Floor Statements

I thank Chairman Miller.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1627, as amended, a bill containing several provisions regarding Arlington National Cemetery.

H.R. 1627, as amended and introduced by Chairman Miller, alters the requirements for the placement of certain monuments within Arlington National Cemetery. It would limit the erection of monuments not containing interred remains. These changes bring the requirements in better accord with the primary purpose of the cemetery: to honor our fallen servicemembers.

H.R. 1441, which I have introduced and included in H.R. 1627, as amended, would codify the regulations and policies barring reservations for burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

After being informed by a constituent of potential problems of past mismanagement at the cemetery, including lax oversight, damaged graves, and improper burials, I met with Mr. Patrick Hallinan, superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, and Ms. Kathryn Condon, executive director of the Army National Cemeteries Program, in March, who helped me to quickly address and resolve the concerns of my constituent. H.R. 1627 will give Mr. Hallinan and Ms. Condon valuable tools to further aid them in their stewardship of some of the Nation's most sacred ground.

The space at Arlington National Cemetery is very limited, so we must plan accordingly. These provisions ensure that our Nation's most revered cemetery will remain open to all eligible veterans, regardless of rank or position, while maintaining its current pristine and peaceful setting for the interment of our fallen servicemembers.

The bill, as amended, also includes H. Con. Res. 12, which expresses the same sense of Congress that a monument should be placed to honor Jewish chaplains. As an original cosponsor of this resolution, I am thankful that we were able to include it in this bill.

Finally, the bill, as amended, includes H. Con. Res. 45, which Chairman Miller introduced to honor the commitment and dedication of our Armed Forces who are serving, or have served, in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn.

Over 2 million members of the armed services have been deployed to theaters of war since the commencement of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. As Chairman Miller noted, it is especially fitting that we honor our servicemembers as Memorial Day approaches.

I want to thank my friend, Mr. McNerney of California, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorials, for his bipartisan leadership in moving this bill forward.

I urge all Members to support H.R. 1627, as amended.

I would like to thank the gentleman and also all of my colleagues for a great trip, for a really great factfinding trip. It was an opportunity to go over there in a bipartisan nature and to really learn about what our troops go through on a daily basis and about what they're doing for the Afghani people.

In the same light, it was also an opportunity to learn about some other allied nations we have because, when you boil all of this down, whether it's the Czechs, the Jordanians, the Afghans or the Azerbaijani people, we're all fighting for the same thing. We're all fighting for democracy, and we're all fighting for freedom. So it was truly an honor to go over there and to learn firsthand about everything that's going on there. It was an opportunity to really go out and see what our guys go through on a daily basis.

Being put in a camp there in western Afghanistan and seeing the relationships and the support they're building with the Afghan people was tremendous. Building those friendships really allows our troops and all of our allied troops to go in there, to make friends with them and to help them defend their own country. No matter where we went on this trip, there was a sense of pride that everybody had in themselves, in their country and in their warfighters: that we were all out there, fighting for democracy and freedom.

When you talked to the troops, you could really see it in their eyes even when they asked the question: What is the end? When is the end? You looked at them and said, Well, the end is to give these people the opportunities that we have. The scary thing about it is a lot of the Afghani people don't understand what it is to live in a democracy, what it is to have freedom.

You could always see the twinkle in our troops' eyes when you said that to them because you could sense that some of them were thinking, Well, when is this going to be over? Then you just refresh their memory on what they're fighting for. They're fighting for our freedom. They're fighting for the freedom of other human beings. It was truly an honor to go over there and witness that and experience that and really just say ``thanks'' to all of them.

As my colleague said, I had somewhat of a rock star mentality over there. Everyone asked me, Can I get a picture? I can't give you enough time in the world for what you're doing for us and for what you're doing for other people around the world with the sacrifices you're making, and I say that on a day-in and day-out basis with every troop I ever meet with.

