Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the designation by President Bush that the month of May be known as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

The more than 13 million Americans who have Asian/Pacific heritage have worked diligently to enrich the culture of our Nation and of our lives.

Asian/Pacific Americans are a growing and welcome force in my home state of Illinois. Their continuing contributions to our communities, whether as large as Chicago, or as medium sized as my hometown of Collinsville, are immeasurable.

Asian/Pacific Americans bring with them a heritage of pride, hard work, commitment to family and faith, and a love of freedom that serves as an example and reminder for all of us.

I am proud of the President for his recognition of the Asian/Pacific American community and of their overall value to our nation's future. I salute the Asian/Pacific American community and join them in celebrating their heritage.

Mr. Speaker, this weekend we celebrate the greatest generation, our World War II veterans. I am here to say that I think we have the next greatest generation, and that is our men and women serving today around the world. This is an e-mail from one of them:

``Thank you, sir, for the note. I appreciate your concern for the troops stationed in Iraq. I am flying Blackhawks based in Balad, Iraq. I am currently working with another West Point graduate, a very capable infantry officer from the class of 2001, in developing an Air QRF team to respond to mortar and rocket attacks on the air base. We have been operational for about 10 days and are still refining our tactics and writing SOPs, but it is going well. I am impressed with the commitment the Army has made to good food, hot showers and decent living conditions.

``I have spent 16 years training, burned countless gallons of jet fuel and have flown over 1,800 hours in preparation for this deployment, and I am proud to serve and give the country something back for all it has invested in me.

``I have a wife and two young boys. I miss them very much. We are blessed

with close family and friends, and it is a comfort to know that they are well cared for in my absence. My mom has always been a special source of comfort in difficult times. I speak with her often and just today received a box of her homemade cookies.

``Thanks for taking the time to offer your support. I believe our task here is a difficult one. I hope we will stay the course.''

To this young man, I say, we will.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, as a West Point graduate, and as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves, I am saddened by recent revelations at Abu Ghraib Prison. I am sad and disappointed and feel personally attacked by an organization I hold in high esteem.

The Chaplain said today in his prayer that we seek justice, equity, and freedom. In this case, we failed.

A commander is responsible for all his unit does and fails to do. This is a basic creed of the United States Army.

As the criminal proceedings unfold and those involved receive the consequences of their actions, some officers in charge need to stand up and say, I was in command, and I failed.

Mr. Speaker, in April it was reported that employers added 288,000 jobs to the payroll, including 21,000 in the manufacturing sector. Progress is being made. The outsourcing- insourcing debate then has waned a little bit.

But I want to highlight Richland County in Illinois, 16,000 people in the community of Olney, that has 8,000. They actively pursue and ask for international business to come. In fact they are home for companies from Germany, Austria, Japan, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands. These international companies located in rural Illinois provide high wages and great benefits to their citizens.

We should be appreciative of all companies that create jobs, both U.S. companies and international companies, that want to do business in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, to the chairman and the ranking member I want to thank them for bringing this resolution to the floor. I have had a chance to speak in a Special Order and tie the EU expansion also to NATO expansion. And what it does is it brings a Europe whole, united, and free; and I think it brings great opportunity for the world, stability in the region, the ability for the European Union countries to help be more active in their backyard as they have committed to bolster their ability to respond based upon the Petersburg task but also a commitment to NATO in the Article V self-defense relationship that makes the transatlantic nations so important. It ties the North American continent to Europe in a stronger fabric that I think will really benefit the Nation and democratic institutions for years to come.

As we know, there are constant threats to democracy and liberty around the world. So I think I speak for many of our colleagues who will get a chance to either vocally vote ``yes'' or to do it through a registered vote by saying wherever democracy, liberty, freedom, the rule of law prevail, we as a country and as a world are stronger because of that.

So I, too, want to welcome the new members to the EU. I also want to applaud the old members for their reaching out and the invitation for these new members; and I want to tie that to the great self-defense organization that we know and have loved for so long, which is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. That transatlantic link will serve us both well from now and into the future.

I want to applaud the ranking member; I want to applaud the chairman. And I thank the chairman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Kim Bigley who was recently killed in Kosovo.

