Floor Statements

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

I rise today in support of this resolution designating February 8, 2010, as ``Boy Scouts of America Day.''

On February 8, 1910, a Chicago publisher, William Boyce, founded the Boy Scouts of America as an organization dedicated to instructing and infusing patriotic values and ethics in America's youth. Within a few years, the organization had spread to every State and in 1916 was granted a Federal charter by the United States Congress.

Since its inception, the Boy Scouts of America has grown to a membership exceeding 111 million Scouts, with over 1 million adult volunteers, and has corresponding organizations in over 85 nations around the globe. Its national and global presence has made it a compelling organization in the growth of our Nation and other countries over the past century.

The Boy Scouts of America has hosted events, such as the National Jamboree in Washington, D.C., since 1935, which attracts thousands of Boy Scouts to the D.C. area.

The youth who participate in Boy Scouts acquire fond memories of leadership training, adventure, camaraderie, and the joys of outdoor activities. Through the varied activities of the Boy Scouts, these young men are provided with a safe, constructive, and educational experience where they can acquire essential life and interpersonal skills.

The impact of the Boy Scouts of America can be seen every day on Capitol Hill. Nearly 60 percent of the current congressional membership have participated in Scouting in one form or another, including roughly 145 Members in the House of Representatives. Between the House and Senate, about 25 individuals have actually achieved Boy Scouting's highest honor, the Eagle Scout.

The Boy Scouts of America have become a mainstay of American tradition. With its powerful influence on America's youth for the past century and the presentation of its 2 millionth Eagle Scout Award this year, it is appropriate that we honor the 100th anniversary of this outstanding American organization.

Madam Speaker, on a personal note, I have to tell you, as a parent, my son Max, who was awarded the Eagle Scout not too long ago, for me and my wife, Julie, to watch the presentation where he got that Eagle pin, where he pinned on his mother the mother's pin, that's a great moment. And so many parents have been so grateful for the great work the Boy Scouts have done. I am personally in debt and gratitude to this organization for the great leadership that it brings upon the youth of America.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as the gentleman may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Texas (Mr. Hall).

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this important resolution recognizing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been an integral part of the fabric of American life since the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843. Asian Americans worked as coal miners, on farms and orchards, and as laborers. It is estimated that 14 million Americans, if not more, can trace their ethnic heritage to Asia or the Pacific Islands.

Establishing May as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month affords educators throughout the country the opportunity to create learning experiences that teach the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the school year. Observing Asian American and Pacific Islander contributions highlights their importance in the building of our country, in our fabric.

For example, Chinese immigrants played a significant role in the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have significantly contributed to this country through the arts, sciences, math, sports, commerce, and every other aspect of American culture since they first arrived in the 19th century. Whether it is in the arts or government or science or the many other fields of endeavor, they have played a fundamental role in our Nation's technological and economic expansion as well as every other fabric of life that we can think of. Their accomplishments are too numerous to count. Their influence is felt throughout our country.

The month of May once again gives us the opportunity to thank and honor Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and recognize them for their many contributions now, in the past, and certainly in the future.

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

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

I rise today in support of this legislation, supporting the goals and ideals of Flag Day.

The American flag has been our national symbol for 232 years, and it remains a symbol of freedom wherever it is flown. In 1777, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the stars and stripes and its beautiful red, white, and blue design, our flag has stood for liberty and justice. Flag Day was first celebrated throughout the country in 1885, as one early supporter, Bernard Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher, wanted June 14 to be known as ``Flag Birthday.'' The idea quickly caught on and many people wanted to participate. In 1894, the Governor of New York asked that all public buildings fly the flag on June 14 to begin observing Flag Day. And in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day as a national celebration. However, the holiday was not officially recognized until 1949 when President Harry Truman signed the national Flag Day bill.

Since the beginning of our Republic, Americans have flown the flag to show their appreciation and pride for this great Nation. Every day Americans pledge their allegiance to the flag, and our troops carry the flag as they defend the liberties for which it stands and which represent this country, the United States of America.

