Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of Troy, Illinois, on its 150th anniversary.

The City of Troy first began in 1819 as a ten acre spread of land in southern Illinois and soon became the first stagecoach stop for travelers to and from St. Louis. By 1850 the City of Troy became a story of success, and Troy became legally recognized as a town in 1857.

By 1978, Troy became the third fastest growing area in the United States and still continues to prosper.

I am pleased to congratulate Troy on its 150 years of accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, democracy and the rule of law is something that we have cherished in this country for over 200 years. And it is part of our responsibility to not only strengthen and preserve that in our country, but support those countries who are fighting for democracy and freedom.

Many of you may be thinking that this talk is about Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not. It is addressing the last dictatorship in Europe, which I am fortunate to have a relationship with based upon a niche I have developed in working with former captive nations and Eastern European countries.

The country of Belarus has been in a dictatorship for many years. And I am here today to call attention to the arrest two nights ago of an opposition leader, Vintsuk Vyachorka, by the KGB police. Yes, the Belarusian police still go by the KGB, under the direction of the Belarusian dictator, Alexander Lukashenka.

Vintsuk Vyachorka was pulled from his home in the middle of the night, only to be brought up on non-existent charges that will likely land him in jail for at least 25 days.

Madam Speaker, it is my belief, along with many others who have been monitoring the unraveling civil liberties of Belarus, that this arrest is merely the beginning of a series of arrests that the dictator, Mr. Lukashenka, is going to try to use to intimidate opposition leaders into abandoning a large protest on March 25 in honor of Belarusian freedom.

I say that we need to stand together today and say that we will not sit by and watch idly as Mr. Lukashenka uses his power to intimidate and scare the Belarusian people.

I am holding up a wrist bracelet, and many kids have been wearing these now in the United States for a couple of years. It is very simple. In Belarus, you can get arrested for wearing this. In fact, young people are pulled off the streets, intimidated and harassed. So today I bring this on the floor to show my solidarity with the Belarusian people, for those who are seeking freedom, a return to democracy and the rule of law.

I will not be silent, and I know the world community will not be silent until the last dictatorship in Europe changes its ways and becomes a democracy and enters the community of free, democratic countries in Europe.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Army Specialist Ryan C. Garbs who was recently killed in action in Afghanistan while conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Garbs was a 20-year-old native of Edwardsville, Illinois who was assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment out of Fort Benning, Gerogia. He was a 2005 graduate from Edwardsville High School, Edwardsville, Illinois. Around his sophomore year, Garbs knew he wanted to be an Army Ranger and he spent the last 2 years at Edwardsville High School rigorously training to meet the requirements of becoming a Ranger.

Garbs is survived by his parents, Doug and Jill Garbs of Edwardsville, Illinois and his sister; Melanie Neely of Fairfield, California. I am proud of the service this young man gave to our country and the service his fellow troops perform every day. Not enough can be said about Spc. Garbs. His awards and decorations speak to what a great soldier and man he was; the Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge and Good Conduct Badge, just to name a few. Like all Rangers, Garbs lived by the Ranger Creed. As the Creed states: ``Never shall I fail my comrades, I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task, whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.'' It is troops like Garbs that are risking their lives day in and day out to ensure our freedom here at home and to others throughout the rest of the world. He shouldered as much as anyone could, and I salute him. My best wishes go out to his family and all the troops fighting to ensure freedom and democracy. May God bless him and may God continue to bless America.

Mr. Speaker, these are real e-mails from veterans, active duty members, and National Guard and Reservists:

``John, my son, a Marine gunny sergeant embedded with the Iraqi Army around Rimadi, called a few weeks ago. I asked him if he knew about the President's plan for more troops. He hadn't heard about it, but his only comment to me was `We can use them.' Please support the President and the troops. It may be our last, best chance to win this thing. Winning is the imperative. Semper Fi.''

And another: ``We have to let our generals be generals and wage this war as only they are trained to do and have hope that the announced troop buildup will be the final key that is needed by the Iraqis to build a secure, united country.''

We have to hope that it is not too late for the U.S. to make a difference in Iraq.''

Another: ``We need to send the message to our troops that America wants them to succeed in Iraq by giving the buildup a chance to succeed.''

Still another: ``My fellow Guardsmen are ready. We will do whatever is asked of us. Please ensure that the resources, funds and equipment continue to flow. Supporting the troops means giving us the means to do our job.''