Kim Bigley was an employee of DynCorp International which was serving with the United Nations as international police officers. Kim and other members were fired upon by a Jordanian police officer for unknown reason and she and two others were killed in the resulting firefight.

Kim Bigley was a 47-year-old who lived most of her life in southern and southwestern Illinois. She was the former warden of the Shawnee Correctional Center, and had just completed her first day of job orientation when she was killed. She is survived by her parents, Jim and Janice Bigley of Greenfield; sons, Casey Morrow of Springfield and Quinn Morrow of Decatur; daughter, Karly Morrow of Paducah; and a brother, Joe Bigley of Sherman. My thoughts and prayers go out to her families and loved ones. Ms. Bigley gave her life in an effort to improve the lives of others. This sacrifice should never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Torrey Stoffel-Gray, who was recently killed in action in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Torrey Stoffel-Gray was a 19-year-old Marine from Patoka, Illinois. Patoka is a rural town in my district with a population around 630. At 16 he left Patoka to enter Lincoln Challenge, a military-style alternative school at Rantoul, Ill. Many friends and family say that Lincoln Challenge changed his life and helped him find his way. This young man was recently killed in action in Iraq when his convoy was struck by rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire in the Al Anbar Province. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Lance Cpl. Stoffel-Gray is survived by his mother, Mary Stoffel, his stepfather Jerry Stoffel and his three brothers, Brandon, Russell, and Blake. Lance Cpl. Stoffel-Gray was awarded the Purple Heart, which was presented to his mother at the time of his burial. Not enough can be said about Lance Cpl. Stoffel-Gray and the rest of our brave men and women serving in Iraq. These soldiers are risking their lives everyday to ensure our freedom here at home and to others throughout the world. I salute him and my best wishes go out to his family and all the troops fighting to ensure freedom and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Corporal Forest Jostes who recently was killed in action fighting for freedom in Iraq.

Corporal Jostes was a 21-year-old from Albion, Illinois who served as an Army Corporal with the 1st Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division from Ft. Hood, Texas. He was a 2000 graduate of Edwards County High School, after which he joined the National Guard at the age of 17. He had only been in Iraq for about a week, when military personnel say his Humvee was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing Jostes and the driver, in a suburb of Baghdad.

Corporal Jostes is survived by his parents, Von and Diane Ibbotson; a sister, Michelle Lee Teeter; two brothers Benjamin L. Jostes and Evan R. Ibbotson; and his grandparents, John and Laura Ibbotson, Glen and Darlene Kellison and Norman and Shirley Costley. I am proud of the service this young man has given to our country and the service he and others are doing everyday. Not enough can be said about Corporal Jostes and our other brave men and women who are serving in Iraq. It is troops like him that are risking their lives every day to ensure our freedom here at home and to others throughout the rest of the world. I salute him and my best wishes go out to his family and all the troops fighting to ensure freedom and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Captain John Tipton who was recently killed in Iraq.

Capt. Tipton, 32, a 1989 Granite City High School graduate, died this past Sunday in an explosion during combat in the Al Anbar Province in Iraq. The province, west of Baghdad, is where Camp Fallujah is located and is one of the most hostile regions in Iraq. Capt. Tipton was commander of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas with his wife, Susie Tipton, of Collinsville, and their two children, Austin, 4, and Kaitlyn, 2.

I am proud of the service Capt. Tipton has given to our country and the service he and others provide on a daily basis. Not enough can be said about the sacrifice and dedication these men and women display while serving in Iraq. It is troops like Capt. Tipton, those risking their lives everyday, that ensure our freedom here at home and to others throughout the rest of the world. I salute him and my heart felt condolences go out to his family and all the troops continually fighting to ensure freedom and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Gary Weston, who was recently killed in Kosovo.

Gary Weston was an employee of DynCorp International, which was serving with the United Nations as international police officers. Gary and other members were fired upon by a Jordanian police officer for unknown reason. Two fellow workers were killed in the resulting firefight. Gary was flown to a hospital after receiving several gunshots. He later died from complications of the gunshot wounds, his wife Nina Weston was there by her husband's side.

