Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is understood that overall America's health care facilities face a decline in the quality of their staff. But South Carolina is graciously blessed with Dr. James L. Coleman, Jr., whose mission it is to improve the ways we provide the best and accessible primary and preventive health care to folks in our State who lack the means for quality medical care.

Currently serving as chief executive officer of the Margaret J. Weston Medical Center, Dr. Coleman is known for providing a message of diversity in health care. He and his staff at the medical center understand that in order to have healthy citizens, it is essential to provide affordable health care services.

With degrees from Winthrop, Central Arkansas and a doctorate of education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Dr. Coleman is a teacher and local crusader for the improvement of lives by the improvement of health services.

During February's Black History Month, I would like to recognize Dr. Coleman. His efforts to provide better health care to underprivileged South Carolina citizens has not gone unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, in a time of war Americans and those risking their lives to protect freedom deserve leadership, not politics. As we continue to debate this nonbinding resolution today, we undermine the overall war on terror and the successes we have had since the attack.

In the battle for Iraq mistakes have been made, but the President put forth a plan for victory that understands those mistakes and sets benchmarks to ensure Iraqi involvement and success.

On the other side, they want to have it both ways. They say we support our troops, but at the same time they say we don't support the war you are fighting. Our troops deserve better. Either commit to their mission and bring them home victorious or stop their funding and bring them home in defeat. The choices are there in front of us.

Congress should allow time for the plan to take hold, not put forth a resolution that clearly is a step in the wrong direction, a policy of retreat and defeat.

Mr. Speaker, there is only one way out of Iraq, only one way out of this war, victory.

Mr. Speaker, I too stand in favor of the resolution for my friend Charlie Norwood.

When I first started running in 2002, Charlie was one of the first guys to grab me by the hand, introduce me to people, and be my friend. I remember my first day in Congress Charlie coming up to me and said, ``Boy, you just hang with me, I will take good care of you.'' And he did.

He always told me that the Augusta side of Georgia was mine and the North Augusta side of South Carolina was his; that no river or border could keep us apart. And it was true. And the things he did for me, the things he did for South Carolina, for Georgia, for this Nation will always be remembered.

Charlie Norwood was a good friend of mine, and we will be sad and we will cry, but in heaven they are screaming, ``We love you, Charlie.'' God bless you.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, over the next 2 to 3 days, Members of Congress will come to the well and they will talk about the Iraq resolution. They will talk about troop levels and spending and funding and security, training, strategy, a lot of different things in a lot of different ways, with valid arguments on both sides. But I want to boil it down to something simple, something that I understand, something that means more to me than some of the things I mentioned.

There is a gentleman from my district, a Major Rick Simmons, a native of Pickens, South Carolina, an Eagle Scout, a Citadel grad. From time to time he has written me letters concerning different issues in Iraq. He is in Fallujah right now.

He wrote me a letter dated 5 February, 2007. It is a rather lengthy letter, but I want to read you one sentence from this letter:

``This is not Bush's war, it is my war, and it is the war of every volunteer here because we know how high the stakes are for this country.'' ``My war.'' That is what he says. ``This is my war.''

Rick, first to you and all your comrades over there, I say thank you and God bless you. I pray for you every day. But I want to tell you something, son; it is my war too. It is my war and my children's war and my children's children's war.

This is our war, ladies and gentlemen. This is the greatest enemy that we have ever faced in my lifetime, Mr.

Speaker. And when I raised my right hand and put my left hand on the Bible, it was to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies. And it was to protect the protectors, the protectors of liberty, the protectors of democracy, the protectors of freedom. And if it takes a troop surge and a funding stream that is guaranteed, I will do everything I can to ensure the protectors have everything they need.

There is only one way out of Iraq, Mr. Speaker. There is only one way out of this war. Victory. Victory. I urge my colleagues to do the right thing and I urge them to vote against this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Darrell Johnson, the superintendent of Greenwood School District 50 for South Carolina, was quoted saying: ``I pledge to do the best I can and work together as a team.''

