Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great anticipation that our Nation is nearing the end of a tragic chapter in our American history, one in which the most helpless among us are vulnerable to the most heinous crimes. I believe that, with the passage of the partial- birth abortion ban, we will look back and remember this day as the day that America began to find its way back to its conscience.

Today we will hear people talking about choice when they know this bill is not about choice. We will hear about them talk about abortion, and this bill is really not about abortion. This bill substantively is about one procedure, one procedure that is so painful to an unborn baby that even the most extreme proponent of abortion has to look at it and say it shocks even their conscience.

This bill is simply about preventing egregious and unnecessary pain to an unborn child. Or if Members want to pick a different nomenclature, a fetus.

While everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, people are not entitled to their own facts. On partial-birth abortion, the facts are out. The facts are clear. Partial-birth abortion is

never really medically necessary. Partial-birth abortion is not a rare procedure. It happens many times, and it is not limited to mothers or babies who are in danger. It is performed on healthy women and healthy babies, and that is what the facts are.

The overwhelming testimony is that an unborn child experiences more pain at this particular juncture than it does even after it is born. This bill is not about having an abortion; it is about whether or not you can have a partial-birth abortion. Partial-birth abortion is repugnant to civilized society. Partial-birth abortion goes beyond abortion on demand. The baby involved is not unborn. This procedure is infanticide, and its cruelty stretches the limits of human decency.

This issue comes down to one simple question: Is there no limit, is there no amount of pain, is there no procedure that is so extreme that we can apply to this unborn child or this fetus that we are willing as a country to say that just goes too far?

Mr. Speaker, partial-birth abortion goes too far, and I hope we will pass this conference report.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to an article written by Rabbi Israel

Zobennan. His article centers around a trip he recently made to Israel.

Rabbi Zoberman is spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach. Born in Chu, Kazakhstan, in 1945, and raised in Haifa, Israel, he lived in Israel of 1949 to 1966.

In the midst of renewed cautious hope to overcome the

deadly impasse between Palestinians and Israelis through

implementation of the Roadmap, I had the opportunity to

witness the resumption of the very lively Israeli way of life

during this cease-fire (Hudna in Arabic) period accepted by

the Palestinian terror organizations.

The solidarity mission sponsored by my Reform movement

whose hallmark is prophetic values, focused on social justice

issues in the Jewish state. We were exposed to inspiring

efforts to make a difference on the internal front in spite

of on-going security concerns. For that will ultimately

determine the very quality of Israeli society and the meaning

of a challenged yet enduring Zionist enterprise. Surely a

nation's strength is a function of its social climate and

democratic vitality even more so than its undergirding and

reflective military might. But only peace allows for the

essential societal flourishing which budded prior to the

onset of the Second Intifada and the latter's back setting

impact when Chairman Arafat chose the path of destruction

over that of dialogue.

A major concern remains the welfare and integration of the

1,200,000 Israeli Arabs who live along five million Jews.

While the Arab population in Israel proper has made progress,

it still lags behind the Jewish majority socially,

economically and educationally. The wide gap is bound to

create understandable resentment and dangerous alienation

with Israeli Arabs already undergoing troubling

Palestinization and Muslim radicalization leading to

terrorist acts which work against them, playing into the

hands of those who claim they cannot be trusted. The state of

war with Israel's Arab and Palestinian antagonists has

exacerbated matters, though neglect will only fester a wound

whose healing is essential for Israel's long-term well-being.

Our group was addressed by volunteer Jewish members of

``Sikkuy'' (meaning a chance) which includes Arab

counterparts and offers training to empower Arab

municipalities as well as encourage their women to become

leaders. We toured the Lower Galilee mountain range,

discussing the disadvantaged Arab community in receiving

state allocations, the attempt to improve the weak

demographic Jewish presence, and the urgent need to improve

communication between the two groups.

At the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon we visited the

pediatric intensive care unit and saw children kept alive by

the unique Israeli project Save A Child's Heart (SACH). It

was founded in 1995 by the late American born legendary

cardio-thoracic surgeon, Dr. Ami Cohen. A nurse on the

hospital team was trained at our own King's Daughters in

Norfolk. I was particularly moved by a Palestinian mother and

her infant son from the Gaza Strip. The boy is among over 800

children from developing countries, a third from the

Palestinian areas, who have benefited from the program which

is supported by private funds, volunteer medical care and

hostel service when necessary. There was no interruption of

service to Palestinians when devastating suicide bombings

took place in nearby Tel Aviv and Netanya, and space was

needed for emergency treatment of victims. Imprisoned

Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti on terrorism charges had

a family baby treated there. Also a free clinic offered

services to over 3,000 Palestinians. To save a life, any

life, is a supreme sacred Jewish act practiced lovingly by

Israelis.

