Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 171, a resolution that honors Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert Du Motier, commonly known as the Marquis de Lafayette, on the occasion of his 250th birthday.

Lafayette is honored here in the House Chamber with a greater-than- life-size portrait, only joined by a portrait of George Washington. This is a reminder also that France was America's first ally.

H. Res. 171 was introduced by a man I admire greatly, the Armed Services Committee chairman, Ike Skelton, a leader in promoting the study of history.

My family has a strong French heritage. My home State of South Carolina is proud of the French Huguenot settlers highlighted by General Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox of the American Revolution, and I am grateful to have cosponsored this resolution.

The Lafayette family was one of ancient nobility. Lafayette was merely 2 years old when his father was killed in the Seven Years War. At the age of 16, he inherited his title, although he later renounced the ``marquis,'' and a large fortune was received from his grandfather.

In keeping with his family tradition, Lafayette joined the French Army at the age of 14, and was a junior officer in the French army when he defied the orders of King Louis the Sixteenth and sailed to the American Colonies from Spain. In speaking of the colonists' Declaration of Independence, he stated in his memoirs, ``My heart was enrolled in it.''

At age 20, after volunteering to serve in the American Army at his own expense, he received the rank of major general from the United States Congress.

My home State of South Carolina is particularly appreciative of Lafayette in that he landed in America near the South Carolina city of Georgetown on June 13, 1777, at the young age of 19.

Lafayette commanded members of the American Army during several conflicts, faced off against Benedict Arnold, and ultimately faced off against Lord Cornwallis where he commanded the brigade at the siege of Yorktown in Virginia.

Throughout his time in America, Lafayette became close friends with General George Washington. They were so close that Lafayette named his son Georges Washington-Lafayette, and asked General Washington to be his son's godfather. He also was very close with young Alexander Hamilton, Washington's chief aide-de-camp.

Because of Lafayette's service to the American people, he was made an honorary U.S. citizen in 2002. Many U.S. towns and cities have been named after him, and three U.S. naval vessels bear his name.

I am proud that Lafayette's dedication, military skill and strategic thinking as an officer now serve as a model for our officers in uniform. General Lafayette symbolizes the assistance America received from Europe during our dynamic struggle for independence. And because of our shared values for democracy and human rights, a deep, long- lasting friendship between the United States and France continues and flourishes to this day.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this resolution has been brought to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my friend and colleague, the former judge and gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, a noted physician, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Boustany).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, but at this time I want to commend the chairman of the Armed Services Committee for recognizing the Marquis de Lafayette, and to recognize the strong relationship that has been so firm, so important, and that is the alliance with our first ally, the Republic of France.

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

Mr. Speaker, yesterday Republicans were forced repeatedly to use procedural maneuvers to protest the unjust proposed change of current House rules denying the minority's right to participate in floor debate.

The political headlines today are correct: ``Dems Bend Rules, Break Pledge.'' If enacted, this would be the first change to such a rule since 1822.

After declaring to run the ``most open Congress in history,'' Democrat leaders have repeatedly broken this promise and sought to stifle the minority's voice, beginning with their first 100 hours and now even through 100 days.

If Democrat leaders are intent on suppressing the representative voice of nearly half of the American population, Republicans are left with no choice but to fight for our right of participation in the legislative process.

In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget September 11.

Madam Speaker, in January I introduced a bill to make permanent the $10,000 adoption tax credit which is set to expire in 2010. Four months later this bill has garnered 125 bipartisan cosponsors, including Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel.

As the grateful father of an adopted son and a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I know all too well the challenges and rewards adoption brings. The adoption process can be mentally and physically exhausting. Families should not be overwhelmed with the financial burdens as well. We should offer incentives, not penalties, for making this commitment.

I urge my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to move forward with this legislation and make the dream of a family a permanent reality by promoting adoption.

In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget September 11.

Thank you, Congressman Kline. Thank you for your leadership and your service in the Marine Corps of the United States. Thank you for your family's participation, serving today as part of our effort overseas. I am very proud of your son's service. We are very grateful to the Kline family of Minnesota.

I rise today in support of H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, and its provision for authorizing additional troop strength for both the United States Army and Marine Corps. I appreciate Chairman Ike Skelton and Ranking Member Duncan Hunter's work in crafting this legislation.

As directed by the House Committee on Armed Services, in fiscal year 2008 the Army's end strength will be 525,400, a 13,000-person increase, and the Marine Corps' end strength will be 189,000, 9,000 more than last year.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, as a 31-year veteran of the Army Reserves and Guard, and, most importantly, as the proud parents of four sons who are serving in the military today, I know firsthand of the extraordinary opportunities of military service.

