Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I missed rollcall vote No. 472 on September 15, 2005. This was a suspension vote on agreeing to the resolution H.J. Res. 439--a resolution to establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina.

If present, I would have voted rollcall vote No. 472, Establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina--``aye''.

Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, the House passed an amended version of H.R. 3132, The Children's Safety Act of 2005. The bill as sent to the floor by the Judiciary Committee represented a tough crackdown on pedophilia and other sex offenses. The bill modifies the national sex offender registration program, expands the use of DNA to identify and prosecute sex offenders, increases penalties for sexual offenses against America's children, and makes other much-needed modifications and expansions of federal law relating to child safety.

Before the bill passed, however, an amendment by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) was added, drastically altering this bill. I voted against the Conyers amendment, and its passage forced me to vote against final passage of the bill.

The Conyers amendment creates a Federal offense for hate crimes. I believe that the proponents of hate crimes legislation have good and honorable intentions. They would like to see less bigotry and more good will in American society. While I share that goal, I believe Congress should decline the invitation to enact hate crimes legislation for both constitutional and practical reasons.

The U.S. Constitution created a federal government of limited powers. Most of the federal government's ``delegated powers'' are set forth in Article I, Section 8. The Tenth Amendment was added to make it clear that the powers not delegated to the federal government ``are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.''

Crime is serious problem, but under the U.S. Constitution it is a matter to be handled by state and local government. In recent years, Congress has federalized the crimes of gun possession within a school zone, carjacking, and wife beating. All of that and more has been rationalized under the Commerce Clause. The Commerce Clause is not a blank check for Congress to enact whatever legislation it deems to be ``good and proper for America.'' The Conyers Amendment is simply beyond the powers that are delegated to Congress. Today, the House exacerbated the errors of past Congresses by federalizing more criminal offenses

Not to mention the fact that the Conyers language isn't going to prevent anything. Any thug that is already inclined to hurt another human being is not going to lay down the gun or knife because of some new law passed by Congress; they've already made a conscious decision to disregard basic homicide statutes. The notion that any federal hate crime law will prevent brutal killings is preposterous.

For the proponents of hate crime laws, the dilemma is this: if some groups (women, gays, vegans, runners, whatever) are left out of the ``hate crime'' definition, they will resent the selective depreciation of their victimization. On the other hand, if all victim groups are included, the hate crime category will be no different than ``ordinary'' criminal law.

Federalizing hate crime law will not increase tolerance in our society or reduce intergroup conflict. I believe hate crime laws may well have the opposite effect. The men and women who will be administering the hate crime laws (e.g. police, prosecutors) will likely encounter a never-ending series of complaints with respect to their official decisions. When a U.S. Attorney declines to prosecute a certain offense as a hate crime, some will complain that he is favoring the groups to which the accused belongs (e.g. Hispanic males). And when a U.S. Attorney does prosecute an offense as a hate crime, some will complain that the decision was based upon politics and that the government is favoring the groups to which the victim belongs (e.g. Asian Americans).

Perhaps the most dangerous element of federalized hate crime law is its approach to the notion of thought crimes. But once hate crime laws are on the books, the law enforcement apparatus will be delving into the accused's life and thoughts in order to show that he or she was motivated by bigotry. What kind of books and magazines were found in the home? What internet sites were bookmarked in the computer? Friends and co-workers will be interviewed to discern the accused's politics and worldview. The point here is that such chilling examples of state intrusion are avoidable because, as noted above, hate crime laws are unnecessary in the first place.

But above all else, I cannot comprehend why anyone would believe that the Conyers hate crimes language makes our children any safer from sexual predators. Would it have prevented John Couey from assaulting and

heinously murdering Jessica Lunsford? I don't believe it would have.

