Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am tempted to begin by saying that I come to honor the life of Ronald Reagan; but the truth is nothing I can say, nothing anyone can say can speak more loudly than Reagan's own achievements do. His legacy will endure and his memory will remain.

Many leaders have changed history. Ronald Reagan changed the future. How soon we forget the environment he inherited in 1981, double-digit inflation, high interest rates at home, and Soviet aggression combined with American malaise abroad. Yet through his conviction, his courage, and his commitment, Ronald Reagan changed the Nation and the world.

The story of Ronald Reagan is the story of America. He was an ordinary man who led a most extraordinary life. Born in poverty, Reagan rose to the greatest political office in the world. Along the way he did not merely argue for American values, he lived them. His determination was matched only by his decency, his leadership equaled only by his love of country.

He was a great President who was also a good man, and he was a man so unlike any other in politics. Politics is filled with people who go with the flow, change with the times, and exchange principles for polls. These politicians are like tugboats, pushed back and forth by the waves. Not Reagan. He was like a battleship, always moving forward in its destination, always certain of victory.

Though he has now left us, his impact never will. Every time we see a free person in a foreign land vote in a democratic election, Ronald Reagan is there. Every time we see a new job created through innovation and creativity, Ronald Reagan is there. And every time we see an American taking pride in his country, Ronald Reagan is there.

Ultimately we mourn for ourselves, not for Reagan, for his life was one of victory. Like few other leaders in history, he lived to see his vision vindicated. Just as he had predicted, he saw communism repudiated and freedom spread across the globe.

Ronald Reagan always knew who he was and what he believed. He knew why America was great and why America must lead. We recognize tonight his achievements and his legacy, but also let us also remember his style and his self-deprecating humor. We give him the credit he did not seek or think important.

At the end of his Presidency, Reagan was asked if he objected to all the favorable press coverage that Mikhail Gorbachev got. ``Good Lord, no,'' Reagan responded. ``I co-starred with Errol Flynn once.''

Mr. Speaker, on February 3, 1953, the Headquarters of the 40th Infantry Division declared that Sergeant William E. Hall (US54024606, Infantry, United States Army, 224th Infantry Regiment) distinguished himself by heroic achievement near Kumhwa, Korea, on the 16th of June and 17th of June 1952. As Sergeant Hall's platoon advanced up an enemy-held hill, the enemy who was waiting in ambush, let loose with a murderous attack. Many casualties were sustained, including Sergeant Hall, who suffered painful wounds. With complete and utter disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Hall fully exposed himself to enemy fire in order to rally and encourage his men. All radio communications had been knocked out by enemy fire, but Sergeant Hall courageously remained exposed to enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire in order to maintain communications by voice and call for reinforcements. The courage, outstanding devotion to duty, and determination displayed by Sergeant Hall under extremely hazardous conditions were directly responsible for maintaining vital communications and resulted in the arrival of needed reinforcements. Sergeant Hall's outstanding courage while risking his life was inspiring to his men and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army. Sergeant Hall entered the Federal service from Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Dean E. DeTar of Azle, Texas, for his combat heroism in Vietnam, and his leadership as National Commander of the Legion of Valor for the year 2003-2004.

The Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Inc. traces its heritage to the founding of the Medal of Honor Legion in 1890 by Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War. In later years, recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross were made eligible for this elite organization, and those medals were authorized by Congress for extraordinary heroism in combat against enemy forces.

COL DeTar received the Air Force Cross for his extraordinary heroism in Vietnam on March 21, 1970, while leading a force of twenty-nine aircraft against one of the most heavily defended enemy locations in Southeast Asia to successfully rescue a downed airman.

COL DeTar's other U.S. decorations include the Silver Star; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross with five oak leaf clusters; Air Medal with fifteen oak leaf clusters; Purple Heart Medal; and Air Force Commendation Medal, plus numerous USAF service medals and skill badges; and foreign decorations. COL DeTar will conclude his term of office as National Commander of the Legion of Valor by presiding over that distinguished organization's 2004 annual meeting to be held in Fort Worth, May 19-23.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to commend COL Dean E. DeTar to my colleagues for his outstanding patriotism during his exemplary military career which included combat heroism in Vietnam. Since his retirement from active duty, he has shown devotion to the membership of the Legion of Valor and leadership as National Commander during the past year.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. I want to commend the gentleman from California (Chairman Hunter); the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), ranking member; and the entire committee for bringing this bill to the House floor at this crucial time for America's Armed Forces. The committee had to balance many difficult needs and did a great job.