In Jerusalem near the Machene Yehuda marketplace and its

lingering memory of a suicide bombing, a community center

embraces a most diverse neighborhood of religious and secular

Jews, Arabs, Palestinians, foreign workers, haves and have

nots. They benefit from a joint educational program where the

children of all are attended to. We also lent moral support

to demonstrating single parents, mostly women, encamped in

tents outside the Knesset (Parliament). They are upset over

their subsidies cut following an Israeli version of the

``Wisconsin Plan,'' as Israel is moving more and more from a

welfare state to a capitalistic one, leaving the weaker

classes behind, thus creating a potential social explosion

also in the Jewish majority.

In Haifa, where I grew up, I stunningly paused to offer a

memorial prayer at the site of last March's terrorist attack

claiming seventeen lives, at the bus stop I use to visit my

aging parents. Guards are still posted at the entrance to

public places, checking bags and reassuring people. Tears

welled up in me upon hearing the breaking news that six

elderly Iraqi Jews were brought home to Israel in a special

operation representing practically the last survivors of a

2000 year old great exiled Jewry. What a reminder of what a

resilient Israel is all about with the complexities and

contradictions of a violated yet valiant land!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Department of Veterans' Affairs' Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services program.

I was pleased to hear the news from the Department of Veterans' Affairs concerning their Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services, the CARES program. As a representative of all veterans living in the 4th District of Virginia, access to affordable health care to those who have given so much for our nation is an important goal of mine.

Health care for our nation's veterans should be easily accessible and this realignment plan will help ease the hardship on those folks by lessening commuter time and truncating the waiting period now a common part of health care access.

I strongly support the option for an outpatient clinic offering primary care services to be located in Emporia. The savings incurred by the utilization of these clinics will be passed on to those using the Department of Veterans' Affairs' many services.

In Virginia, 142,000 veterans are enrolled in the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care system. A great amount of the veterans from my district must travel a long distance to see their primary care provider. I believe those who cave so much for their country should not have to drive for miles to see a doctor for basic medical needs. Keeping our commitment to our veterans requires us to give them the option of visiting with a doctor within a reasonable distance.

Through my work in the House and with Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Anthony Principi, I will work to offer all veterans a better quality of life. I look forward to the next few months as the CARES Commission weighs the option of establishing a clinic facility in Emporia, Virginia and a final decision is made by Secretary Principi.

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to believe that two short years ago this day, our Nation was plagued by horrendous and vicious terrorist attacks against innocent Americans in New York, Pennsylvania, and our very own Commonwealth.

September 11, 2001 was not the beginning of terrorism against the United States. Defense officials tell us that terrorism has posed a risk to our national security for decades, but too often was not considered a large enough threat to heed those warnings. September 11 awoke us to the threat of terrorism. It was forever bookmarked in our history as the day when life as Americans knew it, changed forever.

The attacks on September 11, 2001 made us feel horrified, scared and angry. But as a result of the senseless attacks, Americans found a renewed sense of patriotism. American flags began to fly not just from flagpoles, but they appeared in windows, on doors and vehicles. Just hours after the attacks, men, women and children all across the country held vigils and waved flags showing support for those who lost their lives. The terrorists took many lives and caused our Nation to grieve, but through that grief Americans rose up and refused to let those terrorists take away their spirit and love of America.

I visited the Pentagon a few days after September 11, and I still remember so vividly the smell of terror surrounding the entire building and complex. I was angry that such a brutal act of violence was committed against innocent people.

Since the tragedies, the Department of Homeland Security was established to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce U.S. vulnerability to terrorism, and most importantly, to share intelligence information among government agencies and departments.

Comprehensive anti-terrorism legislation provides new tools for law enforcement and for improved information sharing among Federal agencies to address terrorist threats. A ``clearinghouse'' was created to serve as the central location where all foreign- and domestically-generated terrorist threat and intelligence information is collected and reviewed. It is imperative that we harness that knowledge and use it to protect all Americans and help stop terrorist networks.

New laws are now in place to help prevent acts of bioterrorism. Enhanced controls on deadly biological agents have been implemented, as well as protections to ensure the safety of the food we eat and the water we drink. Just last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced that Virginia will receive over $31 million in Federal funding to help bolster public health preparedness, and make improvements to hospitals to handle mass-casualty incidents.

