Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) for his assistance in bringing this important resolution to the floor, as well as the distinguished gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for his assistance as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, a measure I introduced earlier this year to honor the life and legacy of Chief Standing Bear. His plea for justice and human decency challenged the heart of our Nation, yet his poignant story as one of America's earliest civil rights leaders remains largely unknown.

2008 is the 100th anniversary of Chief Standing Bear's death. It is fitting that we honor this anniversary, that generations of Americans will know his life and his legacy.

Standing Bear was born in the Niobrara River Valley, in what is now Nebraska, in 1834. An individual of exceptional talent and ability, he became chief of the Ponca Tribe at a young age. In 1877, the Ponca people were forced by treaty to relocate from their home in Nebraska to the Indian territory of Oklahoma. The hardship of this 500-mile journey on foot, illnesses, as well as the harsh living conditions in Oklahoma, caused the death of many members of the tribe, including Chief Standing Bear's son.

Committed to a promise he made to his son to return him to their Niobrara homeland for burial, Chief Standing Bear left for Nebraska with all who would follow him. Upon their return, the Chief and 30 of his fellow Ponca Tribe members were arrested by the Department of Interior in Omaha.

With the assistance of Omaha attorneys, John Webster and A.J. Poppleton, and frontier newsman, Thomas Tibbles, who worked for the predecessor to our current newspaper in Omaha, the Omaha World-Herald, Chief Standing Bear petitioned the Federal courts for relief from the unjust Federal treatment of the Ponca Tribe.

In 1879, the case came before U.S. District Court Judge Elmer Dundy. At the conclusion of his testimony, Chief Standing Bear raised his hand and he spoke these words: ``That hand is not the color of yours,'' he said. ``But if I pierce it, I shall feel pain. If you pierce your hand, you will also feel pain. The blood that will flow from mine will be the same color as yours. I am a man. God made us both.''

The wisdom and dignity in Standing Bear's words were not lost on Judge Dundy who ruled that Native Americans are, in fact, citizens endowed with all of the rights and all of the freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution. Through the steadfast efforts of Chief Standing Bear and caring Nebraskans, the Ponca won their freedom and the right to return to their Nebraska homeland on the Niobrara where Chief Standing Bear declared, ``Here we will live, and here we will die.''

Chief Standing Bear would spend the next 4 years touring the United States advocating for Native Americans' civil rights and inspiring a generation. Then he returned to his home near the mouth of Niobrara, farmed his land, and died there a quarter century later in 1908.

Mr. Speaker, the courage and determination of Chief Standing Bear have earned him a place in our civil rights history. His example is an inspiration for all those engaged in the advancement of civil rights, of human rights.

I want to thank all of my colleagues in the House who have been supportive of bringing this resolution to the floor so that we can rightly honor this great man, Chief Standing Bear.

Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Madam Chairman, as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, I have been involved extensively in the issues before us today. I really do appreciate the bipartisan cooperation that has guided this process, particularly by Chairman Berman and our ranking member, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. Thank you. This bill is appropriately named for two giants of this institution, Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde.

My amendment addresses the issue of transparency and accountability in the Global Fund. The Global Fund is a unique, non-governmental multilateral organization headquartered in Switzerland and focused on combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria throughout the developing world.

The U.S. Government is the single largest provider of resources and technical assistance to the Global Fund, and since 2001 Congress has appropriated nearly $4 billion to the Fund. The Lantos-Hyde bill before us today authorizes additional funds that will total in the billions.

The bill currently and appropriately calls for systematic assessments of performance data of principal recipients and subrecipients of funds, as recommended by the Government Accountability Office, the GAO. This technical amendment simply clarifies that audits by the Fund's Inspector General should also encompass principal recipients and subrecipients, the entities that actually receive programmatic funding.

Madam Chairman, I believe that this amendment strengthens the spirit of accountability that is present in the underlying bill. According to a June 2005 report by the GAO, the Global Fund possessed a limited ability to monitor and evaluate grants. Concerns have also been raised that the volume of funding provided through the Global Fund may exceed the capacity of the recipients in the field to actually utilize it.

Since we are considering an additional contribution that may total in the billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Global Fund over the life of this reauthorization, I believe that it would be beneficial for ourselves, as well as for the Fund, as well as for other donors, to have additional clarity on how these funds are being used in the field for those most in need of our assistance.

Madam Chairman, I intend to support the overall bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I want to thank the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee for his support of this. I understand the concerns he addressed and understand his comments, as well as the chairman's of the subcommittee. I look forward to continuing to work with him, but do appreciate his support of the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, I was inadvertently detained and thus I missed rollcall votes Nos. 88, 89, and 90. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all three votes.

Madam Speaker, from late January 29 through February 7, 2008, I was unavoidably detained due to my daughter's heart surgery.

On January 29, I missed rollcall votes Nos. 27 and 28. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on both votes.

On February 6, I missed rollcall votes Nos. 29 through 31. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on all three votes.

On February 7, I missed rollcall votes Nos. 32 through 42. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on Nos. 32, 33, 36, 37, and 38, and ``aye'' on Nos. 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, and 42.

