Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as many in this House of Representatives know, I represent one of the largest congressional districts in this country of over 53,000 square miles. The district is about the size of the State of Illinois. It is bigger than 25 of 26 States east of the Mississippi River. It has more hospitals than any other congressional district, but it has no Veterans Administration Hospital.

Some veterans in my rural district have experienced great difficulty in traveling to distant VA health facilities to access care. Though we have been successful in opening several VA outpatient clinics in the First Congressional District, access to care remains a real challenge for veterans living in rural Kansas.

I would like to share a couple of stories from Kansans who have written me recently. I received the following letter from the wife of a World War II veteran: ``My husband and I have been residents of a long- term care facility for 2 years, and he is unable to travel 65 miles to take a physical at the Hays Kansas VA clinic, as is required by the VA to receive prescription benefits. They have stopped filling his prescription medicine. Veterans like Ralph gave several years of their lives for our country, and I feel it is a very ungrateful way to treat them.''

The second case involves an elderly veteran from Hoxie, Kansas, who is in need of a pair of glasses. This veteran was told he must travel over 4 hours to the Wichita VA Hospital to get a new pair of glasses, a distance of about 260 miles, and it doesn't make sense to him because his community's optometrist is just across the street.

No, it doesn't make sense to any of us. Lack of access to VA care is a problem felt around the country by veterans living in rural America. Veterans who live in rural America are one in five of the veterans enrolled in the health care system. Rural veterans face unique challenges like long drives to VA facilities, bad weather, and lack of specialists. Limited access to VA care too often means rural veterans simply forgo the care and treatment they need. Studies have found that rural veterans are in poorer health than their urban counterparts. A policy change is needed. It isn't right to penalize some veterans because of where they live. It is time to provide these veterans the health care benefits they have earned and that have been promised to them.

I have introduced the Rural Veterans Access to Care Act with the goal of ending these disparities in access. This legislation requires the VA to contract with qualified outside health providers to give our most underserved veterans more options to receive care. Rather than traveling long distances to reach VA facilities or deciding not to make the trip at all, these veterans would be given the choice to receive care closer to home at their local hospital or their community clinic or their local physician's office. Additionally, the VA would be required to fill prescriptions written by outside doctors to eligible veterans.

To meet the needs of highly rural veterans, the VA would contract and partner with community physicians as well as local hospitals, community health centers, and rural health clinics. These providers already supply high-quality care to America's rural population, and yet their services are denied to America's veterans.

Since our Nation's founding, rural communities have always responded to the Nation's call. Today, 44 percent of our country's military recruits come from rural America. When these rural soldiers return home from war, our Nation must be prepared to care for them. Let's take advantage of the successes of existing rural health infrastructure in order to meet the unmet needs of America's rural veterans.

For our elderly World War II veterans, our young soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and those who served in all of the conflicts in between, this is a commonsense and life-saving approach that our Nation owes its rural veterans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the citizens of Collyer, Kansas for continuing efforts to sustain and revitalize their community.

On September 26, 2004 that effort was formalized through creation of the Collyer Community Alliance. Donna Malsom, president of the alliance, said the organization was formed because residents want to see their hometown raise another generation of Kansans. ``Our community is made up of hard working individuals who pull together to support businesses, projects and each other, Malsom said. ``Through our combined efforts, we made a conscious decision to `save' our community.''

Despite its small size--133 people--Collyer is making a large commitment to its future. In the nearly 30 months since it was formed, the alliance has grown from zero to more than 200 paid memberships.

In order to obtain financing for community initiatives, the alliance has conducted a number of fundraising activities--the most famous of which are fish fries that are held every Friday evening during the Lenten season. In 2006, more than 1,000 plates were served. Having personally attended a fish fry, I can affirm that the food is delicious and the community spirit is inspiring.

Funds have also been raised by organizing Hunter's Burgers and Brats and Ground Hog Celebration Soup suppers, the Walsh Auction Lunch, Quinter School Forensics Tournament Lunch, WaKeeney Trash and Treasure Flea Market, Quinter May Day Celebration, Switchback Benefit Barn Dance and alumni celebrations. Money raised from these activities is supplemented by generous financial support from individuals, families, businesses and local units of government. Since its inception, approximately 75 entities have achieved ``sponsor'' status through the alliance.

