Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Sunday, June 20, is Father's Day in America. In honor of this nationally recognized day I take special privilege to salute Fathers and more importantly fatherhood.

I appreciate the millions of fathers that are active parents and advocates for their children's well-being. When fathers value their children, for their true selves, they give their children the confidence to use their talents in the world.

A father can be one of the two most important people in a child's life. For example, when advertisers spend billions to convince daughters that they must look a certain size and dress a certain way, it is the father who reminds her that she is a whole and unique person that warrants respect, beauty and dignity in her own right.

When society tells our males that success is measured by the car, house and clothes you have, it is the Father's role model that impact the values and integrity of their sons.

Sociologists and psychologists now proclaim what we as human beings already knew--Fatherhood is not always easy.

``Father Knows Best'', a popular TV show of the 50s, promoted the image of an intuitive male parent who always knew just the right thing to say and just the right lesson to teach but parenting is not easy.

The benefits of a steady income and the things money buy pale in comparison to the love and emotional support that all children need and deserve to help them develop as whole adults.

Our institutions and government entities at every level should promote public policies that remove barriers to responsible fatherhood.

However, I suspect that we fall short, particularly, in the area of incarcerated fathers, unemployed fathers and fathers outside of the home.

We must encourage fathers in real responsibility, not blame them for who and what they are and enable fathers to lead healthy and productive lives and create positive bonds with their children.

Our laws, institutions and public policies should do much to:

Promote public education concerning the financial and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood;

Assist men in preparation for the legal, financial and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood;

Promote the establishment of paternity at childbirth;

Encourage fathers, regardless of marital status, to foster their emotional connection to and financial support of their children;

Establish support mechanisms for fathers in their relations with their children, regardless of their marital and financial status; and,

Integrate federal, state and local services available for families.

Fathers need the building blocks of community, employment, and parenting skills to be the best Father they can be--because Father doesn't always know best.

Happy Father's Day.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably delayed in the District and missed recorded votes on Monday, June 14 and Tuesday, June 15. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall votes Nos. 232, 233, and 235. I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall Nos. 234, 236, 237, 238, 239, 241 and 242. I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall No. 240.

Should you or your staff need further clarification, please feel free to contact me or my legislative director, Marti Thomas, at 225-4011 or [email protected].

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that we have celebrated for veterans during the Memorial Day weekend in a very proper and respectful way.

Last evening, I introduced legislation that would correct an inequity for our veterans. Many would be surprised to learn that veterans who have served honorably in the United States military who have been discharged honorably, who subsequently, because of posttraumatic stress disorder, find themselves within the walls of prisons on a felony conviction, when they are released after they have served their time, Mr. Speaker, many of them in certain States are denied the right to vote.

Disenfranchisement of those who jeopardized their lives in our defense of democratic ideas is an offense to the conscience of our Nation. Denying veterans who committed a crime and served their sentences the right to vote is unconscionable.

This bill would give liberty and justice for all people, Mr. Speaker, especially for our veterans. I would encourage every Member of the House who respects and loves and honors the veterans of this Nation to sign on as a sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach another celebration of Memorial Day, it is incumbent that we pay homage to the Nation's veterans and war dead with more than just words. Rather, we reflect on how our actions honor or may dishonor this great republic for which they enlist to defend. Indiana's veterans and war dead share in this tribute.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our Nation's service.

Those that we remember--veterans--are precious benchmarks for how well we have maintained all of the freedoms and democratic principles they fought and died for.

Veterans fought for the survival of all the things that made the United States, the leader of the free world: Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for each citizen and not the least--our great Constitution which undergirds this Republic.

It is in defense of our democratic principles and the freedoms that we uphold and value for each citizen with no respect to wealth, social rank, or might, that we form a military, that we have veterans, that we honor them on Memorial Day.

My memorial to Hoosier veterans and the war dead is to revere what they fought and died to preserve:

We, the People of the United States, in Order to form a

more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic

Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the

general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty, to

ourselves, and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this

Constitution for the United States of America.

