Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, we now know that the FBI may have violated the law or government policies as many as 3,000 times in the use of National Security Letters.

This body has been deeply deficient in its oversight of how NSLs are used, and legislative changes to current law are clearly needed in light of these stunning abuses. That is why the bill I am reintroducing today is even more important now than when I and others first introduced it in December 2005.

I doubt anyone disagrees that law enforcement must be armed with the necessary tools to catch terrorists, spies and others who threaten U.S. national security, but we must do so in a manner that protects the cherished liberty and privacy expectations of all Americans.

This legislation will strengthen accountability and oversight of NSLs, which, to remind my colleagues, are requests for personal data and records issued directly by government agencies without the approval of a judge.

We knew 16 months ago about the lack of checks and balances on both the front and back end of the NSL process--and we knew of the almost non-existent congressional oversight of their use.

Currently, Congress receives a one-page summary listing aggregate numbers of NSLs employed over the course of 6 months. These broad summaries are often delivered as much as a year late or longer. This was grossly inadequate in 2005, and is a bone-rattling embarrassment in 2007.

This bill would make the following changes to the use of NSLs. On the front-end, the bill would: Require the government to show a specific connection to a terrorist or foreign power before an NSL could be issued--a return to the pre-Patriot Act standard; require NSLs to be approved by a FISA court or designated Federal magistrate judge; and require the FISA court to set up an electronic system for filing NSL applications, so that requests are expedited and will not slow down investigations.

On the back-end, this legislation would: Provide a Sense of Congress that, in cases where an NSL recipient challenges the ``gag''/non- disclosure requirement, the government's certification that harm to national security will occur shall be treated as a `rebuttable' presumption, not as ``conclusive'' evidence that harm would occur; require minimization procedures to ensure destruction of information obtained through NSL requests that is no longer needed; and require detailed semi-annual reports to the Congressional Intelligence and Judiciary Committees on all NSLs issued, minimization procedures, court challenges, and how NSLs aided investigations and prosecutions.

Now, more than ever, Congress must reassert its oversight prerogatives not only to regain control of a program that the Executive Branch allowed to morph into an out-of-control beast, but to reassure the American people that their interests and most fundamental rights are being protected.

In the 109th Congress, the bill was coauthored by the present Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and all Democrats then on the Intelligence Committee. It was also endorsed by key civil liberties groups. I urge its broad support again.

Madam Speaker, Bob Hattoy was a true American original. Sadly, he passed away earlier this month due to AIDS-related complications. His passionate voice on social justice and environmental issues helped break down barriers and moved the country in a better direction.

Bob's defining trait was his passion. He always fought hard for what he believed in--no matter who or what stood in his way. This was especially true during his time as the California regional director for the Sierra Club.

Bob never wavered in fighting for issues such as protecting the California desert and preventing offshore drilling along the coast. He also worked to change the way the Sierra Club operated, putting a more human face on the organization.

He never shied away from taking on people in power--not even Presidents. With his characteristically sharp tongue, he described a proposal to name a national forest after former President Reagan was like ``naming a day-care center after W.C. Fields.''

But it was in the debate over AIDS in America where Bob will truly be remembered. In many ways, he helped transform the debate and became, as he joked, a ``poster boy for AIDS'' in the process.

In 1992, nearly 2 years after being diagnosed, Bob gave one of the most evocative and impassioned speeches at the Democratic National Convention. The first person with AIDS to speak at a party convention, Bob spoke honestly and frankly to millions of Americans. He became an icon in the AIDS movement, and helped change the hearts and minds of many.

I will always remember the unique way he blended this passion for progressive issues with a charming sense of humor. It was his wit that often won over those who disagreed with him and endeared to him those he fought for. Though he will be missed, his legacy, reputation and humor will live on.

Madam Speaker, the community of EI Segundo, located in my congressional district, sustained a genuine loss this week. John Gaines, a former member of the EI Segundo City Council, highly influential community leader, and my dear friend, succumbed on Monday night following an inspirational battle against a rare form of cancer.