Great strides have been made in securing our country and helping to fix some of the longstanding problems that we have had with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. While there is still much left to do, we are moving closer to a system that keeps terrorists out of our country, yet provides a fair and efficient service to those who justly migrate into the United States.

We are continuing to strengthen security in our airports, and have also taken steps to keep Americans safe while flying. Commercial airline pilots are now trained and equipped with firearms in the event of a terrorist attack on-board the plane. In addition, the number of Federal air marshals has been increased by 5,000 to respond to potential terrorist threats or attacks on commercial flights.

I also introduced legislation that makes it easier to prosecute terrorists who try to use chemical weapons or other weapons of mass destruction within the United States. I am hopeful that the Judiciary Committee will take action on this important legislation soon.

We grieved with each other two years ago for the loss of our loved ones, friends, neighbors, coworkers and so many others who perished. Nothing will ever repair the losses we suffered as a nation. But today, their memories live on in our hearts and minds. As Americans, we have always had a strong willingness to stand hand-in-hand when times are tough. We must continue to show our patriotism for our great Nation, and show the world that America will not stand for terrorism.

May God bless you and your family on this solemn day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to the article ``Remembering the Awesome Lessons of the Holocaust'' written by Rabbi Israel Zoberman. The article appeared in the Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star on Saturday, June 12, 1993.

Rabbi Zoberman is spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach. Born in Chu, Kazakhstan, in 1945, and raised in Haifa, Israel, he is the son of Polish Holocaust survivors.

Remembering the Awesome Lessons of the Holocaust

Visiting the recently dedicated official United States

Holocaust Memorial Museum is not an ordinary experience, nor

should it be one.

Along with fellow Americans, gentiles and Jews from all

walks of life, I was conscious of entering upon sacred space.

The resultant education experience, through ingenious

multimedia presentation and architectural genius, exposes us

to the unfolding stages of the Third Reich's evil, allowing

us a closer reach to an unfathomable reality.

We are led on a journey whose consequences of disaster for

the Jewish people and for humanity in general become

increasingly evident at each turn.

Hitler's early threats were far from idle. What was

dismissed as the political rhetoric of a novice was

methodically translated into a program of genocide. Failure

to stop the Nazi regime early on yielded the largest harvest

of death in history.

Recognizing that the tragedy's magnitude is such that

without personalizing it we risk losing it, we watch a tower

of photos depicting the life of an entire community that is

no more, from family gatherings and children at play to loved

ones and pastoral calm. In two days of mass executions, 3,000

Jews, young and old, of Elshishok, Lithuania, where Jews had

lived for 900 years, were slain. This was one among more than

4,950 destroyed communities.

Focusing on the shoes of gassed victims, my eye caught one

belonging to a child. Who can remain neutral toward a little

one's fate?

The video (hidden from view of those who could not bear it)

of the medical experimentations on live subjects--gypsies and

twins were favorites--was ample proof of science's

culpability and academicians' corruptibility. Yet, the

inspiring example of the French village of Chambon, which

saved 5,000 Jews, including many children, from round-up and

deportation, shines through the darkness.

Watching on-screen survivors reminisce illustrated the

power of witness and the sacred duty to preserve their

essential legacy, as age diminishes their numbers, for the

sake of those to follow.

At the tour's beginning one receives a passport of a person

who encountered the war. Mine was of a man who expired en

route to the Belzec death camp where many members of my own

extended family perished. One identity card bears the name of

a surviving relative, Gitla Zoberman (now Gertrude Kupfer),

who lives in Richmond, Virginia.

The museum's honored location in Washington, DC, near our

national shrines, reflects the awesome lessons of the

Holocaust. It is a grim though necessary reminder that

democracy entails eternal vigilance and those revisionists

who attempt to rewrite history, claiming that the painful

past is a malicious Jewish invention, will have to face

life's hard facts.

The fitting memorial, at a substantial cost of $170

million, is an investment in all that we hold dear. It ought

to ever arouse humanity's collective conscience, as I

agonizingly contemplate the overdue need to put an end to the

horrors in the former Yugoslavia.

I emerged from the trying four-hour visit with a sense of

catharsis, cleansed to meet the world with a sharper

awareness, to turn my tears into a well of hope for the

future of all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Mr. Albert G. Horton, Jr. of Chesapeake, VA for his seemingly endless dedication to the veterans of Virginia.

