Reservists is the least we can do for these brave men and women.

Last year the House and the Senate passed similar tax measures to support the troops. In the waning days of the Congress, the measure was tied up by extraneous provisions, which ultimately led to its demise before adjournment. On the eve of our Nation going to war, and that is what we are going to do, I urge my colleagues to support this measure so that we can move forward in ultimately adopting a bill that will provide significant tax relief for those who wear the uniform of the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that a long and exceptionally distinguished career at the Missouri Farm Bureau will soon come to an end. Mr. Bob Hitzhusen has announced his retirement after 25 years of service to the farmers of Missouri.

Bob launched his professional agriculture career after graduating with a degree in Agriculture Economics from Iowa State University. After serving as an admissions counselor at Iowa State for two years, he joined the legislative staff of Congressman Wiley Mayne in 1975, serving in Congressman Mayne's Washington, DC office.

Bob joined the staff of the American Farm Bureau in 1975 as a full- time lobbyist, starting his career with the Farm Bureau. In his position as lobbyist, he worked with several congressional delegations and followed key agricultural issues.

Bob joined the Missouri Farm Bureau staff as Director of National Legislative Programs in 1978. In this position, he was responsible for Farm Bureau's policy development program and was actively involved in lobbying for Farm Bureau members on state and national levels. He has played an active role in every major farm program re-write since the 1973 Farm Bill. In addition, he has been actively involved in international trade legislation, including organizing agricultural support for the North

American Trade Agreement and the GATT implementing legislation. He also worked to implement meaningful Missouri River policy that would benefit Missouri's agriculture producers, including work to provide a better levee system and work to ensure the Missouri River Master Manual fully represents the interest of the Show Me State.

In 1996, Bob was appointed Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary for the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation and Affiliated Companies. In addition to his administrative duties, he has continued to serve as an active lobbyist for the farm organization on state and national issues.

Due to his exceptional service to the Missouri Farm Bureau and agricultural programs, Bob has been singled out as a leader in agriculture. He was chosen to participate in the European Community's visitors program, where he spent three weeks studying agricultural policy in Europe. He was also awarded a partnership award by the USDA soil and water conservation programs in Missouri.

As Bob Hitzhusen prepares to spend more time with his family, his wife Verlee and his sons Paul and Mark, I know the members of the House will join me in expressing appreciation for his dedication to Missouri's agriculture community and to the Missouri Farm Bureau.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, my friend, my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), in support of House Joint Resolution 27. This bill recognizes and commends the dedication, the selfless service, and the commitment of our Armed Forces and their families, and especially those involved with the global war on terrorism.

Our Nation is at war with terrorists who would destroy our freedoms and liberties that are the foundation of America. Those who serve on the front lines of this war on terrorism are our men and women in uniform. When our Nation calls, it is her service men and women who volunteer to be the point of the spear, protecting the Nation's interests both here in America and abroad.

Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Philippines, Yemen, Georgia, these are just several of the regions in which our Armed Forces are serving today. They are in over 200 countries around the world protecting the peace and training militaries in counterterrorism operations, and in searching and hunting the al Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan. These are just a few of the important missions that our soldiers and sailors, our airmen and Marines are called upon to do each day.

The Armed Forces have always been called upon to assist those protecting us here in the homeland. From patrolling the skies above our major cities and guarding important infrastructure and facilities, like bridges and water treatment facilities, to providing assistance to Border Patrol agents, our military is there to defend us.

Many called to service are citizen soldiers, National Guardsmen and Reservists, part-time volunteers who serve when they are called. A growing number of these citizen soldiers have been called to serve on multiple deployments over the past decade. Nearly 85,000 members of the National Guard and Reserve components have been mobilized for active duty since the start of the global war on terrorism. Last Friday, there were over 120,000 Reservists and National Guardsmen who were mobilized, many on their second year of active duty; and the number continues to rise.

As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, Company C, the 110th Engineers of the Missouri National Guard from my hometown of Lexington, has been mobilized to guard Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

Our Reserve forces cannot fulfill their service obligations without the support of their families and employers. Employers have provided support in a number of ways, such as continuing to pay the difference between civilian pay and military pay, and providing health care coverage for the families left behind.

The support of these military families, active and Reserves, is also vital to deployed troops. Military families often face months of separation from their loved ones. Stories of a child being born while a parent is deployed and precious moments like birthdays and graduations and holidays being separated from families and friends are quite common. Yet these military families endure such hardships and sacrifices so these servicemembers can continue to proudly serve our Nation.

