Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit to the Record an article titled ``Texas Energy Concern, Assailing Big Russian and German Providers, Talks of Lawsuits'' from the May 19 edition of the New York Times. The article, by Paul Meller, describes a situation impacting an important business in the 12th district of Texas.

Since 1997, Moncrief Oil International, Inc. of Ft. Worth, Texas, has held a significant contractual interest in the development of the Siberian Yuzhno-Russkoye gas field owned by Gazprom, Russia's state- owned gas monopoly. Despite Moncrief Oil's well-documented claim, Gazprom is now in the process of transferring mineral assets to European firms that infringe upon the U.S. company's commercial rights and interests.

I am concerned about this apparent violation. It is my hope that Gazprom and Russia will honor and enforce all contractual obligations relating to its strategic minerals industries.

[From the New York Times, May 19, 2006]

Texas Energy Concern, Assailing Big Russian and German Providers, Talks

of Lawsuit

(By Paul Meller)

Brussels, May 18.--An American-based energy company,

Moncrief Oil International, is threatening to sue two German

companies, contending that an agreement they signed with the

Russian giant Gazprom interfered with Moncriefs existing

contracts to develop natural gas fields in western Siberia.

Moncrief--a privately owned, family-founded business in

Fort Worth--has sent letters to the German companies, E.On

and Wintershall, a gas-distribution unit of the German

chemical group BASF, informing them of its plans to take

legal action in the German courts, Moncriefs president,

Jeffrey Miller, said Thursday in a telephone interview.

The threat of the suit in a German court is the latest

twist in Moncriefs efforts to get Gazprom to comply with an

agreement in 1997 that gave it a 40 percent stake in the

Yuzhno-Russkoye field.

Moncrief contends that Gazprom has ignored the agreement

and is selling stakes in the natural gas field to other

companies, including the 40 percent stake Moncrief says it

owns.

In a statement issued after the letter to Wintershall was

sent, the company's chairman, Richard W. Moncrief, said,

``While Moncrief has delivered on its side of the deal,

Gazprom has not honored its signed agreement with Moncrief,

instead choosing to sell a stake in the field to BASF, and

perhaps E.On.''

Late last month, Gazprom signed an agreement that gave

Wintershall a 35 percent stake in the Yuzhno-Russkoye field

in return for an increased stake in Wingas, a joint venture

involving Gazprom and BASF.

Gazprom currently owns 35 percent of the joint venture. But

under the agreement signed last month in the Siberian city of

Tomsk and witnessed by President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia

and Chancellor Angela

Merkel of Germany, Gazprom's stake in Wingas will rise to

just under 50 percent.

Gazprom is also poised to sign a similar development deal

with E.On.

``Their discussions are advancing,'' Mr. Moncrief said.

``The letter to E.On is pre-emptive and assumes that it will

strike a similar deal with Gazprom to the one signed last

month.

``Both BASF and E.On were informed by Moncrief of its prior

interest in the Y.-R. field in 2005 when the first reports of

a deal with Gazprom were emerging, and again in March this

year--we still received no response. Certainly no one has

ever denied the existence of our prior interest.''

A Wintershall spokesman, Stefan Leunig, refused to

``comment on the validity of Moncriefs claim.''

Mr. Leunig said he did not expect the threat of legal

action from Moncrief to affect the deal it signed with

Gazprom last month, adding that his company's lawyers ``do

not recognize any legal foundation for a lawsuit by Moncrief

against BASF-Wintershall in a court in Germany.''

E.On could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Miller said he was confident that his company had

grounds to sue. ``Wintershall and E.On both know that their

interest in the Y.-R. field interferes with Moncriefs

contracts,'' he said, adding, ``We value our 40 percent stake

in Yuzhno-Russkoye at around $8 billion.''

Moncrief agreed to invest $800 million to $1 billion in the

gas field, which it estimates contains 600 billion cubic

meters of natural gas deposits. Mr. Miller said it had spent

$10 million to $15 million on engineering and financing

connected with the gas field.