Our children deserve strong anti-pedophilia laws that meet basic constitutional thresholds and it's our responsibility to deliver that to them. Therefore I implore my Senate colleagues to step up and give the presence of the Conyers language in H.R. 3132 the scrutiny that it warrants. Should they pass a clean Children's Safety Act, I look forward to removing the Conyers language in conference and supporting the clean Conference Report.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize and pay tribute to General William L. ``Spider'' Nyland, United States Marine Corps, on the occasion of his retirement from active duty. General Nyland has served our great Nation for more than 37 years. The departure of General Nyland marks not only the end of an illustrious career replete with many honors, it also marks the beginning of several initiatives which, by virtue of his strategic vision, dynamic leadership and accomplished diplomatic skills, will ensure that U.S. national strategy is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

General Nyland was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps under the NROTC program upon graduation from the University of New Mexico in 1968. In addition to attaining a M.S. degree from the University of Southern California, his formal military education includes The Basic School (1968), Naval Aviation Flight Training (NFO) (1969), Amphibious Warfare School (1975), Navy Fighter Weapons School (TopGun) (1977), College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College (1981), and Air War College (1988).

After being assigned to VMFA-531, General Nyland was ordered to Vietnam where he flew 122 combat missions with VMFA-314 and VMFA-115. General Nyland's other tours included Instructor RIO, VMFAT-101; Squadron Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer, VMFA-115; and Brigade FORSTAT and Electronic Warfare Officer, 1st Marine Brigade. He also served as Operations Officer and Director of Safety and Standardization, VMFA-212; Aviation Safety Officer and Congressional Liaison/Budget Officer, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, DC; and Operations Officer, Marine Aircraft Group-24, 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade. He commanded VMFA-232, the Marine Corps' oldest and most decorated fighter squadron, from July 1985 to July 1987.

General Nyland subsequently served as section chief for the Central Command section, European Command/Central Command Branch, Joint Operations Division, Directorate of Operations (J-3), Joint Staff, Washington, DC. In July 1990, he assumed command of Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG), Pensacola. Following his command of MATSG he assumed duties as Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on July 5, 1992, and assumed additional duties as Assistant Wing Commander on November 10, 1992. He was promoted to Brigadier General on September 1, 1994 and was assigned as Assistant Wing Commander, 2nd MAW serving in that billet until December 1, 1995.

He served next on the Joint Staff, J-8, as the Deputy Director for Force Structure and Resources, completing that tour on June 30, 1997. General Nyland was advanced to Major General on July 2, 1997, and assumed duties as the Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He served next as the Commanding General, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina from July 1998 to June 2000. He was advanced to Lieutenant General on 30 June 2000 and assumed duties as the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. He next served as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation on 3 August 2001. He was advanced to the grade of General on September 4,2002 and assumed his current duties shortly thereafter.

General Nyland's personal decorations include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with eight Strike/Flight awards, and Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Throughout his career as a United States Marine, General Nyland has demonstrated uncompromising character, discerning wisdom, and a sincere, selfless sense of duty to his Marines and members of other services assigned to his numerous joint commands. His powerful leadership inspired the Marines to tremendous success no matter the task, and achieved results which will assure the United States' security in this hemisphere and overseas.

General Nyland concludes his illustrious career as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. In this capacity, he has been the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all decisions of major consequence. His extensive and diverse background in operational and joint planning, professional military education and training, and budgetary and programmatic policy issues have been given wide credibility by decision makers in the Department of the Navy, the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the United States Congress.

General Nyland has made a lasting contribution to the capabilities of today's Marine Corps and the future shape of tomorrow's Corps. We are grateful for General Nyland's dedication, sense of duty, advice and counsel. The Marine Corps will miss him, but General Nyland leaves a tremendous legacy for others to follow and emulate. I wish General Nyland and his lovely wife, Brenda, daughters, Brandy and Leslie, and son, Matthew, congratulations and all best wishes as they enter this new chapter of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise today to extend my congratulations to Pastor Bernard Yates for having served as the pastor to the Zion Hope Baptist Church in my district for 20 years.

Since 1985, Pastor Yates has led the growth of the Zion Hope congregation from approximately 300 to over 2,000 members, with three Sunday services and a major midweek service as well. Pastor Yates initiated the Zion Hope Centre for Training and Biblical Study, founded the Hope Christian Academy, and launched the Young-at-Heart ministry. These three ministries are just a few examples of the many ministries that he has helped start within the church.

Pastor Yates is joined in much of his work by Vonda Yates, his wife of 23 years. Together, they have worked diligently through Bible studies and writing to help families live Godly lives. Vonda is known for her work with women's conferences as well, while Bernard is called upon to speak at men's conferences and retreats across the Nation.

The selfless contributions of this man are not limited to just one church; Pastor Yates has also been a civic leader, dedicating time to the Boys and Girls Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletics, a special community advisory board for the county commissioners, advisory for the Escambia County Sheriffs Office, and the Escambia County School District. His wisdom is regarded just as highly at a meeting table as it is at the pulpit.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to a man who could serve as a role model to us all. A deep sense of personal service to a congregation for 20 years is something to truly be admired, and I am thankful for his dedication to the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished Chairman of this

Subcommittee as well as Chairman Lewis of the full Committee for their hard work and dedication to our Nation's service members and veterans. Working with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the conference report accompanying H.R. 2361, the fiscal year 2006 appropriations act for the Department of Interior, addresses the urgent need in VA with an additional $1.5 billion allocated to the Veterans Health Administration. These funds are especially critical for VA to treat new veterans, those returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.

Year after year, the annual budget for the Veterans Health Administration is the subject of great debate. On February 16, 2005, VA Secretary Nicholson and other VA officials stood before the VA Committee and justified the Administration's budget request. Subsequently, we learned that all the hard work and tough choices Congress has made to increase VA health care funding--by no less than 42 percent in just the last four years--has now been overshadowed by a ``discovery'' of inadequate funding. Since then, the VA Committee has held three separate hearings over the past month and a half to understand and examine VA's methodologies for forecasting health care costs and utilization projections, to identify the breakdown in the budget process, and to bring to light the serious flaws in VA's usage assumptions.

Equally important, the conference report demands new levels of accountability inside VA. In fact, the VA Committee is seeking to institutionalize accountability in the budget process at VA to ensure that similar circumstances can be averted in the future. There is but one constant we can all agree upon: the VA must ensure a continuity of care for our severely disabled veterans.

While $1.5 billion seems to be the right figure at this point in time, there are only two months left in the fiscal year. This means that the Department of Veterans Affairs has the ability to roll over into fiscal year 2006 whatever sums remain unspent in fiscal year 2005; I expect department officials to spend wisely. With this particular provision, we are not only seeking to meet the urgent needs for the remainder of this year, but are providing a significant down payment on the shortfall we anticipate in fiscal year 2006.

Mr. Speaker, again, I applaud the work of Chairman Lewis and Chairman Taylor of the Appropriations Committee, as well as the leadership of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize and pay tribute to General William L. ``Spider'' Nyland, United States Marine Corps, on the occasion of his retirement from active duty. General Nyland has served our great Nation for more than 37 years. The departure of General Nyland marks not only the end of an illustrious career replete with many honors, it also marks the beginning of several initiatives which, by virtue of his strategic vision, dynamic leadership and accomplished diplomatic skills, will ensure that U.S. national strategy is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

General Nyland was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps under the NROTC program upon graduation from the University of New Mexico in 1968. In addition to attaining a M.S. degree from the University of Southern California, his formal military education includes The Basic School (1968), Naval Aviation Flight Training (NFO) (1969), Amphibious Warfare School (1975), Navy Fighter Weapons School (TopGun) (1977), College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College (1981), and Air War-College (1988).

After being assigned to VMFA-531, General Nyland was ordered to Vietnam where he flew 122 combat missions with VMFA-314 and VMFA-115. General Nyland's other tours included Instructor RIO, VMFAT-101; Squadron Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer, VMFA-115; and Brigade FORSTAT and Electronic Warfare Officer, 1st Marine Brigade. He also served as Operations Officer

and Director of Safety and Standardization, VMF A-212; Aviation Safety Officer and Congressional LiaisonlBudget Officer, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.; and Operations Officer, Marine Aircraft Group-24, 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade. He commanded VMFA-232, the Marine Corps' oldest and most decorated fighter squadron, from July 1985 to July 1987.

General Nyland subsequently served as section chief for the Central Command section, European Command/Central Command Branch, Joint Operations Division, Directorate of Operations (J-3), Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. In July 1990, he assumed command of Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG), Pensacola. Following his command of MATSG he assumed duties as Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on July 5, 1992, and assumed additional duties as Assistant Wing Commander on November 10, 1992. He was promoted to Brigadier General on September 1, 1994 and was assigned as Assistant Wing Commander, 2nd MAW serving in that billet until December 1, 1995.

He served next on the Joint Staff, J-8, as the Deputy Director for Force Structure and Resources, completing that tour on June 30, 1997. General Nyland was advanced to I Major General on July 2, 1997, and assumed duties as the Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He served next as the Commanding General, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina from July 1998 to June 2000. He was advanced to Lieutenant General on 30 June 2000 and assumed duties as the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. He next served as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation on 3 August 2001. He. was advanced to the grade of General on September 4, 2002 and assumed his current duties shortly thereafter.

General Nyland's personal decorations include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with eight Strike/Flight awards, and Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Throughout his career as a United States Marine, General Nyland has demonstrated uncompromising character, discerning wisdom, and a sincere, selfless sense of duty to his Marines and members of other services assigned to his numerous joint commands. His powerful leadership inspired the Marines to tremendous success no matter the task, and achieved results which will assure the United States' security in this hemisphere and overseas.

General Nyland concludes his illustrious career as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. In this capacity, he has been the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all decisions of major consequence. His extensive and diverse background in operational and joint planning, professional military education and training, and budgetary and programmatic policy issues have been given wide credibility by decision makers in the Department of the Navy, the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the United States Congress.

General Nyland has made a lasting contribution to the capabilities of today's Marine Corps and the future shape of tomorrow's Corps. We are grateful for General Nyland's dedication, sense of duty, advice and counsel. The Marine Corps will miss him, but General Nyland leaves a tremendous legacy for others to follow and emulate. I wish General Nyland and his lovely wife, Brenda, daughters, Brandy and Leslie, and son, Matthew, congratulations and all best wishes as they enter this new chapter of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, Public Law 109-13, the Emergency Supplemental, included provisions which made changes to VA's insurance program for active duty servicemembers. However, these changes expire on September 30, 2005.

H.R 3200 would:

Repeal section 1012 of the Supplemental, the section dealing with the insurance changes, and replace it with the text of H.R. 3200. This will reduce the administrative burden on the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense who are currently promulgating regulations that are to be in effect for one month before the law expires;

Make permanent the increase from $250,000 to $400,000 in maximum Servicemembers' Group and Veterans' Group Life Insurance coverage;

Make permanent the increments of SGLI coverage from $10,000 to $50,000; and

Require the military service Secretary concerned to notify a servicemember's spouse or unmarried servicemember's next-of-kin, in writing, if the servicemember declines SGLI or chooses an amount less than the maximum, and also require the military service Secretary concerned to notify a spouse if someone other than the spouse or child is designated as the policyholders' beneficiary.

This language was included in H.R. 2046, which passed the House on May 23: Clarify that spousal notification requirement does not apply to Veterans' Group Life Insurance; and Permit a servicemember to decline Traumatic Injury Protection coverage established by section 1032 of Public Law 109-13.

There were no public hearings regarding the servicemembers' and veterans' insurance changes prior to House and Senate passage of the defense emergency supplemental. However, on March 6, 2005, the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a roundtable briefing on these provisions with officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and private sector insurance representatives. Last month, the Subcommittee held a hearing on these proposals and this bill is a response to issues and concerns I and others had with the insurance provisions contained in the Supplemental.

In addition to the provisions noted above, the Supplemental also provided for a new Traumatic Injury Protection program.

As Chairman Buyer indicated in his opening statement, this program-- which goes into effect on December 1 of this year but is retroactive to October 7, 2001--will provide financial assistance from $25,000 to $100,000 to servicemembers who suffer certain traumatic injuries.

Under current law, participation in the new program is mandatory and those covered must pay premiums. Although the Department of Veterans Affairs estimate the premium to be as Iowa $1 a month, I do not believe Congress should be making financial decisions for the men and women who serve in our armed forces, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service--all of whom are covered under this new program.

Therefore, section 6 of H.R. 3200 would allow a servicemember to decline traumatic injury coverage. I view our role as ensuring that our servicemembers have a variety of options to assist them in planning for the future. If at a later date someone wants to participate, they would be able to elect coverage upon written application, and coverage would apply with respect to injuries occurring after the subsequent election.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Ms. Berkley, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for her active participation in crafting this bill, as well as the subcommittee vice chairman, Jeb Bradley, and a former member of the Committee, Rick Renzi. This has indeed been a team effort.

I also want to thank the subcommittee staffs on both sides of the aisle, and the Office of Legislative Counsel for their technical assistance.

Finally, I commend Chairman Buyer and Ranking Member Evans for their continuing leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Enhancement Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise today to extend congratulations to the Jimmy W. Nelson family for being selected the 2005 Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family. The Nelson family has been involved in farming in Northwest Florida through four generations.

Both Jimmy and his wife Wynell are fourth generation farmers born in Santa Rosa County in my district. Their extensive history with working the land has helped them instill in their children the same love and appreciation of farming. Their son and two daughters helped with the family's farmwork up until the time they went off to college, and they still frequently visit to make sure the family business is still going strong.

Active in farming through all of his school years, Jimmy was also a member of the FFA in high school. In 1967, Jimmy began working as a pilot with Jay Flying Service, which he and his wife Wynell now own. The company has been the longest running crop spraying business in the Jay area, and Jimmy has helped with spraying crops since his first day with the business in addition to farming the 80 acres that he and his wife live on.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to offer my sincere commendation to a family that could serve as a role model to us all. A deep sense of work ethic and values has been instilled through all the generations of the Jimmy W. Nelson family. It is my hope that this family tradition continues for many generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise today to extend congratulations to the Jimmy W. Nelson family for being selected the 2005 Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family. The Nelson family has been involved in farming in Northwest Florida through four generations.

Both Jimmy and his wife Wynell are fourth generation farmers born in Santa Rosa County in my district. Their extensive history with working the land has helped them instill in their children the same love and appreciation of farming. Their son and two daughters helped with the family's farmwork up until the time they went off to college, and they still frequently visit to make sure the family business is still going strong.

Active in farming through all of his school years, Jimmy was also a member of the FFA in high school. In 1967, Jimmy began working as a pilot with Jay Flying Service, which he and his wife Wynell now own. The company has been the longest running crop spraying business in the Jay area, and Jimmy has helped with spraying crops since his first day with the business in addition to farming the 80 acres that he and his wife live on.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to offer my sincere commendation to a family that could serve as a role model to us all. A deep sense of work ethic and values has been instilled through all the generations of the Jimmy W. Nelson Family. It is my hope that this family tradition continues for many generations to come.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 403, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Issa

Mr. Speaker, I am sure it is no surprise to many of you that some of my constituents do oppose personal retirement accounts, so when they do I ask them this very question: Would you agree or disagree Congress should have, when it created Social Security, set up a really true lockbox that earned interest on their FICA contributions?

Of course they eagerly agree that the money should have been set aside and used only for Social Security benefits.

I then follow up with the question: Then why in the world would you be opposed to a personal lockbox, if you will?

It is not secret here in Congress we have not had the discipline in many instances to keep our hands out of the cookie jar of Social Security. Now to stop this I propose that in the future that Congress cannot get its hands on the money in the first place. As soon as workers can start to save part of their Social Security money in a personal retirement account, with their very name on it, this Congress will have to find its money elsewhere.

Growing Real Ownership for Workers legislation is something that our colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. McCrery) introduced, that would strictly use Social Security dollars for Social Security benefits. Now these GROW accounts mandate that Social Security taxes be used for benefit payments to those people who have worked hard, who have followed the rules and have earned the right to a secure retirement. The accounts would be created for workers under the age of 55 unless they choose not to participate.