I would like to honor Dr. Johnson during February's Black History Month as a very notable and distinguished African American who has heavily impacted the Third Congressional District of South Carolina. Dr. Johnson's extensive background and his many leadership positions as a teacher, coach and administrator has laid the groundwork for him being named to the position of district superintendent.

Since 1991, Dr. Johnson worked for Rock Hill School District Three, beginning as assistant principal at the Rock Hill High School. After serving as assistant principal and principal for Sunset Park Elementary School, he moved to the district office in 1998 as director of student services. In 2001, he was named assistant superintendent.

His dedication to making a difference in education propelled him to earn his superintendent position, and rightfully so. I congratulate Darrell Johnson for being able to excel in this capacity where he may apply his natural ability to lead those who are most important to our future, our students.

Mr. Speaker, my heart goes out to all those struggling with crippling diseases and disabilities, but I do not believe that destroying a human life or the potential for human life is the answer.

Over the weekend, a study done by Wake Forest and Harvard Universities was released, and it suggests that researchers may be able to use amniotic fluid, further proof that embryonic stem cell research is not the only alternative. In fact, research has shown that stem cells derived from adults and umbilical cords are already used in over 70 successful therapies today and hold the most promise for the future. We do not have to choose between the need to encourage the advancement of science with the need to protect life.

I voted against this bill in the 109th Congress, and as long as I am a United States Congressman, my constituents can count on me to protect human life. That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against H.R. 3.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 994. This week we solemnly remember those Americans who lost their lives 5 years ago when our Nation came under attack by enemies of freedom. Their families and loved ones will always remain in our prayers.

The terrorists underestimated our country on that fateful day, Mr. Speaker. They thought our spirit could be broken and our Nation divided. While our hearts continue to break for those we lost, our American spirit is strong. While we may disagree on some issues, we stand united in the desire to protect our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 2001, America witnessed horrifying, cowardly acts of evil and responded with heroism and courage. The passengers aboard United 93 were the first to fight back in this war on terror.

Over the past 5 years, we have taken the fight to the terrorists. We are fighting them in the streets of Afghanistan and in Iraq so we will never have to witness the evil in our city streets again.

As we remember the innocent victims of September 11, we also remember all of those brave souls who have

lost their lives in defense of this country. America will never retreat in the face of adversity, Mr. Speaker. We will answer the call of history, and we will prevail in this war on terror.

I ask my colleagues to unanimously support H. Res. 994.

Mohammed Atef aka Abu Hafs Al-Masri, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ahmed Homood Al-Khaldi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Mohammed Abdul Fattah Mohammed Kiram, no longer a threat to the United States.

Hanan Abdullah Raqib, no longer a threat to the United States.

Hassan bin Hamid Hazimi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ali Kudhair Fahd Al-Khudhair, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ali Al-Khudair, no longer a threat to the United States.

Al-Iyadiyah Ahmed Mohammed Al-Sayyad, no longer a threat to the United States.

Hisham Mubarak Al-Hakami, no longer a threat to the United States. Hani Al-Sayegh, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abdul Monim Ali Mahfouz Al-Ghamdi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Zubayr al-Rimi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Khalid Jehani, no longer a threat to the United States.

Badr Al Sobeii, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ghaidah Ahmed Mohamed Souidah, no longer a threat to the United States.

Fayez bin Awad Juhaini, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abdul Wahab Adel Abdul Wahab Al Sheridah, no longer a threat to the United States.

Qasim al-Raimi aka Qasim al-Taizi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ali Abd al-Rahman al-Faqasi al-Ghamdi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abdullah Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Abdullah Al-Shabrami, no longer a threat to the United States.

Eid bin Dakhil Allah Juhaini, no longer a threat to the United States.

Khaled Ahmed Mohammed bin Sanan, no longer a threat to the United States.

Muhammad Atef, no longer a threat to the United States.

Narseal Batiste, no longer a threat to the United States.

Stanley Grant Phanor, no longer a threat to the United States.

Mohammed Ajmal Khan, no longer a threat to the United States.