The last several months have been very difficult for our men and women serving in the United States military. The actions of a few at Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq must not reflect badly on their fellow soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen serving so bravely in the war on terrorism. The barbaric murder of an American civilian captured on videotape has reminded us of the true nature of our enemy and why we must win this war. Our troops are on the front lines fighting this war for each and every one of us, and they deserve our full support and gratitude.

By passing the defense authorization bill this week, the House of Representatives will send a strong message of support to our troops and a resolve to friends and enemies across the globe. We must stand firm and continue our fight against terrorism. There is no more important battle today.

The bill authorizes over $420 billion for the Department of Defense and the national security programs at the Department of Energy. It includes many important provisions for our troops, their families, and America's veterans.

The bill also authorizes an additional $25 billion in supplemental funding to ensure that our men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan will have all the resources they need.

Finally, the bill funds many important weapons programs that will ensure our military strength for decades to come. I want to focus on some of those critical weapons programs: the F-34 Joint Strike Fighter, the F/A-22 Raptor, and the V-22 Osprey.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, or JSF as we call it, will be the prime multirole fighter for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps for the 21st century. The defense authorization bill fully funds the President's budget request for continued development of the JSF.

The basic JSF design, with several modifications to meet each service's needs, will be used for all three services. The aircraft will have the best next-generation avionics, weapons systems, and stealth capabilities. It will also have dramatically increased range over our current fighters. We simply must continue to develop the Joint Strike Fighter, and the underlying bill fully supports the program.

The F/A-22 Raptor is the Air Force's state-of-the-art, next- generation fighter aircraft. As with the JSF, the committee has fully funded the President's request for the F/A-22. Specifically, the bill includes funding to build 24 new F/A-22s over the next fiscal year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding church, an outstanding pastor and a great couple in my district. On Sunday, April 18, 2004 Calvary Cathedral International celebrates the 40th anniversary of its founding by Pastor Bob Nichols and his wife, Joy. On this day, Pastor Nichols also celebrates his 50th anniversary in full time ministry and the upcoming 50th wedding anniversary of Pastor Nichols and Joy.

Through Calvary Cathedral, Pastor Nichols and Joy touch the lives of thousands of people not only in Fort Worth, but throughout the world. With integrity and outstanding character, Pastor Nichols and Joy daily help the less fortunate and hungry, as well as the many people who make up their congregation.

To appreciate the high esteem in which Calvary Cathedral and Pastor and Mrs. Nichols are held today, one must understand the humble beginnings from which they come.

In 1964, after 10 years in full time ministry, God called Pastor Nichols to start a church where all faiths were welcome and members of the church could grow in faith. With no members or financial resources, Pastor Nichols started Calvary Cathedral in an old post office building. By 1976, Calvary Cathedral had grown to the point that the congregation purchased a historic, 2,000-seat church on the banks of the Trinity River. That site was home to Calvary until it was destroyed by a tornado on March 28, 2000. In 2001, Calvary elected to purchase the Midtown Church of Christ facility. The existing facilities and property, as well as the construction of a new facility for the Calvary Christian Academy, is enabling Pastor Nichols, Joy and the congregation to reach out to even more people.

As pastor and president of Calvary Cathedral International, Pastor Nichols administers a wide range of ministries that includes the Calvary Christian Academy, the Calvary Day Care, Calvary Cathedral International Bible School, the Calvary daily Faith, Hope and Love radio show, the Calvary jail and prison ministry, the Stitches central city outreach program and a foreign missionary outreach. Through Lighthouse Television, Ltd., Pastor Nichols reaches out with his message to residents of Uganda. Not only does Pastor Nichols use the blessing of Calvary Cathedral to reach out to people, he is renowned for his stewardship to other ministers, which has earned him the title ``Pastor to Pastors.''

Pastor Nichols and Joy demonstrated their deep faith and their trust in God to carry forth during the Tornado of 2000 by being positive about the tragedy that struck the church and the Fort Worth community that day. They used the disaster to instill hope and trust among church members and Fort Worth residents, alike.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize a church that has contributed so much to not only Fort Worth, but to the world. And it is my honor to praise the leadership and compassion that Pastor Nichols and his wife Joy have exhibited during their 40 years of ministry at Calvary Cathedral International.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3104. This bill will establish separate campaign medals for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

I want to thank the gentleman from Arkansas. (Mr. Snyder), the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons), and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes) for their hard work, the Committee on Armed Services for reporting this bill to the full House, and the leadership for getting it to the floor so expeditiously.