And another: ``We also need to stay in Iraq and put forth the necessary will and resources that will allow our strategy to succeed.''

And another: ``Moreover, our troops need more open rules of engagement to do their job effectively.''

Another e-mail: ``Elections have consequences, and for our recent election the consequences have been a major setback in the war on terror and a greater threat to terrorist attack at home.''

Still another: ``Like Vietnam, our enemies view us as not having the stomach to fight a protracted war. If we withdraw, however, the credibility of the U.S., our military, and our assurances would be lost for years, probably decades.''

Another: ``The overwhelming response among officers is we must stay and finish what we have started. Many of these officers have built strong relationships with local Iraqi and Afghan citizens who want to raise their family in peace.''

Another: ``We do in fact have many more Iraqi Army and National Police units moving into Baghdad and many are effectively partnering with U.S. units.''

Another: ``They did pass their budget for 2007 last week,'' sooner than the U.S. Congress, incidentally, ``and have made some progress with other legislation, which indicates they can work some political compromises.''

I will end with this: ``I would hope that your colleagues would be able to continue to support what we are doing, because it honestly does have a reasonable chance at success.''

These are real communications with real soldiers, Active Duty, in Iraq, National Guardsmen, reservists, and veterans throughout our country who say there is no substitute for victory. We have to win this campaign. It is in our national security interest to support moderate Arab states.

John, my son, a Marine Gunny Sgt. imbedded with the Iraqi army around Rimadi, called a few weeks ago. I asked him if he knew about the President's plan for more troops. He hadn't heard about it, but his only comment to me was: ``We can use them!'' Please support the President and the Troops. Maybe our last, best chance to win this thing. Winning is the imperative. Semper Fi!

We have to let our generals be generals and wage this war as only they are trained to do, and have hope that the announced troop buildup will be the final 3 key that's needed by the Iraqis to build a secure and united country.

We have to have hope that it's not too late for the U.S. to make a difference in Iraq.

We need to send the message to our troops that America wants them to succeed in Iraq by giving the buildup a chance to succeed.

The main effort is really the political reconciliation and the security of the population is the key precondition to that. The language and some action from the Iraqi government and Army leaders have been good in the past several weeks. The next several months will be critical--probably decisive--and I believe there is reason to be realistically hopeful.

I believe that what we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan supports the NSS. What I have heard in the debate is that we no longer have a security interest in Iraq. What part of out NSS is to support moderate Muslim governments? Another part of the NSS addresses humanitarian rights, to include rights of women.

My fellow Guardsmen are ready. We will do whatever is asked of us. Please, ensure that the resources, funds and equipment, continue to flow. Supporting the troops means giving us the means to do our jobs.

We have not had a failed Iraq policy--we have just had overly optimistic expectations of how fast the Iraqis would be able to establish a stable government and a unified country that functions in a manner to our satisfaction. Ironically, we want the Iraqis to pursue a unity government and national reconciliation, but we don't do that ourselves. The partisanship that we are seeing here in the U.S. is no different that the partisanship that we are seeing in Iraq.

We also need to stay in Iraq and put forth the necessary will and resources that will allow our strategy to succeed. Imagine a Super Bowl football team quitting the game in the third quarter simply because they were behind. The premise is so absurd it is inconceivable so too would be our quitting a war to protect our way of life simply because battlefield conditions are not going perfectly.

Moreover, our troops need more open rules of engagement to do their job effectively. This is war, and they are soldiers, not police officers. The U.S. and Iraqi governments must expect civilian casualties and collateral damage. It's unavoidable. The irony in this matter is that most Iraqi people would welcome the increase security.

Elections have consequences. And for our recent election, the consequences have been a major set back in the war on terror and a greater threat to terrorist attack at home.

Like Vietnam, our enemies view us as not having the stomach to fight a protracted war. If we withdraw, however, the credibility of the U.S., our military, and our assurances would be lost for years, probably decades.

The Iraqis are watching all of this, and they can see which way the wind is blowing. They know if we leave either the Sunni insurgency or the Iranians would likely come in, and their newly gained freedoms would be lost. This reality shapes the thoughts and actions of all Iraqi officials, from Prime Minister al-Maliki, down to the police officers on the street.

