Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I have long been an ardent supporter of trade expansion because the bottom line is jobs. Fully 95 percent of the world's population lives outside the United States, and the global economy is projected to grow at three times the rate of the U.S. economy. We must continue to take steps to make sure American farmers, manufacturers and service providers remain leaders in the international marketplace and our products have fair access to foreign markets.

Vietnam is the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia and continues to grow in significance as a U.S. trading partner. By our granting Vietnam PNTR status, U.S. businesses will be able to take advantage of the increased market-access opportunities the Vietnamese have offered in return. And increased market access to Vietnam will also help provide U.S. companies a competitive sourcing counterbalance to China in the region.

Without passage of this legislation, U.S. companies will not be able to take advantage of the Vietnamese concessions. And in addition, the United States will not be able to engage in dispute-settlement cases with Vietnam in the World Trade Organization.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairmen Thomas and Shaw for their leadership on bringing forward this important legislation, and I would also like to thank Ranking Member Rangel and Representative Thompson for their support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 5602.

Mr. Speaker, I come before you today with an uplifting story of a high school band from the Third Congressional District of Minnesota.

Christine Porter, the Director of the Brooklyn Center High School Band, has done amazing things with the band and in the process has touched the lives of numerous young people and their parents. And the entire Brooklyn Center community has rallied around these inspirational students with an uplifting melody of support and encouragement.

The band program was in jeopardy when Chris Porter took over and turned the program around. Now, the band has received high praise from many places--including the Grammys! In fact, they received their Grammy right here in the Nation's Capital at the Grammy Enterprise Signature School Award at the ``Grammys on the Hill'' event.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Director Porter and one of her talented musicians, Chanel Chathum, who were in Washington for the event.

Mr. Speaker, the Brooklyn Center High School Band program, which serves many students from disadvantaged families, was in disarray and far short of instruments, funding and

teachers when Ms. Porter took over. She took immediate steps, such as finding music students from the University of Minnesota to teach the band members. And she reached out to the community, and the community responded.

Mr. Speaker, the crescendo of support started with the Brooklyn Center Rotary Club, which saw the problem and marched forward. Under the leadership of ``Mr. Brooklyn Center,'' Phil Cohen, past Rotary President Carrie Engh of Bremer Bank Brooklyn Center and current President Frank Slawson of American Express Financial Planners, the Rotary Club contributed $10,000.

The Lions Club also made financial contributions and the Brooklyn Center Business Association held a golf tournament to help the band. And the Brooklyn Center Taxpayers Association pitched in, too. The people of Brooklyn Center have really come together to support the band.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. Porter's inspired leadership and the band's hard work resulted in the Grammy Foundation personally delivering the $15,000 Grammy Enterprise Award to the band at Brooklyn Center High School!

Chris Porter and Chanel Chathum received a well-deserved standing ovation. The tremendous outpouring of affection and support for the band made it all worthwhile!

The story of the Brooklyn Center High School Band even brought tears to the eyes of singer Kelly Clarkson, who was a guest of honor at the event. The story reminded Clarkson of her own high school band, and the story has warmed all of our hearts.

From the trombones to the tubas, the Brooklyn Center High Band is truly playing a joyful tune! There was a lot of hard work that went into this masterpiece.

Thank you, Chris Porter and the wonderful Brooklyn Center High School Band, for bringing so much great music into our lives and the lives of young people. You have all showed us that hard work, creativity, talent and the right instruments can make a beautiful song!

Mr. Speaker, this month marks the 55th anniversary of Al-Anon Family Groups. As co-chair of the Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus, I want to recognize the tremendous work of this dedicated organization.

For over half a century, Al-Anon and Alateen have been a key source of support and hope for families and friends of alcoholics and addicts all over the world, with over 26,000 groups in 115 different countries.

Policymakers often focus attention on the individual with chemical addiction and forget or underestimate how devastating a loved one's disease can be on friends and family members.

Thankfully, Al-Anon and Alateen have never forgotten and are always there whenever a hurting person reaches out for help. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Al-Anon and Alateen.