You go off into the villages, and you see a group of guys who are living together in a camp out there. That's all they have. They're brothers. You could see them all, and they were having beard growing contests throughout the camp. Some of them participated and some of them didn't, but they were taking a lot of pride in that type of stuff, and were just keeping that morale going. It was great to see because you knew what type of desperate situation they were in.

I think when we all got to that boot ceremony there at the end--and many of you have seen it before where there's the boots with the M16s stuck in the middle, with the dog tags wrapped around the weapon, and the helmet on top--it was a somber reminder of the cost of freedom and of the cost of democracy. I really want to, along with my colleagues, say ``thank you'' to everybody.

The one gentleman I do want to recognize is Major David L. Brodeur, whose call sign was actually ``Klepto.'' Throughout the ceremony, they would call the guys by their call signs; and

when they went through the roll call and they kept calling these guys' names, the silence was deafening because they kept calling his name, and there was no one answering as they went through the whole company. I know quite a few of us were really brought to tears in that moment.

Major Brodeur was born on December 10, 1976. He was commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy in 1999 where he majored in political science.

After graduating pilot training in 2001, he was qualified as an F-16 pilot. He was then assigned to Shaw Air Force Base where he served as the Assistant Weapons Officer in his squadron. He next served at Luke Air Force Base as scheduler, flight commander and weapons instructor pilot. At his next assignment to Eielson Air Force Base, he was the Chief of Scheduling, an F-16 Aggressor Pilot, and the Chief of Aggressor Academics. Upon his deployment, he was assigned as Executive Officer to the 11th Air Force Commander at Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Major Brodeur deployed and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as an Air Adviser to the Afghan Air Corps Command Center.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, by his son, David, Jr.--aged 3-- and by his daughter, Elizabeth.

It is truly guys like him who make the difference, who are a big reason why people like myself, I really think, get involved in supporting these heroes and in making sure they're known. Yes, we've suffered a loss here, but the true people who have suffered the ultimate loss are his family. His children aren't going to have a father. Myself being a father of three, I realize that. I respect that. May God bless his soul, and may God bless his family. We thank him for his service.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Sheriff's Officer Daniel Charles Murphy, a fine public servant, who passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2010.

A lifelong resident of Toms River, New Jersey, Charles graduated from Toms River East High School in 2002, and went on to attend Montclair State University. After graduating in 2006, Charles began his career in public service at the Juvenile Justice Commission for the State of New Jersey. He was then named a dedicated sheriff's officer for the Ocean County Sheriff's Department and held this position for 3 years.

Charles' commitment to justice was honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9503 on Sunday, March 20, 2011, where he was named the Sheriff's Officer of the Year at the VFW Citizenship Awards Ceremony.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Sheriff's Officer Daniel Charles Murphy, who dedicated his life to protecting the residents of Ocean County, New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of former Congressman John Adler. My deepest sympathies go out to those that knew him best and loved him most, his wife, Shelley, and their four sons--Jeffrey, Alex, Andrew, and Oliver.

Congressman Adler was a committed and compassionate public servant who fought tirelessly for the causes in which he believed. His legacy of public service includes elected office as a council member in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, his tenure in the New Jersey State Senate, and representing New Jersey's Third Congressional District here in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, words often fail to accurately reflect the true measure of one's life, but I hope that Shelley, their sons,

and extended family and friends may take comfort in John's many accomplishments and knowing that his lifetime of public service has left a lasting legacy for which they can be most proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Major General William D. Razz Waff, who was promoted from Brigadier General to Major General by the United States Army Reserve on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

MG Waff began his military career by attending the Virginia Military Institute and then the University of Mississippi, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1976. He was commissioned through the Ole Miss Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Regular Army branch as a Distinguished Military Graduate Second Lieutenant in the Adjutant General's Corps. MG Waff served in active duty for four years at Fort Jackson, South Carolina: as the Executive Officer of the Advanced Individual Training Company; as Battalion Adjutant for the 11th Battalion, 4th Advanced Individual Training Brigade; as Executive Officer and Commander for the Fort Jackson Headquarters Company; and as Executive Officer/Adjutant of the Military Enlistment Processing Station.