This fundraising effort translates into impressive promotion of and support for the community. Last year, the Collyer Cafe opened in the refurbished Saint Michael's Convent. The alliance purchased the convent and the community donated well over 1,000 volunteer hours to this restoration project.

In July, the community hosts an After Harvest Music Festival which brings approximately 500 people to town. In October, the Fall Street Festival attracts more than 1,000 visitors to Collyer.

The alliance further promotes Collyer by maintaining an extensive website at www.collyerks.com. The site includes a history of the community, ongoing development projects, fundraising activities and community events.

An effort is being made to preserve the legacy of Collyer by obtaining historical designations on 14 community buildings. The Saint Michael's Buildings, Zeman Dance Hall, the old mercantile/grocery store and the Collyer Depot are just a few of these historically significant structures. With persistent effort, the alliance has achieved 501(C)3 nonprofit status retroactive to May of 2005. This approval is allowing the community to aggressively pursue restoration efforts.

An additional boost to preserve Collyer's legacy occurred in May of 2006 when the community was awarded a grant from the Kansas Humanities Council in support of an initiative to gather and record stories of immigrant families that settled in Collyer. Alliance members supplied the volunteer hours needed to complete this and several other grant applications.

Sandra Stenzel, community volunteer, acknowledges that the work required to create a future for Collyer is not easy. However, she believes the effort is worth it. ``Our community was founded on the principles of faith, freedom, education, progress and agriculture,'' Stenzel said. ``We are proud of our past, but we are even prouder of the vision we have for the future and the plan we have to get there.''

For rural communities to survive and prosper, citizens must be willing to create their own opportunities for success. Ongoing efforts to revitalize Collyer are an example of how hard work, vision and involvement support can create just such an opportunity. Citizens throughout Kansas are working together to enhance the quality of life in their communities. Collyer is a developing success story that demonstrates how teamwork and creative thinking can make a positive difference in rural America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my admiration for the life of Mr. Lewis Dean ``L.D.'' Minor of Minneola, Kansas, who passed away on Monday, February 26, 2007. A member of this country's ``Greatest Generation,'' Mr. Minor was a man of integrity who lived his life in service to others. He worked hard and loved God, his family and his country.

Like so many young Americans of his generation, L.D. put country before self and joined the United States Navy in 1943. He proudly fought for freedom during World War II in the South Pacific. During his service he earned the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

When I entered Congress in 1997, L.D. was one of the first constituents to contact me regarding veterans' issues. Throughout his life, L.D. displayed tireless dedication to improving

health care access for veterans, especially those living in southwest Kansas. He constantly worked on opportunities to bring the Department of Veterans Affairs to the area for general health care while finding ways to transport veterans to a VA regional hospital for specialty care. L.D. was one of many veterans whose efforts were rewarded when a VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic was opened at Ft. Dodge, Kansas, in 1999. He provided me valuable counsel and never let me forget that our Nation's veterans deserve the best health care possible.

I signed a picture taken of myself and L.D. during one of his trips to Washington, DC to represent the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I was proud and humbled to know the picture was displayed during his funeral. On that picture, I wrote the following words. ``I wish Congress would serve our veterans as well as you and all veterans have served our country.'' Veterans have brought honor to our country through their military service. It is only right that their government honor its commitment to them.

In addition to his service to veterans, L.D. was devoted to his family. Over the course of their 63 year marriage, L.D. and his wife, Esther, were committed parents and grandparents. They raised twelve children and enjoyed 30 grandchildren.

In the many important roles L.D. filled in his life, he served out of a sense of duty. He made his community better and his Nation safer. I join L.D.'s many friends and admirers in paying tribute to a great man. My thoughts and prayers go out to Esther and the Minor family during this time of loss.