John was a terrific guy. Even as he struggled with his illness, John never lost heart, and continued to be a rock for his family and friends. When I last saw him only a few months ago, he told me his doctors had advised that he move up the date of his daughter's December wedding. In typical John Gaines fashion, he not only ignored their advice, he walked his daughter down the aisle.

He even joked with me that, having lost 100 pounds, he had become an adult sex symbol in his form-fitting blue jeans. This kind of levity in a time of extreme pain and uncertainty is a powerful testament to who John Gaines was: strong, compassionate, and charismatic.

Though it ended too soon, John led a full and accomplished life. A long-serving Naval Officer and Aviator, he attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander by the time he left military service in 1979.

Following his naval service, John returned to Southern California to start a distinguished career in the South Bay's booming aerospace industry. He quickly became an industry leader and worked at senior levels for some of the region's leading firms.

Ironically, it took the prodding of his son to get John into politics. But once elected, he was a natural and I believe John will be remembered most for his unwavering dedication to public service.

As a member of the EI Segundo City Council, he made emergency preparedness, homeland security and community development priorities. During his tenure, John was instrumental in securing funds to better prepare El Segundo for any possible man-made or natural disasters. He also oversaw projects that helped to revitalize the city's downtown.

Over the years, John had a profound influence on so many people and literally helped change the face of his community. He and Assemblyman Mike Gordon, our mutual friend who died at age 47 of a brain tumor in 2005, are now local legend. John's wife, Susan, told me she is certain they are reunited.

My heart goes out to his wife Susan and their three children, Rebecca, Robert and Benjamin. Susan says the two boys are so much like their father. How fortunate!

Madam Speaker, today I introduce legislation to phase out low-efficiency light bulbs--an important step toward making every household, business and public building in America more energy efficient.

Most incandescent light bulbs currently use 12-15 lumens per watt. My legislation would ban the sale of light bulbs using anything less than 60 lumens per watt, the standards met by today's fluorescents. By 2016, the bill would ban the sale of anything under 90 lumens per watt. And by 2020, the baseline would be set at 120 lumens.

This standard--created in consultation with technical experts in the environmental community, architects, engineers and others--does not discriminate against any bulb type or technological composition. But it does create a bar that makes sense for the market, for the environment, and for America's energy future.

This bill also includes some practical carve-outs for specialized lighting, such as military, medical, and public safety uses and for situations where such lighting is not technologically feasible. But these would be small exceptions, not the rule. A seller of light bulbs would need to specifically seek a waiver and have it approved by a Department of Energy panel to put a non-conforming bulb on the market. These waivers would only be good for 2 years, pushing the market for more innovation.

Madam Speaker, it's clear that we need to change the way we consume and produce energy. This bill will help America one-day transform into a more energy efficient and energy independent Nation.

But today, most of us still use the same glass and filament bulbs that Thomas Edison invented 128 years ago. When it comes to lighting our homes, offices and public places, we still live in a cave.

Only 10 percent of the power used by today's incandescent bulbs is emitted as light. A full 90 percent is released as heat. The typical 60 watt bulb only lasts 750-1,000 hours. Most fluorescent bulbs can last 8 to 10 times longer.

The continued widespread use of incandescent lighting results in low overall efficiency, high energy costs and output, and in the end, tons and tons of harmful carbon emissions. According to the Department of Energy, one energy efficient bulb can prevent the release of over 450 pounds of greenhouse gases.

Because bulbs using 60 or more lumens significantly reduce energy consumption, everyone saves money--and new markets can blossom. Companies across the country, including some in my own district, will benefit by helping develop the technological innovations the legislation calls for.

Though the marketplace of ideas is suddenly crowded with proposals to cut carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and tackle global climate change, sometimes the most effective, accessible ideas are also the smallest. One small change that everyone can make--one that is being proposed in Australia, in Europe, my home State of California, and now in Congress--is as simple as changing a light bulb.