This month not only marks the 55th anniversary of Al-Anon, it is also the 17th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. As we celebrate the promise and possibility of recovery this month, we must also remember the loved ones impacted by this devastating disease. As the chemical dependency professionals tell us, chemical addiction is truly a ``family disease.''

Thanks to Al-Anon, these individuals have a place to go where they can find hope and support. For that we owe this wonderful organization and all of its members our support and gratitude for 55 years of dedicated service.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Al-Anon and Alateen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Wayzata Community Church of Wayzata, MN, on its 125th anniversary of ministry and mission.

Founded in 1881 by a dozen early settlers on Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata Congregational Church grew to 70 members within 2 years. In 1912, a new church was built, but it burned down 4 years later. Remarkably, it was rebuilt by a determined congregation in only 7 months.

Then, in 1948, the church officially became Wayzata Community Church, and ground was broken for a new building at Ferndale Road and Wayzata Boulevard in Wayzata, where this dynamic community of faith is located today.

With nearly 3,000 members, Wayzata Community Church is one of the five largest congregations of the United Church of Christ. My family and I are grateful members of this loving and nurturing congregation. Our church is a place of spiritual growth, compassionate support and committed service.

For 125 years, Wayzata Community Church has been a place of growth and renewal, fellowship, outreach, community service, music ministries, and children and youth ministries.

For 125 years, Wayzata Community Church has been there to help people in need, people suffering the ravages of poverty, homelessness, hunger, addiction, broken homes, disease and despair.

One hundred twenty-five years of providing food, shelter, clothing, transportation, counseling and support groups.

Wayzata Community Church, Mr. Speaker, is a key partner of Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, a partnership of faith communities, other community organizations and individuals that serve low-income people in eight of our west suburban communities.

Wayzata Community Church's extensive commitment to doing the Lord's work here on Earth also includes programs such as Adopt a Family, Families Moving Forward, Hurricane Relief, Loaves and Fishes, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army bell ringers, the legendary Women's Fellowship annual rummage sale, and the Sleep Out for the Homeless, to name but a few.

Wayzata Community Church, Mr. Speaker, is truly a church that lives out the biblical command to love God, love others and serve the least amongst us.

The church is also a lively hub of activity in the Lake Minnetonka area for seniors, children and their friends and people of all ages. From music performances, authors, workshops, scouting, support groups, basketball games, nursery schools, you name it, it is all there at Wayzata Community Church.

Wayzata Community Church has also been blessed with truly visionary and dedicated leadership over the past 125 years.

On this historic anniversary, we are especially grateful for our current senior minister, Reverend Dr. John Ross,

and the entire pastoral staff, the Reverends Teresa Chamberlain, Kristen Jeide, Dr. James Newby and S. Linda Purdy.

We are also very thankful to all of the clergy who have served Wayzata Community Church during the past 125 years, as well as the other church staff, lay leaders, teachers, musicians, choir members, volunteers and other friends and members of Wayzata Community Church.

Mr. Speaker, on this special anniversary of Wayzata Community Church, let us pay tribute to 125 years of ministry and mission and pray that this wonderful community of faith will provide many more years of spiritual growth, support and service to the people of the Lake Minnetonka community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today as a strong and consistent supporter of Israel to urge my colleagues to pass H. Res. 921.

This important resolution condemns the recent attacks on Israel by the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups and expresses continued U.S. support for the right of Israel to defend itself.

The State of Israel was created in 1948, and the United States was the first country to formally recognize its right to exist. Since that time, Israel has been one of our strongest allies in the world and a glimmer of hope in the Middle East as the only developed democracy in a region that has known too much war, too much terror and too much violence.

Israel consistently stands shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in countering the most dangerous threats we face today, including the use of terror by groups attempting to destabilize moderate regimes and disrupt various peacemaking efforts.

In August 2005, Israel began its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and gave the Palestinian Authority (PA) the opportunity to prove themselves capable of exercising just and rightful authority over their own people. Since that time, the PA has proven to be ineffective at immobilizing terrorist activities, as shown by Hamas' frequent rocket attacks on Israeli cities and the cross-border ambush that took place only a few weeks ago, which resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and the kidnapping of another.