Many Americans are in denial about the threat from radical Islam. Unfortunately, it may take another 9/11 before they wake up. God help us if one of our cities gets nuked when that happens.

The overwhelming response among officers is that we must stay and finish what we started. Many of these officers have built strong relationships with local Iraqi and Afghan citizens who want to raise their families in peace. They feel we have given our word as a country that we will stand by them. I agree with this sentiment.

Lincoln/Sherman figured out that to truly defeat the south, he had to march to Savannah to convince the locals that it was not worth continued conflict. WWII had similar actions for resolution like Hiroshima. While these were waged against conventional forces, Congress must understand that the current conflict is more than between insurgents and U.S./Coalition forces.

If we do not have the will to do this hard work, we need to get out now. We cannot continue to try to get the job done with the minimum force. If anything we should send more than we think we need. Our focus on being liberators has caused us to misjudge what is needed. You cannot liberate until you have gained control. We never got there and must do so now.

Speaking of which, my two cents. The most basic job of government is to protect its citizens. If the Surge is properly designed to do that, then it is a good idea. I say give it a chance, even though it should have been that way to begin with. From my experiences in Desert Storm '91, I firmly believe that most people, Middles Easterners included, just want to protect their family, practice their religion, and have an opportunity to prosper.

We have to be able to go after all the killers regardless of who or where they are. The Iraqi follow-on forces then have to maintain the peace, not bring in their individual hatreds to the power vacuum. Helping them secure their borders from fighters through Jordan and Syria and equipment from Iran is also critical (Navy and Air Force tasks with limited ground support?). Getting the ``Rule of Law'' established will eventually replace the need for ``Self Protection'' (Militias).

The biggest hurdle is at home. If the media continues its selective reporting (failures only), then even if its an unqualified success on the ground, it will be perceived as a loss at home due to its depiction on TV and Press reports. Tying Iraqis to a yardstick measuring success or failure seems to be a good idea.

Press the Senate not to pass the latest Resolution limiting support-- it is just a grand standing event for presidential hopefuls.

We do in fact have many more Iraqi Army and National Police units moving into Baghdad and many are effectively partnering with U.S. units.

They did pass their budget for 2007 last week (sooner than the U.S. Congress, incidentally) and have made some progress with other legislation, which indicates they can work some political compromises.

Everyone is forced to telescope political, economic, and security reforms that would normally take 7-10 years into 7-10 months.

So the question that you are debating is whether or not $100 billions (less than 0.8% GDP) and tragically, probably 700-900 U.S. soldiers' lives is worth a 50% chance of preventing a national security crisis that will set back U.S. policy for decades.

If you are the parent or spouse of one of those soldiers who may die, it is GD probably not worth it. But if you are a national leader, I would hope that your colleagues would be able to continue to support what we are doing because it honestly does have a reasonable chance of success.

Mr. Speaker, leaving the Capitol last night, I came across a sign on the Seventh Street Bridge overpass that said, ``Democrats, get a peace plan.''

Clearly, someone felt that this nonbinding resolution does not get us any closer to peace, and some, myself included, would argue that this resolution takes us further away from our goal of securing the peace. Retreat, surrender, leaving, disengagement, that is the view of some politicians in Washington, DC, making decisions on combat operations overseas. If there is any clear comparison to Vietnam, this legislation is it.

Here is the Republican plan for peace, victory. In the 1980s, it was a peace through strength that was a military I was proud to serve in. Our last best chance for victory is by supporting the decisions of the commanders in the field. Their current request is to reinforce the Iraqi military and police who will take the lead in military action against all insurgents and al Qaeda in Iraq.

We are to ensure reconstruction continues to empower Iraq's security forces and newly elected leadership to be prepared to fully assume their destiny, and to leave, when asked, by a sovereign country of Iraq.

It is our national security interest to support moderate Arab states. Moderate Arab states that are democratic observe the rule of law, support women's rights, and are allies with us in the war on international jihadist terrorists. We have an opportunity for Iraq to be a moderate Arab state and an ally.

However, we can be assured if we leave early that the radicals will take over after an ensuing and huge bloodbath and will forever be an enemy to the United States. During the buildup to the Iraqi constitutional elections, I wore a flag pin representing both Iraq and the United States of America.

As I have traveled about my district in the past weeks, I have put the pin back as a sign of solidarity with a sovereign and free Iraq. What this resolution does is sever this alliance. This commitment emboldens our adversaries. It tells the world we are unable to go the distance and keep our commitment to do the right thing.