Moncrief tried to sue Gazprom in Federal District Court in

Fort Worth, but the court ruled that the case fell outside

its jurisdiction. Moncrief is appealing that decision. In the

meantime, rather than pursue Gazprom on its home territory,

Mr. Miller said his company stood a better chance of fair

treatment in Germany. ``We don't think well get a fair trial

in Russia,'' he said.

Michael Emerson, a specialist in European energy matters

with the Center for European Policy Studies in Brussels, an

independent research group, said Gazprom had reasons for

extending its distribution reach further into Europe.

In addition to selling in lucrative European markets, the

company is trying to thwart efforts to establish a new

pipeline bringing gas from Turkmenistan to Europe through

Turkey. Pressure to create such a pipeline mounted after gas

supplies from Russia were cut to countries including Ukraine

this past winter.

``Gazprom doesn't want this alternative supply route,'' Mr.

Emerson said. ``By consolidating its stake in E.On and BASF,

Gazprom will gain a voice in all the strategic investment

issues, and will be better placed to persuade European

companies not to invest in a competing route.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 422, passage of H.R. 4, the Pension Protection Act, I inadvertently pressed the ``aye'' button. I meant to vote ``no'' and would like the Record to reflect that.

Mr. Speaker, for too long, the number one concern of Americans all across our Nation has been the price and supply of energy. The cost of gasoline at the pump and the cost of natural gas delivered to homes and businesses throughout America have risen to levels that have threatened family pocketbooks and employment for businesses both big and small. Americans are looking for real action that addresses the real problems they are experiencing in the market place--the price and supply of gasoline and natural gas. The answer is to be found, in part, by increasing domestic supply of oil and gas. And we have so much of those resources still untapped--whether in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, in off-shore leases, or on a range of federal properties where the oil and gas resources are already owned by the American people.

Many of these opportunities for increased production of oil and gas on federal lands are admittedly fraught with controversy and caught up in partisan politics. However, the House Interior appropriations bill that we passed on May 18, pursues a supply of 1-2 billion barrels of oil and gas on a federal property that is readily developable, where no environmental impediments exist and where drilling and pipeline infrastructure is so plentiful that the oil and gas can be cost- effectively and quickly delivered into the market.

Particularly, our House Interior Appropriations bill provides an additional $800,000 to the Bureau of Land Management to develop a new co-development policy to facilitate greater production of both the oil and gas and potash that lies beneath an area known as the Secretarial Potash Area near Carlsbad, New Mexico. There has been some contention between oil and gas producers and the potash industry over how extensive oil and gas production should be in the area. The potash industry has claimed that drilling oil and gas wells variously prohibits recovery of potash deposits by them or creates safety risks to potash miners. The BLM New Mexico State Office has denied many applications for drilling permits (APDs) on the basis of those claims. For their part, the oil and gas leaseholders argue that such claims are baseless and point out that there has never been a safety incident in a potash mine from the oil and gas wells that already exist in the potash area. Additionally, they reference the 500,000 acres that constitute the Secretarial potash area are so vast that increased oil and gas development can be achieved without adversely impacting the potash industry.

Last year, the BLM New Mexico State Director commissioned New Mexico Tech to conduct a thorough geological assessment of the oil and gas potential of the potash area. The State Director briefed congressional staff on the conclusions of the New Mexico Tech study on February 14, 2006. Those conclusions are compelling in terms of the urgent need for more oil and gas in this country. After studying the geologic data in great detail, New Mexico Tech concluded that: ``Even considering only the Brushy Canyon and Morrow Formations, a large part of the SPA [Secretarial Potash Area] has significant future oil and gas potential along presently producing trends.'' The study further concludes: ``The Secretary of Interior's Potash Area is a prolific oil and gas producing region with significant future reserves. . . . [A]lmost the entire SPA is of interest for future development. . . . These formations . . . consist of extensive sandstones that have demonstrated production characteristics. . . . Horizontal wells have been demonstrated to work with good production, and drilling islands in areas with existing wells are one method of permitting sub-potash development in the future.''

At that same recent briefing for Congressional staff, the BLM New Mexico state director acknowledged that her office has no data to support the claim of safety risks alleged by the potash companies, but expressed a desire to conduct more research on the issue to confidently issue more APDs for oil and gas drilling. The New Mexico State Director also informed congressional staff that she wanted to begin creation of a new co-development resource policy for the Secretarial potash area that would increase oil and gas production while avoiding any legitimate and avoidable adverse impact on current and future potash mining.