Increasing the size of our military is imperative in our fight to win the global war on terrorism. By ensuring we have an adequate number of soldiers, we can decrease troop deployment time and increase training and readiness, thus improving our military's capability and effectiveness.

The bases I directly represent, Fort Jackson for the Army and Parris Island for the Marines, are producing the best professionals to protect American families in the world. I am particularly pleased that the effort to increase troop strength is bipartisan. I have been impressed that last year Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher of California introduced legislation for troop strength increase.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of Bishop Edward Smith on his 20th anniversary as Presiding Bishop of the Progressive Churches and as pastor of the Progressive Church in Columbia, South Carolina.

On April 15, 2007, Bishop Smith was honored by his home church, the Progressive Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc., in Columbia. The following is a summary of the tribute that appeared in the church program:

The year 2007 is a milestone in the life of Bishop Edward

Smith. This year marks his 20th anniversary as pastor of the

Progressive Church in Columbia, S.C., and his 50th

anniversary as pastor of the Progressive Church in Denmark,

S.C. During this week, we pause to honor a dedicated man of

God for his many years of ministry and service, and for his

commitment to winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Bishop Edward Smith was born and raised in Birmingham, AL.

After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S.

Army and was sent to Fort Jackson Army Base in Columbia.

Having been raised from a child to attend church, Bishop

Smith began attending different churches in Columbia. One day

he met Sister Edna M. Friday, niece of the late Bishop J.D.

Williams. She invited him to attend services at the

Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, where she was a

member. After visiting the church for several months, he was

baptized.

On August 6, 1952, young Brother Edward Smith was married

to Sister Edna M. Friday. They were blessed with three

children: Elder William E. (Sheneice) Smith, David N.

(Carolyn) Smith, and Joyce D. (Lewis) Grimes. Bishop and

Sister Smith also have three grandchildren: David N. Smith

II, Brandon E.B. Smith, and Adrienne M. Smith.

Soon thereafter, Brother Smith had to make a decision

between continuing his military career as a soldier in the

U.S. Army or coming back to South Carolina and the

Progressive Church. He made the choice to stay in South

Carolina because of the Progressive Church.

In the years since, Bishop Williams has faithfully served

the Progressive Church at the local and national level.

Bishop Smith's greatest desire is to see souls saved and

delivered from sin. Known as a ``no-nonsense man,'' he often

states that he does not preach to excite people's emotions,

but rather that God has called him to ``provoke thought and

bring conviction.'' In a time when many pastors are

compromising God's Word, we are thankful to God for giving us

a Pastor and Bishop who has the people of God at heart.

Mr. Speaker, the supplemental bill we are set to consider today only partially funds our troops. This leaves the possibility that Democratic leaders will again seek to undercut the efforts of General Petraeus before August. The plan is equivalent of an oil change when the car needs new tires.

President Bush pledged yesterday to veto the new Democrat funding bill. The President's veto supports our troops to complete the mission. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has made clear the impact on the military of partial funding. He has said, ``In essence, the bill asks me to run the Department of Defense like a skiff, and I'm trying to drive the biggest supertanker in the world.''

Following their failed attempt to micromanage our military leaders and hamstring our troops in the battlefield, I am saddened that many Democrats are not facing up to the threats to our security. Al Qaeda spokesman Zawahiri has declared Iraq the central front in the global war on terrorism.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy, who the state newspaper has recognized as a ``blunt and uncompromising pro-American conservative.''

As a person of French heritage, I welcome this change of course in France. We appreciate that France was our first ally in the American Revolution, as symbolized by the portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette here in the Chamber. France is a major investor in America, and I am grateful the midlands of South Carolina is home to three Michelin plants.

America and France have a common enemy in the global war on terrorism, and we have mutually beneficial goals of economic development for our citizens. The French Caucus in Congress looks forward to promoting our vibrant partnership.

The election of Nicolas Sarkozy is a welcomed change to restore the warm relationship America desires with France.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. Speaker, following President Bush's veto of the Democrat plan for defeat, the House voted yesterday to uphold the veto and override the Democrat attempts to micromanage the war.

It is crucial that we achieve victory in Iraq as the central front in the global war on terrorism. Retreat will embolden our enemy. This will lead to the re-establishment of terrorist training camps from which our enemies would launch attacks against us and our allies.

We should trust the leadership of General David Petraeus and our military leaders. As the father of an Iraqi veteran and four sons in the military, I know firsthand of the excellence of our troops.

We must face the enemy overseas or we will face them again in the streets of America.

I urge Democrat leaders to work with Republicans to pass a clean supplemental bill and get our troops the funding they need to carry out their mission to protect American families.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Madam Speaker, yesterday Democrat leaders staged a ceremony to send their defeatist supplemental bill to President Bush. As Democrats joined together around their proposal of retreat, our troops in Baghdad waited yet another day for critical funding.