In addition, Iran's public declarations calling for both the destruction of the state of Israel and greater development of nuclear arms have produced a dangerous and volatile situation both regionally and globally. As Iran continues to provide weapons and supplies to terrorist groups like Hezbollah, we must allow Israel to continue to take necessary action to protect itself.

This is a critical time for Israel. We must allow Israel to continue its self defense efforts and attempts to prevent terrorist organizations from destroying the Middle East. As Prime Minister Olmert stated in his address to Congress, ``[We must] replace the `Culture of Hate' with an `Outlook of Hope.' '' Hezbollah and Hamas are organizations that have proven to be committed to this ``Culture of Hate.'' Consequently, their removal from the Middle East is essential to instill hope into a region that has seen far too much destruction of innocent life.

Once again, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, President Bush unfortunately vetoed funding for life-saving research on stem cells from donated, surplus embryos because he maintains it's wrong to ``promote science which destroys life in order to save life.''

As the leading pro-life legislator in Washington, Sen. Orrin Hatch put it, ``Since when does human life begin in a petri dish in a refrigerator?''

To reduce this issue to an abortion issue is a horrible injustice to 100 million Americans suffering the ravages of diabetes, spinal cord paralysis, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease and other fatal, debilitating diseases.

I've met with medical researchers from the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute, the Mayo Clinic, the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins University.

As one prominent researcher told me, ``The real irony of the President's policy is that at least 400,000 surplus frozen embryos could be used to produce stem cells for research to save lives. Instead, these surplus embryos are being thrown into the garbage and treated as medical waste.''

Only 22 of the 78 stem cell lines approved by the President in 2001 remain today. This limit on research has stunted progress on finding cures for a number of debilitating and fatal diseases according to scientists and patient advocacy groups.

Mr. Speaker, the scientific evidence is overwhelming that embryonic stem cells have great potential to regenerate specific types of human tissues, offering hope for millions of Americans suffering from debilitating diseases.

Mr. Speaker, it's too late for my beloved mother who was totally debilitated by Alzheimer's disease which led to her death. It's too late for my cousin who died a cruel, tragic death from diabetes in his 20s.

But it's not too late for 100 million other American people counting on us to support funding for life-saving research on stem cells derived from donated surplus embryos created through in vitro fertilization.

Let's not turn our backs on these people. Let's not take away their hope. Let's make it clear that abortion politics should not determine this critical medical research.

Embryonic stem cell research will prolong life, improve life and give hope for life to millions of people.

I urge members to override the President's veto of funding for life- saving and life-enhancing embryonic stem cell research.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit an article on promoting civic responsibility that was brought to my attention by a constituent, Gopal Khanna. Mr. Khanna knows a great deal about civic responsibility, having served as a community and business leader, as well as Chief Financial Officer of the Peace Corps. This article outlines the very significant work being done to promote civic responsibility among immigrants, citizens and institutions in America. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Cherian Pushes Civic Responsibility as Medium For Change

[From the India Abroad, May 19, 2006]

(By Aziz Haniffa)

Dr Joy Cherian has embarked on yet another mission, and

discovered another outlet for his social activism.

The man who, 25 years ago, founded the Indian American

Forum for Political Education, the first ever Indian American

political organization, and went on to become the first

Indian American to hold a sub-cabinet level rank position in

the US government when he served as Commissioner of the Equal

Employment Opportunity Commission in the Ronald Reagan and

George H W Bush administrations, signaled his latest

direction when, last month, he convened a roundtable

conference of the Association of Americans for Civic

Responsibility.

Following his stint at the EEOC, Cherian had started his

own company, J Cherian Consultants, Inc, which blossomed into

a highly successful international government and public

relations firm based in Washington, DC. A year ago, he wound

that company up and founded the AACR, in conjunction with

Syracuse University's School of International Affairs.

The conference, at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of

International Relations in Washington, DC, touched on topics

as varied as `The American Immigrant Community and US

Immigrant Organizations' and `The

Role of Small and Midsized Enterprises in Promoting Civic

Responsibility by Immigrants'.