I thank the gentleman from California for yielding, and I also wish to thank my colleague, Congressman Terry, for introducing this important resolution.

As we have heard, Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, December 5, the enthusiasm of the holiday season came to an abrupt halt with an act of senseless brutality at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska.

Mr. Speaker, as the Nation mourns the eight victims who were killed and the three who were wounded, and, I should add, I appreciate Mr. Terry's lengthy description of these innocent persons and their lives, I think it is also important and appropriate to recognize their uncommon heroics and great sacrifices that are now just coming to light. If there is a comfort in the midst of this difficult time, it is the beauty of the human spirit and the good that stood in the midst of this horror and violence.

Dianne Clavin Trent of Omaha was a 53-year-old former airline flight attendant who had worked for 8 years in customer service at the Von Maur store in the Westroads Mall. As we have now learned, Dianne did not flee when she saw the gunman. She stood. She dialed 911 and gave a description of him, and then he turned on her.

Gary Scharf, 48 years old, of Lincoln, Nebraska, my hometown, was an agricultural chemical sales manager in the mall to buy a dress shirt. When he heard the gunshots, Gary also called 911. It appears then that he ran from where he was safe up to where the shooting was taking place. As he ran up the escalator, he yelled out, ``I called 911'' in an apparent attempt to distract the gunman. He also pulled a woman off the escalator out of harm's way before the gunman turned on him.

Mr. Speaker, I happened to know Gary and I am proud to call him a friend.

John McDonald was a 65-year-old grandfather and retired natural gas company manager living in Council Bluffs. When the rampage began, John took cover with his wife in the customer service area. As the gunman entered the customer service area, John stood and confronted him, and he too was shot. As now seems apparent, John's courage may have saved the lives of many other people nearby.

Dianne, Gary and John, innocently shopping one minute, decided in an instant to let go of a natural tendency to self-preservation and to make a great sacrifice for their fellow man. Others may have acted similarly in ways that we may never know.

Mr. Speaker, I thought you and the American people should know of this new information. God bless all those who lost their lives or were injured that day, and God bless their loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, December 6, 2007, I was inadvertently detained and thus I missed rollcall votes Nos. 1136 and 1137. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on both votes.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Lee Terry, from the Second Congressional District, my neighbor. I, too, Mr. Speaker, want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of this senseless act of violence. Sometimes we are shocked by just how brutal the world can be and that came home to rest yesterday in Nebraska, where people, joyfully going about their holiday season, shopping, having time with loved ones, people wrapping gifts, all of a sudden being punctuated with this horrific act of violence that left eight people dead and in turn the perpetrator of the crime killed himself.

Mr. Speaker, Nebraska prides itself on being a wonderful place to live and to work and raise a family, and Omaha is truly a good community. I think if we have won consolation here, it will be that the community will pull together and will heal together.

On a personal note, as well, as Congressman Terry mentioned, one of the victims of the tragedy was from my district and in fact had been a personal acquaintance and friend of mine, Gary Scharf. He was active in civic affairs. I knew he took great pride in the son that he had. I too wish to extend my deepest heartfelt sympathies to his family as well.

I would like to thank the distinguished ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee for the time.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of the year with much serious legislative business remaining before us, we have a noteworthy opportunity today to pass a measure in which each and every American can justifiably take great pride. The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act represents the culmination of extensive work and exemplary bipartisan cooperation. It illustrates what we in this House can achieve when we unite in recognition of shared and enduring truth in an effort to defeat one of the world's most glaring injustices.

Human trafficking is a singularly merciless and degrading criminal activity. It has deeply tarnished every nation, including our own. Its ruthless perpetrators brutally exploit and devastate the lives of innocent persons, including children, often turning bastions of freedom and civil society into nightmarish realms seemingly beyond the reach of sanctuary.

Mr. Speaker, I want to also commend my distinguished colleagues Mr. Smith of New Jersey and Mr. Lantos of California for raising awareness about this cruel enterprise and for leading the Foreign Affairs Committee in taking substantive, credible actions to bring hope and healing to victims of this pernicious global trade in human beings. I also want to thank them for working to incorporate the Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 into this bill, bringing years of hard work to fruition and recognizing our Nation's commitment to ending the forced conscription, recruitment or use of children in combat, yet another grave affront to human dignity. I also wish to commend many individuals throughout our government and the many nongovernmental organizations whose tireless efforts have made this moment possible.

I urge my colleagues to join me in passing the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. Together, let us end the nightmare of human trafficking and lead the world to see, in the poignant words of Alexis de Tocqueville, that America is great because America is good.

Mr. Speaker, before we vote on this measure, the American people need to know that U.S. troops in Iraq have achieved significant security gains. Violence against U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians has fallen dramatically, and forces of chaos have had their safe havens and supply lines systematically eliminated. In fact, it was recently announced that the curfew in Baghdad may soon be lifted.

Mr. Speaker, we can all agree that the goal is to end the war, but this must be done in a solicitous and strategic manner. While there is clearly military momentum in Iraq, the situation remains fragile and complex, and our work continues to be very dangerous and difficult. Establishing an arbitrary deadline for withdrawal of our troops would potentially undermine the stabilization of the country, especially in light of recent security gains.