Saif al-Adel, no longer a threat to the United States.

Major Khalid Hmood, no longer a threat to the United States.

Safwan al-Hasham, no longer a threat to the United States.

Saif Alwahid, no longer a threat to the United States.

Yasser al-Jaziri, no longer a threat to the United States.

Mohammd Salah, no longer a threat to the United States.

Sheikh Ibn al-Liby, no longer a threat to the United States.

Mohammed Omar Abdel Rahman, no longer a threat to the United States.

Aso Hawleri, no longer a threat to the United States.

Omar Hadid, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ali Wali aka Abbas bin Farnas bin Qafqa, no longer a threat to the United States.

Hassan Ibrahim Farhan, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abd al-Tahki al-Nissani, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abdullah al-Janabi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Umar Baziyani, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abu Waleed Saudi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Faraj Ahmad Najmuddin aka Mullah Krekar, no longer a threat to the United States.

Muhammed Hila Hammed al-Ubaydi aka Abu Ayman, no longer a threat to the United States.

Nayef Abbas al-Zubaydi aka Abu Moawiy, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abu Tallah, no longer a threat to the United States.

Shahab Ahmed, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abu Abdallah Suri, no longer a threat to the United States.

Mo'ayed Ahmed Yassin aka Abu Ahmed, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abu Mohammad Hamza, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abu Zubayr, no longer a threat to the United States.

Muhammad Khalid, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ridha Baziyani aka Fadil al-Kurdi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Bassim Mohammad Hazeem, no longer a threat to the United States.

Mahi Shami, no longer a threat to the United States.

Zain Abdallah Salah Khalaf al-Jib aka Abu Karam, no longer a threat to the United States.

Saleh Arugayan Kahlil, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ami Mohammed al-Jafi aka Abu Omar al-Kurdi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abu al-Hasan, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abd al-Hafiz Shamma, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abdel Karim Sayyid Sulayman, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abd al-Khaliq Hakimi, no longer a threat to the United States.

Abd ar-Rahman as-Suways, no longer a threat to the United States.

Aamir Nawfal, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ihab Dafaa, no longer a threat to the United States.

Jamal Ba Khorsh, no longer a threat to the United States.

Ahmad al-Shinni, no longer a threat to the United States.

Fatha Abdul Rahman, no longer a threat to the United States.

Mohsen Al Fadli, no longer a threat to the United States.

Juma Ibraham, no longer a threat to the United States.

Mohammad al-'Owhali, no longer a threat to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 88, the Marriage Protection Amendment.

The debate before us today is about ensuring that the will of the people of the United States is protected.

My home State of South Carolina is one of 45 States that has already enacted laws defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Our message is clear: marriage matters, and it should be limited to that of a man and a woman.

So I stand here today wondering why we are faced with the fact that a handful of judges have taken it upon themselves to hand down rulings that redefine marriage for moms and dads and most importantly children across this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, some in this country, elected by no one, believe they have the right to supersede the wishes of my constituents and the constituents of other Members here today.

I urge my colleagues to join me today in supporting the Marriage Protection Amendment ensuring constituents' voices are heard.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and of H.R. 4761, the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act. I could stand up here and talk about some astounding facts, but the bottom line is we need to be more dependent on ourselves and not somebody else.

Our current energy supply simply does not meet our growing demand.

The solution is to reduce our dependency on foreign sources of energy. That is the solution. National security and national interests begin right here at home, and we need to be more self-reliant and energy independent.

My home State of South Carolina has many great resources off its coast, and I am pleased that this legislation grants power to the States that allows them to dictate energy initiatives.

Keeping this country both safe and strong is a pledge that I made and a pledge that I will keep. I urge my colleagues to vote for the rule and the underlying legislation that keeps our Nation safe and moves us toward energy independence.

Mr. Speaker, we have talked about facts and figures tonight. We have talked about whether we have got the right number of forces and how much money we are spending. But we can talk about facts and figures all the time. This is more than that.