Panelists included Dr Michael Schneider, director, Maxwell

School of International Relations, who is also chairman of

AACR's Advisory Committee; Alysia Wilson, Senior Policy

Adviser, US Department of Commerce; Tess Scannell, Director,

Senior Corps, Corporation for National and Community Services

in Washington, DC; Chad Tragakis and Pavlina Majorosova, vice

president and account executive respectively of Hill &

Knowlton, Washington, DC; Jennifer K Woofter, president,

Strategic Sustainability Consulting, Washington, DC; Mahadeva

(Matt) Mani, director, Strategic Markets, AT & T, Oakton,

Virginia; Joseph Melookaran, member of the President's

Advisory Commission on Asian and Pacific Islanders and Dr

Piyush C Agrawal, national coordinator, Global Organization

of People of Indian Origin.

While acknowledging that there are no rules and regulations

or even informal encouragement of civic responsibility in the

federal government, Wilson noted that several agencies have

taken their own initiatives in this direction.

Wilson said that it is likely the Administration would soon

start a program to train `private and public sector decision-

makers in other countries on ethical issues and on how lack

of transparency in their own countries impedes growth and

progress.'

Agrawal, who kicked off the immigration panel discussion,

spoke of the `socio-political climate' in the United States,

`which for the most part has created an extremely

conducive environment for the immigrants to prosper and

become whatever they wanted to be,' and argued that in

this process the nation has also progressed to be the

affluent superpower that it is.

But, he said, `it must be pointed out that the history of

immigration, as well as the assimilation in this country has

not been smooth, Every wave of migrants has paid its dues,

going through various types of suffering and discrimination,

and even the laws enacted in this country of immigrants have

not always been fair and equitable despite the claim of

liberty and justice for all.'

Agrawal said the oldest immigrant organization, the

Association of Indians in America, established in 1967 `when

the USA opened its borders for the first time for legal

migration from India,' was an exemplar of communities

organizing to fight for their rights.

Such organizations, he said, `usually take their civic

responsibility seriously', and by way of example pointed to

the activist role played by the community's various bodies

following disasters such as 9/11, the tsunami in South Asia,

the Gujarat earthquake, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

`Besides raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for these

causes, we continue to serve the daily needs of the poor, the

indigent and the downtrodden here in the US through helping

out in homeless shelters, food banks, soup kitchens, medical

clinics and other civic activities, including but not limited

to, voter registration and `get the vote out' campaigns,' and

`Be Counted' operation for the US Census.'

Melookaran said that small and medium enterprises' (SME)

involvement in corporate civic responsibility (CCR) is a vast

untapped potential that could dramatically change the face of

our communities.

He said that corporate social responsibility or corporate

civic responsibility is often built into the strategic

planning of big corporate entities. However, `If you ask a

small business owner about his CCR initiatives, you will draw

a blank.'

These, he said, was not because such small businesses did

nothing in this area, but because big business did not view

the work as corporate initiatives, or dignify such efforts by

terming them CCRs.

The flip side, he said, was that many SMEs did nothing in

terms of CCR, and said such films needed encouragement and

guidance. He suggested that the MCR should serve as a

clearinghouse for activities and training of CCR for such

businesses.

A significant majority of employees in the US are SMEs, and

therefore a broad-based effort to stimulate CCR initiatives

among this group could have a tremendous impact, and be the

vehicle for change in communities across the country.

Mani expanded on the theme, from his perspective of a

diversity initiative that is an integral part of AT&T in its

CCR activities, while Majorosova talked about charity and

volunteerism from a Central and East European perspective

from the experiences she has had.

She distinguished how volunteerism is abused under

repressive regimes and compared it to how it finds a sense of

purpose in free and civic-minded societies.

Scannell, who was the featured luncheon speaker, emphasized

the importance of the pool of baby-boomers `who will be ready

to share their civic responsibilities if the activities are

tailored to their skills and tastes.'

Cherian told India Abroad that his philosophy in founding

AACR was to ``educate and encourage all individuals and

institutions in the United States to advance the public good

of all the people by engaging in civic responsibilities such

as volunteerism, social involvement and community service.''

He said the mission statement of AACR, which he authored,

holds that this civic responsibility, that ``springs from

one's ethical and moral obligations, is more than just a

`social responsibility,' because `civic responsibility'

requires all members of all sectors of life in the United

States to give back to the country based on their privilege

or living, working, learning, or doing business in the United

States.