More than 65 servicemembers have died since the global war on terrorism began, and over 200 have been wounded or injured. These 65 individuals and their families made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Our thoughts and our prayers are with them.

While there are no words I can find to adequately express the Nation's appreciation for their sacrifices, our sympathies and our consolation go out to these families. The Nation will not forget the price these servicemembers paid to defend our country and to defend the freedoms that we all enjoy here in the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that the citizens of America recognize the dedication and commitment of those who serve in the uniformed services and their families, and I thank the gentleman for offering this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ 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. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the minority leader.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz).

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall), who is a member of the Committee on Armed Services and also a veteran, a Ranger, from the Vietnam War.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis), a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel), a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is a distinct honor to serve with the chairman, a veteran himself, who knows so well what we are honoring here today; and I thank the gentleman for his efforts and for his dedication and leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

Mr. Speaker, that is quite all right. We do yield such minute.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Guam (Mr. Bordallo).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards).

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

A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to go down to Norfolk Naval Base and watch the USS Theodore Roosevelt deploy for its 6-month deployment. There I saw the greatness of America aboard ship as the sailors would wave and also on the dock as the families, the husbands, the wives and the children, they also were and are part of the greatness of America.

Today we see the same scene, of all services, different colored uniforms, those who leave, the men and women being deployed, and of the families waving and saying good-bye, to the children who will not have their mother or their father who are in uniform with them for their birthday, for their graduation. This, of course, is a sacrifice of the military families.

We should remember that the young men and young women in uniform, their families, children, spouses, really form a backbone of greatness in our country. The gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), my friend, the chairman of our committee, a veteran himself, we thank him for his leadership on this resolution as well as his leadership on the Committee on Armed Services. To all the Americans who are sharing in this worldwide global battle against terrorism, we wish them well.

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

Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that a lifelong resident of Lexington, MO, will be celebrating 25 years of service to the Lafayette County Health Department on March 12, 2003. Mrs. Jill Thompson has demonstrated a strong commitment to the area and has helped to ensure a brighter future for the community.

Mrs. Thompson graduated from Lexington High School and attended Research School of Nursing in Kansas City receiving her diploma in 1971. Jill began her 25 year journey with the Lafayette County Health Department in March of 1978 as a Registered Nurse working part-time. Her dedication and hard work earned her the position of Administrator of the Lafayette County Health Department in 1988. She has been the Administrator ever since and has helped expand the department and its services.

Mrs. Thompson's devotion to the Lafayette County community does not stop at the Health Department. She is a member of many organizations such as Cancer Assistance Relief, Treasurer; Sounds of the Heart, Treasurer; Charles Lyons Memorial Foundation; MoAlpha, Chair of the Rural Public Health Committee; West Central Missouri AHEC; Lexington R- V School District Health Advisory Committee; County Health Improvement Project; Lafayette County lnterAgency; Lafayette Emergency Preparedness Committee; Mohakca; and P.E.O. Chapter HX.

Mrs. Jill Thompson has distinguished herself as a community leader in Lexington and Lafayette County, Missouri. She has and continues to make her friends and family proud. I am certain that my colleagues will join me in wishing Jill Thompson, her husband, Larry, and their three children Craig, Chad and Kristin all the best.

Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to recognize Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO, on 137 years of service to the State of Missouri. On January 30, the annual Founders' Day Celebration was held at Richardson Auditorium at the university.

Lincoln University was founded on January 14, 1866, by soldiers and officers of the 62nd and the 65th Missouri Colored Infantry units. They gave a combined $6,400 to establish the educational institution they named Lincoln Institute. The institute was founded with three stipulations: The institution shall be designed for the special benefit of the freed African Americans; it shall be located in the State of Missouri; and its fundamental idea shall be to combine study and labor.

In 1921, the Missouri Legislature passed a bill introduced by Walthall M. Moore, the first Black American to serve in that body, which changed the name from Lincoln Institute to Lincoln University and created a board of curators to govern the University.

Mr. Speaker, Lincoln University's annual Founders' Day Celebration is not only a celebration of another passing year's educational service but a chance once a year to remember the history of this great university. I applaud Lincoln University for its willingness to not forget the past and make sure its students know exactly how their university came to be. I know the Members of the House will join me in congratulating Lincoln University on 137 years of education excellence.

Mr. Speaker, World War II Navy Veteran, Harry Dunford, of my hometown of Lexington, MO, wrote an excellent article, entitled ``The Lone Sailor,'' which appeared in the Lexington News on February 5, 2003. This article is a fitting tribute to the American sailor. I wish to share Mr. Dunford's writing with the rest of the chamber.