Madam Speaker, over the 92 years that she lived, my dear friend and legendary political activist Trudy Owens witnessed some of America's most important watershed moments and milestones. She was a political trailblazer, and her accomplishments stand as a reflection of the times in which she lived.

Trudy was born on the eve of woman's suffrage. In the aftermath of World War II, she helped organize the Palos Verdes Democratic Club. In the 1960's, she witnessed the expansion of civil rights and women's liberation while serving as the women's chair of the California Democratic Party. An opponent of the Vietnam War, Trudy worked on the campaigns of my political mentor, former California Senator John Tunney, and on Robert Kennedy's 1968 presidential campaign. She was a delegate to the Democratic convention in Chicago that same year.

In 2000, as a testament to her long service in Democratic politics, I chose Trudy as an Electoral College elector for Al Gore. Few people deserved this opportunity more. While the outcome of the election may not have been what she had hoped, Trudy still called this the culmination of her political life. She traveled to Sacramento, cast her vote, and broke her hip.

Trudy passed away last week, but not before the first female Speaker of the House was sworn in. And while she will not be with us during the 2008 Presidential election, she was no doubt thrilled to know that a woman has a genuine chance to become President of the United States.

Trudy's enthusiasm for politics and the Democratic Party was infectious. She was the consummate volunteer. And she naturally balanced her political passions with a gentle graciousness towards everyone around her.

Today, I honor her memory, her dedication, and her long, rich life.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Speaker and I thank the gentleman for yielding, and commend our leadership for organizing this very thoughtful and sober 3-day debate on a very serious issue.

Mr. Speaker, as Co-chair of the Blue Dog National Security Working Group, I rise to oppose the surge and to support tough and smart security strategies, including those outlined in H. Res. 97, authored by the Blue Dogs, to end war profiteering, put future war costs on budget, and adopt a Truman Committee to make those who have engaged in fraud and abuse in Iraq accountable for their actions.

As we conduct this historic debate, however, I am mindful that, eight time zones away, crouched in a tank somewhere in Baghdad, a 19-year-old private is doing his best to restore order to a city descending into all-out civil war. We owe this soldier, his mates, and their families so much. They volunteered to put their lives on the line to keep this country safe.

We in this Chamber also want to keep this country safe, but we do not share those day-to-day risks. Only a handful here have relatives in Iraq living the life of the soldier I described.

Mr. Speaker, as we have sadly learned, the intelligence that took us to war was wrong. Some of the most inaccurate claims--that an operational relationship existed between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, that vast WMD stockpiles existed with their locations pinpointed--were presented by the administration as fact, even though the Intelligence Community had discredited them. That was shameful.

Most intelligence agencies around the world thought, however, that Saddam Hussein had WMD and the intention to use it against his people and U.S. interests. They believed it, and so did I. But they were wrong, and so was I.

The actions taken 4 years ago in Iraq created a failed state. We took out its government and occupied the country, unsuccessfully. About one year later, millions of Iraqis courageously elected a government, but that government barely functions, and we continue to occupy Iraq militarily.

Mr. Speaker, there are no good military options left in Iraq.

To the soldier currently in harm's way, I say, ``You are a hero. You are doing your best to follow orders and to serve your country.'' But I also say, ``We have given you a mission impossible, and that mission must change.''

We have a moral obligation to leave Iraq in better shape than we found it, and that will not be achieved by surging 21,500 more troops into Baghdad. The surge will not work, and I oppose it.

But abandoning Iraq is not a viable alternative. We must invest in strategies to contain and ultimately reduce violence there in order to create stability in Iraq and in the region. That must now be our focus.

The Iraq Study Group made important recommendations to do this, including changing the military mission in Iraq; tying future U.S. support to measurable progress on national reconciliation; security and governance; and aggressive diplomatic outreach to Iraq's neighbors-- including Syria and Iran. But this administration rejected them.

Two weeks ago, a Saban Center report by Daniel Byman and Ken Pollack carefully assessed options to contain the spillover from an Iraqi civil war. They include not trying to pick winners between the Sunnis and Shia; pulling back from population centers; providing support for Iraq's neighbors; and laying down ``red lines'' to Iran. All of these ideas have merit.