Mr. Speaker, when the question is asked, other than a family member, name one person who has made a difference in your life, the most often answered response is that of a favorite teacher. This simple response speaks volumes about the influence that an educator has on the lives of a young person and the future of our Nation.

The education profession has long been known for inadequate pay but a high job satisfaction. Teachers have been willing to forfeit material gain for the joy of seeing the eyes of their students light up when they discover a difficult concept or when they grasp a new idea. We have long understood that teachers truly shape the world by their work, and their greatest product is an educated child.

Lately, though, the job satisfaction that brought so many teachers into the profession seems to have left the classroom. Unfortunately, much of this development can be attributed to No Child Left Behind. The joy of teaching has been replaced by the pressure-filled staff meetings where educators spend their time talking, not about how to help a child learn but, rather, their school's test scores.

Morale in the education world has diminished, and more teachers are at wits end.

Recently, Holly Lindsay, a teacher in Lindsborg, Kansas, told me of her frustration with her profession. She writes, ``I am a first-year teacher, and I am beginning to get very discouraged. I went into the teaching profession to help students learn and to encourage them to follow their dreams. However, I am finding that more and more of my time is spent preparing students for standardized tests. These tests do not prepare students for any career. They only teach students how to take a test. I am very disappointed with the education system right now. With all these tests, we don't have time to teach. It is also very frustrating when we have to prove our abilities with countless hours to show that we are highly qualified. In no other profession are there such lofty goals for their employees with such little benefit. I truly feel that the time and effort I put into teaching is not worth my while. No Child Left Behind is wonderful in theory, but impossible to carry out. Not every child is equal in ability, and no teacher should be expected to make it so.''

The number of teachers leaving the profession is exceeding the number of teachers entering the profession by 23 percent. With over 25 percent of our teaching force eligible to retire within the next 10 years, this young educator's thoughts should be a warning. Teachers that have been career educators are bailing out as soon as they can because they do not want to deal with the unnecessary red tape and the growing pressures that are being placed upon them.

Another staggering fact is that one-third of new teachers quit the education profession within the first 3 years of teaching. In my rural Kansas district, if we have to shut the doors on rural schools it will not be because of lack of students, it will be because we cannot find the teachers to fill the teaching vacancies.

Congress must be sensitive to the responsibility we hold in making educators want to walk out of the classroom and never look back. Congress needs to look closely at our role and the trends and make sure that we are not encouraging this situation by continuing to overregulate the classroom.

We need to strive for improvements in our education system, but we must make sure that we are not legislating accountability simply for the sake of a sound bite. We must not take the joy and passion out of this noble profession by requiring things that are simply not possible.

This year, Congress is set to examine No Child Left Behind and potentially reauthorize it. While I voted against this law, I voted against No Child Left Behind, I look forward to being involved in the upcoming discussions about how we reform and change the education system. My hope is that we will look closely at the unintended realities that so many of our teachers face and will be willing to make the changes necessary to provide the policies that will help them succeed as they go about the business of educating our greatest asset, our young people, and fulfilling the jobs they so love.

Madam Speaker, despite my belief in the inadequacies of the President's new strategy, to vote for the resolution with the troops already deployed is a step I cannot take. I am unwilling to--after the fact--say to them, I oppose your mission.

My vote should not be interpreted as approval of the administration's conduct of this war. I have had the opportunity to meet General David Petraeus, the new commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq. I believe he is one of the most capable military commanders America has available for this mission. General Petraeus has indicated there is a chance for success and that he will report to the American people in 6 months as to whether or not the President's plan is working.

Let us give the new leaders and the new strategy this short period of time to see if stability can be achieved--an investment necessary to ensure the lives lost and families damaged thus far have not sacrificed in vain.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was before the Rules Committee requesting permission to offer an amendment, and I appreciate the courtesy that was extended to me by the Rules Committee, but would like to highlight, once again, that this omnibus spending bill does not include something that is of high priority to me and a high priority to many of my colleagues on the Republican side, but clearly a priority to Democrats who, last fall, signed a discharge petition attempting to bring to the House floor the issue of disaster assistance for farmers across the country. And despite the fact that 196 Members of the House, Democrat Members of the House, signed a discharge petition, we are still not at the point in which we are able to vote upon providing disaster assistance to farmers across the Midwest and around the country due to weather-related losses.