Well, I will not accept defeat, and especially from political armchair quarterbacks. The military commanders in the field have asked for reenforcements. This appeal may be our last best hope for a free democratic Iraq willing to be able to protect their citizens and support us in the war on terrorism.

Are we politicians sitting safe and secure in Washington, DC, going to say no to this request? Surely not.

Throughout our history, a debate such as this has occurred on the floor of the House and across the Nation. Monday was the 198th anniversary of the birth of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. At his tomb I read this quote from the Gettysburg Address, which I believe is applicable today. ``It is for the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who have fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain . . . ''

Instead of fighting, we are arguing amongst ourselves. We ought to commit our country to finish the task at hand. We should be united in the cause and to pray to God, the Creator of all, to bless our efforts here, the efforts of our military, the government of Iraq, her people, and, yes, even our enemies.

I want to end with another quote from Abraham Lincoln. In his farewell address to Springfield as President-Elect, he said: ``Today I leave you; I go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon General Washington. Unless the great God who assisted him shall be with me and aid me, I must fail. But if the same omniscient mind, and Almighty arm that directed and protected him, shall guide and support me, I shall not fail, I shall succeed. Let us all pray that the God of our Father may not forsake us now. To him I commend you all. Permit me to ask that with equal security and faith, you all will invoke His wisdom and guidance for me.''

May God bless our President and military leaders. May God bless our men and women in uniform who volunteered to protect our Nation from harm, and may God bless the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

In its current form, yes.

Madam Speaker, last time I spoke on the floor was on H.R. 6, and I challenged my fossil fuel Democrats, my coal Democrats, to not abandon fossil fuels. I know that the majority of the Members of the Democratic Caucus are anti-coal, but I was assured the interests of coal would not be left out in the future.

Well, here we go again. With this bill we do just that. My motion to recommit would expand the universe of this bill to do what was passed and accepted by a Democratic House in 1992 under EPACT, the Energy and Policy Act.

This bill, as written, does not use the 15-year accepted word of ``alternative.'' By leaving this out, the bill discriminates not only on coal-to-liquid technologies that produce low sulfur diesel and aviation fuel, but also natural gas and hydrogen.

This motion to recommit improves this bill and does not limit science, research and development to not only biofuels but coal-to- liquid, hydrogen and natural gas.

It is my hope that one day the Speaker and all of us will be able to fly back to our districts using aviation fuel produced from coal from U.S. coal mines and U.S. refineries.

And with that, Madam Speaker, I yield to Ranking Member Hall.

Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the first-grade students at Raccoon Elementary School in Centralia, Illinois. In just 2 weeks, these young boys and girls raised $111 to buy care packages for local soldiers serving in the Middle East.

With the guidance of their teachers, Wendy Bookhout and Amy Verble, the first-graders were the first participants in the Raccoon PRIDE program. This character building education plan challenges students to praise, encourage, and respect others as well as to get involved in their community, help others, and to do the right thing.

The students donated the money they raised to Steve Smith's Second Soldier Christmas Drive. Mr. Smith then sent the care packages containing quilts, phone cards, bibles, cookies, and socks, as well as many other items for the holidays.

I am pleased to congratulate the following Raccoon first-grade class for their hard work and dedication to helping others. God bless them for their service.

Jimmy Dale Allison, Dillion Michael Adams, Abraham August Applegate, Jonathan Altom, Jeremy Joseph Cameron, Mara Kalyn Bookhout, McKenzie Christine Card, Timothy Tyler Donoho, Paige Danielle Gooden, Anna Draper, Abbie Elaine Harris, Alyssa Finley, Skylar Elizabeth Keele, Autumn Dawn George.

Devon Michael Dwain Milburn, Cameron Tyler Hoard, Anastasia Marie Moistner, Kelsey Marie Littleton, Caleb Emmerson Michael Page, Valarie Marie Meadows, Shianne Alexis Smith, Shawn M. Morton, Molly Ann Thompson, Barbara Shiann Pauley, Justin Kyle Tindall, Rex Nicholas Rexilius, Katlyn Paige Whipple, Ryan Lloyd Tate, and Carter John Wilson.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Parish in my hometown of Collinsville, Illinois, on their 150th anniversary. The parish is a part of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois.