Further good ideas come from David Schaeffer, a former U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues, to put the Iraqi Government on an ``atrocity watch'' and warn its leaders that they can be prosecuted for war crimes if ethnic cleansing occurs.

Mr. Speaker, the Bush administration has made calamitous mistakes in

prosecuting this war. The surge, I fear, is yet another one. With this resolution, Congress starts action to force a change in strategy and to bring that soldier in downtown Baghdad and his comrades home safely-- and soon

Madam Speaker, every once in a while, someone great comes along who flawlessly fills a position and epitomizes the role he or she performs. Tom Martin, long-time aide and Field Representative to Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, is such a person.

Tom spent almost 35 years working in state and local government, retiring only after a serious health condition forced him from the job he loved. These many years of public service earned him the well- deserved nickname ``Godfather of Field Deputies.'' It's widely acknowledged that few people in the region have done as much as Tom has for so many. And his upbeat demeanor is always matched with seemingly effortless action. For Tom, helping people has always been second- nature.

I do not think I have ever seen Tom without a smile on his face, or heard him say ``no'' to someone. From 1969 until his retirement in 2005, Tom worked to improve the lives of his neighbors and enhance the community. During that time, the South Bay saw many changes, but one thing remained constant: Tom was always there to listen and to assist those who came to him with their problems, concerns, and ideas.

No item was too small for Tom when it came to helping others and he seemed to involve himself in everything. He ensured that the lights would be promptly fixed in Marina del Ray. He made limiting growth at LAX and its modernization a priority. And he was instrumental in engineering the land swap that saved Los Angeles Air Force Base in the most

recent base closure round. Over the years, Tom worked closely with me and my office and grew to be a personal friend.

But I never saw `working' with Tom as work. Each meeting, each conversation was more of an interaction with an old friend than official business. His personal generosity integrated itself into the way he approached his job and how he lives his life.

Today, I honor his career and his service to the community. And I wish Tom improving health and Jeri and Tom many, many more years of happiness together.

Madam Speaker, many congressional districts have fine beaches, but the town of Hermosa Beach in my district is the official birthplace of surfing in California.

Originally purchased in 1900 by the Hermosa Beach Land and Water Company, the area consisted of little more than giant sand dunes and grain fields. It has since developed into a serene beach community with a population of over 18,000 residents, hundreds of shops, fine restaurants and a quiet, laid-back beach atmosphere.

Hermosa Beach celebrates its centennial this year, and will observe this most important milestone with a series of events, including a ribbon cutting-ceremony for the newly expanded Museum of the Hermosa Beach Historical Society; a luncheon in honor of long-time Hermosa Beach residents; a car show displaying automobiles from each decade, and the on-going ``100 Acts of Beautification'' Project--chaired by Public Works Commissioner and former member of my staff Michael DiVirgilio.

Hermosa Beach is the site of the Surfer's Walk of Fame, where the sport's pioneers and innovators are honored. I am a proud member of the Congressional Surfer Caucus and display my local ``Jane's'' surfboard in my Washington office. As the Beach Boys sang in 1963, ``Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world / Don't be afraid to try the greatest sport around.''

Jazz music is also a key component of Hermosa Beach's culture. In the 50's and 60's, the Lighthouse Cafe on Pier Avenue was the premier jazz club in the Los Angeles area. It attracted fans and performers from all over the world, including some of the foremost interpreters of the West Coast school of cool jazz like Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan. The Hermosa Beach Jazz Walk is a living, breathing standing ovation to those legendary artists who enriched the region with their mellow sounds. This historic musical heritage is celebrated each year with the Annual Jazz Stroll Dedication and concert.

But Hermosa Beach is much more than the sum of its remarkable parts, it is also home to many hardworking, talented and conscientious individuals and families. I am thinking of people like the kids from Hermosa Valley School--now college age!--who joined me in Manhattan shortly after 9/11 to present a memorial quilt at the New York Firefighters Museum, or civic leaders like retiring Mayor Sam Edgerton, Councilmember and former Mayor J.R. Revitzsky, the police and firefighters, and so many others whose thoughtful planning and vision have allowed the city to flourish year after year.