``The essence of democracy is the participation of the very

people and entities that benefit from its fruits,'' Cherian

said, adding that consequently, ``the active performance of

civic responsibility is essential for the continuance of the

democratic process in tile United States.''

To this end, he said, AACR seeks to foster understanding of

the concept of civic responsibility among American citizens,

non-citizen US residents, institutions of all kinds.

Admitting that critics see the vision as utopian, Cherian

said this was no new thought, but the very philosophy that

had guided his founding of the IAFPE more than two decades

ago.

He carried that same philosophy over to the Asian American

Voters Coalition, which he chaired, and later during his

tenure as Commissioner of the EEOC.

``This is something I believe is vital for the future

generations of Indian Americans, including my children and

grandchildren and everyone else who came here and have made

America their home,''he said.

``All of our children and grandchildren will benefit if we

give back to society,'' he said. ``We have only to see some

of the incidents and historical antecedents of immigrants,

including Indians in various parts of the world when they

isolate themselves and don't integrate and become part of the

mainstream.''

Cherian said the conference ``will be a sort of historic

conference because it's the first conference ever exclusively

focused on immigrants and civic responsibility.''

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished ranking member and also my cosponsor. I rise as the cosponsor of this amendment.

President Clinton was right back in 1994 when many of us worked in a bipartisan way to fashion the 1994 Crime Control Act and when community policing was made part of that important legislation. I remember those meetings at the White House, talking about community policing, and President Clinton was right. The COPS program has been a key component of the Federal effort to keep our communities safe, and crime has dropped significantly.

President Clinton was right that community policing works to reduce crime. Ask any cop on the street, whether it is in the Third and Fourth Precincts of Minneapolis Police Department or my suburban police departments in the Third Congressional District, they all say it is shortsighted and counterproductive to underfund this critical law enforcement tool.

I think it is simply wrong to shortchange public policy, and I understand the dilemma faced by the appropriators, believe me. This amendment, the Weiner-Ramstad amendment, would fund the COPS program at its fully authorized level by adding about $476 million for the program.

I understand how painful that offset is to many of you who prioritize NASA, but I think we have to ask ourselves, all of us, the simple question: What is more important, spending more money to fly to Mars or keeping millions of Americans safe here on earth? That is the key question.

As I said, I have seen in my home State of Minnesota firsthand the importance of the COPS program to local

police in reducing crime and improving public safety. The COPS program really does work, and it has helped State and local law enforcement agencies in their hiring, technology, school safety grants, personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance.

In short, the COPS program has been a critical tool in the war on drugs and now in homeland security efforts.

So as cochair with my friend from Michigan, Mr. Stupak, of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment to increase the funding levels for the COPS program. I think it is critical to all Americans. Certainly Edmund Burke had it right over 200 years ago when he said, the main reason we have government is to keep people safe.

No question the COPS program has kept people safer, and I believe we should pass this amendment to increase the funding here today. By passing this funding, we also honor the sacrifices made each and every day by our country's law enforcement community and give our Nation's finest the support they need.

Again, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, as cochair of the Law Enforcement Caucus, I believe it is short-sighted and counterproductive to underfund Byrne grants for law enforcement.

I have seen in my home State of Minnesota firsthand the importance of Byrne grants to local police in reducing crime and improving public safety. They have funded overtime pay, task forces to fight the war on drugs, equipment, and buy money to enforce our drug laws.

We must never forget our cops are on the front lines in the war on crime and fighting drug dealers and protecting our homeland. And before we bleed too much for our Census Bureau, I think we should remember, this agency in this bill already receives a $72 million increase. We are talking about funding cops, the war on drugs, homeland security, or $72 million more for the Bureau of Census. To me that is a no-brainer: we fund Byrne grants, which every law enforcement official in America is pleading for.

I urge adoption of the Kennedy amendment.

Mr. Chairman, Edmund Burke once said the most important reason we have government is to keep people safe.

The Edward Byrne Memorial Grant program is a key component of the federal efforts to make our communities safe.