The House Interior Appropriations bill provides the BLM Director with additional funding to accomplish the stated objective of creating such a new co-development policy. With BLM already having the full legal authority to create the new co-development policy, BLM can begin action now and does not need to wait even for the enactment of a final Interior Appropriations conference report to commence activity to create the new co-development policy. The only thing now standing in the way of that new policy and oil and gas production is action by the BLM New Mexico office. BLM must understand the seriousness of our intentions underlying this funding provision and the agency must appreciate that we want oil and gas production expedited as a result of this funding and soon. We are watching BLM to see action, and so are the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 784 commending Radio Station Al-Mahaba in Iraq.

Radio Al-Mahaba, which means ``love'' in Arabic, is the only radio station in Iraq or the Greater Middle East whose programming is geared toward the issues important to women.

The station's programming is meant to be an educational tool for women, focusing on subjects such as parenting, healthcare, relationships and other social topics.

The station broadcasts in three different languages, giving women freedom to voice their opinions and hear other opinions.

Articles about Radio Al-Mahaba have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune and USA Today.

I recently had the honor of meeting with employees of Radio Al-Mahaba on a delegation I led to Iraq to work with Iraqi women leaders and Parliamentarians.

Right now, they are on the verge of having to shut their doors because of terrorist threats against the group and a lack of funding.

Many insurgents do not want to see women have a voice or play a significant role in Iraq. Despite these threats, the employees remain determined to stay on the air.

To do this, they are working for free to keep the station running. If this is not a clear expression of a desire for a free and open society, I don't know what is.

The station eventually hopes to broadcast into Iran in order to let Iranian women know that freedom can be achieved but only if they stand up for their rights.

Mr. Speaker, this is a non-partisan issue. Radio Al-Mahaba deserves our support.

It's crucial that women have a strong voice in Iraqi society, especially as Iraqis work to form a democracy.

Radio Al-Mahaba provides women with a vehicle to have that voice.

Mr. Speaker, last week, I introduced H.R. 5791, the ``Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Consolidated Coverage Act of 2006,'' along with my colleagues, Representatives Engel, Kuhl and Baldwin. This legislation will bring life-saving, cost-effective treatment to Medicare beneficiaries suffering from cancer, serious infections and other conditions that can and should be treated by home infusion therapy. It does so by first consolidating Medicare coverage of home infusion therapy under Part B and then by covering it in a rational and logical manner.

Infusion therapy involves administering medications directly into a patient's bloodstream via a catheter or needle. Infusion therapy is medically necessary for patients with medical conditions that cannot be treated effectively with oral medications. These include infections that are unresponsive to oral antibiotics, cancer and cancer-related pain, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and more. The infusion therapies needed to treat these diseases involve more than the simple delivery of drugs. Rather, patients receiving home infusion therapy require an array of professional services.

In addition, infusion patients also require specialized equipment and supplies. Even with all of these services and supplies, home infusion therapy is often far more cost-effective than obtaining treatment in a hospital or nursing home. Unfortunately, there are gaps in coverage under Medicare. Consequently, the Medicare program and its beneficiaries are not able to take full advantage of the cost savings and innovations made possible through home infusion therapy.

Current Part B coverage of home infusion therapy is limited to what is covered under the durable medical equipment benefit, where coverage is based on the use of an item of DME (i.e., an infusion pump) for administration and extends only to a few drugs. More infusion drugs are coverable under the Part D outpatient prescription drug benefit, but CMS has determined that it does not have the authority to cover the related services, supplies and equipment under Part D. As a result, most beneficiaries who cannot afford to pay these costs out-of-pocket are forced back into hospitals and nursing homes for their infusion treatments. This is a great inconvenience to patients and creates an added cost to the taxpayers--a cost that could be avoided.