Gary Weston was 52 years old and lived in Vienna, Illinois. Not enough can be said about the great sacrifice this man made for his country, the ultimate sacrifice. He is survived by wife, Nina Weston; his mother, Christine Weston of Metropolis; a son, Richard N. Weston of Granite City; two daughters, Rachel A. Weston of Honolulu, Hawaii and Elizabeth E. Weston of Vienna; five grandchildren, Trey, Derek, Heather, Dalton and Parker; two brothers, Ben and wife Jan Weston of Vienna and Ed and wife Susan Weston of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Melinda and husband Ron White of Austin, Texas; and his mother-in-law, Marilyn Whiteside of Vienna. My thoughts and prayers go out to his families and loved ones. Gary Weston gave his life in an effort to improve the lives of others. This sacrifice should never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, I have a special honor. I get to present the World War II medals that my uncle earned in the war to him. He is what Tom Brokaw has called part of the Greatest Generation. In fact, last week we opened the World War II Memorial, with a formal ceremony coming Memorial Day weekend.

Since we are in a challenging world environment, many people are saying today that we are seeing the next Greatest Generation.

The services are reporting that they are meeting their recruiting goals. Imagine that. In an environment where we are at war, soldiers are dying, recruitment levels are being met. Truly, we are seeing a revival of patriotism and, very possibly, another ``greatest generation.''

However, that is not without cost, and today I am here to mention five individuals from my district who have lost their lives in service to their country, not all in Iraq, as we will come to see.

Each of these people gave their lives in pursuit of freedom and democracy. They should be recognized for their sacrifices.

Corporal Foster Jostes was a 21-year-old from Albion, Illinois who served as an Army Corporal in the 1st Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas. He was a 2000 graduate of Edwards County High School, after which he joined the National Guard at age 17. He had only been in Iraq for about a week when military personnel say his Humvee was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing Jostes and the driver, in a suburb of Baghdad.

Lance Corporal Torrey Stoffel-Gray was a 19-year-old Marine from Patoka, Illinois. Patoka is a rural town in my district with around 630 people. At 16, Lance Corporal Stoffel-Gray left Patoka to enter Lincoln Challenge, a military-style alternative school at Rantoul, Illinois. Many friends and family say that Lincoln Challenge changed his life and helped him find his way. This young man was recently killed in action in Iraq when his convoy was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade and gunfire in the Al Anbar Province.

Gary Weston was a 52-year-old from Vienna, Illinois. He was employed by DynCorp International, serving with the United Nations as international police officers. He and other officers were fired upon by a Jordanian police officer for unknown reasons. Two fellow workers were killed in the resulting fire fight. Gary was flown to a hospital after receiving several gunshot wounds. He later died from complications from the gunshot wounds. His wife Nina Weston was there by her husband's side.

Kim Bigley was a 47-year-old who lived most of her life in southern and Southwestern Illinois. She was an employee of DynCorp International, which was serving with the United Nations as an international police officer and was a former warden at the Shawnee Correctional Center. She had just completed her first day of job orientation when she was killed. Along with Mr. Weston, Kim was fired upon by a Jordanian police officer for unknown reasons and was killed as a result of the fire fight.

Captain John Tipton was a 32-year-old who grew up in Granite City, Illinois. He died recently in an explosion during combat in the Al Anbar Province in Iraq. The province, west of Baghdad, and is one of the most hostile regions in Iraq. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas with his wife, Susie Tipton of Collinsville and their two children: Austin, 4 and Kaitlyn, 2. He was commander of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kansas.

I cannot say enough about these men and women who are putting their lives on the line every day in the hopes of making a difference in far- away lands. They made the ultimate sacrifice and should never be taken for granted. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the troops, their families and their loved ones.

Truly, we are seeing the next ``greatest generation.'' May God bless our troops and may God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Illinois State Senator Ralph Dunn on May 3.

Senator Dunn had a long list of accomplishments during his years as a State Senator, a State Representative and as a member of the Illinois Constitutional Convention--which he described as ``the greatest thing I've ever been involved with.''

Illinois State Representative Mike Bost said, ``He gave me some tremendous advice, even after he left office. He was well-respected and he served his district and his state well. Everybody knew Ralph was a square shooter. I never got in trouble if I followed him.''

Du Quoin Mayor John Rednour said, ``I always knew the best way to get something done for my town was to call Ralph. He was not only a gentleman, he was a gentle man.''