Named for a fallen New York City police officer, the Byrne Grant program has been a vital tool since 1988 in helping state and local law enforcement fight violent and drug-related crime.

Although I respect the difficult job our Appropriations Committee is faced with when setting spending priorities, we cannot afford to shortchange public safety.

As co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus, Mr. Chairman, I believe it's short-sighted and counter productive to underfund Byrne Grants for law enforcement.

This amendment would increase funding for the Byrne-JAG program by $50 million and is offset by a reduction to the Bureau of the Census-- an agency that already receives a $72 million increase in this bill!

Byrne Grants have been essential to better coordination between local and federal law enforcement in protecting our homeland. They have been key to providing personnel, equipment, training and technical assistance in the war on drugs.

They have bolstered prosecution efforts. And they have been used to administer critical programs--multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement teams, anti-drug education, treatment and alternative sentencing, such as drug courts.

In my home state of Minnesota, I've seen, firsthand, the importance of Byrne Grants to local police in reducing crime and improving public safety. They have funded overtime pay, task forces, equipment and ``buy'' money to enforce our drug laws.

We must never forget our cops are on the front lines--in the war on crime, fighting drug dealers and protecting our homeland.

As Chris Matthews of MSNBC said after the attacks of September 11: ``Before the attacks on our homeland, America's heroes were the rich and famous. Since Sept. 11, America's heroes are the cops and firefighters. And that's good for America.''

Today, America's heroes are counting on us. Congress owes it to these brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day they put on the badge. Our Nation's law enforcement officers need all the tools Congress can provide.

I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment to increase the maximum funding levels for Byrne Grants. It's time to honor the sacrifices made each and every day by our Nation's law enforcement community and give our Nation's finest the support they need.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a member of the Greatest Generation who recently passed away.

Minnesota lost a true hero in Robert Brown of Plymouth, MN, of the 3rd Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, Bob was a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. His education at Columbia University was interrupted by World War II. He eagerly enlisted in the Marines and proudly served his nation during World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam.

Bob retired from the military in 1967 and began a career with Rockwell International that sent him on other missions to promote freedom and economic opportunity all over the world, including Iran and South Korea.

Mr. Speaker, Bob Brown was one of our nation's best and brightest. And the legacy of his courage will live on forever in the hearts of freedom-loving people everywhere.

Lt. Colonel Brown earned many decorations during his 23 years of service to his country: the American Campaign Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, the WWII Victory Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with Bernidine Brown, Bob's wife of 58 years, as well as sons Michael (Barbara), Stephen (Laurie) and Mark, and grandsons Jacob, Kyle and Travis.

A grateful nation joins them in their mourning and thanks Bob for his courageous service to his country and the cause of freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 861, which, above all, honors our brave men and women prosecuting the Global War on Terror and declares that the United States will prevail. I am pleased we are debating this resolution today, because it is imperative that Congress confirm to the world that Americans stand united in support of our troops. It's also imperative to leave no doubt that the U.S. has the unity and resolve to defeat the terrorists and win the War on Terror.

U.S. and coalition forces have made great strides in these efforts to date. We have liberated Afghanistan from the brutal Taliban and continue to support the democratically elected government of President Hamid Karzai.

We have overthrown the world's most depraved genocidal maniac in Saddam Hussein, who now sits in a jail cell awaiting judgment before the people who not long ago suffered greatly under his brutality. And we have significantly disrupted al Qaeda's terrorist network by systematically hunting down its leaders, its financiers and its footsoldiers. Our brave troops deserve great credit for killing the murderous head of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Now we are engaged in the difficult task of rebuilding Iraq and training Iraqi security forces and police officers. We need to expedite the training of Iraqi security forces so they can secure their country, and our troops can come home with their mission completed.

Mr. Speaker, I urge an overwhelming ``yes'' vote on this resolution to show our brave troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the War on Terror that they continue to have strong, bipartisan support in Congress. Our prayers are with all our brave troops. More than 2,600 Minnesota National Guard troops are serving in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. An additional 367 are serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere. All our brave troops are in my daily prayers, along with their families who are making great sacrifices at home. We also pay tribute to our brave troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom. May these American heroes rest in peace and may God comfort their grieving families.