We are trustees of a future that remembers and honor the past and living freedoms. As we honor them this Memorial Day, let us refresh our commitment to the trust we bear for the days and years ahead. That is the fitting memorial--to honor their service with meaning as we remember daily why they serve.

With special tribute to the war dead of the seventh congressional district of Indiana in the Iraq theatre: Pvt. Jesse M. Halling and Pfc Derek L. Hallal.

In recognition of National Police Memorial Week and the ultimate sacrifices given by police officers across the nation, I wish to recognize the service and memory of Indiana State Trooper Scott Patrick.

Trooper Scott Patrick, a three-year veteran of the department, was shot by a driver he had stopped to help on an exit ramp of Interstate 80/94 in Gary, IN. He died December 22, 2003 at the age of 27.

Trooper Patrick's name and service will be among 362 fallen officers, killed in the line of duty in the past year and added to the National Police Memorial here in Washington during National Police Memorial Week.

Our mere words, even our sincere thanks cannot add to the life of this young husband, father, son and brother. Trooper Patrick has paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the people of Indiana.

We can ensure the life and sacrifice of every officer slain in the line of duty is never forgotten. We can try to assure the survivors that his sacrifice was not in vain, and we must do what we can as citizens to increase the public's appreciation for law enforcement, especially the dangers faced on our behalf to protect us.

To the Patrick family, grateful Hoosiers and a grateful nation say thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sister Francesca Thompson, O.S.F., Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.

Sister Thompson, born in Los Angeles, CA, received her B.A. in English from Marian College, Indianapolis, IN. She earned a Masters of Education degree with a concentration in Communication Arts from Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Later, Sister Thompson earned a PhD in Theatre/Speech at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

Her 50 years of teaching experience include St. Joseph Elementary School of Cincinnati, OH; High School English and Speech at the Academy of the Immaculate Conception, Oldenburg, Indiana; Theatre, Speech and Black Studies at Marian College in Indianapolis, IN; a Teaching Fellow in Acting at the University of Michigan; Assistant to the Dean, Associate Professor African-American Studies, and the Department of Communications at Fordham University, Bronx, New York and Assistant Dean and Director of Multi-Cultural Programs at Fordham University, Bronx, New York.

Sister Thompson's publications include her Dissertation: The Lafayette Players, 1915-1932. History of the First Black Dramatic Stock Company in the United States; Twice Called: Autobiographies of Seventeen Convert Sisters; (one chapter): Notable Women in American Theatre; Black Women in America, historical encyclopedia; Families: Black and Catholic, United States Catholic Conference, Department of Education; and Oscar Micheaux and His Circle.

Her background experience in directing include such classics as: ``Midsummer's Night Dream'', ``Hotel Paradiso'', ``In White America'', ``As You Like It'', ``Ten Angry Women'', and ``The Dutchman'' and encompasses original plays entitled ``Rag Dolly'', ``The Inside Story'', ``Remember When'', ``Precious Dear's Magic Christmas'' and Happiness Is''.

Her organizations are the National Black Federal Theatre Board; Jesuit commission on Minority Affairs; National board of Operation P.U.S.H., and the Broadway Tony Board.

Sister Thompson is an accomplished lecturer and public speaker in the areas of Theatre, African American Studies, Communication, the Black Family and Ministering the Black Community.

Mr. Speaker: I echo the thoughts of behalf of many former students, friends and colleagues whose lives have been touched by Sister Thompson.

Finally, throughout her illustrious career, Sister Thompson has shared her many gifts and talents in many places and with many people. It is the sharing of her gifts that makes her a genuine treasure. Mr. Speaker I have enclosed a copy of the extensive resume of Sister Frances Thompson.

Resume

Sister Francesca Thompson, O.S.F., Dean's Office--McGinley

Center #211, Fordham University at Rose Hill, Bronx, New

York.