The Lone Sailor

Those who have served in the U.S. Navy will immediately

recognize the figure of the statue of ``The Lone Sailor.''

There he stands, waiting on a dock for a boat to take him to

his ship, waiting for a bus to take him to a train going home

on leave. Or, possibly, waiting for a ride to a new duty

station. Who knows?

He stands there in his blues. It is obviously cold as he

has his peacoat on, the collar turned up against the wind and

his hands thrust into his peacoat pockets. His seabag rests

beside him and his white cap is set on his head in just such

a manner so as to say, ``Here is a salt, a 4.0 sailor who has

been around awhile.'' He is gazing outward, perhaps to sea,

perhaps for a last glimpse at the ship on which he has served

until now. Who knows?

We do know that such a scene has been played out many times

by many sailors over the years. The Lone Sailor represents

all people who ever served, are serving now or who are yet to

serve in the Navy. He is a composite of the U.S. Navy

bluejacket, past, present and future.

The U.S. Navy Memorial was opened Oct. 13, 1987, in

Washington, D.C. The memorial has been greatly expanded since

that time and includes a broad granite plaza which forms the

amphitheater. The statue of the Lone Sailor is the

centerpiece of the plaza. The Memorial includes many other

features, not the least of which is the Navy Log, where

sailors past and present can provide information on their

service and have it remain online and available for

posterity.

Since its inception in 1987, the Lone Sailor statue has

been replicated at several places in the U.S. The most recent

was dedicated at Vista Point, overlooking the historic Golden

Gate Bridge in San Francisco in April 2002. An editorial

writer noted that ``the statue seems right at home here,

where many a sailor paused amid damp fog to sense the last

tug of land on his way to the sea.''

Additional replicas of the statue are located,

appropriately, at Norfolk, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; West

Haven, Conn.; Kirkland, Wash. near Seattle; and Great Lakes,

Ill. Those of us who have ever been stationed at Great Lakes

NTS should readily be able to visualize the Lone Sailor

waiting for a train to Chicago or Milwaukee just outside the

Main Gate with the wind blowing up a cold gale in the

wintertime.

Stanley Bleifeld, sculptor of the Lone Sailor, also

sculpted another statue entitled ``Homecoming.'' This statue

depicts a sailor and his wife and child in a joyous reunion,

and has been placed at many of the locations previously

mentioned.

Wouldn't it be great if a replica of the Lone Sailor stood

in front of the Union Station in Kansas City, where during

World War II and Korea thousands of bluejackets passed on

their way to or from their destiny?

Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to General James L. Jones who recently became the first Marine to assume command of the United States European Command, EUCOM. General Jones assumed command of EUCOM in Stuttgart, Germany, on January 16, 2003. Also, in a change of command ceremony held on January 17, 2003, in Mons, Belgium, General Jones became NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share with the Members of the House the speech General Jones presented as he stepped into the command at

Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to bring the words of NASA's Administrator Sean O'Keefe to the attention of the Members of the House. Speaking at the National Cathedral in a memorial service February 6, 2003, for the crew of STS-107, Mr. O'Keefe provided us with words of comfort that should be shared with all.

SEAN O'KEEFE: To be an astronaut is to accept a lofty

calling. The seven daring souls who we grieve for today

represented the best of the human spirit. They did their

chosen calling proud and they had a special grace. Today we

pay tribute to the Columbia astronauts for what they did for

us in carrying on the great tradition of the select few we

call astronauts.

For over 40 years these remarkable men and women who we've

all come to know proudly wearing their orange space suits and

blue flight jackets have played one of history's most unique

diplomatic roles, acting in peace for all mankind, they serve

as our good will ambassadors to the universe.

Every time we send humans into space, our astronauts look

up to the starry firmament seeking to extend our horizons

throughout the vast expanse of God's creation. Our explorers

go forward into the unknown with hope and faith. As Commander

Rick Husband said, ``There is no way that you can look at the

stars, at the Earth, at the moon, and not come to realize

there is a God out there who has a plan and who has laid out

the universe.''

In this magnificent cathedral, a portion of the lunar

surface brought back to Earth by moonwalkers Neil Armstrong

and Buzz Aldrin is encased in a precious stain glass window.

As we worship today in celebration of seven wonderful lives,

this glorious window reminds us that the exploration of space

will go on propelled by the human urge to strive, to seek, to

find, and not yield, and by our common faith in our Creator.