After his service in active duty, MG Waff joined the United States Army Reserve. He has served in a number of commendable leadership positions across the country, which include: Training Officer of the 477th Personnel Service Company; G1 for the 1st Brigade, 85th Division; command of the Second Simulation Group, 1st Brigade, 85th Division; Chief of Staff of the 88th Regional Readiness Command; and Brigadier General for the Deputy Commanding General of the 99th Regional Readiness Command.

Major General Waff is a decorated hero with numerous accolades, which include: the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters; the Army Achievement Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with the Gold Hourglass Device; the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, and the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal.

Currently, MG Waff is the Commanding General of the 99th Regional Support Command, where he is responsible for administrative, logistical, and facility support for more than 46,000 Army Reserve Soldiers in 439 units at 361 USAR centers and maintenance facilities in 13 states. Prior to his current duty assignment, MG Waff was the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Human Resources Command in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Alexandria, Virginia, and St. Louis, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in recognizing Major General William D. Razz Waff for his commendable dedication in protecting and serving the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of James Green. A senior wrestler at Willingboro High School, James Green won the 145- pound division of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Wrestling State Championship Meet on Sunday March 6, 2011 at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.

James Green is the first wrestler in Willingboro High School history to win a NJSIAA Wrestling State Championship. Only 30 seconds into the championship match, James had his first take-down. He went on to have five more take-downs and a reversal in the second period, which enabled him to achieve this historic victory.

I would like to extend my congratulations to James for his tremendous hard work and discipline. I would also like to congratulate James on finishing his senior year undefeated, with a record of 29-0. James finishes his impressive high school wrestling career with a record of 146-8.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the achievement of James Green in capturing the 2011 NJSIAA Wrestling State Championship and finishing the year undefeated. I ask you to join me in thanking James' coaches and teammates, as well as the teachers and student body of Willingboro High School, members of the Willingboro community and most especially James' family in lending their support to this incredible student-athlete. I wish James continued success in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Willingboro High School Boys Winter Track Team. On February 2, 2011 the Willingboro Chimeras captured the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Sectional

Group II Championship Title. After winning the Sectional Group II Championship with 61 points, the Willingboro Chimeras went on to place third in the New Jersey State Group II Championship Meet.

During the 2011 Sectional Championship Meet, Chimeras' runner, Darius Holmes, won both the 55 Meter Hurdles and 400 Meter Races. Holmes also anchored the 1,600 Meter Relay Race alongside teammates Matt Dash, Daquan Watson and Isaac Williams. Rounding out the first place finishes for the Willingboro Chimeras was Isaac Williams in the high jump competition and Traven Mable in the shot put competition.

I would also like to congratulate Darius Holmes. He won the NJSIAA State Group II 400 Meter Race during Willingboro's impressive third place finish at the state championship meet. This is Willingboro's first state championship title since 2004.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the achievement of the Willingboro High School Boys Winter Track Team in seizing the 2011 NJSIAA Central Jersey Sectional Group II Championship Title.

I ask you to join me in thanking the coaches, teachers and student body of Willingboro High School, as well as the parents and local community, who all made this victory a reality. I wish the Willingboro Chimeras continued success in next year's winter track season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Brain Awareness Week (BAW) and the benefits of this informative week in educating students on brain science in my congressional district and across the country. Brain Awareness Week, launched in 1996, brings together the Society for Neuroscience, the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and 2400 other organizations in 76 countries which share a common goal of improving public awareness of brain and nervous system research.