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, Sisters of St.

Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.

educational history

B.A. English--Marian College, Indianapolis, Indiana.

M. of Ed. Concentration in Communication Arts--Xavier

University, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ph.D. Theatre/Speech--University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,

Michigan.

teaching experience

1954-1961: Taught grades two through eight: St. Joseph

Elementary School, Cincinnati, Ohio.

1961-1967: High School English and Speech: Academy of the

Immaculate Conception, Oldenburg, Indiana.

1967-1982: Theatre, Speech, Black Studies: Marian College,

Indianapolis, Indiana.

1969-1971: Leave of absence to complete PhD., Teaching

Fellow, Acting: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

1974-1982: Chairperson Department Theatre/Speech: Marian

College, Indianapolis, Indiana.

1982-1999: Assistant to the Dean, Associate Professor

African-American Studies, and Associate Professor in

Department of Communications: Fordham University, Bronx, New

York.

1999- : Assistant Dean/Director Multi-Cultural Programs,

Associate Professor in Department of Communication, and

Associate Professor of African American Studies: Fordham

University, Bronx, New York.

classes taught, college level

Acting Technique, Advanced Acting, Problems in Acting, Oral

Interpretation, Introduction to Theatre, Theatre Criticism,

Theatre History, Survey of Dramatic Literature, Black

Literature, Black Drama, Directing, Speech, Teaching

Speech on the Secondary Level (Class for Education

Majors), Conflicts and Choices--20th Century Drama,

Tension Between God and Man Found in Dramatic Literature,

Shades of Values: Themes in Black and White Drama,

Beginning Acting.

publications

Dissertation: The Lafayette Players, 1915-1932. (History of

the First Black Dramatic Stock Company in the United States).

Twice Called: Autobiographies of Seventeen Convert Sisters,

(one chapter): Bruce Publishing Company, Milwaukee,

Wisconsin, 1959.

Contributor: Black World, Freeing the Spirit America, U.S.

Catholic, Black Masks (theater magazine), magazines.

The Theatre of Black Americans, Vol. 11, ed. Dr. Erroll

Hill, Chapter 1, ``The Lafayette Players. New York: Prentice-

Hall, 1980.

Families: Black and Catholic, ed. Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA.

Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference,

Department of Education, 1985.

Notable Women in American Theatre, Vol. 1, ed. Dr. Alice

Robinson. New York: Greenwood Press, 1989.

Black Women in America: Historical Encyclopedia, ed.

Darlene C. Hine. New York: Carlson Publishing, 1993.

Oscar Micheaux and His Circle, ed. Bowser, Gaines, Musser.

Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Press, 2001.

background experience

Directing: This Bird of Dawning, Dutchman, The Miser, The

Silver Cord, And We Own The Night, At Liberty, Midsummer's

Night Dream, Hotel Paradiso, In White America, As You Like

It, Ten Angry Women, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-

Moon Marigolds, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, River of My

Song, Belle of Amherst, Black Vignettes (an original

musicale) and numerous Children's Theatre productions.

Original plays: Rag Dolly, The Inside Story, Precious

Dear's Magic Christmas, Remember When, Happiness Is . . . .

awards and grants

Nominated for Outstanding Teaching Fellow of the Year at

the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Special ``Sojourner Truth Award'' given by the members of

the Union for Black Identity--Marian College, Indianapolis,

Indiana.

Brotherhood Award--awarded by the National Conference of

Christians and Jews.

Outstanding Alumni Award--Marian College, Indianapolis,

Indiana.

Key to the City, Mayoral Award--Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Indianapolis Education Association's Dr. Martin Luther King

Human Rights Award.

New York State English Council Award for Teacher of

Excellence in Drama.

Sister Francesca Thompson Scholarship Endowment established

by the Sisters of St. Francis Oldenburg, Indiana Justice and

Peace Committee.

Teacher of the Year Award--Fordham University, Bronx, New

York.