And I would encourage my colleagues, as we continue to work ourselves through the appropriation process, that we have other opportunities to pursue this. And I hope that the words that were expressed to me yesterday in the Rules Committee that that would be the case remains true.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express my admiration of a Kansan's life--a life filled with honor and service to country, community and family. Mr. Robert ``Bob'' Layher of Hays, Kansas, a member of the Greatest Generation, lived life with integrity, passion and enthusiasm.

Like so many young Americans of his generation, Bob put country before self and joined the U.S. military. Bob proudly fought for freedom during World War II, though he began serving prior to the start of the war. He was among those who resigned their U.S. military positions in order to volunteer for a covert operation with the Chinese Air Force before the U.S. entered the war. For his service in China as a member of The Flying Tigers, Bob was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Bob's dedication to those he served with and his preservation of their memories was unsurpassed. While the history and service of The Flying Tigers is well known in China, few in our country know about the courage and heroism of these men. Bob took a lead role in making certain that his community knew about The Flying Tiger's mission of protecting China's important Burma Road from Japanese attacks.

He was also involved in national education of The Flying Tigers. Appearing in stories and presenting at schools, he shared the history of this brave group of volunteers. During trips back to the area where they were stationed, members of The Flying Tigers found the need for education about their group was much less necessary in China. The idea that Americans would volunteer to defend another country all for the sake of freedom made a great impression on the Chinese.

While Bob was born and raised outside of Kansas, our state was lucky to have him settle here and begin farming after his military service. Bob was born in Dallas, Oregon, on September 3, 1916. He graduated from the University of Colorado where he also met his wife, Marian. In 1941, 4 days before he left for China, he and Marian were secretly married. This was also the same day as his birthday, so this way Bob would never forget their anniversary.

A very involved member of his community, Bob participated in several civic groups. After he moved to Hays in 1952, Bob became a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a member of the ISIS Shrine and the Masonic Lodge in Salina.

Most important to Bob was his family. Over the course of their 65 years of marriage, he and his wife were committed parents and grandparents. Bob's son, R.F. ``Bobby'' Layher Jr., followed in his father's footsteps and served as a pilot in Vietnam. Even though Bobby went on to be a civilian pilot, Bob and his son were still able to fulfill their dream of farming together.

In the many important roles Bob filled in his life, he served out of a sense of duty and not out of selfish ambition. He helped make his community better and his nation safer. I join his many friends and admirers in paying tribute to a great man. My thoughts and prayers go out to Marian and her family during this time of loss.

Mr. Speaker, it is very unusual for me to watch C-SPAN on my television set in my office and decide this is something I want to come speak about it. It is rare for me to be on the House floor speaking about someone else's bills or speaking about an amendment. Usually when I am here, it is on a topic of interest and personal involvement from my committees and my involvement as a Member of Congress from a very rural community who is here to fight on behalf of rural America.

Well, tonight as I watched the debate on this issue, as I heard it explained, it is one of those issues that caused me to walk across the street to come talk about something that is gnawing at me.

We have talked about a double standard between the leadership staff, the committee staff, and our own personal staff. But to me the double standard is the way that Americans in the job market are not treated when they lose their job. What I see is that Americans, the taxpayers of this country, will see one more piece of evidence that Congress doesn't get it, that we are simply taking care of our own and forgetting the taxpayers, the Americans who go to work each and every day and those who may, through no fault of their own, lose their jobs.

So what I see tonight, as we discuss this issue, it is about a double standard that treats the American people differently from those who happen to work for Members of Congress, particularly in leadership or in committee staff positions. They are important. They are important to the process. They are important to good government. But the reality is we are here on behalf of the American people, on behalf of the American taxpayer, and those are the people we ought to be thinking about tonight as we debate how to spend the taxpayers' dollars.