Properly provided, home infusion therapy is a clinically and cost- effective medical treatment for serious diseases. Medicare beneficiaries should not continue to be denied access to these therapies because of definitional and coverage policies that do not reflect the components or the costs of care. Congress can fix this by consolidating coverage for home infusion therapy under Part B, apart from the DME benefit. In doing so, we can ensure that our constituents gain access to these therapies in the most cost-effective and convenient setting--their homes.

Under commercial health plans, home infusion usually is covered as a major medical benefit. We should ensure that Medicare can do the same. Part B is able to accommodate and reimburse for the multi-faceted components of a major medical benefit. My bill allows us to use this existing structure to make home infusion therapy work for Medicare beneficiaries.

Every day that passes without complete Medicare coverage of home infusion therapy is a missed opportunity to bring cost-effective care in to the most convenient setting to beneficiaries. I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment simply deletes section 8057 of the underlying bill. While there was merit in including this provision in 1997 when it was first enacted, the provision has become unnecessary due to comprehensive safeguards enacted into permanent law under the Arms Export Control Act, which is vigorously enforced by the Department of Defense.

I believe this provision of this bill is no longer necessary to safeguard our technology. I have discussed this amendment with both sides, and I ask that it be adopted.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the leading citizens of District 12 and the Fort Worth community that I serve, Perry Richardson Bass. On June 1, 2006 Mr. Bass died at his home at the age of 91. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram aptly described Mr. Bass as ``a Texas oilman who turned his riches into philanthropic gold for Fort Worth, the state and the nation.'' Mr. Bass's legacy continues in his four sons--Sid, Ed, Robert and Lee--who, in their own right, are business leaders and philanthropists.

Those of us who knew Mr. Bass had an incredible opportunity to see how a man who had worked in the West Texas oil fields had come to be a legend not only in the oil business, but also in the world of high finance, civic and public service endeavors, and the arts. Mr. Bass touched the lives of millions of people in Fort Worth, in Texas and in the United States. Sometimes he did this in dramatic fashion, as with the creation of the marvelous Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth to which he and his family made a major financial contribution, and other times, he did it in untold ways so people's lives could be bettered.

Mr. Bass was born on November 11, 1914 in Wichita Falls, TX. He was the son of Dr. E.P. Bass, who left an East Texas medical practice for the oil industry, and Annie Richardson Bass. After attending a boarding school in Pennsylvania, Mr. Bass earned a science degree in geology from Yale University in 1937. Mr. Bass became enamored with the Texas oil business as a teen when he assisted his uncle, Sid Richardson, also a legendary Texas oilman. After Yale, Mr. Bass joined his uncle as a business advisor and they formed the Richardson & Bass Co. Upon the death of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Bass created Bass Brothers Enterprises which he operated on behalf of himself and his four sons until 1991 when his oldest son, Sid, took control of the company. Bass Brothers Enterprises flourished into one of American's most successful companies with a wide array of business interests that at one time included a major stake in the Walt Disney Companies. Mr. Bass also was chair of the Sid Richardson Foundation, created by Mr. Richardson, which has been a generous benefactor of District 12, Texas and the Nation.

While he will be remembered for many accomplishments as a superb businessman, Mr. Bass said his proudest accomplishment was his service on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission that he chaired. During his tenure on the commission, he was instrumental in the creation of numerous wildlife conservation efforts. Mr. Bass and his family rightfully are credited with transforming downtown Fort Worth into one of the most vibrant downtowns in the U.S. through the construction of high-rise office buildings, the renovation of turn-of-the-century storefronts and by introducing innovative downtown housing. Mr. Bass demonstrated his love of the arts by not only generously funding the arts, but also by serving as a member of the National Gallery of Art's Trustees' Council.

Mr. Bass's life will be best remembered for two things: the love of his family and his generosity. Mr. Bass described his beloved wife Nancy Lee Bass and their four sons as the greatest treasures of his life. He also called his sons Sid, Ed, Robert and Lee his greatest accomplishment. His sons have followed in their father's footsteps by their generosity, creativity, sharp business sense and love of community. Mr. Bass also felt that he should share his successes through his generosity. Nothing epitomizes this deeply held belief than a decision by Mr. and Mrs. Bass to mark their 50th wedding anniversary by contributing $50 million to 50 institutions and organizations.