Mr. Speaker, great moments and triumphs in American history require bravery, valor and selfless service. The men and women of our Armed Forces personify these values. Moreover, our troops have the skills, dedication and full support of the American people to prevail in the War on Terror. Today, the Congress can demonstrate our continuing strong support, as well.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of this important amendment, which seeks to end a pay disparity for our brave men and women who are serving in harm's way.

Today, Mr. Chairman, Minnesota National Guard troops are serving in the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, with more than 3,000 citizen soldiers recently called to service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

As my colleague has previously explained, at least 400 of these 3,000 Minnesotans in Iraq will not be receiving the same pay as many others in their unit.

These are troops who have now bravely served our country in two foreign theaters. These troops not only deserve our utmost respect and gratitude, they also deserve their full compensation for their service and sacrifice.

Mr. Chairman, the Minnesota National Guard truly represents the very best of duty, honor and country. I join the people of the Third Congressional District in thanking our Guard members for their selfless service.

And I'd like to thank my colleague from Minnesota for sponsoring this important amendment and thank all my colleagues from the Minnesota delegation for cosponsoring the amendment and working to end this pay disparity.

I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time of the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the fallen American heroes on United Flight 93, heroes like Tom Burnett, Jr., from Minnesota, who put country ahead of self on September 11, 2001, as he made the ultimate sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, Tom Burnett and the other brave American heroes that day overpowered the terrorist hijackers who sought to crash Flight 93 into the United States Capitol. America owes all the brave passengers on Flight 93 a deep debt of gratitude for the remarkable bravery.

And, Mr. Speaker, those of us who work here in this building, in this Capitol, literally owe our lives to the heroes of United Flight 93.

This week, as family members of the 33 passengers and seven crew of Flight 93 have been here on Capitol Hill, it is time to say ``yes'' to funding the Flight 93 National Memorial plan for the site in Pennsylvania where the plane ultimately crashed. Tom Burnett and the other brave passengers deserve this fitting memorial, and we should move ahead with the project immediately so the land can be secured.

Mr. Speaker, I have been in frequent contact with Tom Burnett's parents, Tom, Sr., and Beverly Burnett, about the site and about the memorial. They have long expressed concern that this sacred ground was still in jeopardy of purchase by other parties and not properly protected.

On that fateful day, on his last phone call to his wife, Deena, Tom Burnett said, and I am quoting, ``We have got to do something. I know we are all going to die. There's three of us who are going to do something about it.''

Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what Tom Burnett and the other passengers of Flight 93 did. They stepped forward in an amazing show of patriotism and self-sacrifice. Now it is time for Congress to step forward and do something about it.

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely outrageous to continue to block this memorial to honor the heroic actions of the passengers of Flight 93. Let me repeat that: it is absolutely outrageous to continue to block this memorial to honor the heroic actions of the passengers on Flight 93. It is time for Congress to come together and do what is right, just as the passengers of Flight 93 did what was right at the cost of their own lives.

Mr. Speaker, we should live up to our commitment now. Flight 93 family members have passionately explained to us again this week why the 1,200 acres are needed to properly tell the story of Flight 93. Now it is our turn to do our part.

Tom Burnett, Jr., and the other heroes of Flight 93 showed us what bravery is all about. Now we need to step forward to honor their courageous legacy. We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. Let's do the right thing. Let's do the honorable thing. Let's support full funding for the Flight 93 memorial.

Mr. Speaker, I too pay tribute to Colonel Kline for your heroic service to the country that we all love.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 371, to honor, congratulate and thank the brave men and women of the Minnesota National Guard on its 150th anniversary.

The Minnesota National Guard represents the very best of duty, honor and country. I join the people of the Third Congressional District of Minnesota in thanking each and every Guard member, past and present, for their selfless service.

Mr. Speaker, as has been pointed out by previous speakers today, the Minnesota National Guard traces its origins to the Pioneer Guard of the Minnesota territory in 1856, formed 2 years before Minnesota became the 32nd State. The 1st Minnesota Infantry was among the very first regiments to respond to President Lincoln's call for troops during the Civil War.