It is easy to be generous with other people's money. Tonight we ought to remember it is the taxpayers' money that we are attempting to be generous with. Let us recognize that once again Congress should not create a special opportunity for people who happen to work here. Do not treat ourselves, do not treat our staffs differently from the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man who is a legend in Kansas journalism and his community, a man not afraid to challenge an issue even if it rocked the boat, man who let his readers know what they needed to know, a man who served his country and community with strong will and strong opinions, and a man who will be missed throughout Kansas. I am here today to honor a respected leader and friend--Bill Meyer.

Bill may best be known as the editor and publisher of the Marion County Record. During his 55 years of service to this weekly paper, he brought a fire to the paper establishing it as a challenge to the status quo. After graduating from the University of Kansas in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in journalism, he began his five and a half decade career. Bill didn't stop at just reporting the news. His active role in civil issues, including the construction of Marion Reservoir and the local football stadium, helped create good news for the city of Marion.

Bill's weekly column, ``Mostly Malarkey,'' gave voice to his strong opinions. These challenging positions often led to productive dialogues, but for others it led to violent reactions. On occasion his property and the newspaper office were vandalized. This past president of the Kansas Press Association has woken to slashed tires, egg-covered vehicles, and even a bullet hole in his office window. It takes a tough man to withstand the attacks he endured defending his fiery positions.

Bill also endured attacks while serving our country in World War II. He earned the Purple Heart for permanent injuries suffered from freezing temperatures during the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of concentration camps in Bavaria. Bill was decorated by several European countries and his own for his

service during the war. He continued to be honored after the war for serving his comrades and their memory by editing Checkerboard, a World War II newspaper, and facilitating tours of European battlefields.

It has been said that Bill was part of a dying breed in journalism-- journalists who didn't write for the good of their career, but for the good of their community. Bill enjoyed success in career and community. Among others, he received awards from Kansas State University, the Kansas House of Representatives, and the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors. In 2004, he was inducted into the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame. In Marion, Bill gave back while serving as school board president, Kiwanis president, and president of the Marion County Hospital District. Bill became even more connected with his neighbors as an ambulance and bus driver.

Despite his many activities, family came first. Bill was a devoted husband to his wife, Joan, and a proud father, grandfather and great- grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Meyer family. May the strength and courage demonstrated in his years of service help inspire us. We will not only remember Bill the way we saw him through our own eyes, but also by the way we saw the world through his eyes. The world is a better place because of him, and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Gerald W. Tomanek of Hays, Kansas, and honor his accomplishments and character.

Jerry was many things to many people--an educator, a comrade, a scientific expert, a husband and a parent. To me, Jerry was foremost a trusted friend.

Jerry and I met when I was a college student at Fort Hays State University. From the beginning, I was struck by his humble spirit and the genuine care he showed in his interaction with me. Not too many years after we first met, Jerry became President of Fort Hays State University. Years earlier, Jerry had attended the same institution when it was Fort Hays Kansas State College. As President, in 1977, he successfully led the effort to change the school's status to that of university. Today, thanks in large part to his vision, Fort Hays State University is one of the leading academic institutions in the Midwest.

In addition to serving as university president, Jerry was extensively involved in research and instruction. Growing up on the Great Plains, he was familiar, as all Kansans are, with the prairie. First as a student and then as a professor, Jerry learned more and more about this ecosystem and became one of the most renowned experts in the world on prairies. His expertise was sought by foreign governments and leading U.S. news organizations. The intimate knowledge and love he had of the prairie helped others appreciate and understand this unique landscape.

Since our first meeting, Jerry and I stayed in contact and developed a friendship. In our many conversations, I was always impressed with his knowledge, wisdom and kindness. I valued his advice. When my family and I decided I would run for the Kansas State Senate, I asked Jerry to be my campaign chairman. He kindly accepted and helped guide me to victory, despite a close race.

Jerry was not only a friend to me, but to most everyone who met him. He was one of those rare individuals whose warm personality and authentic care for others left all who met him better off. He had a way of affirming the worth of others that inspired them to achieve their best. Despite all of his academic and professional achievements, when friends share stories of Jerry, their message is the same: he was a good man who put others before himself.

