Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce a good friend, a man who ministers to the men and women of western Arkansas, a man of God, our guest chaplain, the Reverend Bobby L. Johnson of Van Buren, Arkansas. He has been pastor of First Assembly of God in Van Buren since June of 1980. Since then, the church has grown from over 200 at Sunday School to over 2,000, placing it among the fastest growing Sunday Schools in Arkansas and the Nation.

His mission is bringing the Word to the people through his extensive outreach, from mobile ministry to television and over the Internet. A graduate of both the University of Central Arkansas and Evangel College in Missouri, Pastor Johnson has taught public high school and pastored three other churches in Arkansas.

It is my honor to welcome Pastor Johnson to the House of Representatives and thank him for his service to his calling and to the people of Arkansas.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act as amended by the Senate. I also want to thank Mr. Boswell for his hard work in bringing this forward.

H.R. 327 was originally passed by the House unanimously in March. The legislation was slightly modified by the Senate to ensure that referrals for mental health counseling and treatment considered the request of the veteran concerned.

Preventing suicide among our veterans is a top priority of this Congress and the Nation. The Veterans Health Administration estimates there are 1,000 suicides per year among veterans receiving VA health care, and as many as 5,000 per year among all living veterans. These are alarming statistics.

H.R. 327, as amended, establishes requirements for a multifaceted VA suicide prevention plan that strengthens early detection measures, staff education initiatives, and counseling and treatment assistance to reach out and help at-risk veterans to prevent suicides among those who have so bravely served our Nation.

VA has already begun to implement a national suicide prevention lifeline as required by this legislation. The hotline became operational in July of this year. Veterans experiencing thoughts of suicide can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for help. The first call, according to the VA, was received on July 25. Since that time and through September 1, as a result of calls to the suicide prevention hotline, 346 callers were referred to a VA suicide prevention coordinator, and there were 56 rescues.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 327, as amended, is important legislation that responds to the need to strengthen suicide prevention, education and awareness programs within the VA. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 327, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank Congressman Boswell for his hard work in bringing this forward, Chairman Filner, Ranking Member Buyer, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Miller, all of them for reaching a compromise with the Senate as we go forward on this.

I think this is a great example that out of a terrible tragedy something good can happen, and we've heard the story of this young guy, and because of his tragedy, because of that family's tragedy, hopefully in putting programs like this in place we will help other families, other individuals, other service men not go through this and prevent future tragedies.

So, again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and urge the President to sign this so that we can go forward completely.

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

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1808, a bill to designate the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,'' would honor one of our colleagues who was taken from us all too soon.

Charles ``Charlie'' Whitlow Norwood, Jr., was born on July 27, 1941. A Georgia native, Charlie Norwood attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, and Georgetown University in Washington, and was a dentist prior to serving in the House of Representatives.

Charlie Norwood served as a captain in the United States Army from 1967 to

1969, beginning with an assignment in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 1968, he was transferred to the medical battalion of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, and served a combat tour at Quin Yon, An Khe, and LZ English at Bon Son. During his tour, he participated in experimental military dental practices that are now standard procedure for the Armed Forces. In recognition of his service under combat conditions, Norwood was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars.

After his discharge in 1969, he remained a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of the World Wars until his death.

Mr. Speaker, Charlie Norwood served with us as a Member of Congress from January 4, 1995, until his untimely death on February 13, 2007. During his congressional career, Norwood worked to pass a patients' bill of rights aimed at giving people better access to health care and greater ability to sue insurers, and spent his life supporting the overall well-being of veterans.

He was quick to protect TRICARE benefits, and he cosponsored legislation to address military survivor benefit plan inequities and to improve military pay raises. He was a tireless advocate for our men and women in uniform and for our Nation's veterans.

This legislation has the support of the State veteran service organizations, as well as the entire Georgia delegation. In the Senate, a companion bill has been introduced, S. 1026, which has the cosponsorship of both of the Georgia U.S. Senators.

Mr. Speaker, I support honoring this distinguished American by naming the VA facility in Augusta, Georgia, the Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. To honor our deceased friend and colleague in this manner is a tribute to his love of Nation and his contributions to our military and veteran community and as a Member of Congress.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).

(Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price).

(Mr. PRICE of Georgia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland).

Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, we have all heard what a great asset Charlie Norwood was to this body, not only in helping us as Members, but in the many, many ways that he served his country.

He and his wife, Gloria, also served us in the way of helping junior Members' wives as they came on board, my wife, in particular. Again, we are very, very grateful to his service. I can't think of a more fitting honor than the honor of naming this building.