On September 8, 2003, we will break ground in Suffolk, VA to establish a new National Veterans Cemetery, due largely to the perseverance of Al Horton. In 1996, as a Virginia State Delegate, I created the Virginia Veterans Liaison Committee in an effort to bring veterans together and to give a unified voice to their issues. Al Horton was a member of that committee and that is how I first came to know Al.

In 1997, Al contacted me and asked me to introduce legislation to have a National Veterans Cemetery constructed in the Hampton Roads area. Thus, I began a long fulfilling relationship with this very special man.

During 1998, as a result of a bill I introduced as a member of the Virginia General Assembly, a study was conducted to establish if there was a need for a new National Cemetery within the region. The study concluded there were 173,700 veterans living in the Hampton Roads area who would benefit from such a cemetery. The distance to the closest alternative cemetery site in Amelia is two and a half hours away, and the study concluded that this distance had been a deterrent to veterans' families who wanted to be able to visit the gravesites of their loved ones.

Based upon that study, I worked with Al in his new role as Chairman of the Hampton Roads Veterans' Cemetery Committee to find a site to serve as a final resting place for our nation's veterans. An area in Suffolk, VA was selected and $650,000 in state-appropriated monies was used to secure purchase of the land. Additional money was appropriated for the design and engineering of the cemetery, but all those funds were to be reimbursed by the federal government through the Department of Veterans' Affairs in the form of a short-term Treasury loan. The effect of these actions would therefore result in a Veterans' Cemetery for Virginia Veterans that would cost approximately $8 million with Virginia only paying approximately $650,000.

Al Horton worked tirelessly, with the help of veterans around the state, organizing, leading and overcoming many hurdles to make his vision of a veterans' cemetery in Hampton Roads a reality. He even wrote a book, ``Grass Roots Politics, If You Don't Like It--Change It!!'' which details his experience as an ordinary citizen accomplishing the goal of getting something as great as the Veterans Cemetery at Hampton Roads accomplished.

I only wish Al was still with us to see the result of all his hard work. He passed away on

October 17, 2002, in Chesapeake, VA. When Al died, he was at his computer rallying his fellow veterans in an effort to ensure the cemetery would be built. We were talking with Al on an almost daily basis. That was part of Al's essence--never giving up and always going the extra mile to make a difference in other people's lives. His dedication to the veterans and the State of Virginia will never be forgotten.

Al Horton was a dedicated husband and father. In his will, he stipulated that he and his beloved wife, Evelyn, who preceded him in death, should be buried in the unfinished cemetery. It gives me great peace to know that in the near future Al's wishes will be honored.

While Al Horton cannot be with us on September 8, 2003, when we dedicate the cemetery he worked so hard to create, I know that he will be smiling as he looks down. Al Horton understood that the recognition and proper burial of our veterans is an integral part of our national heritage and an important way for a grateful nation to say ``Thank you''. Our veterans have continuously defended and renewed America's promise through their efforts. It is only fitting that we honor them in their final resting place.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask that we take this opportunity to recognize Al Horton for his passion, his commitment, and his love for his country. Al was a veteran, an advocate, an author, and a friend to all who knew him. I hold Al Horton in high esteem and have nothing but respect and affection for this wonderful man. I know my life is changed for having met him, because he was willing to make a difference for those who fought to preserve our freedom and asked for nothing more than a place to rest in eternal peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Colonel David L. Hansen, Commander and Norfolk District Engineer, for his loyal service to the United States Corps of Engineers and to the development and progress of numerous projects in Virginia's Fourth District.

Colonel Hansen's dedication and loyalty to the advancement of our district and the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole is to be commended. He has played an instrumental role in overseeing the growth and preservation

of numerous projects along the river basins in Virginia since he assumed command in July 2001.

Since first enrolling in the U.S. Army nearly 30 years ago, Colonel Hansen's devotion to duty has reflected the highest standards of the military profession. Following four years of Army enlisted service, he was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers through the Officer Candidate School program, Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1978. He has served on numerous assignments both in the United States and overseas. His military education is extensive and includes the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the Army's Command and General Staff College, Engineer Basic and Advanced Courses, and the Combined Arms and Services Staff School. Colonel Hansen also holds a Bachelor of Science degree, and two master degrees.

Colonel Hansen's decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with one silver and two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with star, and Good Conduct Medal.

Colonel Hansen has shown tremendous commitment and devotion to his country. Today we recognize him for his unwavering patriotism and dedication to both his profession and the American people.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Colonel David L. Hansen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chesterfield County, Virginia for their continuing support of our men and women in uniform.