The sad irony is that for all of their pomp and circumstance, Democrat leaders should face the threat of al-Qaeda, in that Zawahiri has declared Iraq the central front in the Global War on Terrorism. We should be working together in the Global War on Terrorism, not promote plans of defeat. We need to be on the offense protecting American families.

Fortunately, President Bush vetoed the Democrat plan for defeat last night. I look forward to voting to uphold this veto and am hopeful we can now get down to the business of providing for our troops. We must face the terrorists overseas or we will face them again in the streets of America.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Madam Speaker, just this morning we received reports that the al Qaeda leader in Iraq has been killed. Despite such signs that support for the terrorist group in Iraq is fading, Democrats in Congress continue to advocate retreat and defeat. Fortunately for American families and our troops in the battlefield, we have a Commander in Chief who understands that victory is essential. As the Washington Post has editorialized: ``America's defeat will lead to catastrophic civilian deaths, the reestablishment of terrorist training camps, and possibly a regional war. We must face the terrorists overseas, or we will face them again in the streets of America.''

Our Nation is at war. Our troops are bravely serving their country. We have a responsibility to provide for their well-being. I support President Bush's pending veto and look forward to passing a clean supplemental bill that fully funds our soldiers' mission of protecting American families.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Madam Speaker, with the passing of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, the world lost a truly heroic leader. President Yeltsin was instrumental in placing Soviet Communism on the ash heap of history, fulfilling the vision of Ronald Reagan for victory in the Cold War by liberating Russia for its citizens to benefit from freedom and democracy.

The words of Vladimir Simonov, political commentator for the Russian News and Information Agency Novosti, in the article He Did It His Way memorialize President Yeltsin well.

Boris Yeltsin: He Did It His Way

Moscow.--President Bush sees Boris Yeltsin as a historic

figure who served his country at a time of great change.

Prime Minister Tony Blair recalls the Russian leader as an

outstanding statesman who realized how much Russia needed

democratic and economic reforms.

Javier Solana, a European Union official and former

secretary-general of NATO, thinks that Yeltsin displayed

incredible foresight and courage when he decided to sign a

hitherto unthinkable agreement on Russian cooperation with

the North Atlantic alliance in the early 1990s.

These statements could be summed up in the following words,

which the West could write on a wreath to lay at the grave of

Russia's first elected president: ``We are grateful to you

for creating a Russia that no longer scares us.'' In other

words, Yeltsin made Russia look normal in the eyes of the

civilized world.

He gave his people three simple, fundamental rights that

citizens of civilized countries have enjoyed for a long time.

Under Yeltsin, Russians received the opportunity to say what

they thought, elect who they liked to major posts, and own

private property, be it a house in the Moscow suburbs or a

villa in Nice, although the majority could buy the latter

only in theory.

Having embarked on the path of democracy and the market

economy, no matter how awful it seemed to some initially, the

mysterious and dangerous communist controlled Russia turned

into a sensible and understandable country. Russians became

more like Westerners. Perhaps at that moment, when

differences were swept away, the Cold War came to an end.

Credit for this historic accomplishment largely goes to

Yeltsin as well.

By the end of his eight-year-long rule, Boris Yeltsin had

lost the admiration of his compatriots. His popularity in

Russia, but not in the West, had gone down. Well-to-do

analysts watching events in Russia from afar thought that

nothing tragic was happening. To be more precise, they

believed that Russia had to go through its ordeals like any

country undergoing a great change.

The West shares our grief because it also understands the

greatness of the late Russian president. After all, it was

Yeltsin who buried communism and made Russia part of the free

world. In history textbooks he will always be remembered as a

giant Russian standing on a tank, the man who prevented his

country's return to the gloomy era of totalitarianism.

Frank Sinatra once sang ``I did it my way.'' The same words

can be applied to Yeltsin. He did it his way, and both Russia

and the West are grateful to him for choosing freedom.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the Second Congressional District of South Carolina will lose an important public servant. Tia Williams is departing the Washington office to be in graduate school at the University of Virginia where she will seek a master's degree in urban and environmental planning.

Tia has served as staff assistant to the Second District since March 2006. Many South Carolinians have come to know her, as she was vital in arranging tours for Palmetto State families visiting Washington.

A native of South Congaree, Tia is the daughter of Marty and Angie Williams and the sister of Taylor Williams. She is a graduate of Clemson University and Airport High School of West Columbia.

I appreciate Tia's dedication to the people of the Second District. I know she will apply the same dedication to her studies at UVA.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11. All Americans should read the Lieberman op-ed in today's Washington Post.