It is an honor for me to represent this remarkable coastal community, and a privilege to celebrate 100 years of Hermosa Beach history.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to David Hermance, who was killed in a plane crash in Southern California on November 25th. David was the North American Executive Engineer for Advanced Technology Vehicles at Toyota, whose headquarters is located in my congressional district.

Although most Americans may not know his name, David Hermance was one of the most influential engineers and environmentalists in the country. He was only 59 years-old when the experimental aircraft he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean, and his tragic death is a stunning loss not only for his family, but for the larger community he served.

Equally respected in the environmental community and the automotive industry, David was known as the ``Father of the American Prius''--and for good reason. He had a knack for translating complex systems and technologies into easy-to-understand concepts, and he worked tirelessly to help lay-people understand the workings and benefits of hybrid and other advanced-technology vehicles.

It was David's passionate approach and commitment to the environment that helped persuade a skeptical industry and auto-buying public to appreciate the enormous potential of his work. In fact, Madam Speaker, my family drives two hybrid vehicles--one in California and the other in Washington, DC.

David will be sorely missed--as an outstanding individual and beloved colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family: his wife Mary, his children Keith and Kathy, his grandson Colin and sister Bonnie.

Mr. Speaker, although women have climbed to the highest reaches of outer space, the number of women who have risen to positions of prominence within the U.S. aerospace industry can be counted on one hand. I am therefore particularly proud to commend a fellow Californian, Mrs. Natalie Wilson Crawford, for her four decades of service promoting the security of the American people through her work at the Santa Monica headquarters of RAND. In 1964, Mrs. Crawford became a member of the professional staff of the RAND Corporation, an internationally known and highly respected think tank, and has since held a broad range of research-related senior management positions.

For the past nine years, Mrs. Crawford has been a Vice President of RAND and the Director of Project AIR FORCE, RAND's first research division founded in 1946 under the name of Project RAND. For 60 years, Project AIR FORCE has been the Air Force's only federally funded center for studies and analyses; and it has provided independent, objective research on a full range of issues critical to national defense.

Mrs. Crawford's international reputation as an expert on air and space power made her especially well suited for this role. During her tenure, she worked closely with senior leaders of the Air Force to build a powerful research agenda in areas such as geopolitical strategy, aerospace force development, resource management, and manpower.

The Air Force has formally honored Mrs. Crawford many times. She has twice been awarded the Air Force's Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. In 2003, she received both the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Air Force Analytic Community and the Lieutenant General Glenn Kent Leadership Award. She has also been the Department of the Air Force's Woman of the Year. Today, the members of the United States House of Representatives have the opportunity to add our expression of appreciation for her loyal and dedicated service.

In October, Mrs. Crawford stepped down from her administrative roles in Project AIR FORCE. However, she will continue to act as a senior advisor to RAND's chief executive officer and she will be a senior mentor to the USAF Scientific Advisory Board, a group with which she has been affiliated since 1988.

I thank Natalie Crawford for all that she has done to ensure the safety and security of the United States, and I wish her every success in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, while Members of Congress are the ones with our names on the door, I doubt any of us would disagree with the view that we are only as good as the team we have working with us.

David Buckley has been one such stellar member of my team. As Minority Staff Director of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the last two years, ``Buck'' or ``Mud''--as he is affectionately known--has been an indispensable aide, a calm counselor, and one of the most pleasant people with whom I have ever worked and traveled.

Together, Buck and I have visited with the brave women and men of the intelligence community in some of the most challenging and austere parts of the world.

Together, Buck and I have discussed and analyzed some of the most difficult intelligence and national security issues confronting our country, and we have worked hard to translate those efforts into policies that will hopefully keep the American people and the world safe in this era of terror.