Mr. Bass's great business skills, his love of wildlife, his generous philanthropy, his absolute devotion to his wife Nancy Lee Bass and sons Sid, Ed, Robert and Lee and their families, and his visions have resulted in a better Fort Worth, a better Texas and a better United States. It is with humility that I honor Perry Richardson Bass as a great American who used his skills and treasures wisely. Mr. Bass will be missed but not forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of a young hero from my district. On April 7, 2006, the Department of Defense declared that Corporal Richard Price Waller (United States Marines, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division) was killed in the line of duty while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

Corporal Waller, who was known as ``Ricky'' by family and friends, had dreamed since he was a young boy of following in the footsteps of a number of relatives who have served in the U.S. military over the last nine decades. Soon after graduating from Fort Worth's Western Hills High School in 2002, Ricky realized his ambition and joined the Marines. After boot camp, Ricky was assigned to Company C where he excelled and became a platoon leader who earned the nickname ``The Motivator.''

Ricky's dedication to protecting freedom and winning peace around the world was demonstrated in his unconditional devotion to duty. He was serving on his third tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed. Despite the dangers and sacrifice that Ricky faced in Iraq, he had informed his family that he planned to re-enlist with the Marines in the fall.

Ricky's family is also to be commended for urging other young men and women to take heart in the life of Corporal Waller who lived ``for God, family and country, with love for all and with no regrets.''

The American people know the sacrifices Ricky, like many other soldiers, made to his country and his memory will not be in vain. I am proud to honor Corporal Waller's service to the State of Texas and to the United States of America. He will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a courageous police officer from my district who was slain on December 1, 2005. Fort Worth Police Officer Henry ``Hank'' Nava died from a gunshot wound to the head that he received on November 29 while searching for a man who was wanted by police. His loving family and many of his fellow officers were at his side when he died.

Officer Nava was a remarkable officer of the peace who was admired both by fellow officers and citizens of Fort Worth. Officer Nava, a native of central Texas, began his career in law enforcement in 1988 as an Austin, TX, park police officer. He became a Fort Worth police officer in 1992 and in the ensuing 13 years worked tirelessly to protect the citizens of Fort Worth. Officer Nava worked for the Plano, TX, police department for a brief period in 1999 but soon returned because he missed Fort Worth.

During his career, Officer Nava served as a Fort Worth patrol officer, a neighborhood patrol officer, a school resource officer and, for the last 2\1/2\ years of his career, as a member of the North Division Crime Response Team. Officer Nava quickly earned the reputation of a hard working officer who always had a smile and the officer who wore the Oakley sunglasses. Often, after his shift ended, Officer Nava would take one more call for help. He mentored young people through the Police Department Explorer Scout program. His desire to help others was exemplified when he and several members of the Fort Worth Police Department traveled to New Orleans to deliver relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Officer Nava was devoted to his wife, Teresa, and his children KayLeigh, 9, and Justin, 4. He was an outstanding and loving husband as well as a friend to Teresa. Because of his love for his wife, he always took time from his work to be with her whether it was on their yearly cruise or a call home. His last call to Teresa came just minutes before he entered the home where he was fatally shot. His children were the joy of his life. He showered them with his love and attention, as only a proud father can do. Whether it was having fun around the family backyard pool or participating in an activity, Officer Nava always made certain his children had his full attention and that the moment was special for them.

Officer Nava's commitment to law enforcement, his deep love for his family and his pride in Fort Worth made him an outstanding Fort Worth police officer and citizen. I am proud to honor Officer Henry ``Hank'' Nava for his services to Fort Worth and its citizens. He will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw attention to a disease affecting women throughout the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer accounts for 3 percent of all cancers among women and over 22,220 new cases are expected to be diagnosed this year in the U.S. Unfortunately, the death rate for this disease has remained steady in the last 50 years.

I am a proud cosponsor of Johanna's Law which would create a national public education campaign to increase awareness of gynecologic cancers, including ovarian cancer. The legislation will also provide grants to local and national organizations to increase such awareness among women and health professionals. Johanna's Law is named after Johanna Silver Gordon who died of ovarian cancer in 2000.