On Flag Day, we remember the importance of our oldest national symbols and reflect the loss of loved ones who have died in defense of this great Nation.

Let us pledge allegiance to this flag to declare our patriotism and raise its colors high to express our pride and respect for the American way of life. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Ohio (Mr. Latta).

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

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

As we all noted this year, oversight and accountability are vitally important, and the Inspectors General are on the frontline of this effort. This bill will enhance the independence and effectiveness of the IGs at several critical institutions.

Currently the IGs at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the National Credit Union Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System are appointed and can be removed by the head of the institution. This structure could limit the IG's independence. This bill will make these IGs Presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed, reducing the risk of undue influence by the heads of these institutions. Although additional Senate-confirmed positions are unnecessary in most cases, it is important that we preserve and enhance their independence within these organizations. I want to thank our colleagues for working with us to improve this bill and making several important changes.

We now ensure that the positions covered by this bill will not suffer a reduction in pay and the individuals will remain on par with similarly situated senior individuals at the institution. More importantly, we also provide IGs with subpoena authority, an important tool for oversight and accountability, as we all know from our work on the Oversight Committee. Finally, the bill requires the regulatory agencies to take some action on the deficiencies identified by the IGs. These agencies cannot simply ignore the findings.

Madam Speaker, given the enormous role these institutions play in our Nation's financial sector, it is important that the IGs have the tools and independence to ensure that these institutions operate above reproach.

I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I want to also echo my compliments to Chairman Towns for his bringing this forward; Ranking Member Issa who has a keen interest in this area for his work; and the Chair of the subcommittee, Mr. Lynch, who is truly a gentleman and a great person to work with.

I also want to put comments in for the good men and women throughout our Federal Government that are working in all of these types of functions. I was excited to participate on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee because of the tremendous workload that they have. There's a great expectation from the American people that we deal with their money fairly and honesty, that we make sure that every dollar is accounted for; and we've seen too many mishaps where dollars have been overspent or overused. Certainly as we look at what is going to be, surely, the single-largest tax increase in the history of the United States with the so-called cap-and-trade, as the Democrats move this bill forward, if it were to pass, literally hundreds of billions of dollars taken out of the pockets of Americans all across the country that will be spent on who knows what, we have got to make sure that every single one of those dollars is accounted for.

Even though I voted ``no,'' this body passed a $1 trillion stimulus package, again, pulling $1 trillion dollars out of our economy, pulling $1 trillion out of Americans' pockets, handing it out to somebody else, bailouts and the rest of it. We need to make sure that the independent auditing, the people who are involved in oversight and government reform at every agency across the Nation throughout our government are doing their job, paying attention and making sure that every dollar is accounted for.

Having no other speakers, I will yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed.

Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Lynch for his great work in identifying this as a challenge.

We have so many great men and women who serve at the TSA on the front lines. They are dealing with literally tens of thousands of people at a time, some of whom inevitably are going to be sick. It seems reasonable to me that we should put first and foremost the protection and the safety and the consideration of those TSA employees so that, if they choose to don a mask or to put on gloves to protect themselves and consequently to protect their loved ones and their livelihoods, we should afford them that opportunity.

We saw in the committee hearing that there was a great deal of confusion with the TSA. This amendment, which I appreciate that Mr. Lynch has brought forward, helps clarify that so there is no ambiguity and so we can make sure that the TSA employees can have the safety and security that they deserve.

With that, Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray).

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

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to recognize for 2 minutes the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter).

Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield myself as much time as I need.

Whole-body imaging does exactly what it's going to do. It takes a 360-degree image of your body. Now, I want to have as much safety and security on the airplanes I'm flying every week, but there comes a point in which in the name and safety and security we overstep that line and we have an invasion of privacy. This happens to be one of those invasions of privacy.

Now I understand why the gentleman from California expressed his concern. Let me be clear that this amendment on whole-body imaging only limits primary screening. It can be used for secondary screening. You may get people with artificial hips or knees or something else, and they may elect this kind of screening. It's perfect for them.