It is this example of a life well lived that is his greatest contribution. I can think of nothing more honoring than to say that Jerry lived a life that called me and those who knew him to be better people.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Hostettler and Ranking Member Jackson-Lee and the two chairmen and ranking members of the full committee, who are here today, for their leadership and effort.

This has been a long time coming. The J-1 visa Conrad program has expired 6 months ago, and communities are waiting for the certainty of this legislation's passing, and I am grateful to the leadership of the committee as well as the House to see that this bill is on the floor today.

I came to Congress as a Member who wanted to do something about preserving and improving the way of life in rural America, and one of the things I quickly discovered was if there is going to be a future for rural communities we are going to have to have access to affordable medical care. If you want your community to have that future, you have got to have hospital doors that remain open, physicians in communities, home health care, nursing home care, and other professional health care providers that can meet the needs. Otherwise, our senior citizens that make up such a large portion of our population will reluctantly move away and young families will decide we can't take the risk of living in a community that does not allow us the opportunity to have our children treated with adequate medical facilities.

The J-1 visa program, though not solving all of the challenges we face in meeting the health care needs of Americans, is one step in that direction that needs to be there. It needs to be in place, and I am pleased that the committee has recognized its importance.

The physician shortage that has been mentioned is real. In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that although a quarter of the population of our country lives in rural America, only 10 percent of the physicians serve that population. We have a tremendous gap. And the unique thing about this, as is with many what I would call rural health care issues, is it brings urban Members of Congress and rural Members of Congress together because our needs are so identical. We are so underserved that the core center of cities and the most unpopulated areas of the country face the same challenges: How do we meet the health care needs of Americans who choose to live where they live? Kansas has been able to recruit 66 physicians since 2002 when we developed our State program, and it has made a tremendous difference. Three communities, Rush County Memorial Hospital now has had three J-1 visa physicians, the only physicians in the county. The same thing with Greensburg, Kansas. For the last 10 years, no physician in the community but a J-1 visa, and those J-1 visa doctors have attracted three mid-level practitioners. And, finally, the most recent success in Kansas is a community health clinic, the United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries, where they just recruited a J-1 visa doctor from Peru who now can address the needs of many Hispanic members of that community in southwest Kansas. It is wonderful now to have a bilingual J-1 visa doctor.

Again, there are issues that we would love to work on to address the distribution of J-1 visa physicians, and I look forward to trying to meet that challenge with my colleagues from across the country. But this program is important. It saves lives. It is often the only health care opportunity that many Americans will ever receive, and the J-1 visa program is about good health and saving lives.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jerold L. Harris of Wichita, Kansas. Jerold has served rural America for 43 years in his role with the Farm Credit System. American agriculture will miss this good friend come January when he plans to retire.

Jerold grew up on a farm near Denby, South Dakota, and later attended high school in Gordon, Nebraska. After receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University in 1963, he went to work for the Farm Credit System, where his positive leadership helped people work together. Jerold embodies a statement he often quotes ``There is no limit to progress when people work together.''

During Jerold's 43 years of service, one accomplishment truly stands out. The Western Farm Credit Bank in Sacramento, California entered into a joint management agreement with the Farm Credit Bank of Wichita in January 2002. The Board of Directors named Jerold as President and Chief Executive Officer. Under this agreement, Jerold combined the operations of these two banks while developing and implementing a strategy to merge the two banks and form a new bank, U.S. AgBank, FCB, which would be headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.

The 1980s were a difficult decade for American agriculture. During part of this time Jerold was the Chief Executive Officer of the jointly managed Ninth District Federal Land Bank Association and the Ninth District Production Credit Association that served four states. Even in those difficult times, Jerold was able to bring people together, under a common objective, to produce results.

During his long and distinguished career, Jerold held numerous leadership positions within the Farm Credit System. He has served as a loan officer, an appraiser, a supervisor and a manager, a follower and a leader, but always with the same dedication and achievement.