It is essential that ovarian cancer, like all gynecologic cancers, be detected in the earliest stages of the disease because it is more easily treatable at that time. Unfortunately, as the cancer progresses, it becomes more difficult to treat and is generally fatal in later stages. Johanna's Law would help women to recognize their symptoms and encourage regular check-ups, thereby preventing many of these cancers from becoming terminal. The best hope of survival is early detection.

I would like to highlight language in the FY2006 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, which addresses key goals of Johanna's Law. Specifically, this report language directs $100,000 for a national education campaign concerning gynecologic cancer, with an emphasis on early detection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services', HHS, Office of Women's Health will work together to coordinate these education and outreach efforts.

As a member of the Labor-HHS Subcommittee, I am proud of this important first step in helping to educate women and health care professionals about gynecologic cancer. I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue our public education efforts and pass Johanna's Law in the 109th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a courageous police officer from my district who was slain on December 2, 2005. Fort Worth Police Officer Henry ``Hank'' Nava died from a gunshot wound to the head that he received on November 28 while searching for a man who was wanted by police. His loving family and many of his fellow officers were at his side when he died.

Officer Nava was a remarkable officer of the peace who was admired both by fellow officers and citizens of Fort Worth.

Officer Nava, a native of central Texas, began his career in law enforcement in 1988 as an Austin, Texas, park police officer. He became a Fort Worth police officer in 1992 and in the ensuing 13 years worked tirelessly to protect the citizens of Fort Worth. Officer Nava worked for the Plano, Texas, police department for a brief period in 1999 but soon returned because he missed Fort Worth.

During his career, Officer Nava served as a Fort Worth patrol officer, a neighborhood patrol officer, a school resource officer and, for the last 2\1/2\ years of his career, as a member of the North Division Crime Response Team. Officer Nava quickly earned the reputation of a hard working officer who always had a smile and the officer who wore the Oakley sunglasses. Often, after his shift ended, Officer Nava would take one more call for help. He mentored young people through the Police Department Explorer Scout program. His desire to help others was exemplified when he and several members of the Fort Worth Police Department traveled to New Orleans to deliver relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Officer Nava was devoted to his wife, Teresa, and his children KayLeigh, 9, and Justin, 4. He was an outstanding and loving husband as well as a friend to Teresa. Because of his love for his wife, he always took time from his work to be with her whether it was on their yearly cruise or a call home. His last call to Teresa came just minutes before he entered the home where he was fatally shot. His children were the joy of his life. He showered them with his love and attention, as only a proud father can do. Whether it was having fun around the family backyard pool or participating in an activity, Officer Nava always made certain his children had his full attention and that the moment was special for them.

Officer Nava's commitment to law enforcement, his deep love for his family and his pride in Fort Worth made him an outstanding Fort Worth police officer and citizen. I am proud to honor Officer Henry ``Hank'' Nava for his services to Fort Worth and its citizens. He will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the leadership and Chairman Hyde of the International Relations Committee for drafting this important resolution.

Yesterday's elections mark yet another milestone for Iraqis in the future of a democratic Iraq. It is estimated that over 70 percent of Iraqis voted in yesterday's election. That is 12 percent more than voted in the last election, and with remarkably low violence. There were reports of polling stations running out of ballots early in the day because of the large numbers who came out to vote, and the voting deadline was extended in many parts of the country because of high turnout.

Many of those voting were Sunnis, who are now choosing to play an active part in their country's new democracy; and it was Iraqi Security Forces who took over responsibility of their country's security, with over 214,000 Iraqis now trained and equipped.

Mr. Speaker, this is concrete progress. No matter how you cut it, this vote was a win. Not only are Iraqis making progress by coming out to vote in the millions; they sent a message to the world yesterday: they want democracy, and they are willing to defy terrorist threats to make it happen.

We are supportive as Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Labor, Health, Human Services and Education bill and say I am very proud to serve on this committee. It is an important committee that serves the needs of so many Americans in their daily lives. I want to say congratulations to and state my great admiration for Chairman Regula in these difficult times when he as the leader of this committee has had to make some very tough choices.