Pierre Toussaint Award for Outstanding Contributions to the

Black Catholic Community.

International Black Women's Conference: A. Nomsa John--

Inspiration Award.

National Catholic Education Association: A. Koob National

Award for Outstanding Contribution to Catholic Education.

Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters, LeMoyne College,

Syracuse, New York, May 1996.

Selected as one of 25 of ``The Most Influential Individuals

in Catholic Education Over the Past 25 Years.'' Award

presented by the Peter Li Education Group under the auspices

of the National Catholic Education Association--Minneapolis,

Minnesota.

Presenter of Commencement address and Honorary Degree

recipient--Marian College, Indianapolis, Indiana, May, 1997.

Received the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, from St.

Michael's College, Winooski Park, Colchester, Vermont--May

1997.

Received Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award from the

Department of Theatre, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,

Michigan (Ph.D., 1972).

Honorary Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts, Fordham University,

May 2002.

Outstanding Sagamore Award--Given by the Governor of

Indiana for Superlative Service to the Governor and the

State.

organizations

The Armstead-Johnson Foundation for Theatre Research, New

York, New York (Executive Board Member).

Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellow (Executive Board Member).

National Board of Operation P.U.S.H.

Jesuit Commission on Minority Affairs.

Former Board of Trustees, St. Michael College, Winsooki,

Vermont.

National Black Federal Theatre Board.

Broadway Tony Board.

partial list of lecture sites

John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Indiana University.

Purdue University.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri.

Notre Dame University.

Rochester University of Theology.

Mt. St. Joseph International Theological Institute,

Cincinnati, Ohio.

M.L.A. Conference, Chicago, Illinois.

American Theatre Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Trinity Baptist Church, Los Angeles, California.

Conference on Black Women; Indianapolis, Indiana.

Canaan Baptist Church, New York, New York.

First Nazarene Baptist Church, Camden, New Jersey.

Antioch Baptist Church, Seattle, Washington.

Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

P.U.S.H. National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana

Conference on Ministry to Blacks in Higher Education,

Daytona Beach, Florida.

National Black Progressive Baptist Conference, Chicago,

Illinois.

National Black Pastor's Conference, Detroit, Michigan,

1979.

National Black Pastor's Conference, Chicago, Illinois,

1980.

15 talks in Oakland, California, ``Scholar in Residence''

for the Public Secondary Schools.

Tri-State (Ohio, Illinois, Indiana) National Conference for

Hospital Administrators and Staff.

Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.

National Vocation Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

National Conference on Peace and Justice, New York, New

York.

Network of Black Career Women, New York and Cincinnati,

Ohio.

N.A.A.C.P. Regional Conference, Michigan.

Conference on Ministering in the Black Community, Adrian,

Michigan.

Urban Education In-service Program, Cleveland, Ohio.

Black Urban Child Conference, Archdiocese of Chicago,

Chicago, Illinois.

Conference on Catechetics for the Black Community, School

Office Archdiocese of Washington, Washington, D.C.

Black Catholic Conference, New York, New York.

LCWR Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.

Molloy College, Rockville Centre Diocesan Office, Rockville

Centre, New York.

Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York.

St. Paul Community Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York.

Fordham Prep, New York, New York.

National Progressive Baptist Women's Luncheon, Brooklyn,

New York.

Faculty In-Service Lecture, Rice High School, New York, New

York.

Office of Black Ministry, Awards Banquet, New Haven,

Connecticut.

St. Augustine's Anglican Church, New York, New York.

St. Charles Lawanga National Institute for Black

Seminarians (Faculty), Chicago, Illinois.

National Catholic Educator's Association; St. Louis,

Missouri.

Claremont School of Theology, Commencement Address, Los

Angeles, California.

Black American Law Student Association, Fordham University,

Bronx, New York.

C.S.J. International Conference, East St. Louis, Illinois.

Conference for Inner-City Teachers, Boston, MA.