Upon returning from Iraq last fall, I introduced a similar bill to the one before us today. After visiting with soldiers on that trip, I became convinced that we needed to establish separate medals for service in Afghanistan and Iraq in order to give our troops the recognition they deserve. A number of the troops mentioned that they have served in both countries and would appreciate separate medals to distinguish their service. Many of our servicemen and -women who have served in these two very different campaigns in the war on terrorism feel the same way, and they deserve the recognition.

Currently, the Department of Defense has established the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for those who have deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is for those who have served in support roles since September 11. Our troops can only be issued these medals once, even if they have served in both operations.

I do not think these medals go far enough. The war on terrorism will be a long struggle with many major military campaigns and fronts.

In my opinion, this fact warrants separate medals for the war's first two major campaigns. There is also precedent for these medals. During World War II, for example, three campaign medals were issued to recognize the different fronts of the war: the American Campaign Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the European- African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

During the 1990s, DOD issued the Southwest Asia Service Medal for the Persian Gulf war in 1991 and the Kosovo Campaign Medal for the 1999 U.S.-led war in Kosovo.

By awarding separate medals we simply recognize the specific contribution our servicemen and women have made in Afghanistan and Iraq. These medals would not take away from the significance of the global war on terrorism medal.

I also think DOD should establish separate medals for future major campaigns in the war on terrorism.

I want to conclude my remarks by saying thank you to the men and women of our armed services for their service and sacrifice. Moments like these always remind me that freedom is not free. Thank God we have men and women who are willing to volunteer their service to protect and fight for our great Nation. These medals are just one of the many ways we should recognize them.

Mr. Speaker, today we are talking about a bill that requires schools to develop nutritional guidelines for all foods sold in schools. I support this bill, and I believe it is very important for schools to have specific nutritional guidelines in place so healthy food is served in our school cafeterias, but I also want to make sure that everyone realizes that nutritional guidelines are only one piece of the childhood obesity puzzle.

What we could overlook in this debate is that government-imposed guidelines can only do so much to prevent childhood obesity. If we really want to make a difference, we must focus on educating youth and their parents about the need to eat right and be physically active. Parents and their children must be acutely aware of the dangers of being overweight or obese.

We now know that being overweight can lead to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, uterine cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, gall bladder cancer, pregnancy complications, psychological disorders, and that is not the entire list.

I say to parents and the Members today, do they know that people who are obese have a three times greater chance of dying in surgery due to complications? Did my colleagues know that obesity is costing this Nation almost as much as cigarette smoking? Did my colleagues know that over 40 million workdays are being lost each year to obesity?

Do I have all the answers to the problem? No, but I do know that educating our youth and their parents is the necessary first step. Education is knowledge and knowledge is empowerment.

This pamphlet, Healthy Habits for Healthy Kids, developed by experts from the American Dietetic Association is being passed out to 500,000 elementary age children in Texas, free of charge, in the coming weeks. It gives easy-to-understand hints and suggestions that help youth and their parents make better choices in their diets, like one appropriate serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards and one appropriate serving of pasta or rice looks like a tennis ball. It also lays out a physical activity game plan that an entire plan can adhere to.

Efforts like these are going to make a dint in childhood obesity, one child and one parent at a time. As Members of Congress, we owe it to our constituents to educate them about the dangers of obesity.

School nutritional guidelines are only one piece of this puzzle. Americans have to make the right choices.

Mr. Speaker, the events of September 11, 2001, and the global war on terrorism have shown that our military must continue to transform to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Thirty years ago, it was difficult to predict the nature of the war we are fighting today, to defend freedom and defeat terrorism. This proves that we must continue to develop the most advanced weapons to ensure America's military dominance in the future.

Our Nation's defense is envied by every country in the world. We have built our air, land, and sea fleet with the most advanced technology available. That technology, perfected over decades, ensures the safety of our armed servicemen and servicewomen. In 10 to 20 years, we must be able to say the same thing.

We are in the process of transforming our military into more agile, adaptive, accurate, and adaptable units of war power. The army is shifting its resources to become lighter, more targeted, and quicker in its response time. The Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force are developing the next generation of weapons systems that will continue our air and sea dominance.