The previous speaker said shame on us. I am not ashamed of this bill at all. I am very proud of the work we are doing. I am proud, for instance, of the $253 million increase to the National Institutes of Health funding medical research that can make such a difference to the health of Americans and to the health of this Nation, making us a healthy Nation. I am proud that we have doubled the funding for the National Institutes of Health while I have been on this committee.

I am proud of the funding for the community health centers which have been raised to $1.8 billion, serving the uninsured and the underinsured. I have a community health center in my district. It is a wonderful community partnership serving literally thousands of people that were not being served otherwise. I am very proud of that funding, and I am very proud of community health centers and what they do.

I am also proud about the funding for LIHEAP. It is $115 million over the last year, serving the poorest citizens in our country, helping with heating their homes, and those are citizens that are going to have to get up every day and decide what bills they are going to pay. I am proud of the work we have given them towards purchasing their prescription drugs. This funding for LIHEAP really makes a difference in their lives every single day.

I was a teacher before I left teaching and went into business, and then came to Congress. I have watched our math and science scores, how we worked so hard to bring those scores up so we can be competitive in the world. Now we have $184 million for a math and science partnership to strengthen our math and science education in K-12. This is something we have to do, and we have talked about it year after year after year to put that money where it is served best so we are not importing our scientists, we are growing and building our scientists. This is a bill I am very proud of. It is a difficult time, and the chairman has done a great job.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding civic organization in Fort Worth, Texas on its 60th anniversary, the Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Club.

The Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Club was chartered on November 8, 1945 by Marlow C. Fisher. The club had 44 charter members. Since its founding, the Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Club has been associated with Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service organization.

Over the last 60 years, the Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Club has been a vital part of the Fort Worth and Tarrant County community. Club members have been involved continually in humanitarian efforts and public service projects that not only have improved the community but also the lives of an untold number of people.

The work of the Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Club has resulted in direct financial contributions to such outstanding programs as the Texas Lions Camp for Handicapped and Diabetic Children, the Texas Lions Foundation and the Lions Club International Foundations. These foundations provide humanitarian and disaster aid in Texas and worldwide. In addition the club's work supports the Texas Eyeglass Recycling Center, the Leader Dog for the Blind and the Lions World Services for the Blind programs that provide blind persons with a guide dog, the Lions Organ and Eye Bank, the Lions Drug Awareness Council and the Julian C. Hyder Youth Camp for youth.

Members of the Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Clubs today continue to be committed to involvement in the community through a wide array of activities that make Fort Worth and Tarrant County a great place to live and work.

Fort Worth and Tarrant County have been fortunate to have the Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Clubs in its midst for the last six decades.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Club on its 60th Anniversary and to offer appreciation for the excellent work it has rendered to Fort Worth, Texas, the United States and around the globe.

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell America about a very special girl named Aurica and the very special people who are helping her.

In April, 2005, Congresswoman Deborah Pryce led a Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Albania, Moldova, Italy and Greece. Congresswoman Thelma Drake and I accompanied Ms. Pryce to see the effects of the growing epidemic of sex trafficking in women and children. Our finding? That sex trafficking is a real and growing threat to women and children everywhere. Our solution? To fight for the rights of these precious victims one person at a time.

It was during our trip to Moldova, that I first met Aurica. What an amazing young woman. We were visiting a shelter housing girls--most in their teens--who had been victims of sex trafficking. These women had been brought back to their homeland and were being taken care of with the hopes they could in some way return to normal lives after their horrendous experiences.

We had spoken with these women and were leaving when the director of the program said there was one young woman who was unable to join the group. She was bedridden and very ill, but was willing to meet with us. Thus began our adventure. What we saw was a beautiful 19-year old with haunted eyes--unable to walk, unable to eat, unable to leave her bed.

Aurica had left her country to go to Turkey to work in a shop, hoping to send money home to her family to help support them. While she was there, she was kidnapped and placed in a building with others like herself who had been tricked and kidnapped to become sex slaves. In her desperation to avoid the plight she heard from others, she climbed out of a window in the dead of night. But it was late and she was tired. At the sixth floor, she lost her grip and fell to the ground. When she was found, her back was broken, and her leg, and her pelvis were broken. After being treated at the hospital, she was taken to a prison. The iron walls of confinement did little to improve her condition.