In fact, the 1st Minnesota Infantry had the highest casualty rate of any unit in the Civil War. The Minnesota National Guard went on to serve bravely in the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. The Minnesota National Guard also served with great distinction on the ground and in the air during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and Minnesota Guard troops have helped keep the peace in the former Yugoslav republics.

Following the September 11, 2001, attacks by the terrorists on our country, the Minnesota National Guard provided airport security and the 148th Fighter Wing flew F-16 security patrols over United States cities for a longer time than any other air defense unit.

Today, Mr. Speaker, Minnesota National Guard troops are serving in the war on terror in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. More than 3,000 citizen soldiers just recently were called to service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and our thoughts and prayers are with each of those Minnesota troops. In addition, Minnesota National Guard troops are serving in national defense missions in numerous other countries as well.

Off the battlefield, Mr. Speaker, the Minnesota National Guard has provided countless services to our communities, assisting citizens devastated by natural disasters and maintaining law and order.

Mr. Speaker, great moments and triumphs in American history require valor, bravery, and selfless service, and the brave men and women of the Minnesota National Guard have led the charge for 150 years.

To the men and women of the Minnesota National Guard, congratulations on your 150th anniversary, and thank you. Thank you for your service to Minnesota and your service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, Minnesota lost a true hero and sports legend this past week. Like Minnesota's Paul Bunyan, he was instantly recognizable, from his name to his gigantic smile to his unique frame.

But Kirby Puckett was very real, and the pain all Minnesotans feel is too real, as we say farewell to a Minnesota icon.

Mr. Speaker, Minnesota is heartbroken. Kirby Puckett was known as much for his great spirit, enthusiasm and energy as he was for his remarkable baseball skills.

He did so much to help people in need, and he was always there for civic and charitable causes of every kind. He never said no to Children's Heartlink, Big Brothers Big Sisters or numerous other charities.

And his ``Puckett Scholars'' program helped enable so many minority students to attend college and pursue their dreams.

To say that Kirby is known as much for his community service as his baseball is really saying something, Mr. Speaker.

Because Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett in his baseball career put up some historic statistics and gave baseball fans many memorable thrills on the field.

Remember October 27, 1991? In Minnesota, we all know where we were that night.

I was at the Metrodome, and I will never forget Kirby's impossibly high leap at the centerfield fence and his amazing catch in the third inning of Game 6 of the 1991 World Series.

And no Minnesota Twins fan will ever forget Kirby's dramatic 11th- inning, game-ending home run to almost the same spot in the very same game.

Mr. Speaker, Kirby did it all in 12 short seasons and was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame on the very first ballot upon eligibility. Twelve short seasons, and a .318 career average, 2,304 hits, 1,085 runs batted in, 207 homers, 1,071 runs--all in just 1,783 games. And the numbers do not begin to tell the whole story.

Kirby Puckett was the leader, the favorite teammate, the name the kids screamed and the name the public address announcer lingered over and stretched out for maximum dramatic effect.

He ran all out at break-neck speed--in center field and around the bases. And his teammates got the clue. They were driven to match his intensity and love for the game.

Minnesota Twins fans loved him so for that. And we always will.

Mr. Speaker, our entire state has an extended lower lip, and our heads are bowed. We are so very saddened by the death of Kirby Puckett.

Just the mention of his name has always brought smiles to the faces of Minnesotans of all ages--and so many great memories.

Mr. Speaker, you will find many kids in Minnesota named Kirby and the reason is simple: Kirby captured all our hearts.

In summers past, Kirby made our hearts race with his tremendous athletic feats. His powerful batting stroke produced so many clutch hits.

Mr. Speaker, Kirby Puckett is to Minnesota baseball what Hubert Humphrey is to Minnesota politics.

We have lost a real warrior, a very special person who brought so much energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the field.

Kirby was one of a kind. There will never be another like him. Kirby, your huge smile, big heart and great play will live forever in our hearts.

We will never forget you and we will always be thankful God put you in our midst.

And let us always remember that wonderful, trademark Kirby Puckett smile that lit up a room, inspired us and gave us hope.

Rest in peace, Kirby, in the loving arms of our Lord. And may your kind and gentle spirit live forever in the hearts of all of us.