N.A.A.C.P. Awards Banquet, East St. Louis, Illinois.

National Conference of Black Criminal Justice Employees,

St. Louis, Missouri.

African-American Catholic Catechetical Conference, Los

Angeles, California.

National Black Theatre Program Conference, Baltimore,

Maryland.

National Black Catholic Conference, Keynote Address,

Washington, D.C.

Presenter BLACK SPIRITUALITY RETREAT, Bay St. Louis,

Mississippi.

BLACK EXPO, Indianapolis, Indiana.

National LCWR Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota.

National ``Future of the Church'' Conference, Washington.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise to designate in Congress, May 8, 2004, as the ``Campaign for African American Achievement Day.'' This special occasion has been inspired by both the infinite potential of our African American youth and the commitment of the National Urban League.

The Campaign for African American Achievement is a national program administered by the Urban League. Out of 115 Urban League affiliates across the country, 20 are chosen to implement the program. I am proud to represent one of the districts selected to participate in this honorable campaign, the great city of Indianapolis, IN.

Under the program's goals, the Indianapolis Urban League works to support the academic achievement and challenges facing children in Marion County, IN. The League hosts a yearly educational summit for parents and students as well as a college financial aid workshop. It also organizes college tours, scholarship essay contests and membership in the National Achievers Society; a national honors society for talented students of color who obtain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

On May 8th, the Indianapolis chapter will be conducting its seventh induction ceremony for the National Achievers Society (NAS). Honors students participating in the induction ceremony and in other activities of the Campaign for African-American Achievement, will qualify to be considered for one of 40, four-year, $10,000 scholarships to be awarded in the spring of 2005.

I commend the National Urban League and the affiliate Indianapolis Urban League chapter for their continued commitment to the positive development of our youth. I ask that you join me in honoring both the organization and the students by designating May 8th as the ``Campaign for African American Achievement Day.''

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman very much, my prestigious leader of the region, and certainly to the chairman and chairpersons of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

I rise today in support of H.R. 3550, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users, TEA LU. This 6-year reauthorization is needed to continue our commitment to our Nation's infrastructure.

Transportation is central to our Nation's economy, creating more jobs, and helping Americans get to work every day. Investment in our highways and public transportation systems results in a net gain for our taxpayers.

The bill responds to many of the critical transportation problems facing our country.

$67 billion is lost in worker productivity and wasted fuel every year because of traffic congestion. Americans sitting in traffic lose 5.7 billion gallons of fuel and 3.6 billion hours annually.

Investment in highways is part of the answer, but we must also be sure to invest in our public transit systems as well. Public transit decreases congestion, decreases pollution, and decreases costs for millions of workers.

Unfortunately, many States are discouraged from investing in transit. Thirty-four States, including my home State of Indiana, has statutory or constitutional prohibitions on using money from the Highway Trust Fund for public transit. I offered an amendment to the Committee on Rules establishing a flexibility incentive grant program to address this problem and trust that as we move into the future that we will be able to get this concept put into law to enable the moving around of money for our transportation system.

TEA LU provides $1.4 billion in funding for improving intermodal connections. So in order to fully utilize the potential of these intermodal centers, we must be sure to invest in our railroads, our ports.

In the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I asked the railroad people if they did not think that was a unique idea to put people to work and that is to rebuild and modernize the railroads.

I thank the chairman and ranking member, my leader, for this opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to invite my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 4031, the Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act. This bipartisan measure, authored by Senator Richard Lugar and I, will help States' efforts to enroll income- eligible children in the States Children's Health Insurance Program, commonly referred to as SCHIP.

As you know, despite gains in recent years, nearly 9 million children in the United States remain uninsured. Of those, nearly 7 million children are eligible for public health insurance coverage.

H.R. 4031, the Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act, builds on our successful legislation in the 106th Congress that provides States with the option of using the National School Lunch Program and the Women's Infants Children Program (WIC) to identify uninsured children eligible for benefits under the SCHIP and Medicaid programs.