Her doctors and her family secured her release from Turkey. She was brought home and was treated at the International Organization for Migration. And it was here, amid the dark clouds of pain and suffering, that I saw Aurica's sunlight. And so she was so brave, so tough, and yet so in need of so much help. She needed surgery. But the surgery would have been difficult if not impossible in her country. We talked to her. We could see the pain on her face. Yet we could also see the courage in her eyes.

It has been said that every journey begins with a single step. That April day, I decided to do my part to fight sex trafficking by saving at least one person--Aurica. And we embarked on a journey to give her the health care she deserved, desired, and desperately needed. The first step was a phone call. Pedro Nosnik is a specialist in neurology and internal medicine. I explained to Dr. Nosnik what had happened to Aurica and asked a simple question: Can you help? Dr. Nosnik set us up with Dr. Ralph Raushbaum of the Texas Back Institute in Plano, the largest spine specialty clinic in the United States. TBI physicians, led by Dr. Barton Sachs, volunteered to treat Aurica at no expense. This type of care would normally cost more than $200,000.

The next step was getting her to the hospital. Before the treatment, we had to deal with the issue of travel. Her condition ruled out

a flight on a commercial airline. She would need to fly on a plane equipped for patients. Once more, Americans were there to donate their services. Rod Crane, the CEO of MedFlight of Ohio offered to transport Aurica on an air ambulance. Normally, this would cost $80,000. But Rod agreed to pay for the flight and for a doctor to travel with Aurica.

The next step was the actual surgery and recovery. Once Aurica got to Dallas, she got the treatment she needed. But the road wasn't easy. She underwent surgery at TBI. Dr. Barton Sachs led a team of physicians during the initial delicate spinal surgery and aftercare. This team included William Struthers, M.D., Anesthesiologist, Ted Wen, M.D., Radiologist, Nayan Patel, M.D., Physiatrist, John Josephs, M.D., General Surgeon, Stephen Rubin, D.O., Anesthesiologist, Son Do, M.D., Gastroenterologist, Mike Gross, M.D., Urologist, James Montgomery, M.D., Anesthesiologist, Andrew R. Block, Ph.D., Psychologist, Michael Blackmon, M.D., Intensive Care Specialist, and Mark McQuaid, M.D., General Vascular Surgeon. This was followed by a second surgery under the care of Dr. Alan Jones at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. After that, she spent three weeks recovering at the highly-acclaimed Zale Lipshy Center located on the UT Southwestern campus. All donated.

Finally, Aurica's journey took her to four months of recovery in outpatient physical therapy. Since she needed a place to stay, we contacted David Tesmer, Vice President for Government and Community Affairs at Texas Health Resources. He offered the services of Presbyterian Village North in Dallas, one of the best assisted-living facilities in the state. At Presbyterian Village, both the President, Ron Bergstrom, and the lead nurse, Becky Williams, made every effort to give Aurica every comfort. When Aurica arrived, she was given a fully furnished room. And today, thanks to the love of so many, Aurica is on the way to a full recovery.

What a journey this has been. This is the story of a very special woman and the very special people who have helped with her recovery. From time to time we hear critics complain about what is wrong with America. This story shows us what is right with America. We are still a nation that is great because our people are good. And not just the ones I named. There are still others.

Like The Kula Group for donating more than $30,000 in time and expenses; the Texas Back Institute's Physical Therapy division, which donated all of the outpatient physical therapy; Doug Hawthorne, CEO of Texas Health Resources; Jim Boswell and Leslie Baker from Presbyterian Hospital of Plano; the nursing and physical therapy staff at the Zale Lipshy Center; Linda Caram of SBC Communications; The Daniel Dawn Smalley Foundation; AmeriSuites in Plano; Father Dimitru and Gladiola Paun; and everyone else at Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, Parkland Hospital, and Presbyterian Village North.

Thanks for making an effort to make a difference. You have shown the nation and the world that America's generosity knows no boundaries, no barriers, no limits. We will always speak for the voiceless, stand with the helpless, and fight for the powerless.