However, I would submit that one area of potential agreement in this body involves a renewed spirit of diplomacy for the region. It is time for a diplomatic surge. The gains made possible by the steadfast competence of our troops gives rise to a new diplomatic potential in the effort to curtail regional destabilizing influences, promote political and economic progress, as well as provide for the safe and stable transition of refugees throughout the area.

The recent meeting in Istanbul, Turkey of countries neighboring Iraq, the upcoming meeting in Annapolis to further the Middle East peace process, and the United Nation's own recent reengagement in Baghdad are all positive diplomatic trends that should be aggressively supported and augmented by our efforts in this House to facilitate the rapid stabilization of Iraq, potentially empowering an even more rapid drawdown of our troops and a sustainable peace for the country.

Madam Speaker, I believe that every child deserves proper health care. I support SCHIP's renewal with increased funding. And I also support its expansion, but I believe it must be done in a responsible manner, a manner that ensures valuable resources target our Nation's most vulnerable children without unnecessarily expanding the program to those who do not need it.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, of the 4 million children who would receive coverage under the current proposal, approximately 40 percent already have private insurance. Our dialogue should focus on our children who are uninsurable, sick children who have exhausted private coverage, and families who cannot afford coverage for their children. Yesterday, I introduced a measure that seeks to achieve this goal.

Congress now has the opportunity to engage in a productive, bipartisan discussion focusing on strengthening the SCHIP program.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 25, which calls for 25 percent of America's energy supply to come from agriculture and rural based renewable energy sources by 2025. This 25x25 approach is a worthy goal.

Renewable energy holds wonderful promise for rural America, which can benefit exponentially from these trends. Production of renewable fuels and renewable energy meets multiple policy objectives. It decreases America's reliance on foreign sources of energy, creates new farm income, and fosters good stewardship of resources.

Clearly, Nebraska is a leader in America's renewable energy future. We will soon be the second leading producer of ethanol in the Nation, and we are home to cutting edge technologies that are producing renewable fuels and electricity from wastes at animal feeding operations. In addition, developments in biomass and wind energy are very encouraging. This kind of innovation will only continue to grow as more of America's energy comes from renewable sources.

Madam Speaker, America's renewable energy future is now. This is a very exciting opportunity for our farmers to lead the way for clean, environmentally-friendly energy production. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 25.

Mr. Speaker, on July 21, Sergeant Jacob Schmuecker was killed in Balad, Iraq, when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle. Jacob leaves behind his wife and their children, 4-year-old Dillon, 3-year-old Kierstan, and 19-month-old Bryce, along with his parents, Rodney and Patricia, four brothers and three sisters.

Sergeant Jacob Schmuecker grew up in the Nebraska towns of Atkinson and Norfolk. He attended West Holt High School and Northeast Community College. He felt a calling to serve, and at the age of 21 enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard.

In September of 2006, Jacob's unit deployed to Iraq. Jacob, the recipient of numerous decorations for outstanding service, was second in command.

In speaking with Jacob's mother, Patty, last week, she told me that in Jacob's last e-mail he prayed, if something had to happen, that it would happen to him and not one of his fellow soldiers. Perhaps God answered Jacob's prayer. In the infinite mystery of life and death, what is clear is a life worthily lived is marked by selflessness and sacrifice.

Sergeant Jacob Schmuecker gave the ultimate sacrifice out of duty and love of country, and America is forever indebted to him.

Mr. Speaker, everyone agrees that children deserve proper health care. The SCHIP program is an important program that provides health insurance for over 6.6 million of America's neediest children. I supported its renewal, but I believe it must be done responsibly.

This legislation overreaches. It cuts Medicare and also allows some adults to claim health care coverage meant for children. Good public policy should not pit the children against their grandparents.

This 465-page bill makes sweeping changes to American health care and tax policies. It needs thorough, thoughtful, and deliberate analysis, and time has not been provided for adequate examination. The SCHIP bill could have clear bipartisan support, I believe, but instead it contains a labyrinth of provisions, some of which hurts seniors. Mr. Speaker, I believe this Congress can do better.

Madam Chairman, I am a proud member of the Agriculture Committee. My grandfather was a county agent. My mother was an extension service agent. One out of three Nebraskans make their living in the field of agriculture.

Of all the rancor and divisiveness in this House, the Agriculture Committee has been one place where cooperation and comity is the tradition. I was proud to be a part of crafting this farm bill. The farm bill passed out of committee by a voice vote. No one objected.

It is not perfect. It is a huge piece of legislation with many moving parts. But I felt that it did make progress in promoting agriculture entrepreneurship, agriculture-based energy production and a renewal of conservation in land stewardship goals.

But the end of this process has been seriously disappointing. The spirit of the Agriculture Committee's work has been violated. I want a vibrant agriculture system that feeds our country, helps feed the world and in turn preserves a way of life, a tradition that marks the character of our great country.

Madam Chairman, I urge the majority party to get this process back on track.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 702, I inadvertently voted ``yes.'' My vote should have been recorded as a ``no.''

Amendment No. 25 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida