Jerry McNerney

Mr. Speaker, I introduced H. Res. 1009 in March of this year. This resolution states that it is the sense of the House that the House should debate five of the six commonly accepted principles of the Just War theory to declaring war or authorizing military force.

The other Just War principle is that wars should be authorized by the Nation's legitimate body, which in this case is the House of Representatives.

The reasoning behind H. Res. 1009 is as follows:

One, the U.S. House of Representatives shares the constitutional responsibility to declare war and authorize military force with the United States Senate (Article I, Section 8, Clause 11), but the House has traditionally been the body responsible to declare war or authorize military force.

Two, war and military action will always cause injuries, death, destruction, loss of property, famine, displacements, and other hardships. Because of these privations, military authorizations should only be undertaken with sufficient justification.

Three, weapons of mass destruction are possessed by a substantial and growing number of nations. These weapons may be capable of exterminating humanity.

Four, any conflict has the potential to expand beyond the original intent of the belligerent nations.

Five, the Just War theory of what constitutes the moral justification for a nation to engage in war has been developed over the past two millennia.

Six, some of the Just War principles are incorporated into the United Nations charter, but this has not prevented the many wars that have taken place since the United Nations was established. No nation in recent history has incorporated the principles of Just War theory into its own governing laws or traditions.

Seven, in the United States, an open and transparent debate of the Just War principles would give lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives a structured framework to examine if a call to conflict would be morally justified and may prevent our Nation from entering conflicts that may be harmful to our Nation's interests.

Eight, it is possible that debating the Just War principles in the U.S. House of Representatives before authorizing military force would have kept the United States out of military conflicts in the past that have been harmful to our Nation's interests.

Nine, H. Res. 1009 does not require the U.S. House of Representatives to debate the Just War principles, but essentially recommends that it does so.

Ten, H. Res. 1009 does not limit executive authority, but it does help to ensure that the executive does not overreach.

Eleven, after discussions and inputs from Just War scholars, some improvements to H. Res. 1009 have been noted.

My intention with H. Res. 1009 is to introduce the idea of having an open and structured debate in the House of Representatives on the most serious and grave responsibility of our government, that of declaring war.

In our Nation's history, declarations of war have been done at the request of the President. Having an open and structured debate will lessen the opportunity for misuse of our Nation's military but should not impede our Nation's ability to react to defend our country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the House of Representatives to adopt this concept in the upcoming 118th Congress of debating the Just War principles before authorizing military action and expect that adopting such a resolution will inspire other nations to do the same, thereby reducing the likelihood of future unjustified wars.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the public service and achievements of Andrew ``Andy'' Chesley, who recently retired from his position as Executive Director of the San Joaquin Council of Governments, or ``SJCOG,'' after forty one years of service.

Andy graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and geography, after which he earned a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Iowa.

During his fifteen years as Executive Director of the SJCOG, Andy oversaw its rise to prominence among California's metropolitan planning agencies, standing alongside the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Southern California Association of Governments, the San Diego Association of Governments, and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Andy was responsible for the management of the SJCOG's transportation planning and other regional planning activities, including implementation of the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan. He also authored and implemented San Joaquin County's ``self-help'' sales tax for transportation, which was passed by the county's voters, allowing vital improvements to the region's highway and passenger rail transportation system, thereby making this economically challenged region more attractive to future residents and employers.

In addition to his role at the SJCOG, Andy has been chair of the Regional Transportation Planning Agencies of California, is an officer of California's Self-Help Counties Coalition, and is a member of the Institute for Transportation Engineers, the American Planning Association, and the American Public Works Association. He has also been a speaker at state and national conferences of the American Planning Association, the American Society for Public Administrators, the National Association of Regional Councils, and the National Transportation Research Board.

Through changing and challenging times, Andy has provided constant and steady leadership and wise counsel to elected officials charged with managing San Joaquin County's growth and has been a leader among his planning agency peers. He has contributed his knowledge and experience to the California's Central Valley and beyond, and he has made a positive impact on our great state.

Please join me in recognizing Andrew ``Andy'' Chesley for his distinguished service and in wishing him well on his much-deserved retirement.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Stockton Fire Captain Vidal ``Max'' Fortuna, who was tragically killed in the line of duty while responding to a fire in Stockton, California, on January 31st.

A beloved husband and father of two, Captain Fortuna was a 21-year veteran of the Stockton Fire Department. He was an active member of his local church and helped coach youth sports in his free time.

Captain Fortuna was known for his selflessness and dedication to the community he served. He loved his job and went out of his way to work with and mentor young firefighters, and he has been praised by many within the Stockton Fire Department as a model firefighter who inspired others. His colleague, Fire Chief Rick Edwards, fondly remembers him as having an addictive smile and the ability to make anyone laugh when they were feeling down.

Sadly, this is a tragic reminder of the dangers emergency responders face every day. Captain Fortuna's courage will not be forgotten, and I ask that you join me in honoring his life, his service, and his memory.