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

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2408, a bill to designate the VA outpatient clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin as the Milo Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic would honor an individual whose demeanor during combat in World War II exemplifies the concept of the army of one.

In 1944, Private First Class Huempfner was stranded in the small Belgian village of Leignon after his truck was separated from its convoy and slid off the road. While in hiding in Leignon, Private First Class Huempfner found that the village had been overrun by German troops. He proceeded, over the next 4 days and nights, to singlehandedly wage war against an entire German armored column consisting of tanks, numerous heavy gun emplacements, and hundreds of soldiers. During this period of time, Private First Class Huempfner warned off numerous American and British troops from Leignon, who otherwise would have been slaughtered by the Germans occupying the town. He repeatedly refused to be evacuated on these occasions, staying to destroy additional German equipment, killing German soldiers in direct combat, and protecting the citizens of the occupied town.

Mr. Speaker, on Christmas Eve, British forces dislodged German forces using information collected by Private First Class Huempfner. After over 72 hours on his feet, under constant threat and harassment from enemy forces, Private First Class Huempfner retired to a household he had earlier defended.

For all of these accomplishments he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1973. After the war, Private First Class Huempfner attended the funerals of as many veteran comrades as possible. Reports indicate that he participated in the burial of some 900 fellow comrades in arms over the years since World War II, attending in full dress uniform, honoring their service and repeatedly demonstrating his love for our Nation by showing the brave veterans of Brown County the dignity and respect that they had earned. He continued attending these funerals until a week before his death in October 1985.

Mr. Speaker, I support honoring this brave American veteran by naming this facility the Milo C. Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. It is a fine tribute to a true patriot and true hero.

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

General Leave

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 680, which condemns the actions of September 7, 2007, resulting in damage to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial.

Mr. Speaker, the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, commonly referred to as ``The Wall,'' serves as a memorial to the 2.7 million men and women in the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam. It is a memorial that has many different meanings to those who lived through that era and serves as an especially poignant reminder of the cost of that war and the ultimate sacrifice made in any conflict.

Americans come from all across the country each year to reflect on the sacrifices of the 58,256 names inscribed on the 140 panels of black granite. Whether it is a family member looking for the name of a loved one or a comrade in arms honoring a foxhole buddy or a young child searching for the name of a relative they never knew, every American who visits the wall leaves a changed person. It is fitting that the Memorial for our most divisive war has become a place of solace and coming together.

Mr. Speaker, regardless of who is responsible for the recent attack on the Vietnam Wall, that cowardly act was an affront to every American. In an apparent act of vandalism, 14 panels were defaced with a light, oily substance that damaged names, panels, and paving stones of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

While I am thankful that it appears that the substance was removed and the Memorial has been restored to its pristine condition, I believe it is important for us in Congress to show Congress's support for one of our Nation's most sacred sites.

Mr. Speaker, I also urge my colleagues to join me between November 7 through November 10 to read some of the 58,256 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This will only be the fourth time that this reading has occurred here in Washington, and it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

I thank my colleague Representative Carter for introducing this resolution and Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for bringing it to the floor today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter).

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson), a true American hero who certainly can speak with authority on this subject.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota, Colonel Kline.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. Speaker, I know that all of us look forward to passing this very important resolution. I want to thank Judge Carter for bringing it forward. And then also a special thanks to Mr. Filner, chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Ranking Member Buyer, in expediting it and getting it on the floor.

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

General Leave

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

Mr. Speaker, I take great pleasure in urging my colleagues to support House Resolution 237, urging all of America to make a special effort to honor America's veterans on November 11, introduced by a veteran of the Vietnam War, the Honorable Joe Baca.

This resolution reminds each of us of the debt we owe to those whose sacrifices have made America the beacon of freedom throughout the world. America's holidays remind us of important events and persons in our Nation's history. It is significant that veterans are honored with two holidays that recognize the important role of those who wear the uniform.

Veterans have assaulted heavily defended beaches, jumped from aircraft under heavy fire, shivered in frozen foxholes, slogged through malaria-ridden jungles, and endured horrible abuses as prisoners of war. Veterans have survived incredible hardships, they have suffered wounds, and far too many have paid the ultimate price of freedom. They have often experienced long separations from families, and they serve in the outposts of freedom while their fellow citizens enjoy the fruits of everyday life in America. Each of them, from the Army or Marine infantrymen on patrol, to the sailor deep in the bowels of an aircraft carrier, to the airmen miles above the ground sets an example for the rest of us.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to recall how Veterans Day came to be. In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington

National Cemetery. This site on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the City of Washington became the focal point of reverence for America's veterans. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France where an unknown soldier was buried in each of the nation's highest place of honor, in England West Minster Abby, in France the Arc de Triomphe.