Mayor Rednour, Representative Bost and many others will join together on Friday, May 7th to celebrate the life and legacy of this Southern Illinois giant. There is little doubt that Ralph and his wife Ellen will be watching with their typical mix of pride and humility.

They have earned this moment of recognition as well as our thanks for a lifetime of service to all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Illinois State Senator Vince Demuzio who passed away on April 27. Senator Demuzio, or Vince as most people knew him, lived a life dedicated to public service. While committing himself to the public good, Vince still found time for his family--his wife, Deanna, their two children and their four grandchildren.

In central Illinois, Vince Demuzio is remembered as a champion for education, a fighter for good jobs and roadways, and a tireless advocate for the needs of his constituents.

Illinois Senate Minority Leader, Frank Watson, said of Vince, ``If we all emulate the concerns that Vince Demuzio had for the people he represented and the people of this state . . . we would all be better off and be better people for it.''

I couldn't agree more. Illinois has lost a great leader with the passing of State Senator Vince Demuzio.

Mr. Speaker, not long ago, all 911 calls were local calls made on wireline phones. Today, it is estimated that nearly 130 million wireless phones are in use, generating an average of 150,000 calls to 911 each day. However, few people realize that most wireless 911 calls do not go to the nearest public safety answering point, do

not provide the caller's call-back number, nor do they provide the caller's location.

In some areas, wireless callers get an automated voice instead of help when they dial 911.

The House passed legislation earlier this year which I introduced with my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo), that attempts to solve these problems by enhancing the coordination of E-911 implementation in each State, discouraging the raiding of E-911 funds, and giving local PSAPs additional funding to help them finally achieve and enhance 911 capability.

It is my hope we can get this legislation to the President before the end of the year so local communities can begin upgrading their 911 systems and help first responders locate those in need as quickly as possible.

Mr. Speaker, the world has seen some tremendous advancements in the last couple of months. We have had NATO enlarge with 10 new members. Just Friday we saw the EU expand also, now including 25 European nations. We do have a Europe united, whole and free. An exciting new thing about the new entrants to NATO and the new members of the European Union is that they are involved and they are engaged and they are dedicated to promoting freedom and democracy and liberty around the world, not just in our conflict with international terrorism; and many of the new entrants are part of the coalition of the willing, but also in neighboring states, being involved in helping promote the formation of democratic ideas, the formation of the rule of law, judicial courts. It is these new former Eastern Bloc countries, new entrants to the EU, new entrants to NATO that are engaged in transforming Europe to be united, whole, free and at peace.

However, Mr. Speaker, there is a glaring exception in Europe and that exception is the nation of Belarus of which I speak just for a few moments tonight. Belarus is the last dictatorship in Europe. As we follow and as I follow and the Nation follows the upcoming elections, I want the people of Belarus to know that the United States will be watching these upcoming elections and that they have a partner that wants to ensure democracy wins.

However, current events threaten those elections. Current events continue to plague the people of Belarus and those who want democratic reform and freedom. On May 3, Anatoly Lebedko, chairman of the United Civic Party, was questioned at Minsk's Sovetsky District Police Department over his alleged participation in the unsanctioned April 26 Charnobylski Shlyakh (Path of Chernobyl) march in Minsk. The police alleged that Lebedko was an ``offender'' for participating in the march and continued their interrogation until it was proven with their own video of the event that Lebedko had not even been there.

Despite that, Lebedko remains a target of the police and their harassment. Could it be that Lebedko has emerged as a threat to the current regime by advocating freedom and democracy? The important thing for the current regime in Belarus to understand is that Washington and the world are watching. The exciting thing about the upcoming election is that many of the parties that have for years been adversaries have been united, and they are united in forming a ticket from the UCP to the trade unionists. In fact, they call themselves the Group of Five, five diverse parties from the far left to the far right, united to have a strong presence on the ballot to give the people real choice, one choice that represents freedom and democracy versus an authoritarian totalitarian regime that we now find in Belarus.

I ask my colleagues here in this House to continue to keep the people of Belarus in their prayers as we hope and pray that they are the next European country that moves to full, free, and unhindered democratic government and principles and joins the world of nations and the EU as strong participants in the battle for freedom.