The current Social Security surplus would be dedicated to individual GROW accounts where it would be invested in guaranteed marketable Treasury securities, real assets that workers themselves would own and on which account balances would, in fact, be inheritable. Workers age 55 and older will continue to participate in the Social Security system that we know today. Nothing changes. People should have the right if they wish to invest their Social Security taxes in safe, diversified funds like a Thrift Savings Plan that Federal employees and Members of Congress have. The return, in fact, has been proven to be better than the government's 1.6 percent return on Social Security.

Younger workers should have the opportunity to receive a higher retirement income than the current system will be able to pay by the time that they can retire themselves. Workers between the ages of 22 and 55 should have the option of joining the personal account system, and people younger than 22 could, in fact, be required to join that system. Those retiring after about 2042 can really expect to receive only about 73 percent or less of what they are being promised today. A reasonable reform would allow them the opportunity to improve their retirement incomes by investing a portion of their current payroll taxes.

The current system owes some $10.4 trillion more in promised benefits than it can afford to pay, and each passing year adds an additional $600 million to the cost of permanently fixing the Social Security system. Benefits will be reduced and taxes may have to be raised.

As I have been visiting high school seniors in my district over the last few months, I have entered into a dialogue with many of the students over the future of Social Security, and I have asked some students if they believe that Social Security will be around for them to collect when they retire. Out of the five classrooms, only one hand was raised. That is one out of approximately 175 young adults around the age of 18 who actually have faith in our current Social Security system.

Young adults are supportive of personal accounts because they understand that they will be better off during their retirement years. And they also realize that they will not have to worry about placing a financial burden on their children and grandchildren who would otherwise have to act as a financial caretaker in their retirement years.

I have received correspondence from my constituents 50 years and older eagerly opposing the accounts due to a very common misconception. The middle-aged and elderly residents in my area have a fear of not receiving the benefits that they have been promised in the system. To them I say this: they will receive their benefits just as promised. For them the Social Security system will not change in any way.

However, I think it would be a disgrace to deny our younger generation and generations to come the opportunity to build a nest egg, if you will, and prepare adequately for their future. Many people ask what safeguards will the government have to protect these personal accounts if someone invests poorly or recklessly. Clearly, not everyone is comfortable in investing. So Social Security reform will have to include some type of safeguard for its participants in the personal account system. Aside from the strong performance of financial markets over the long term, as well as the fact that a majority of your account will remain in the Social Security trust fund as a safety net, the personal accounts that will be offered will be fully diversified.

Another idea that has been talked about is having participants purchase an inflation-adjusted annuity that is at least equal to 100 percent of the poverty level for their retirement. Democrats have said this: they think that we should eliminate the $90,000 cap on income. Even completely eliminating the cap on taxable wages would only postpone permanent deficits by 6 years, from 2018 to 2024. A temporary fix would likely require future generations to raise taxes over and over, and I think that our constituents deserve better than that.

Now more than ever, those of us here in Congress have a responsibility to make the tough decision while not making the financial burden any harder on the American people. Voluntary personal retirement accounts are very beneficial for the workers and retirees of the future. They would be accumulating money in their own account throughout their working life. And that money would grow through investment over the years. Because their dollars are growing over the course of decades, they would be able to have a more comfortable retirement without relying entirely on the next generation of workers coming after them.

Mr. Speaker, I think we all agree that we need to move towards change now. Let us pass legislation that includes some type of personal retirement accounts. And as we talk about this issue tonight, again I want to thank the gentlewoman from Kentucky (Mrs. Northup) for bringing this issue forward. I look forward to the opportunity of conversing with my other colleagues on the this very important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer a personal explanation of the reason I missed rollcall Votes Nos. 363-379 from July 11 to July 14, 2005. Following Hurricane Dennis' landfall in my district on July 10, 2005, it wasn't possible for 3 days to fly out of the area, and it became clear during that time that it was most prudent to remain in the district for the balance of the week to survey and assist with immediate needs following the storm's passage.