Madam Speaker, while our troops are on the battlefield continuing to go without critical funding needed to fulfill their missions, Democrat leaders still refuse to put forward a clean supplemental bill.

Last week, Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid declared the Iraq war ``lost.'' Just yesterday, a Democrat Congressman said it is the job of Congress to micromanage the war. Our military leaders should manage the war, not politicians in Washington.

Despite reports of progress by our military leaders, Democrats continue to advocate withdrawal and defeat. This puts American families at risk at home. Early withdrawal will escalate, not end, the global war on terrorism.

Our troops deserve more from the men and women elected to provide for their well-being. Members of both parties should support our troops and pass a clean supplemental bill.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 125, championed by Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Dr. Boozman and Mr. Ackerman, which opposes using civilians as human shields.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, as a 31-year veteran of the Army Reserves and National Guard, and as the father of four sons in the U.S. military, I know firsthand that using human shields violates international law.

Just last year, American and international leaders condemned the use of human shields. The Lebanese have been particularly victims of human shields in the past year. On August 11, 2006, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated, ``Hezbollah and its sponsors have brought devastation upon the people of Lebanon, dragging them into a war that they did not choose and exploiting them as human shields.''

On August 14, President George W. Bush stated, ``Hezbollah terrorists targeted Israeli civilians with daily rocket attacks. Hezbollah terrorists used Lebanese civilians as human shields, sacrificing the innocent in an effort to protect themselves from Israeli response.''

Also, as to Israel, we should note that the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled a ban to the use of human shields. Additionally, Israel has a strict policy against the use of civilians as human shields, and in dealing with the isolated incidents where the policy is violated, takes measure to punish those responsible and prevent these acts from occurring in the future.

It is clear, as eloquently reviewed by Mr. Ackerman, that no one should seek to apply a moral equivalency between isolated incidents formally opposed by Israel's democratically elected government and the actions of Hezbollah, whose policies and tactics show disregard for human life and advocate intentionally using the tactic of embedding its forces among civilians to use them as human shields, abusing the people of Lebanon.

I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 125, condemning the use of human shields.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 68. This resolution honors the life and accomplishments of Gian Carlo Menotti, and recognizes the success of the Spoleto Festival USA, which he founded in my birthplace of Charleston, South Carolina.

Born in Italy, near Lake Magiore and the Swiss border, Mr. Menotti began writing songs at the age of 7. By 11 he wrote both the story line and music for his first opera, ``The Death of Pierrot,'' and shortly thereafter began his formal musical training at Milan's Verdi Conservatory.

After the death of his father, Menotti and his mother immigrated to the United States, where he enrolled at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music.

In 1951 Mr. Menotti wrote his beloved Christmas opera, ``Amahl and the Night Visitors,'' for the Hallmark Hall of Fame. ``Amahl and the Night Visitors'' was the first opera ever written for television in the United States and was first aired on Christmas Eve in 1951. ``Amahl and the Night Visitors'' was such a success that it became an annual Christmas tradition and remains Mr. Menotti's most famous popular work to this day.

In 1958 he founded the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. This festival was intended to bring opera to a popular audience and helped launch the careers of such artists as singer Shirley Verrett and choreographers Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp.

In 1977 he founded its companion festival, Spoleto Festival USA, in Charleston, South Carolina. Spoleto Festival USA is an annual 17-day festival of the arts which produces opera, and it presents dance, theater, classical music, and jazz. The festival is held in late May and early June.

Charleston was chosen as the location for the festival due to its wealth of theaters and other performance spaces. Each year the festival hosts over 100 performances by international artists in a variety of disciplines. Since its inception it has presented 100 international premieres and 93 American premieres, notably ``Creve Coeur'' by Tennessee Williams and ``The American Clock'' by Arthur Miller. World- renowned artists who performed at Spoleto Festival USA early in their careers include Renee Fleming, Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Joanna Simon, and Yo-Yo Ma. The festival claims an audience annually of between 70,000 to 80,000 persons each year.

In 1984 Menotti was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor for Achievement in the Arts, and in 1991 he was chosen Musical America's ``Musician of the Year.'' In addition to composing operas to his own texts, on his own chosen subject matter, Menotti directed most productions of his work.

Gian Carlo Menotti died on February 1, 2007, at the age of 95 in a hospital in Monte Carlo, Monaco, where he had a home.

I want to thank my colleagues, led by Congressman Henry Brown and my fellow members of the South Carolina delegation, for honoring the life of this great Italian American artist as well as his lasting legacy, the Spoleto Festival USA.

I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the information enthusiastically provided by Mr. Pascrell, who is certainly one of the finest Members we have here, and I appreciate our long association.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown).

Mr. Speaker, I do want to conclude with thanking Mr. Brown for his leadership in bringing this to the attention of our country.

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