But to suggest that every single American--that my wife, my 8-year- old daughter--needs to be subjected to this, I think, is just absolutely wrong. Now, the technology will actually blur out your face. The reason it does this is because there is such great specificity on their face, that they have to do that for some privacy. But down in other, more limited parts you could see specifics with a degree of certainty that, according to the TSA as quoted in USA Today, ``You could actually see the sweat on somebody's back.'' They can tell the difference between a dime and a nickel. If they can do that, they can see things that, quite frankly, I don't think they should be looking at in order to secure a plane. You don't need to look at my wife and 8- year-old daughter naked in order to secure that airplane.

Some people say there is radio communication. There is distance. Well, it's just as easy to say there is a celebrity or some Member of Congress or some weird-looking person. There is communication.

You say you can't record the devices. Many of us have mobile phones or have these little cameras. There is nothing in this technology that would prohibit the recording of these. With 45,000 good, hardworking TSA employees, 450 airports, some two million air traffic travelers a day, there is inevitably going to be a breach of security. And I want our planes to be as safe and secure as we can, but at the same time, we cannot overstep that bound and have this invasion of privacy.

I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Chair, there's no more precious time than those with your children. We want to be as compassionate as we can. But at a time when we have literally millions and millions of people who are out of work, when we are looking at a $1.8 trillion budget deficit just this year alone, I don't want to saddle leave that new child who is coming into the world with this unbelievable debt. So it's something that I would like to do. But I think what Mr. Issa's amendment offers is a very reasonable alternative to create the atmosphere and create the program and create the way that our Federal employees can tap into something that they have earned. But I think we have an obligation to recognize the proper role of government. We have to remember for every dollar, every benefit that we want to hand to a Federal worker, we're going to have to take that money from somewhere; and we're going to have to take it from the American people's pockets to give it to someone else.

I appreciate what Mr. Issa is proposing here. Let's remember that it's the American people's money. It's not Congress' money. It's the American people's money. At a time of deficit, now is not the time to go out and spend billions of more dollars when we're so far in debt.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate and thank my colleague from Massachusetts.

I rise in support of H.R. 2173, to designate the United States postal facility at 1009 Crystal Road in Island Falls, Maine, as the ``Carl B. Smith Post Office Building.''

As an advocate for all of the citizens in Maine's House District 140, State Representative Carl B. Smith was a standout legislator in the Maine House of Representatives.

After graduating from Sherman High School in 1940, and then marrying Annie Jane Porter in 1946, Representative Smith began a long and distinguished career in a number of fields. Prior to his marriage, Mr. Smith joined the Army Air Corps in 1942, serving in Europe during World War II, and in Japan and Korea during the Korean conflict for a total of 10 years. He then returned to his home in Island Falls where he trained and worked for over 30 years as the local barber.

Throughout the years, Mr. Smith served as the town clerk of Island Falls, town selectman, and for 10 years as a rural letter carrier for the United States Postal Service.

Mr. Smith's successful and varied careers made him well-suited for public office. His responsiveness to the needs of the citizens of his district ensured him of a successful 10 years in the State legislature.

He believed that as a true representative of his constituents it was his obligation to introduce legislation when asked to do so by a citizen even though there were times he did not necessarily support the bill. He believed by doing this he was giving the requesting citizens an opportunity to have an issue that was important to them addressed. He had a deep belief in local input on legislation and local control of development issues. Mr. Smith was also a strong advocate in requiring the State to reimburse any locality 75 percent of the cost of all mandated programs.

A true representative of the long-held ideal of Maine's citizens, Mr. Smith felt very strongly about energy and environmental conservation issues.

He championed many environmental initiatives and served on committees in the legislature related to fisheries and wildlife.

During his time in the legislature, he supported the Clean Indoor Air Act, a nonsmoking ban for the State. Another area of interest to Mr. Smith was prison reform. While serving on the Corrections Committee, he proposed a bill that would provide a restitution program where imprisoned persons convicted of nonviolent crimes worked to pay their room and board at the prison, supporting their dependents, and pay damages owed to persons as a result of their crimes.

Representative Smith personified the ideals of this country. He served his country in war, worked hard in his community of Island Falls, and was elected to serve in the State legislature, where he was able to positively affect the lives of citizens of Maine well beyond the borders of his legislative district.

With gratitude for his service to the State of Maine, I ask all Members to join me in the support of H.R. 2173.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield such time as she may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Madam Speaker, I ask to take his words down.

May I inquire as to the remaining time, please.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, let me just say that I appreciate the gentleman from Massachusetts and sometimes the emotions. It seems to me, having just joined this debate, that we have spent more time criticizing what the Republican side of the aisle would like to talk about and that we have started to engage in the politics of personal destruction as opposed to talking about the issues of the day that are going to affect not just this one letter carrier who has served honorably.

I just want to reiterate the great work and dedication that this individual gave to the State. I think it is appropriate that we recognize and have a post office named after him. That's quite an honor that will stay, I hope, for a long, long period of time, for eons of time so that people can appreciate and can get to know and recognize him.

At the same time, I think a fair assessment would be, while we can give these individuals a few minutes of time and can recognize their strengths and contributions to the State, we do need more ample time to deal with what could be the single largest tax increase in the history of the United States of America, an increase that is going to touch every single American's life.

While there may be committee meetings over in the Senate and on committees that I'm not a participant in, I would hope that this body would continue to extend the time to talk about one of the most pertinent issues--the cap-and-trade--and the opposition that many of us here on the Republican side of the aisle feel to this bill.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 2173, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, this past Friday I had the opportunity and the honor to visit Guantanamo Bay to see the great work that our men and women are doing to protect and serve this country.

The discussions surrounding the detainees in Guantanamo Bay I understand is a contentious one, but let us first and foremost thank those men and women who serve a very important purpose. They are doing it with great honor.

As I visited with the admiral of the Navy who is in charge of taking care of this facility, he said that their mission is to make sure that the facility is safe, humane, legal, and transparent. I find that they're meeting that mission.

I would encourage the President and I would encourage this body to support the notion that says we should not close that facility, nor should we bring those detainees to the United States of America. We should pursue the tribunal process. The process is set up to work. And I for one will support that.

May God bless the troops that are serving us in Guantanamo Bay, and may God bless the United States of America.

Our Founding Fathers asserted the self-evident truth that all men are created equal. For the last two centuries, Americans of all backgrounds have worked toward the ideal of ``equal justice for all,'' but the majority's Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act doesn't eliminate inequalities in our justice system; instead, it creates inequalities. It gives special protected status to a small group of individuals based on their lifestyle choices. It increases criminal penalties not based on the criminal act itself, but based on the thoughts and beliefs of the person who committed the act. It requires the government to investigate and scrutinize the religious groups and other organizations with which we might freely associate under the First Amendment. For these reasons, and a number of others, I believe this bill is unconstitutional and must be rejected.

In the United States of America, we can all agree that any violent crime should be deplored. We all should be equally free from violence, regardless of our background or beliefs. We all should expect our government officials to provide equal protection under the law. But this hate crimes bill says some Americans are more equal than others and deserve special treatment. And religious leaders and others who hold traditional values of morality and decency should be careful not to speak too vocally about their beliefs or risk being held accountable for the actions of those who might overhear and then later commit a violent crime.

During our Judiciary Committee markup of this bill, when it became clear that the Democrats planned to report it despite these objections, my Republican colleagues sponsored amendment after amendment seeking equal treatment under this bill for senior citizens, men and women of the Armed Services, pregnant women, and unborn children. All were rejected by the Democrats.

It is unbelievable to me that the sponsors of this bill think those who have chosen a different personal lifestyle should enjoy greater protection under the Federal law than those who have chosen a lifestyle of service to our country--as our men and women in the military have done--or that they deserve more protection under the Federal law than pregnant mothers.

No violent crime should be condoned, and no one on either side of this issue believes it should. But selectively protecting some while punishing others more severely based on their thoughts and beliefs is unequal, unjust, and un-American.

I urge my colleagues to vote against this affront to the Constitution and to our Nation's heritage and traditions of freedom to think and believe according to the dictates of our own conscience.

Just a few weeks ago, the Democrats slammed through a $1 trillion stimulus bill by scaring the American people, by declaring that the economy would collapse without it. This so-called ``recovery plan'' grew government and not jobs. It created 33 new Federal programs and gave record money to 73 other Federal programs. Forgotten in this mix is the American taxpayer.

A few days ago, the President, in his first Cabinet meeting, asked his administration to find $100 million--that's million with an ``m''-- in savings. So the President asked for and got $1 trillion and now wants to save $100 million. How much is $1 trillion? If you spent $1 million a day every day, it would take you nearly 3,000 years to get to $1 trillion.

The Federal Government spends $100 million every 13 minutes. Our government cannot be all things to all people. We have got to stop running this government on a credit card. I urge my colleagues to find ways to cut spending. And remember, it is the American taxpayers' money, not Congress' money, not the government's money.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 320, honoring the life and achievements of Dr. John Hope Franklin.

Dr. Franklin was born in Oklahoma and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa. He graduated from Fisk University in 1935, and earned a doctorate in history in 1941 from Harvard University.

Dr. Franklin was a dedicated educator, whose career in teaching included periods at many prestigious institutions of higher learning, including Fisk University, St. Augustine's College, North Carolina College, the University of Chicago, Duke University and its law school, and the District's own Howard University.

In 1956 Dr. Franklin became the chair of a major history department when he joined the faculty at Brooklyn College.

Dr. Franklin spent his life on the front lines of social change in the United States of America. In the early 1950s, he served as a historian consultant to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund team led by future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall that helped develop the brief in Brown v. Board of Education. That brief led to the historic decision ending legal segregation in America.

Dr. Franklin was a prolific writer, and from among his works is perhaps best known for ``From Slavery to Freedom,'' first published in 1947, and continually updated. More than 3 million copies have been sold.

Throughout his career as a historian, Dr. Franklin was the recipient of many honors and accolades, including the Society of American Historians' Bruce Catton Prize for Lifetime Achievement in 1994, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor in 1995.

In 2006 Dr. Franklin was announced as the third recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the study of humanity.

Dr. Franklin also served on many national commissions and delegations, including the National Council on the Humanities, and the President's Advisory Commission on Ambassadorial Appointments. He also served as the United States Delegate to the 21st General Conference of

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at the moment, but I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

What began with 300,000 Irish immigrants in 1776 has grown to more than 44 million Irish-Americans today. Throughout our Nation's history, the Irish who came to America saw the promise and hope for their future. Once here, they have been instrumental in building a Nation from the ground up--working on farms, constructing railways and creating major centers of commerce throughout the country. The Irish have done much to build up this country with their blood, sweat and tears. We have all seen countless ways in which these Irish-Americans have advanced our Nation politically, economically and culturally.

Since first arriving here, the Irish in America have demonstrated a commitment to the growth and prosperity of the Nation through their talent and their values. Their contributions have represented the depth and breadth of American society from the most humble to the most exalted. Nineteen Presidents, including George Washington, and at least eight signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish ancestry. Two hundred sixty-three recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor were born in Ireland, and the list of contributions by Irish- Americans goes on: Elizabeth Cady Stanton's successful fight for women's voting rights; John Barry, the first flag officer of the United States Navy; James Hoban's architectural design for the White House; and Annie Moore's brave passage through Ellis Island as America's first immigrant.

The Irish in America have recognized and have spread the message of opportunity as a result of their great success in our country. The history of our country has shown that the Irish have strengthened the United States in all facets of our growth and development. One in four Americans can trace part of their ancestry to Ireland, including ancestors on my mother's side of my family. Therefore, it is no wonder that the Irish in America have in the past and will continue in the future to strengthen and enrich our country.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution.