I respectfully request that it be entered into the Congressional Record that if present, I would have voted:

Rollcall vote No. 363, H. Con. Res. 168, condemning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the abductions and continued captivity of citizens of the Republic of Korea and Japan as acts of terrorism and gross violations of human rights, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 364, H. Res. 333, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for Darfur, Sudan, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 365, Previous Question on H. Res. 352, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 366, H. Res. 351, the rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 739, H.R. 740, H.R. 741, and H.R. 742, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 367, H. Res. 352, providing that the House of Representatives will focus on removing barriers to competitiveness of the United States economy, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 368, H. Res. 343, commending the State of Kuwait for granting women certain important political rights, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 369, H.R. 739, to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide for adjudicative flexibility with regard to the filing of a notice of contest by an employer following the issuance of a citation or proposed assessment of a penalty by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 370, H.R. 740, to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide for greater efficiency at the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 371, H.R. 741, to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide for judicial deference to conclusions of law determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission with respect to an order issued by the Commission, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 372, H.R. 742, to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide for the award of attorneys' fees and costs to small employers when such employers prevail in litigation prompted by the issuance of a citation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 373, Capps Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 6, ``nay'';

Rollcall vote No. 374, H.R. 3100, to authorize measures to deter arms transfers by foreign countries to the People's Republic of China, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 375, H. Res. 356, condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in London, England, on July 7, 2005, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 376, Rohrbacher Amendment to H.R. 2864, ``nay'';

Rollcall vote No. 377, Flake Amendment to H.R. 2864, ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 378, final passage of H.R. 2864, Water Resources Development Act of 2005, ``nay''; and

Rollcall vote No. 379, H. Con. Res. 191, Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the conclusion of the War in the Pacific and honoring veterans of both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters of the Second World War, ``aye''.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to recognize the passing of Clifford W. Barnhart. Mr. Barnhart had a tremendous impact in my district over his tenure as editor of the Pensacola News Journal and as an appointed Escambia County Commissioner.

A native of New Alexandria, PA who began his career in Pittsburgh, he was already a seasoned newspaper man when he arrived in Pensacola. Not only was he respected for his business acumen, but he was also admired for his service to community, whether in the form of supporting local sporting events for youngsters or making sure that readers were always well informed. When Hurricane Frederic, a dangerous Category 3 storm hit the Gulf Coast in 1979, Mr. Barnhart managed to get the paper on the street the very next morning.

When Governor Jeb Bush needed to replace four elected county commissioners who had been removed from office because of scandal, Mr. Barnhart was one of the people that he knew could be trusted to restore integrity to the position. Even though he had been retired from the Pensacola News Journal for 18 years, Mr. Barnhart gladly stepped forward to serve his community.

My prayers go out to Clifford's wife Zee, his son Scott Barnhart, his daughters Bonnie Mae Barnhart and Sue Glenn, and all others who mourn the loss of this great man. He loved his family as they loved him, and his loss will have a vast impact on so many.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is with no small amount of sorrow that I tell of the passing of Clifford Barnhart from this world, and his family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce H.R. 3200 the Service members' Group Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005. Honorable Shelley Berkley, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, joins me as an original cosponsor of the bill.

H.R. 3200 would amend and make permanent certain provisions of Public Law 109-13, the War Supplemental, as they pertain to the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) programs, which expire on September 30, 2005.

Specifically, this bill would make permanent the maximum increases in coverage for both Servicemembers' and Veterans' Group Life Insurance from $250,000 to $400,000, and make permanent the increments of SGLI coverage a servicemember may elect from $10,000 to $50,000. It would also require the military service Secretary concerned to notify a servicemember's spouse or an unmarried servicemember's next-of-kin, in writing, if the servicemember declines coverage or chooses an amount of coverage less than the maximum, as well as ensure that a servicemember's spouse be notified if the servicemember designates someone other than the spouse or child as the policy beneficiary. Finally, the bill would amend the new Traumatic Injury Protection program, established in Public Law 109-13, to allow a servicemember to opt out of the program.

Mr. Speaker, Congress recognized the need to enhance VA insurance benefits provided to our servicemen and women and did so in the Supplemental. This bill builds on the provisions enacted in Public Law 109-13 and ensures that servicemembers are provided with adequate insurance options to protect their families and loved ones.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 188.