Jerold has also provided distinguished service at the national level, serving 15 years as a member of the Farm Credit System Presidents Planning Committee, during three of which he served as Chairman. Jerold also served 11 years on the Board of Directors of the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation, with three of those years as Chairman. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) and is a member of the NCFC Executive Council.

Jerold is also a familiar face here in Washington, DC. He has represented the Farm Credit System by testifying before both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on numerous occasions, and always demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues and provided excellent input on the decisions facing congressional committees.

Jerold's honesty and integrity, keen intelligence, and an understanding of people has won him respect from his peers, workers, and the farmers and ranchers he has represented and served. His accomplishments speak volumes about his dedication to agriculture. He

has worked tirelessly to improve agriculture and rural America, and his leadership will be truly missed.

It is a great pleasure for me to share his impressive record of service with my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rear Admiral William G. Timme on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Navy on November 30, 2006, a service he entered as a Midshipman at the Naval Academy in 1974.

Over the past four years, Admiral Timme has performed superbly as the Naval Sea Systems Command's Deputy Commander for Undersea Warfare. His energy, drive, leadership, keen understanding of national goals, objectives, and priorities, and ability to develop innovative approaches has left an exceptionally positive impact across the Undersea Warfare enterprise.

Admiral Timme's personal efforts have successfully steered the Undersea Warfare directorate through trying workforce downsizing initiatives, delivered significant cost savings, and improved submarine maintenance planning. Most importantly, he directly supported key Team Submarine strategic goals in maximizing operational days for submarines and deep submergence vehicles, improvement of modernization fits, optimization of submarine fleet engagements, and preparation of personnel to meet future technical and management challenges.

Admiral Timme has worked closely with senior shipyard personnel to develop process changes that have resulted in reduced costs and increased efficiency at our nation's public and private shipyards. These include major initiatives in coordinating work across the Naval Shipyards and strengthening vital areas such as the innovative One Shipyard concept.

After the USS San Francisco grounding incident in January 2005, Admiral Timme developed the repair and transit procedures that directly help save this high value, and operationally critical platform for the Navy. Additionally, in his role as submarine safety certifying official, he has presided over the certification process for sea trials and unrestricted operations of over 47 submarines and manned submersibles.

The son of a career military officer, Admiral Timme attended Rutgers University for one year prior to entering the Naval Academy in 1974, graduating with distinction in 1978 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Following commissioning and completion of nuclear power school and basic submarine training, Admiral Timme reported to USS Archerfish. He served as Reactor Controls Assistant and Weapons Officer, completing three deployments. In March 1983, Admiral Timme was assigned to the Personnel Exchange Program with the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. He served on the staff of Flag Officer Submarines at the Commander-in-Chief Fleet Headquarters in Northwood, England. Admiral Timme completed Submarine Officers Advanced Course in October 1985, earning the L. Y. Spear Award as class honorman. He then reported as new construction Engineer Officer on the PCU Tennessee, where the ship earned the Navy Unit Commendation during the shipyard construction period.

Later, Admiral Timme served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C., as the submarine department head detailer. During this tour he earned a masters degree in Engineering Management from The Catholic University. He relieved as Executive Officer of USS Chicago in April 1991, earning the Battle Efficiency ``E'' award. Subsequently, he served as Flag Secretary and Senior Aide to Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

In March 1995, Admiral Timme relieved as Commanding Officer, USS Helena and conducted two western Pacific deployments, which included numerous exercises and operations, including supporting the USS Constellation Battle Group. Subsequently, USS Helena conducted an interfleet transfer and began a Depot Modernization Period at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In May 1998, he reported to the New Attack Submarine Program as the Warfare Requirements and Fleet Liaison Officer. In June 2000, Admiral Timme relieved as the Program Manager for Undersea Weapons, responsible for all of the Navy's torpedo programs.

Admiral Timme's awards include the Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and several unit and service awards.