During Brain Awareness Week, which is being held March 14-20, neuroscientists around the world educate K-12 students, senior citizens and the public at large on the wonders of the human brain. These activities include tours of neuroscience laboratories, museum exhibitions and classroom discussions on elements of the human brain. In my congressional district, Shawnee High School in Medford Township will recognize Brain Awareness Week during their 6th annual Brain Day on March 24. High school students enrolled in the psychology course will be displaying interactive exhibits and explaining functions of the brain to their community. Today, in recognition

of Brain Awareness Week, I would like to highlight a devastating neurological condition that affects millions of Americans: Alzheimer's disease.

As a former board member of the Delaware Valley Alzheimer's Association, I know firsthand the burden Alzheimer's disease places on families in my congressional district, our healthcare system and our local and national economies. Alzheimer's disease is not only an emerging problem in the United States, but around the globe. As the world population grows and life expectancies rise, the number of people suffering from age-related neurological diseases like Alzheimer's may skyrocket. According to the National Institutes of Health, experts suggest that between 2.6 million and 5.1 million Americans 65 years and older may suffer from the disease, with annual treatment costs estimated to exceed $100 billion. However, research is paving the way to promising new treatments, providing hope for millions.

With age as the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, health officials estimate that due to the aging of the population, its prevalence could triple by 2050 if progress is not made. These forecasts make unraveling the mystery of Alzheimer's disease all the more important. While scientific research has brought us a long way, we still have a long way to go. Every day, neuroscientists are working to better understand and to treat this debilitating and terrible disease.

Mr. Speaker, is Alzheimer's disease preventable? Neuroscientists are not sure. But because it typically strikes later in life, they recognize that even delaying disease onset by several years would greatly limit the harmful effects of its reach. Achieving this goal will require the efforts of a global community of scientists and clinicians, sensitive to both similarities and unique needs of patients around the world. For this reason, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Brain Awareness Week and the outstanding contributions the field of neuroscience is making to uncover the mysteries of brain-based diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Master Sergeant Dan Caldarale and recognize his safe return home on Sunday, March 20, 2011 from his tour in the Middle East.

Dan began his career in the Army National Guard in the summer of 1981 at basic training in Ft. Benning, Georgia. During his 30 years of service to our country, he served as both active duty and Army Reserve. Currently, Dan is an Inspector General Investigator with the Army National Guard.

In addition to his career as a Master Sergeant, Dan has served as a local patrolman and crash investigator for over 16 years. He graduated from the Police Academy in 1995 and has served as a member of the North Hanover Township Police Department since May of 2007. Through both his national and local positions, it is clear that public service is a top priority in Dan's life and one that he values deeply.

Today I join Dan's friends and family, and most notably his wife Erica, a former Army National Guard Soldier of 13 years, and their sons, Matthew and Ryan, in welcoming home this great American hero. The United States of America is truly a safer place because of Dan's dedicated and honorable service.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in recognizing Master Sergeant Dan Caldarale and offering our sincerest appreciation for his successful tour of duty and his safe return home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Brain Awareness Week and to highlight the progress scientists are making to better understand the brain and brain-based illnesses that impact millions of Americans. Such illnesses include multiple sclerosis, autism and a disease that affects my family personally, Alzheimer's disease.

During Brain Awareness Week, scientists work to educate students and the public about the work that they do to unravel the mysteries of the brain and how their work can result in treatments for many brain- related illnesses.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that during this upcoming constituent workweek, I will join students from Shawnee High School in Medford Township, New Jersey, as they recognize Brain Awareness Week during their sixth annual Brain Day. I applaud the students at Shawnee High School, along with scientists engaged in this important work. Their hard work is key to finding future treatments that we need desperately.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero, Sergeant Leonard ``Bud'' Lomell.

Through his courageous actions on D-day as an Army Ranger, Bud earned a Distinguished Service Cross. Bud's brave service was crucial to the success of D-day and left an impressive imprint on our Nation's history that was documented in two best-selling books: Tom Brokaw's ``The Greatest Generation'' and Stephen E. Ambrose's ``The Victors: Eisenhower and His Boys: The Men of World War II.''