These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The day became known as Armistice Day. The first celebration using the term ``Veterans Day'' occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1947.

Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized National Veterans Day, which included a parade and other festivities to honor all veterans. The event was held on November 11, then designated Armistice Day. Later, U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan in November 1982. Weeks' local parade and ceremonies are now an annual event celebrated nationwide.

Mr. Speaker, I again suggest this most fitting of resolutions is worthy of unanimous support for my colleagues. As Mr. Filner said in the previous bill, we need to go further.

Mr. Speaker, there is no better way to honor our veterans on Veterans Day than to ensure funding for their medical care and other benefits. That is why I call on my friends on the other side of the aisle to appoint conferees for the Military Construction and VA appropriations bill.

We are almost a month into the new fiscal year and there is no practical reason that this bill cannot pass and become law. It won't be long before this apparent political ploy will begin to affect the care our Nation's warriors receive. Let's appoint conferees and ensure that the VA can continue to give our veterans the excellent care that they deserve.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, I encourage everyone, certainly we are all anxiously awaiting to get to vote ``yes'' on this very, very important resolution. I want to thank Mr. Baca for bringing this to our attention and doing the work that it took to get it on the floor. A special thanks to Chairman Filner, Mr. Buyer, again, for working together and getting all of the bills that we have done today on the floor. I think it represents a tremendous amount of work. As always, I want to thank the staffs on both sides who worked so hard in preparing these things and actually getting it to fruition.

So with that, again, I yield back the balance of my time.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 968, H.R. 3678, the Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007, I was not present due to an emergency situation. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a person who has been described as ``perhaps the best judge never to serve on the Supreme Court.'' I wish today to honor and remember Judge Richard Arnold as we prepare to name the Federal building in Little Rock after one who has given so much to his country.

A Texarkana native, Judge Arnold attended Exeter, Yale, and Harvard, and clerked for Justice William Brennan before returning to Arkansas to set up practice in Texarkana.

President Carter named Judge Arnold, a Democrat, to the district court in 1978 and, in just over a year, named him to the Eighth Circuit. He rose to chief judge and served on the Eighth Circuit with his brother Morris, a Republican.

Judge Arnold's life represents one of commitment to the rule of law and of service to one's country. I am proud to see the Federal building in Little Rock named after him, and I am proud to speak of him here in the well of the House.

Mr. Speaker, on September 25th, our State--and our Nation--will recognize nine brave men and women who, when they were teenagers, came forward to claim their Constitutional right to an equal education despite protests, threats of violence and even the Arkansas National Guard.

I strongly Support this legislation which honors not only a red- letter date in our State's history, but a seminal event in the movement to unite our country as truly one people, indivisible.

Fifty years ago, Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, and Carlotta Walls, climbed the steps of Central High School. Few other moments in our history can compare to the ascent made by the Little Rock Nine. It was an ascent to a new plateau in the relations of Americans to their fellow citizens and a new plateau on the path to the American we now know.

On September 25, 1957, when the Nine made it to the top of those Central High School steps, they stood in a place where, up till that point, others said they could not go. Then, they did what was, in fact, the most important thing that day: They went inside to learn.

While Central High School will always be the event at the forefront of our memories when it comes to the history of desegregation, it is my hope that, as we remember the Nine, we can also remember the other schools in our State which preceded them, including Fayetteville, Hoxie, and the community of Charleston--who first broke down the barrier in Arkansas on August 23, 1954.

I would also like to remember the names of Joe Ferguson, Jessie Ferguson, Mary Ferguson, Barbara Williams, Robert Williams, Etholia Williams, Time Freeman, Betty Freeman, Myrdle Freeman, Leroy Jones, Raymond Webb, Duty Webb, and Henry Web, who joined their fellow residents of Charleston to bring about peaceful change.

As we spend this day reflecting on our past, we should remember all the brave children, families, and educators across the state who--by their courage--set in motion a chain of events which created the Arkansas of the present and will resonate in the Arkansas of the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a young man beloved by his family, friends and his community. I rise to remember Specialist Tyler Ross Seideman of the United States Army who was taken from us 2 weeks ago today in Multaka, Iraq.

Tyler and 13 of his Army brothers passed away when the Black Hawk he was in went down due to mechanical problems. Tyler, from the small town of Lincoln, Arkansas, was a sniper in the 2nd Battalion of the 35th Infantry Regiment based out of Hawaii. His closest friends described him with adjectives such as ``brave,'' a ``great soldier'' and a ``perfect gentleman.''

