John D. Dingell

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the McKeon Amendment to H.J. Res. 124. This is a difficult decision because there are no good options for American intervention in Iraq and Syria. However, ISIL is a barbaric group that poses a direct threat to our national interests and it is our obligation to respond in an appropriate fashion to this new threat. I believe the counterterrorism strategy laid out by President Obama represents the best way to combat ISIL without committing our country to another costly, deadly ground war in the Middle East.

This amendment is not a declaration of war, or an authorization for the use of military force. Rather, it is a limited effort to train and equip members of the moderate Syrian opposition who have been vetted by our government. I am confident that the limitations and the reporting requirements in the resolution will ensure sufficient oversight, ensuring the mission does not expand beyond congressional intent.

Americans are weary of war. Any efforts to expand our role in this conflict should be openly debated in Congress. Yet, we cannot turn our back on the threat ISIL poses to our allies in the region, and the humanitarian catastrophe they helped create. I will be closely watching this mission as it unfolds to ensure it remains limited in scope and in line with our national interest.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Lt. Col. Matt Urban and to recognize his service to our great nation. As a veteran of World War II, I understand the great sacrifices made by the ``greatest generation'' and their families. Lt. Col. Urban is a true American hero and is worthy of recognition by this body.

Lt. Col. Urban is one of the most decorated soldiers of our time. He has received the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart, among others. After enlisting in the Army on July 2, 1941, Lt. Col. Urban fought in six campaigns in World War II in the Mediterranean and European theaters. On September 3, 1944, after exposing himself to enemy fire while destroying two tanks with a bazooka, he was critically wounded and medically evacuated from battle. The following year, a fellow soldier recommended him for the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in battle. Unfortunately, this letter was not received by the Army, which resulted in a great delay in recognizing his valor. However, thanks to hard work by his family, friends and supporters, Lt. Col Urban was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Jimmy Carter on July 19, 1980. He passed away on March 4, 1995.

The citation for his Medal of Honor states that Lt. Col. Urban deserves to be honored ``for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.'' On August 23, 2014, his family will gather at Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath laying ceremony and celebration of his life. I join them in honoring Lt. Col. Matt Urban for his heroism in battle and many sacrifices he made on behalf of our great nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing this great American.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the good work of NSF International and to commend them for their 70 years of service to citizens around the world. NSF International was founded in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation and aimed to set standards of quality for food and water. Since changing their name to NSF International in 1990 and expanding their influence to other areas, such as certifications for consumer goods and the environment, they have contributed greatly to the well being of our citizens and our planet.

NSF International is devoted to ensuring reliable and effective standards for all types of consumer goods, services and systems. The organization also provides auditing and risk management tools and solutions for the businesses and industries they support. They are truly great members of the business community as well as valued industry partners.

The sanitation and quality of our products and food present a monumentally important responsibility. We need to make every effort to ensure that people around the world receive healthy and safe goods and services that have a standardized backing. NSF International combines all of these values and I am proud to support their mission. I would like to thank NSF International for all their work over the past 70 years and wish them the best of luck in the future as they continue to work on behalf of people everywhere.