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

I rise today in support of this resolution which reminds us that brave American service men and women willingly risk their lives to defend the United States' interests and the freedom and values that we all enjoy as citizens. Such commitment imposes on the rest of us an obligation, an obligation to ensure that we do not break faith with those who serve, and that we respond to such commitment by resolving to provide the necessary resources for our military forces to successfully carry out the missions assigned to them.

Nine years ago this past Saturday, a truck bomb exploded outside the fence around the Khobar Towers compound in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The bomb, estimated at more than 3,000 pounds, detonated about 85 feet from a residential housing unit that housed U.S. troops, killing 19 U.S. Air Force servicemen, and wounding hundreds of other Americans.

The force of that explosion destroyed or damaged six high-rise apartment buildings and shattered windows throughout the residential compound. Today, we honor the 19 airmen who gave their lives, the supreme sacrifice, at the hands of terrorists 20 miles away from Dhahran. This Congress joins me in paying tribute to those men who are individually recognized in H. Con. Res. 188.

Mr. Speaker, I thought when I was drafting this resolution that it is ironic that just a month ago we celebrated Memorial Day, where we honored the men and women who have died in the pursuit, and subsequently the defense, of freedom in wars, domestic and foreign, since the founding of our country. One week from today, we will be celebrating the founding of America, our birthday, the Declaration of Independence, upon which our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

As we celebrate our Fourth of July or Memorial Day on their designated day, they are a constant reminder of the sacrifice of these men. Twelve of the 19 men killed were based at Eglin Air Force Base in my district and several, along with their families, were constituents. It is my hope that all of America will pause and give thanks to their sacrifice.

This week in Washington, D.C., the parents and loved ones of many of those who sacrificed their lives are the guests of the FBI, and some of them are here today in the House gallery as we present this resolution. I want to personally pay a word of deepest appreciation to the families of these heroes.

We can never undo the tragedy that they have lived. We can never alleviate the pain that I know is with each of them every day, but I would hope and I know my colleagues join me in this hope, that with the adoption of this resolution, they will take from our action some solace in the fact that we do not forget the contributions and sacrifices of their loved ones. They are much more than men in uniform to them; they were their lives.

Bridget Brooks, mother of Airman First Class Joseph E. Rimkus, is a constituent of mine and works at Eglin even today. I regret that she is not able to be here today, so, Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with my colleagues the kind of man who was lost, in his mother's own words.

``When Joseph joined the military, he told me that now he could have a flag on his coffin like his grandfather. He knew I worried about his safety and had not allowed him to join when he was 17, but he was so devoted to the military that in his last letter to me, he told me that I was his hero and he was going to make a career out of serving his country. He was so proud to be in the Air Force.

``As for his youth, he became the man of the house when his father abandoned us while serving a tour in Korea, and Joseph was my biggest supporter as I put myself through college. He called me the day he died, and his last words to me were that he loved me.

``He was the tenth firstborn son to be named Joseph. He did not talk about being a father because that was a done deal. Instead, he talked in great length of what kind of grandfather he would be.

``My family may never recover from this loss. Joseph was one of those rare souls who gave all. Before he left, he made sure that I knew he was a Christian and he would be a Catholic all of his life. Can you imagine how that knowledge has comforted me? There is no amount of money to pay for that. Even to this day, people still tell me how wonderful he was.

``In the court case against Iran, one airman, who I did not know, testified that while they were all huddled in mass after the bombing, and they knew the boys who were killed, it was Joseph's presence that he felt. That does not surprise me. Joseph was there for his friends. That is just what he would do.''

Mr. Speaker, our action on this resolution is a message to those who died, their family members, our Nation and the rest of the world that we honor the sacrifices of these 19 airmen and the families that they left behind. They served with the highest and best military traditions. No one could have served better or given more.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me and the 47 original cosponsors in support of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, again, I have no more speakers and I would suffice to say that we urge passage of this resolution and the fact that these nomads will forever be protecting us.

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