I had the opportunity to attend Tyler's funeral this past Saturday. The outpouring of love and support from the people of Lincoln is something I will remember for the rest of my life.

My prayers and those of my family are with Tyler's parents, Bill and Lee Ann, and sisters Kiera and Kristen. I thank them for raising a man such as Tyler, and I thank Tyler for his service to a grateful Nation.

Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize and commend the courageous effort of Marine Corporal Jacob L. Kareus by entering into the Record the following letter:

May 29, 2007.

Dear Congressman Boozman: I am writing to inform you of the

performance of one of your constituents, Corporal Jacob L.

Kareus, United States Marine Corps, son of John L. and

Katherine D. Kareus of 7001 Ellsworth, Fort Smith, AR 72903.

Cpl Kareus recently returned from a seven-month deployment

to Haditha, Iraq, with Company E of the Second Battalion,

Third Marine Regiment. Upon our arrival, Haditha, a city of

approximately 40,000 people on the Euphrates River in the

restive Al Anbar Province, had a reputation as one of the

most dangerous places in Iraq. Sunni insurgents frequently

attacked Cpl Kareus' patrol with small arms fire, sniper

fire, grenades and rocket and rifle vehicles. The insurgency

maintained a close handle on the populace by an effective

murder and intimidation campaign. Through their threatening

and pressure of public officials and government workers,

insurgents even controlled public works such as water and

electricity. Only 15 Iraqi Police remained brave enough to

work from the Marine forward operating base, while the

recruitment of new policemen was nonexistent. Cpl Kareus and

the rest of the Marines in Haditha were the tip of the spear

in the Iraq counterinsurgency.

Through the heroic actions of your constituent, Cpl Kareus,

the city of Haditha saw unprecedented progress. By his

deployment's end, Haditha's police force numbered over 200

policemen and officers--many recruited from the people of

Haditha--and they conducted operations independent of the

Marines. Attacks on Iraqi Police and Marine patrols decreased

from an average of 5-10 per day to a handful per month.

Intelligence reports on insurgent activity flowed in

regularly from the people. The populace, previously terrified

to be associated with the Coalition, eagerly welcomed Marines

and policemen into their homes for tea and conversation. The

marketplace, or souk, bustled again, children played in

the streets, and even teenage girls--previously prohibited

by the insurgents from going to school--walked the streets

five days per week in their school uniforms.

As his commander, I wanted to ensure you were aware of the

hero from your great state of Arkansas. Cpl Kareus's selfless

actions in Haditha honored his nation, his state, and his

family. In an age where our ideals of courage and commitment

and our resolve have waned, your constituent Cpl Kareus

exemplifies the principles of self-sacrifice and dedication

to a cause greater than himself.

Sincerely,

Captain M.W. Tracy,

Company Commander, Company E.

I wish to thank Captain Tracy for taking the time to write to me of the heroic service of Corporal Jacob Kareus and the Marines of Echo Company. I applaud Corporal Kareus's service to America, as well as to the people of Haditha.

The motto for the 3rd Marines is Fortes Fortuna Juvat, which translates to Fortune Favors the Strong. It is our good fortune that we have the strength of character of men and women like Corporal Jacob Kareus serving to protect the freedom of all Americans.

Offered By: Mr. Boozman

Amendment No. 56: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Offered By: Mr. Boozman

Amendment No. 56: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Offered By: Mr. Boozman

Amendment No. 30: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I desire.

Obviously, there's nothing in the bill pertaining to any sort of aggressive action against Iran as far as military action. This, or a similar bill, has been introduced several times since the AMIA bombing, and so there's no way that this is being ginned up by the administration.

Last October, Argentina's state prosecutor concluded that the AMIA bombing was decided and organized, I quote, ``decided and organized by the highest leaders of the former Government of Iran, whom at the same time entrusted its execution to the Lebanese group of Hezbollah.''

Last March, acting on the state prosecutor's conclusions, INTERPOL's Executive Committee recommended the issuance of red notices for five Iranian officials and one Hezbollah operative in connection with the bombing.

This is about an effort to get justice. Delayed justice, as Mr. Kucinich said, is justice that we certainly need to get done.

And, again, this is not about ginning up in an effort to support the President with some sort of military operation. This is about taking the actions that INTERPOL, taking the actions that the Argentineans want to take, and encouraging them with a sense of Congress.

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

Having no further speakers either, I just want to thank the chairman for his hard work on this; thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for introduction of the bill, and the staff for their hard work.

I yield back the balance of my time.