The first church was built in 1856 on the land that is still owned by the parish. The first pastor of the church, Father W. Repis, came in November 1857. The parish is currently ministered by Rev. John Beveridge, pastor since 1999, and Rev. Aloysius O. Ndeanaefo, parochial vicar.

In 1863, grounds for the cemetery were purchased. In 1879, the Parish school was opened, and it remains committed to a Christian education today.

On December 31, 2005, the parish began celebrating their sesquicentennial. After a full year of special events, a concluding mass will be celebrated by Bishop George Lucas on January 14, 2007.

I am pleased to congratulate Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Parish on this accomplishment. May God bless Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Parish.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dennis Petry for 30 years of service on the Triad School Board. He has served on the school board since 1977.

Mr. Petry served as secretary of the Triad School Board from 1981- 1983 and served as president from 1983-1991. He was also named the recipient of the Those Who Excel Award by the Illinois State Board of Education.

A 1962 graduate of Triad High School, Mr. Petry earned a bachelor of science in business from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He is married to his wife, Linda, and has three children, Jeff, Joel and Gina, and four grandchildren. Dennis is a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. Aside from his duties with the Triad School Board, he volunteers his time with Knights of Columbus Council 9266 and the Saint Jerome Pastoral Council and Literacy Committee.

It is my honor to thank Dennis for his many years of service to the students of the Triad School District. May God bless him for his work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Alpha & Omega Christian Fellowship in Collinsville, Illinois. The church will celebrate their 25th anniversary with a special service on January 28, 2007.

The church was founded in January 1982 and Gary Anderson served as pastor. The first services were held in the State Park Community House. Later, that same year, the church purchased the former State Park School and has transformed it into a beautiful house of worship. In 1984 Ron Habermehl became the pastor of the congregation with his wife, Debi, as co-pastor and they still minister to the congregation today.

The congregation of Alpha & Omega Christian Fellowship lives out the words of Isaiah 58:12, ``Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.'' (NKJV) Their food pantry which serves their community, as well as their focus on bringing up the next generation, fulfills the mission of these words.

I am pleased to congratulate Alpha & Omega Christian Fellowship on 25 years of service to the Lord. My prayers will be with them during this special time. May God bless Alpha & Omega Christian Fellowship.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

And I appreciate it. I know the gentleman is a big supporter of coal. And we did bring to the Rules Committee an amendment that would amend the language in this bill to allow some of this money to go to contract with the Department of Defense so they can move on coal-to-liquid provisions.

You know there are really three avenues to expand coal-to-liquid technology: one is forward contracting for the Department of Defense; one is a tax provision; and the other one is a collar provision that we are working on. And if we could have gotten some provision in this bill, because there is going to be money available to move directly, we have got to get that first coal-to-liquid plant built, then the others will come. And I think that is what our disappointment is.

And if the gentleman would yield, I know you are a big backer of coal, and I do look forward to working with you. This is our window of opportunity to really exploit coal-to-liquid activities, and we are disappointed now. We hope that we can recover later on in this debate.

Mr. Speaker, again, I enjoyed my comments with my colleague, but I know my colleague from Washington State who just left would not mention coal. My folks from the west coast will not mention the benefits of coal, and we have a lot of work to do. We are going to continue to move it forward, and this was our opportunity to be helpful.

I want to talk about section 199. And I know my colleagues on the other side like to talk about the Big Oil guys, but let's talk about the Little Oil guys, the ones in southern Illinois. In southern Illinois, we produce about 30,000 barrels of crude oil per day amounting to $574 million minus about one-eighth of that to royalty owners. These are small mom and pop operations of marginal wells, you know, those wells that you have to put energy in to get the crude oil out.

Section 199 has three primary purposes: exploration, that is a good thing. Production, that is a good thing. Refining, that is a good thing. Three good things to help address our reliance on imported crude oil from overseas.

Illinois crude oil, being delivered from Illinois soil up to the surface area so that it can meet our fuel needs, the attack on section 199 in this bill to a small mom and pop oil producer in southern Illinois in 2008 will be a $200,000 tax increase. In 2009, it will be a $300,000 tax increase on this small marginal oil producer. This is money that she, a woman-owned business operation, cannot use to expand, employ, provide health care benefits to. This is all money that is going to come out of the bottom line in her ability to expand and find new oil reserves and resources in southern Illinois, and that is why I am going to vote against this bill.