David Buckley came to the Intelligence Committee with many years of impressive experience in congressional and criminal investigations, counterintelligence and law enforcement. Following 8 years of active duty service in the Air Force, he worked as Chief Investigator for the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired at the time by former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn--one of the most respected voices on national security the Congress has ever produced. He served in the Inspector General's office in the Department of Defense and later as the Assistant Director for Defense, National Security and International Affairs in the Government Accountability Office. Immediately prior to joining the Committee, Buck led a staff of 350 criminal investigators in the Treasury Department's Inspector General for Tax Administration's office. Finally, Buck is also a graduate of the Defense Intelligence Agency's clandestine human intelligence case officer course and the Federal Executive Institute.

Buck leaves Capitol Hill with the affection and respect of Members and staff on both sides of the aisle. He is genetically programmed to be bipartisan and courteous--traits that have served him extremely well and will continue to distinguish him in the workplace. I personally will miss our daily conversations, his unfailingly positive attitude and consummate professionalism.

I wish him and his wonderful family time for dinners at home, church activities, scout trips, and lots of love and laughter. As Buck begins this new chapter in his life, he remains a valued member of ``Team Harman.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Ranking Member of the Full Committee for yielding to me so early in this debate.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of the conference report for the SAFE Port Act. In a month that was supposed to be all about security, this measure is the only one we have considered that will actually make America more secure.

This bill is as good as it is because it was developed through a bipartisan approach. From introduction back in March, through subcommittee and full committee mark-up, to passage by an astonishing vote of 421-2 in May, we worked on this bill together.

Sadly, as our Ranking Member has said, this bipartisanship ended in the conference. The conference agreement, while good, could have been much, much better. But the fact remains that this bill will add value. As we debate tonight, operations are ongoing at the port complex of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This complex, which adjoins my district, is the largest container complex in the Nation.

Nearly 55,000 20-foot containers were processed at this complex today. Right now, thousands of containers are being unloaded from large cargo ships by 4,000 dock workers who work every day under the threat of a terrorist attack. They will be comforted that we are closing big gaps in port security with this legislation.

Because of the SAFE Port Act, most containers will have been screened for nuclear and radiological materials at their port of embarkation, thousands of miles from us, our business and our families.

I am sure we will hear later in this debate that scanning would be better, and I agree. But we could not achieve that in this legislation. The good news is we have three pilot projects.

Because of the SAFE Port Act, a trusted company can partner with the U.S. Government to take additional steps to prevent security breaches.

Because of the SAFE Port Act, workers with access to secure areas will carry identification cards that control their access, verify their identities and background and assure they pose no threat. Right this minute, on hundreds of trucks traveling on southern California highways, containers are about

to make their way through the City of Los Angeles bound for large retailers, `mom and pop' stores, and wholesalers across the country.

Because of the SAFE Port Act, port officials will have the technology to be sure that radiological materials do not leave our ports and enter the center of our country.

This process will be repeated millions of times every year, and each time we will significantly reduce the chance of a terrorist attack that could make 9/11 look tame.

My thanks to the co-author of this bill, Mr. Lungren of California, who was a terrific partner working this bill through to the conference; to the Ranking Member of the Committee, Mr. Thompson; of the Subcommittee, Ms. Sanchez; and to the Chairman of the Full Committee, Mr. King. It is also true that our security sisters in the Senate, Senators Susan Collins and Patty Murray, made a great effort to be sure that the bill would be heard in that body.

Yes, the SAFE Port Act is not perfect; and it passes late at night in a week of disappointments. But it is the real deal. One star in a dark night. Vote ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, very few people in our society possess the power to change a child's life the way a teacher can. The values, ethics, work habits and ambition they instill in our youth serve as life lessons that translate into action for the rest of their lives.

That is why I rise today to honor one of my constituents, Deanna Ableser of Torrance, California, who has been awarded the VSA Arts Playwright Discovery Teacher Award. This award is presented annually to educators who creatively bring disability awareness to the classroom through the art of playwriting.