Chesterfield County rests between the James and Appomattox Rivers and is a total of 446 square miles. Its location offers a unique blend of suburbia and the options of driving to our nation's capital, Virginia's beautiful beaches or the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.

The citizens of Chesterfield County not only share a beautiful community filled with spirit and values. They also share a sense of honor, duty and commitment through their support of Virginia's reservists.

It came to my attention in February 2003 that Chesterfield made a commitment to those working for the County--a promise to compensate those called up for duty as part of the Reserves. When a reservist is mobilized, and leaves his or her civilian job, their military salary is almost always much lower than their civilian salary.

Prior to the war in Iraq, there was an effort by military organizations to get the word out to their members that might be asked to serve in the war--that word was ``save up now to help your family in the future.'' But, often, the small amount of time between hearing of a possible call-up of your unit, and preparing to leave is not enough to organize family finances. Families of those called to serve at a moment's notice often find themselves in a dire financial situation.

The citizens of Chesterfield wanted to take care of the 53 reservists and their families. Together, in a community-wide effort, the county decided to make up the difference in salary for the reservists who been asked to serve in support of Iraqi Freedom. I can't think of a better way to honor our men and women in uniform, who sacrifice so much in the name of freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Chesterfield County as they share in the duty of those serving our country. Most of us only speak of helping the troops fighting for freedom each day, the people of Chesterfield County translated those words into actions. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and as a citizen of this great nation, it is an honor and a privilege to represent the people of Chesterfield County, true patriots of our country.

Mr. Speaker, the Federal Communications Commission voted on February 20 to loosen some of the rules that inhibit the deployment of broadband services. This is good news for consumers everywhere, as more broadband means better Internet access, more choice, and better service. The February 20 vote starts the FCC down the road to true parity of broadband regulation.

The problem is that it is almost four months later and the order that was voted on has not been released. We had heard that the FCC was waiting to vote on the media ownership issue before completing the February 20 rulemaking. The ownership vote took place last week June 2. What is the FCC waiting for?

This delay is simply unconscionable. As a comparison point, according to the Na- tional Council of State Legislature's website http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legman/about/sess2003.htm, half of the State legislatures in this country have completed their entire legislative year in less time than the FCC has taken to write an order that it has already voted on. In addition to my own State of Virginia, where I served in the State legislature, the State legislatures of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming all complete their substantive legislative business in about 4 months or less. And yet, in that same amount of time, the FCC can't seem to agree on the words that give life to the order they voted on in February. I missed the part in civics class where it is harder to write the words of a regulatory order that has been agreed to than it is to conduct the entire annual business of a State.

The FCC needs to end this embarrassing delay, and make sure its rules do not inhibit the deployment of broadband services to consumers throughout the country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1472.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Chief Warrant Officer David Williams, U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot who was a Prisoner of War during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Iraqi forces detained him for 21 days as a POW after his helicopter was grounded near Karbala, Iraq. Williams valiantly fought and survived imprisonment after being captured.

Chief Warrant Officer Williams moved to Hampton Roads in 1981 with his family and grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia. From early childhood, David was always enthralled with planes and the magic of air flight. After graduating from Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Williams enrolled in community college and joined the Army as a full time reservist. After spending two years as a crew chief on a med-evac Huey helicopter, Williams searched for a bigger challenge. He was assigned to the Army's 106th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and also went through Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape school while traveling the world doing preparatory combat missions.

Next week, we will welcome back David Williams to his hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia with a host of events and celebrations for his heroic return. We are pleased to salute him for protecting our flag and our freedom. The Independence Day holiday is a perfect time to show our deep appreciation to this brave citizen and soldier who spent his childhood in the Fourth District of Virginia.

Williams showed tremendous bravery and commitment to his country while held by his Iraqi captors. Today we recognize him for his unwavering patriotism and dedication to both his job and the American people.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Chief Warrant Officer David Williams for his bravery and dedication abroad, his service to Chesapeake, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the American people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of a comprehensive prescription drug benefit for all seniors. The Prescription Drug and Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 will guarantee prescription drug coverage to all our seniors and future generations. I firmly belief that no senior should be forced to choose between putting food on the table or buying the medicines they need. The Prescription Drug and Medicare Modernization Act would build on the strengths and successes of the current Medicare system while guaranteeing that all seniors will have access to a prescription drug benefit.

Just the other day the Secretary of Health and Human Services released a study which says that seniors will get an up-front drug discount of 25 percent. That is a significant savings for many of the seniors in my district. The reforms in this legislation will put patients before paperwork and ensure that doctors will continue to serve seniors through Medicare. The House has acted in the past and will work with the Senate to provide affordable, voluntary coverage for every senior immediately. Let us pass this important legislation. Our seniors have waited too long for this much-needed relief.