Sergeant Lomell passed away on March 1, 2011, at the age of 91, leaving his family and our country with a proud legacy of honor and service. I am proud and humbled to have been able to call this incredible American a constituent. I ask you today to please rise with me in honor of Sergeant Leonard ``Bud'' Lomell.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 2010 New Jersey State Athletic Association's South Jersey Group III Champions: the Lacey Township High School Football Team of Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey.

On December 4, 2010, by an impressive score of 56 to 7, Lacey Township High School defeated Delsea Regional High School in the South Jersey Group III Championship football game. This marks the fourth time in school history that they are the South Jersey Group III Football Champions.

During the championship game, the Lacey Township Lions were able to score seven touchdowns, resulting in 49 points. Senior running back, Jacob Dabal, scored three touchdowns, while senior quarterback, Craig Cicardo, and senior running back, Jarrod Molzon, each scored two touchdowns. The outstanding offensive output of these three young student-athletes helped pave the way to a Lacey Township victory.

Equally extraordinary was the defensive efforts of the Lacey Township Lions. In the championship game, the Lions' defense forced eight turnovers, consisting of three interceptions and five fumbles. One of those fumbles resulted in a touchdown by senior defensive back, Zach Torrell.

The Lacey Township Lions finished their 2010 football season with an undefeated record of 12 wins and 0 loses, its third undefeated season in school history.

I would like to congratulate Lacey Township High School's football coach of 30 years, Coach Lou Vircillo, and his entire coaching staff. Through their inspiration and motivation, they enabled these young men to achieve an amazing accomplishment.

I would also like to thank the senior members of the Lacey Township High School Football Team. Their incredible leadership of the Lions this year not only led to another championship title, but also to another undefeated season.

Mister Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating the achievement of the Lacey Township High School Football Team in capturing the 2010 NJSIAA South Jersey Group III championship and finishing the year undefeated.

I ask you to join me in celebration with the coaches, players, and student body of Lacey Township High School, as well as the teachers, parents and community members who all made this victory a reality. Finally, I ask you to wish the Lacey Lions continued success in next year's football season.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the Broun amendment No. 246. This amendment would prohibit the use of funds

made available by this act to be used for beach replenishment projects by the Army Corps of Engineers.

In understand the need for shared sacrifice, and applaud my colleagues for looking to further reduce spending wherever possible, however funding for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies Fund have already taken a huge hit in the underlying legislation.

New Jersey has 127 miles of coastline with a large portion of it lying within my Congressional District. This shore-line is the economic engine behind a multi-billion dollar coastal tourism industry. Tourism is New Jersey's second largest industry, and provides jobs for many of the 35 million people living within 100 miles of our beaches.

Within my district lies Long Beach Island. Over 2 million people use the beaches of Long Beach Island every year. The island is key part of New Jersey's economy with over $15 billion in ratables.

Long Beach Island is a barrier island and acts as a natural levy protecting long stretches of New Jersey's coastline from flooding. The New Jersey coast is frequently the victim of powerful hurricanes, and Nor'easters. We need beach replenishment projects to help repair these natural levies after natural disasters.

These projects are vital to the homeowners Long Beach Island. Without beach replenishment projects they are in danger of losing their homeowners insurance, and seeing the value of their homes plummet. In an already deflated housing market we can't afford more foreclosures!

Mr. Chair, I look forward to supporting the underlying legislation, which cuts the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies Fund by $30 million. However, I cannot support this amendment at this time.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to an American hero. I was only eight years old when Ronald Reagan became our Nation's 40th President. I clearly remember the optimism and patriotism he inspired in me and an entire generation of Americans who grew up during the Reagan era. His Presidency was guided by a commitment to conservative principles. He won the Cold War without firing a single shot and presided over the greatest period of economic growth and prosperity in American history. President Reagan would have had his 100th birthday this week. I urge my colleagues and all Americans to use this occasion to reflect on his life and legacy.