Deanna Ableser teaches six drama courses at Dana Middle School in Hawthorne, California. A significant portion of her curriculum is dedicated to playwriting. She encourages her students to write about characters with physical or mental disabilities in hopes of expanding empathy, understanding, compassion and tolerance. Her intermediate playwriting course is dedicated exclusively to the VSA Arts Project.

It is testament to Ms. Ableser's effectiveness as a teacher that her students have won numerous awards for their accomplishments in acting, playwriting and technical theatre.

On behalf of my constituents and the students and families at Dana Middle School, I extend our congratulations to a wonderful educator and role model, Deanna Ableser, and best wishes for this school year.

Break a leg!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rudy F. de Leon, whom I have

known since he was a wet-behind-the-ears staff assistant on Capitol Hill. I have enjoyed watching Rudy serve our country in jobs ranging from staff assistant, senior staff, Undersecretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and senior corporate officer for one of America's most important corporations.

Rudy's service to the United States Government has spanned over a quarter century. At 54 years, I would submit that we have not seen the last of him. Allow me to just cover some of what he has done for his country.

After graduating in 1974 from Loyola University--now Loyola Marymount--in Los Angeles, Rudy came to Capitol Hill. I can still remember the day when that young, red-headed, fresh-faced, full-of- enthusiasm staffer started as a staff assistant on the Senate side, working for a California Senator, John Tunney, whom I also served. Who would have guessed that he would go on to the lofty positions he attained?

Rudy has accomplished a great deal, whether it was working on the Goldwater-Nichols legislation or legislation for the authorization for the use of force during the Persian Gulf war in 1991, or strategies for saving the C-17 Globemaster, or ways to help the families of POWs and MIAs.

Rudy approached his position at Boeing with the same enthusiasm I saw when he showed up on the Capitol grounds. On one cold winter night while holding a meeting with his department heads, Rudy summoned them to come outside in front of Boeing's building. After a short while, and once everyone was sufficiently cold--they didn't take coats because they did not think they would be there long--he told them the Space Station was about to pass overhead. Sure enough, the Space Station did pass overhead, just as he promised it would. That bonding experience made the team grow tighter.

Boeing, the Department of Defense, and Capitol Hill all had an opportunity to size up Rudy. All respect him and feel affection for him. I do not know what his next move will be, but hopefully his wife Anne, his daughters Elizabeth and Kerry, his father, Big Rudy, and brother and family in my congressional district will see more of him. Rudy and his family always have a home back in Torrance, CA, and on Capitol Hill, where it all started.

I thank the gentleman for yielding and commend him for his enormous leadership as ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee. I am proud to serve on that committee.

Mr. Speaker, nearly 6 months ago, I stood here with our colleagues and called the passage of H.R. 4954 by a vote of 421-2 a legislative miracle. I stand by those words today.

Mr. Lungren and I co-authored the SAFE Port Act, and from the beginning it has been a collaborative and comprehensive effort, both bicameral and bipartisan. It has been, and I hope it will continue to be, an example of how Congress should work. I appreciate this bipartisan approach to port and container security, and I am gratified that this issue is finally getting the attention it deserves.

Thanks should also go to the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Thompson; the ranking member of the subcommittee, Ms. Sanchez; the chairman of the full committee, Mr. King; and Chairman Lungren of the subcommittee, who showed by working together that the Homeland Security Committee is becoming a very significant committee in this Congress.

But this is not the time, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate ourselves and rest on our laurels. It is the time to take the steps to make a law. And in the last days of the last week before we recess for this election, we have a chance to do that, but only if we compromise with the other body.

As you heard from Mr. Thompson, this motion to instruct encourages us to take provisions in the other bill that reach for rail, mass transit, aviation, and related transportation modes beyond layered container security.

I know, as the representative of residents around the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach, the largest container port complex in the country, that those containers go onto a semi-submerged rail bed and go all over the country. I know that my constituents use all these other modes of transportation. They know that they need to be safer, and that by reaching for responsible provisions in the Senate version of this bill, as this motion instructs us to do, we will get a law. We will also do what we came here to do and what this week of debate on various security bills was supposed to be about, and that is work together to make America safer.