Mr. Speaker, what really amazes me when you listen to the debate on this bill is the huge disconnect between the rhetoric we hear and what the bill actually before us is about.

This bill is not about choice, and this bill is really not about abortion. This bill substantively, when you look at it, is about one procedure, one procedure that is so painful to an unborn baby, so barbaric, so egregious, that even the most extreme proponent of abortion has to look at it and say it shocks even their conscience.

The overwhelming testimony is that a partial-birth abortion is never necessary to protect the health of the mother. This procedure is infanticide, and its cruelty stretches the limits of human decency.

This issue comes down to one simple question: Is there no limit, is there no amount of pain, is there no procedure that is so extreme that we can apply to this unborn child or this fetus that we are willing as a country to say that just goes too far and we cannot allow that to happen? That is what partial-birth abortion does. It goes too far. That is why it is so important that we pass this bill today.

Mr. Speaker, the issue that we face this afternoon is very simple. It is whether or not the American flag is of such importance to the American people that their elected Representatives should have the right to protect the desecration of that flag.

I would submit that the answer to that is deafening from voices from every military base, local barbershop, restaurant, church, school, or veterans group in America.

Last week I had the privilege to fly out to the USS Roosevelt as she returned home from her great efforts in Iraq. Just before that great aircraft carrier made its turn into the pier, all of those sailors in white uniforms circled around the aircraft carrier and in each of their hands was an American flag. As they turned and looked at the pier, they all raised their flags up, and the people on the pier raised their flags up in a great symbol of unity.

If we ask any of them if the flag is worth protecting, they will tell us that we are absolutely doing the right thing.

But Mr. Speaker, I will tell the Members that the testimony that was most compelling to me did not come from any of these, or any of the testimony before the subcommittee or the full committee, but it came really in the unintentional testimony of my 17-year-old son, Justin, that convinced me of what we were doing today and that it was the right thing.

Justin is like a lot of teenagers, he does not like politics and his greatest love is basketball. My wife and I were therefore surprised when we discovered a few weeks ago that he had written an essay that had been selected as the number one essay on patriotism in Virginia by the State PTA.

He wrote that he was just an ordinary teenager who spent most of his time talking about girls, playing basketball, or fixing up his 1981 Jeep. He said he had an ordinary grandfather who was neither richer, smarter, nor better-looking than most people. Yet when his grandfather was 19 years old, he left for the Army only 3 days after he got married, and he ended up in a little place called Normandy. Fortunately, he arrived several weeks after the initial invasion, but Justin wrote that he could not get over the courage and commitment of 19-year-old boys coming off landing craft.

He wrote about September 11, when he looked at ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things across the country, and the thing that united them was the American flag.

Mr. Speaker, Justin concluded by saying that most of our heroes are very ordinary people who do very extraordinary things. He said that even though he might be ordinary, there was one time when he became very extraordinary, and that was when he held his flag high. That united him with his grandfather, it united him with the victims of 9/ 11, and it united him with all the other great heroes of this country.

I agree with him. I think it is time we hold this flag up high. It is time we say it really is a special piece of cloth.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is time we pass this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 118 concerning the treatment of members of the Armed Forces held as prisoners of war by Iraqi authorities.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today with a heavy heart. For the past two days, we've watched emotionally stirring television footage of POW's who are being detained by Iraqi forces. These soldiers were on missions to defend and protect Americans from the evils of weapons of mass destruction when they were captured. I am saddened when I see these soldiers being detained, but I am confident that their extensive training has given them the strength and courage of conviction to prevail even at the hands of an evil regime.

While we do not know when our POW's will return home, I do know that we as Members of Congress expect the Iraqi regime to treat all POW's humanely and in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Geneva Convention. Those who violate this doctrine, and use force or other methods of inhumane treatment will be held accountable for their actions, and will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Brave soldiers, who give so much for our country, deserve no less.

My deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families of all of the POW's. We can only begin to imagine the pain and concern that the families of POW's must feel knowing that they are in the hands of the enemy halfway around the world.

It is our hope and prayer that American and coalition forces will be protected throughout this struggle as well as the Iraqi people.

These POW's and their families are making a tremendous sacrifice for our country--our country that soldiers are so proud to serve. Our country--where families await the safe and speedy return of loved ones.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of our servicemen and women and to their families, who wish them a speedy and safe return.