Mr. Speaker, if you want to decrease our reliance on foreign energy-- exploiting our coal reserves is one way. I offered and amendment through the rules committee that would move some of the revenue from this tax increase to allow DOD to forward contract and purchase CTL fuels.

But this bill will make it more difficult to recover what oil we have left in Southern Illinois.

In Southern Illinois--we produce around 30,000 barrels of crude per day amounting to $574 million minus about \1/8\ of that to royalty owners. These are all small mom and pop operations and marginal wells.

The smaller oil and gas producers in my district rely on Section 199 deduction as it lowers the effective tax rate on manufacturing income that comes from exploration, production and refining.

One small producer in my district, for example, estimates that depending on the timing the Democratic repeal would go into effect, they would lose $200,000 in 2008 and around $300,000 in 2009. Now this is $500,000 that a small oil and gas producer in rural Southern Illinois cannot use to improve the efficiency of their business, buy new equipment, hire new employees or even use to pay health insurance cost of their current employees.

Regular order would have allowed a committee to hear some of these concerns so that adjustments could have been made to eliminate the unintended consequences of this bill--or maybe they aren't unintended.

Amortization of Geological and Geophysical (G&G) expenses, another provision that they are trying to repeal today--was passed in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, because it allows producers to affordably use a technology to examine, without drilling, the best spot to drill for oil or gas--this is also an environmentally friendly practice-- without it they would have to revert to drilling all over an area to find an optimal drilling point.

The cost of this Geophysical exploration is around 20 to 30 thousand dollars per square mile of exploration--so simple math shows you that this is a significant investment that is being made by the industry, taking that away will lower production and efficiency, making the U.S. less competitive in the world market.

We need to develop policies that make it easier to produce affordable domestic energy.

And, again, we did that in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that is why expansion is starting to happen today. Expansion with petroleum refineries, with ethanol refineries, with clean coal generation, nuclear generation, expansion of the areas where we can explore for new energy sources.

Here are some numbers: Over 500 million of new ethanol production and nearly 30 new plants; 500 million gallons of new annual ethanol production online; 25 new nuclear reactors planned; 2,000 megawatts of new wind power online; 120 new coal-based facilities in various stages of planning; and 2 million barrels of oil daily that can be replaced by clean, synthetic fuel from coal by 2025.

Raising taxes in this bill will in fact do more harm to the little guys--the guys that are spread across the U.S. diversifying where our domestic petroleum and gas come from. And will not help us reduce our dependence on foreign sources of gas and oil.

Mr. Speaker, it is great to be back in session and back in Washington. I look forward to a very interesting new Congress.

One of the great benefits of being a Member is the opportunity to talk about our national treasure, which is our citizens. We just lost one who became a good friend of mine, doesn't live in my Congressional district, is from the state of Illinois, name of Tony Milunas.

Now, Tony, is the story of a lot of post World War II era emigres who came from the former captive nations, the former Eastern Bloc countries that immigrated here, became active citizens, not only supported this great country, served in the military, but also was very involved in the 50 years of totalitarian ruling of the Eastern Bloc countries and helped bring freedom to those countries. With that I am going to give a little background on Tony and mention how he was very important in my life.

Anatole Milunas, ``Tony,'' as we knew him, was born August 3, 1936 in the City of Sauliai, Lithuania. During World War II, he left Lithuania to escape the second Soviet occupation and the subsequent 50 years of terror. While in exile in 1946, he finished high school and began studying for a degree in technology in Darmstadt, Germany.

After he immigrated to the United States, he continued his schooling and graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois. During the Korean War, he served in the United States Army, stationed in Germany as a translator and adviser to a staff officer.

He actively participated in the presidential election of President Ronald Reagan and President George Herbert Walker Bush, and has been a strong supporter of the Illinois Republican Party. From 1979 to 1985, he was a chairman of the Lithuanian American Republican National Federation, and from 1994 to 2006, Mr. Milunas was the chairman of the Lithuanian American Republican League in Illinois.

He died December 23, 2006. He left a widow, Dana, and two sons, Vytenis and Rimas, two good Lithuanian names, their families and many relatives here in Lithuania as well as friends and so many associates. He leaves behind a lasting legacy.