Many States have used this cost-saving option successfully in promoting the well-being of income-eligible children.

While existing law allows children to be income-eligible for WIC based on their enrollment in the Medicaid program, the law does not give States adequate flexibility to make an income determination of eligibility for the Medicaid or SCHIP program based on an uninsured child's enrollment in WIC or another public program.

The Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act will give States the option of establishing that their Medicaid or SCHIP financial eligibility rules are satisfied when a family presents proof that their child is already enrolled in another program with comparable income guidelines.

Mr. Chairman, the public is well served when Federal means-tested public programs are able to improve administrative efficiency and coordination, as well as reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.

Moreover, uninsured children are well served when their enrollment in a nutrition-based or other means-tested program serves as a gateway to health coverage.

My colleagues, money alone will not solve America's health care challenges. We must maximize our existing resources by being more creative and aggressive in our outreach efforts and making it easier for families to tap into these benefits. We all know that children who do not get routine, preventative health care will not reach their full potential. We simply cannot afford to put our children at that disadvantage.

I urge you to become a cosponsor of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite my colleagues to cosponsor bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Richard Lugar in the United States Senate and myself in the House of Representatives known over here as H.R. 4031. The measure will help States in their efforts to enroll income-eligible children in the States Children's Health Insurance Program, commonly referred to as

Mr. Chairman, I rise against the Republican budget because it shamelessly undercuts the funding for Violence Against Women programs.

Mr. Chairman, I rise against the Republican budget because it cuts funding for Violence Against Women Programs.

The budget presented before us today provides only $362 million for the Violence Against Women Act programs--a cut of $22 million below this year's level.

Historicaly, domestic violence has been a silent epidemic. According to the Commonwealth Fund, almost 4 million women are physically abused each year in the United States.

Further statistics reveal that, in our country, battering is the single major injury to women exceeding muggings, rapes, and auto accidents combined.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in this country, where they are more likely to be assaulted, injured, raped or killed by a male partner than by any other type of assailant.

Each year, in my home-state of Indiana, thousands of women and children flee to emergency shelters to escape violence within their home. Approximately 90 percent of these abusers were a spouse, family member, boyfriend, or separated spouse.

Ensuring that victims of domestic violence receive the necessary services to protect themselves and their children is one of the most important things this legislative body can do.

However, violence against women is not only a national issue. Internationally, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or abused during her lifetime.

Domestic violence encompasses all socioeconomic, racial, ethnic and religious groups

worldwide. We can tackle the undignified treatment of women before it matures into violence, by conducting early prevention programs to teach young people the importance of supporting and respecting one another.

I will continue to support initiatives to obtain gender equality, women's rights and put an end to violence against women here, in our nation, and abroad. In order to do this we must make sure that VAWA is fully funded within the budget.

Mr. Speaker, on March 10 during the vote on the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act, H.R. 339, I was present on the floor of the House of Representatives. However, my vote was not registered due to, I guess, my mistake in terms of leaving my card in the machine from the previous vote.

Had this malfunction not occurred, I would have voted ``nay'' on this vote, rollcall vote No. 54.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to recognize an extraordinary young man who is an American war hero of Iraq and a fellow Hoosier, Specialist Dwayne Anthony Turner of the Third Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Specialist Dwayne Anthony Turner, an Army medic from Indianapolis, was awarded the Silver Star for demonstrating exceptional bravery, self-sacrifice and resolute fearlessness during a grenade and arms attack on April 13, 2003.

American soldiers were caught off guard when the attack began on a crowded street 30 miles south of Baghdad. Specialist Dwayne Anthony Turner was riding in his Humvee when the grenade hit. Bleeding from flying shrapnel that ripped into his legs, Specialist Turner dragged several soldiers to safety and administered aid to others while taking fire. More commonly known as Doc Turner, this young 23-year-old soldier saved the lives of two comrades and provided aid to 14 others after he was hit by shrapnel and shot a total of three times in the leg and arm. He did not cease assisting injured soldiers until he lost a significant amount of blood and was administered morphine. Specialist Dwayne Anthony Turner is the first soldier from the Fort Campbell-based 101st to receive the Silver Star for valor.