Our astronauts also have another role. By pursuing research

to improve people's lives and expand our understanding of the

natural world, these brave individuals help pioneer the

future in ways undreamed by our ancestors. This was the noble

work that joyfully motivated our seven courageous Columbia

crew when they ascended to the heavens three weeks ago.

Now some day due to our astronauts dedicated space

research, we may find better means of fighting cancer, of

life-saving drugs, helping our parents and grandparents stay

healthy throughout their lives. We will always thank the crew

of Columbia STS-107 mission for their passionate commitment

to this cause.

Now, of course our astronauts count on all the talented men

and women of the NASA family represented here today. To help

advance these ambitious research objectives, they're amazing

people. Public servants who make up the NASA family. Everyday

our scientists, engineers, safety and support folks come to

work at all of our centers, thankful for the opportunity to

engage in such exciting meaningful work on behalf of the

American people, It is through their efforts that we are

making tangible progress in our quest to improve aviation

safety and efficiency, promote medical discoveries, probe

more

deeply into the universe, explore the planets and better

understand the dynamics of Earth's climate system.

And while this is a difficult period for the men and women

of the NASA family, we will persevere. The support we've

received from the astronauts' families, from the President,

from the Vice President, and from the nation has been of

tremendous strength. We will not let you down.

Throughout this period of mourning, the brave families of

the Columbia crew have been rocks of courage and dignity,

providing much comfort to the nation and it's inspiration to

us all.

Dave Brown's parents, Paul and Dorothy, along with their--

his brother, Dave, are here with us today leading, I'm told,

a very impressive contingent of the Brown family; as are John

and Ian Clark, Laurel Clark's family; and Master Sergeant

Jimmy Danielle, Mike Anderson's brother-in-law. To you and to

all the families of the Columbia astronauts, we thank you for

your incredible fortitude.

To honor the legacy of the Columbia astronauts, we have

made a solid commitment to their families to find the cause

of the accident, correct whatever problems we may find, and

safely move forward with our work. Motivated by our mission

goals of understanding and protecting the home planet,

exploring the universe and searching for life, and inspiring

the next generation of explorers, we will make good on this

commitment.

The last element of our mission, to inspire the next

generation of explorers is very important to NASA. It is a

passion of ours. And because of the memory of the gallant 107

crew has done so much to inspire our youth, our shining hope

for the future, to carry forth a torch of exploration and

discovery, we are forever grateful to the Columbia

astronauts.

As you might imagine, NASA has received a tremendous

outpouring of condolences of the loss of the Columbia crew

from people throughout the world. It struck us often of folks

who pointed out the unique role that holds in many ways the

astronauts have on our young and young at heart. One gracious

letter came to us from Rosemary Callahan, the fifth grade

teacher in Arlington, Virginia's St. Charles School. She

wrote her letter after her students had thoughtfully taken

time to write their own letters of condolence, and we thank

them for their heartfelt gesture. In representing her

students, we're honored to have Rosemary here with us today.

I'd like to read to you from her letter, which was written

on Monday. ``Today on the chalkboard I wrote the definition

of a hero. `A person admired for bravery, great deeds or

noble qualities.' In the wake of the tragedy of Columbia and

its astronauts, seven people have come to light as modern-day

heroes. But they were heroes, people of great character and

depth, long before Saturday. When profiled in the media, they

were recognized for their spirit, for intellect, with a

desire to learn and give to others, well-rounded people who

could function together as a team. People who grabbed at life

for the great and simple things. Indeed, they were the

best,''

Rosemary concluded these words by writing, ``Our children

continue to need heroes. Real heroes. May your beloved

astronauts continue to inspire all as you move forward. Your

hearts are heavy now, but in time God grant you a light heart

again.''

In this time of enormous sadness, these words from the Book

of Revelation are most comforting: ``And God will wipe away

every tear from their eyes.'' The writer speaks of those who

are at rest with God. These words also have significance for

us who are still here on our earthly pilgrimage. ``God will

wipe away the tears from our eyes.''

Our hope is not ultimately a hope grounded in the progress

of human achievement, as remarkable as that may be, rather it

is a hope grounded in the Creator who calls Rick, Willie,

Michael, Kalpana, David, Laurel, Ilan and each of us by name.

May he have the faith to lift our eyes towards the heavens as

they did and find their God's peace.

May God bless the crew of STS-107 and may he lighten the

hearts of their families and all who mourn for these valiant

heroes.