Having no additional speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 214, recognizing the efforts of the countless volunteers who helped the Commonwealth of Kentucky recover from the ice storm of January 2009.

This past January, the massive ice storm that devastated States from Arkansas to West Virginia hit Kentucky the hardest, leaving more than 700,000 homes and businesses without electricity. This violent storm was Kentucky's worst natural disaster in the State's history as it pounded the area with an inch or more of ice, causing trees and power lines to fall, forcing Statewide evacuations, schools and businesses to close, fuel shortages, as well as causing debris to block more than 5,000 linear miles of roads following the storm. The ice storm left more than 35 people dead, making this the State's most lethal storm in memory and one of Kentucky's deadliest modern weather events.

On January 27, the Kentucky Governor declared a state of emergency for roughly 100 counties, all of which President Obama soon after declared as Federal disaster areas. The Governor also for the first time activated every member of Kentucky's National Guard, dispatching all 4,600 guardsmen to assist with the crisis. With around-the-clock help from local, State and Federal officials and emergency personnel, many working in subzero conditions for days, relief efforts were carried out quickly and safely.

It is important that we recognize the generous support of the many volunteers, private and corporate donors, religious groups, and charitable organizations that assisted the communities in Kentucky in their time of need. This resolution expresses a sincere sympathy for the victims of this devastating storm, and recognizes the action of their public servants, citizens and community leaders who helped hundreds of thousands through this Statewide hardship.

Once again, we are reminded of the strength of the people of this country, and applaud the citizens of Kentucky who in this very difficult time became beacons of light for those who suffered as a result of this icy disaster.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie).

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of House Resolution 214.

With no additional speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 1516, naming the post office after Sergeant Marcus Mathes.

Army Sergeant Marcus C. Mathes was much more than a selfless and heroic soldier. He was a devoted husband

and lover of life and family. As his mother, Sue Sawyer, described him, he loved anything dangerous or thrilling. He was full of life. He loved life, and he lived it to the fullest.

Sergeant Mathes died on April 28, 2008, in Baghdad of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his forward-operating base with indirect fire. Also lost in the fight were Private First Class Adam L. Marion and Sergeant Mark A. Stone.

Sergeant Mathes was only 26 years old and hailed from Florida. He left for boot camp on his 23rd birthday on March 15, 2005, and was assigned to the 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served in Afghanistan from October 2006 until March 2007 and left for Iraq in November of 2007.

Sergeant Mathes was a selfless hero who dedicated his life to being the best soldier he could possibly be. He is remembered by family and friends as someone who loved life and adventure and welcomed a challenge. He loved to hike to waterfalls, SCUBA dive and ride dirt bikes. His father-in-law, Chuck Ehrman, said that he will be remembered as fun-loving and the type to make everyone feel happy around him.

As a loving husband to his wife, Julia, as a son and patriot, Sergeant Mathes made the ultimate sacrifice in April of 2008 serving the country he loved.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill honoring a courageous young man who personified the noblest ideals of our great Nation. His lost life fighting for the freedom enjoyed by all of us, by loved ones back home and his sacrifice, shall not be forgotten.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown- Waite).

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 1516.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to former Third Congressional District Representative Bill Orton. Representative Orton passed away in a tragic accident this past weekend. He served with honor for three terms as a Member of this body. He was described as something of a political maverick and an independent voice for Utah, bucking both parties at times.

It is during times such as these that we set aside our partisan differences and join together in mourning the passing of a great American and a great public servant. Representative Orton cast a long shadow over the State of Utah and the Third Congressional District. It is an honor for me to

serve in the congressional district he once held.

I join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in expressing my deepest sympathies to the members of the Orton family. I pray that during this period of mourning they will find hope in the great plan of happiness, that they will one day be reunited with their husband and father.

I will conclude by reciting the words of a hymn:

``God be with you till we meet again;

By his counsels guide, uphold you;

With his sheep securely fold you.

God be with you till we meet again.''