This is about faces. This is about faces in the fight on global terror. This is about the faces of leaders like Maliki and Karzai, guys that are worried whether the United States is going to keep its pledge and its word to be with them to the bitter end.

This is about the faces of citizens who want to raise their families, who want to live and worship in a country that is free, where they can walk down the street without the fear of being blown up.

This is about the faces of families who are concerned about whether we are going to do everything we need to do to make sure our soldiers, sailors and airmen have everything they need in this fight.

This is about the faces of the enemy, cold blooded murderers with red eyes who have only one mission in life, death or victory.

And this is about the faces of soldiers, dirty, tired, hungry, scared sometimes, but soldiers with a resolute mission, a mission of victory.

Mr. Speaker, every day I thank God that we have men and women worldwide willing to do something bigger than any of us here today, willing to fight for freedom and justice and to keep America safe and strong.

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the precise and swift action of the United States military forces, al-Zarqawi's reign of terror has ended.

Osama bin Laden and terrorists worldwide should note that there is no safe place for them to hide. Terrorists in Iraq should also note that the events of the last 24 hours are further proof that the Iraqi people want to live free from fear.

Last year we saw the Iraqi people send a strong message to the terrorists at the ballot box. Last month we witnessed the formation of a new unity government, and today Prime Minister Maliki announced the completion of his cabinet.

The American people understand the road to a democratic way of life is not an easy one. Just as our Nation struggled in the beginning, Iraq has difficult and challenging days ahead. But I am confident that with continued support of the coalition forces, Iraq will figure out the best way to govern themselves in freedom.

The Iraqi people, as well as our enemies, should know we will stay the course because the security of our Nation depends on the willingness to take action to protect and preserve freedom.

Mr. Speaker, as we take time to reflect this week on D-Day and World War II, we reflect on the men who proudly fought for the ideals on which our country was founded, freedom and a democratic way of life. On December 7, 1941, our Nation was attacked, the worst attack on American soil until September 11, 2001, and that day our Nation was at war.

Mr. Speaker, a constituent of mine, Mr. James P. Greene from my home county of Oconee County, South Carolina, was aboard the USS Detroit in Pearl Harbor on that fateful day. Fortunately, Mr. Greene survived the attack, and I am proud to say he continued on in service to his country, spending the entire war in the Pacific Theater. In fact, Mr. Greene also served in the Korean War, and his entire naval career spanned from 1939 to 1961.

I would like to say to Mr. Greene and countless other World War II veterans just like him listening today, as a veteran who served after you and as an American citizen, thank you. Thank you for your service and thank you for your sacrifice. Our Nation is forever in your debt.

Mr. Speaker, there are no greater patriots than our veterans and those who proudly wear the uniform today.

On this day, 62 years ago, 3,393 brave, young American men lost their life storming the beaches of Normandy in defense of freedom. We must never forget their sacrifice.

I rise today, June 6, to say thank you to the greatest generation.

Today, our generation is faced with a similar choice, sit on the sidelines or defend freedom. And like World War II, our Nation has once again chosen to answer the call. America will always be freedom's defender.

D-Day was a turning point for Allied Forces in the European Theater, and 3 years after America joined the global war, victory seemed attainable.

I am honored to represent over 100 D-Day survivors, and I plan to call some of them today and let them know how grateful I am for their service. I encourage all Americans to reach out to a veteran today and thank them for their service and sacrifice.

Madam Speaker, I rise in full support of the rule and the underlying legislation, H.R. 5429, the American- Made Energy and Good Jobs Act.

Madam Speaker, I could stand up here and talk about a lot of facts and figures that are astounding, I think, and will help the United States of America. But the bottom line is, we need to be more dependent on ourselves and not somebody else.

National security and national interest begin right here at home. Granted, some day I think we will solve this energy crisis. We will have a wonderful solution, but right now, we need to be more self- reliant and independent.

Keeping this country both safe and strong is a pledge that I made and a pledge that I will keep. I urge my colleagues to vote for the rule and the underlying legislation to keep our Nation safe.