I would like to recognize Specialist Turner for his remarkable fortitude, courageousness, his spirit and selfless determination and would certainly ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring this notable American war hero from my district.

Specialist Turner agreed to 4 years but was arbitrarily extended, Mr. Speaker, to 5 years.

Mr. Speaker, we would think that the United States of America, that the White House, that the Department of the Army would give Specialist Turner a standing ovation for the outstanding contribution that he made as an American, as a soldier and as a hero in Iraq. But not so. Mr. Speaker, upon Specialist Turner's return to Fort Campbell, understandably he consumed alcohol excessively, incurred intense and immense emotional trauma. His behavior became erratic. Instead of addressing what obviously is post-traumatic stress, the Army busted him down to a private, kicked him out of service, did not give him mustering-out pay, which ultimately caused this dear Army soldier to become homeless, notwithstanding the kind of contributions that he has made to a better America and what we were believing to be a better Iraq.

I would like specifically to call this incredible, awful situation in terms of Specialist Turner's fate, in private, now nothing, the Army soldier, used to be soldier, to the attention of the White House. We often say that we support our troops. We get criticized when we do not support Iraq and the money that goes into Iraq, and I would ask the President and all of his soldiers there on Pennsylvania Avenue and those who are responsible for this incredible inhumane act against an individual who has done so much for this country to counteract, to reverse the vicious act that has been administered against him since he has been in this country by the United States Government. Make him whole, give him his mustering-out pay, and let the record show that he was, in fact, a specialist and not a private, a specialist when he received the honors that he received from the Army.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) for the bipartisan spirit to move the bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, the Fair Credit Reporting Act has been crucial to extending credit services to underserved populations and in protecting consumers from egregious abuses of their financial and personal privacy. However, the violations and abuses continue to persist. I have assisted a number of constituents who have had credit problems because of inaccurate credit reporting. In many instances, people have no idea there is a problem until they try to secure a loan or credit.

What I found especially troubling is larger than expected numbers of inaccuracies credit reporting agencies have on consumers. So H.R. 2622 provides a number of new important consumer protections that will make credit reports less frustrating for our consumers. The bill would give every person in America the ability to consider request an annual free credit report.

I certainly hope every American takes advantage of this. The bill deals a tremendous blow to identity thieves whose crimes are rising rapidly. Consumers will be able to place fraud alerts on their credit report when erroneous information is present. I applaud the leadership on this bill, a very needed bill. I encourage the Members to support it.

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

I would like to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) for sponsoring the bill. I also would like to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for allowing this bill to come to the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3287 gives honor to whom honor is due. It provides Congressional Gold Medals to the Reverend Joseph DeLaine, Levi Pearson, and Harry and Eliza Briggs.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), the creator and inspirator of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), the very bright and energetic ranking member of the Committee on the Budget.

(Mr. SPRATT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Eleanor Roosevelt said, ``When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?'' I recall the words of Chief Justice Earl Warren who said, ``It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive.'' I want to commend the sponsors of this legislation for their foresight and insight.

The court action of Briggs v. Elliott in South Carolina to end public school segregation was a major component in the successful Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling which effectively struck down the so-called separate but equal. It is this ``spirit of the law'' that preceded Brown v. Board of Education in the form of Briggs v. Elliott. Before Briggs v. Elliott was Plessy v. Ferguson. Before Plessy were the 13th and the 14th amendments.

And so, Mr. Speaker, I would encourage each Member of this body to give proper honor to whom honor is due by supporting unanimously this legislation that will authorize the Congressional Gold Medal to these deserving citizens of the United States.

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