The Department of the Navy, the Congress, and the American people have been well served by this dedicated naval officer. Admiral Timme's professionalism, superior technical and managerial expertise and determination to support the Fleet are unrivaled. He has been instrumental in ensuring that the U.S. Submarine force is, and will remain, the world's most preeminent in the 21st century. He leaves an enduring legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to express appreciation to Admiral Timme for his outstanding service to the nation. I also want to recognize and thank his wife Suzette and his daughters Savannah and Morgan for their loyalty and support. No one in our armed serves can do their job without the love and understanding of their loved ones. They have shared equally in all of Admiral Timme's success. On behalf of the citizens of Virginia's 8th district, I would like to thank Admiral Timme for his steadfast service to his country over his illustrious 28- year career and wish him and his family fair winds and following seas in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, on Easter Sunday, 2004, Apache helicopter pilot Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Wesley Charles Fortenberry and his gunner answered a desperate call for help from a convoy of 29 reservists trapped in an ambush with an estimated 300 Muslim extremists--pinned down in a mile-long kill zone in Bagdad, down to their last rounds of ammunition.

Pilot Chuck Fortenberry and his gunner fought to save the lives of 29 soldiers, repeatedly silencing enemy guns and drawing fire to themselves. As one reservist said ``everywhere the Apache flew, the fire stopped. When I heard the Apaches, all I could think of was `Thank God', I am going to live.''

To make sure that future generations understand the sacrifices that ensure their freedoms I am proud to announce I have introduced legislation to name the Woodville Post Office in honor of Chuck Fortenberry.

This is a lasting tribute to an American hero. It is also a tribute to the people of Tyler County, whose sons and daughters have defended America's

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the month of October as national domestic violence awareness month. Though we have made great strides in bringing attention to the tragedy of domestic violence, more than 4 million Americans continue to find themselves victims of physical, psychological and sexual abuse. Domestic violence crosses every line of ethnicity, geography, and income. Abuse occurs in every single community in our country--every community--and it must be fought in every community.

It wasn't very long ago that family violence was considered just that--a family matter. A

battered woman was forced to suffer the cuts and bruises and the terror and tears in silence. In my parents' generation, many folks whispered and had suspicions about what was going on next door. Seeing bruised children or watching a wife cower when her husband spoke to her caused speculation on what was taking place in the home. Unfortunately, no one intervened because that was a family matter and none of their business.

Domestic violence rarely made the headlines then and rarely makes the headlines now, primarily because most of the abuse occurs behind closed doors. In most instances, the victim knows the attacker. More than 50 percent of victims are battered by a boyfriend or girlfriend. More than 30 percent are assaulted by spouses, while 15 percent are attacked by ex-spouses. Many victims are reluctant to report these incidents to anyone because they fear this will only make things worse.

Society tends to misplace the blame for continued abuse, focusing on the victim and criticizing him or her for not leaving the abuser. In many cases victims simply do not have the physical or financial resources to get out of the relationship. They often stay until things hit rock bottom.

Every year, domestic violence results in approximately 100,000 days of hospitalization and more than 28,000 visits to emergency rooms. In these cases, major medical treatment is often required. Furthermore, the possibility of being murdered by an abuser increases to 75 percent if the woman attempts to leave on her own.

Today, domestic violence is still causing terror and tears. But the story and its ending isn't quite the same. Thankfully, many of the calls for help are now answered. I would like to commend those who work every day to help victims of domestic violence, especially those who work in the nine service areas of my 69 county district--Dodge City, Emporia, Garden City, Great Bend, Hays, Hutchinson, Liberal, Salina, and Ulysses. They are the unsung heroes battling the culture of darkness that domestic violence victims are caught up in.

Proximity to a safe facility can mean the difference between life and death. Though progress has been made in accessing services, many victims in central and western Kansas and other rural areas remain hundreds of miles away from the closest shelter. Ensuring safe havens for victims who leave abusive environments must continue to be a priority.

Most domestic violence centers rely primarily on grants and local donations. Federal grants made under the Violence Against Women Act provided essential funds for shelter operations and support services. That program has been credited with substantially reducing the levels of violence committed against women and children. We must continue to ensure that our shelters and crisis centers receive adequate funding.

As National Domestic Violence Awareness Month begins, we are reminded that domestic violence is an issue that must be addressed all year long. Only through funding, education and support can America hope to end this terrible crime.