Now, I met Tony way back in 1992 when he looked at the family name of politicians running for office, and my colleagues here, who I have served with for many years, know that I have focused some of my extra time on Baltic issues, which is Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Not because I have a strong Baltic number of citizens in my district, and, in fact, it is very little, but Shimkus is ethnically Lithuanian.

Tony, seeing that name said, and being Republican, says, oh, I found a guy who will help me remember the persecution of the Baltic countries and help bring freedom, NATO enlargement, EU ascension to the Baltic countries.

He adopted me, in essence, and he encouraged me to not only be involved here on the floor, but really be involved in what for me is four generations removed. He is one generation, I am four generations.

Tony gave me this photo back on October 18, 2002, to the Honorable John Shimkus, we are proud to have you as an honorary member while we continue the Reagan legacy, Lithuanian Republican League of Illinois, Anatole Milunas. This is a photo of President Reagan when he is campaigning in Chicago. Now I am a down-stater, I am more by St. Louis and what we call southern Illinois. This was a picture Tony was very, very proud of. This was at an ethnic festival, then candidate Reagan was there. Tony handed him this bumper sticker that said, ``I love Lithuanians,'' and here is President Reagan holding this up.

As we know, it was President Reagan that was in Berlin and said, Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall, which is all part of the fall of the Soviet empire and the freeing of millions of people in what we call the captive nations.

I was glad to play a small part in the movement to enlarge NATO and bring in the former captive nations that love democracy and freedom, willing to take and pay the sacrifice, transform their militaries and be true allies.

One of the reasons why I was able to do that is because of the mentorship, the friendship, the love, the compassion of this U.S. citizen who was born in Sauliai, Lithuania, who came to this country with nothing, lived the American dream, was a great citizen, but had an appreciation for his homeland.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lovella Craddock of McLeansboro, Illinois for her many years of service to the citizens of Hamilton County, Illinois. Lovella began working part-time in the Hamilton County Clerk's Office in 1960, full-time in 1961 and was elected as Hamilton County Clerk in 1974. She will retire December I, 2006 after 46 years of service.

For the past 46 years, Lovella has greeted not only me, but also the citizens of Hamilton County, with a smile as they entered her office to conduct business. Her friendly and courteous service will be missed. It is with gratitude that I thank her for her service and congratulate her on retirement. I wish Lovella all the best in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Westervelt Christian Church on the occasion of its induction into the National Register of Historic Places in February 2006. Westervelt Christian Church celebrated this special occasion with a ceremony on October 8, 2006.

The church was formed in 1921 after the Antioch Church families, living in Westervelt, felt they were traveling too far for services and desired that a new Christian church be built in Westervelt. It is believed that charter members of the First Christian Church were accepted on October 31, 1921 and that a list of these members was placed in the cornerstone of the church.

The church, built in classical revival style, was built during the years of 1921, 1922 and 1923. The lots for the church were donated by E.D. and Alpharetta Kerr and Charles and Minnie Donnel. The architect was Charles Harris and he designed the interior of the church to have outstanding acoustics while the outside of the building was designed to resemble a Greek temple. The building was dedicated on May 6, 1923. To this day, the church still uses the original theater seats, an original serving table in the basement as well as the original hanging lights.

In 1968, the congregation of First Christian Church decided to remove themselves from the Disciples of Christians Churches. The church formed new articles of incorporation and changed the name to Westervelt Christian Church, a now independent Christian church. Today, the church has the following mission statement, ``The mission of the Westervelt Christian Church is to exalt and worship Almighty God by living, teaching and preaching the gospel of His Son and our Savior Jesus Christ as revealed to us by His holy word, the Bible.''

I am pleased to congratulate Westervelt Christian Church on this special occasion. My prayers are with the church during this special time. May God bless the congregation of Westervelt Christian Church.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sgt. Marion Ray on the book signing release for his book, Damn Cold and Starving, which tells his story as a prisoner of war. He was part of the 106th Infantry Division, 424th Regiment, First Battalion.

Sgt. Ray and fellow infantrymen were captured on December 17, 1944, by two German soldiers in Winterspelt, Germany, and were held until the spring of 1945. This was the first day of the Battle of the Bulge. During his time as a POW, Sgt. Ray was held in three different internment camps. He uses his book to describe the main hardships and difficulties he encountered.

It is a pleasure to thank Sgt. Marion Ray for his service to our great Nation. I appreciate his service and sacrifice and know his book makes a great contribution to our Nation's history.