I support these efforts to move toward the transformation of our military. September 11 changed the way wars are fought. We are fighting enemies hiding in school buses, oftentimes located 2 feet from schools. These unconventional fighters are lurking in the homes of innocent men and women hoping our military will not want to attack citizens. In some cases, our targets are 10 feet from our own military bases. Pinpoint accuracy is crucial to preserving the lives of innocent men, women, and children.

Today I want to focus on two important examples of transformation: the Joint Strike Fighter and the F/A-22 Raptor. The Joint Strike Fighter and the F/A-22 Raptor are essential to transforming our military to meet the challenges of air dominance of the 21st century. As America's new generation of fighter aircraft, these tactical fighters will guarantee air superiority and air dominance for decades to come.

The F/A-22 is the state-of-the-art next-generation fighter aircraft. Undetectable on enemy radar, the F-22 carries a larger weapons load and increased missile range, and it is faster and more maneuverable than its predecessor, the F-15.

The Joint Strike Fighter will be the prime 21st century multi-role fighter for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. The basic Joint Strike Fighter design, with a few modifications to meet each service's needs, will be used for all three services. The Joint Strike Fighter will have the best next-generation avionics, weapons systems, and stealth capacities.

We can no longer rely on weapons and aircraft developed in the 1960s and 1970s to shield us from enemy fire, nor should we settle on using less than superior equipment to guide specific strikes against evil in all parts of the globe. Our land, sea, and air fleet must be equipped for new kinds of warfare. They must be capable of moving together as we head into the 21st century.

Mr. Speaker, we owe it to our men and women in uniform to give them the very best equipment as soon as possible.

Mr. Chairman, on Saturday I handed out awards to some 4,600 kids that participated with me in the Cowtown 5-K running race the weekend before. I was happy to promote an activity that gets kids moving. And I think that getting young people in events like the Cowtown race is a much better way to combat obesity than targeting fast-food restaurants with frivolous lawsuits.

The question before this body today is simply, Should it be just as easy to file a lawsuit against a restaurant for causing obesity as it is to drive through the nearest take-out window for a quick burger and fries? The answer is no.

The issue before us is responsibility, individual and personal responsibility for how we eat and how we exercise. We all know the statistics: two-thirds of Americans are overweight; 15 percent of our children are too heavy; obesity rates among teenagers have tripled in the last 20 years. Blaming the fast-food industry is not the answer to reducing obesity in America.

Americans can sue the McDonald'ses and Burger Kings of the world until these establishments can pay no more, but not one American will lose weight until they eat better and exercise more frequently.

I support this legislation because I do not want Americans to have a crutch for their overweight problem: restaurants and the fast-food industry. Instead, I want to provide Americans a better way, a healthy life-style.

If we really want to address the obesity epidemic, we must focus on educating youngsters about the dangers of being overweight and how eating the wrong foods only packs the pounds on. You could utilize programs such as the CDC's Youth Media Campaign, otherwise known as the VERB program.

VERB is a proven program that encourages kids to get out and walk, bike, run, jog, play basketball, baseball, skateboard, anything but just sitting in the house and watching television.

The net result of lawsuits that blame the fast-food industry for our overweight problems will be higher prices and lost jobs, not healthier Americans. Eating right and increasing physical activity is the answer to a slimmer, trimmer, fitter America, not lawsuits.

Mr. Speaker, during Black History Month 2004, I rise today to recognize an outstanding and historic African American ministry and church in my district. It is my distinct pleasure to honor Bishop & Mrs. R.E. Ranger and historic Wayside Church of God In Christ, Inc. in Fort Worth, Texas.

Bishop R.E. Ranger served as the legendary Pastor of Wayside Church of God In Christ from January 16, 1930 until January 6, 1992--a period of 62 years of continuous ministry at the same Church location at 2100 Beckham Place, Fort Worth, Texas 76104--and is believed to have served one of the longest tenures as a Pastor of the same church--if not the longest--of any pastor in Fort Worth history and one of the longest continuous pastoral tenures in the State of Texas.

Bishop R.E. Ranger was born on Sunday, January 22, 1899 in the small, southern, rural area of Wilson Creek community, Allenhurst, Texas in Matagorda County and was a serious, disciplined student who became a voracious reader and independent learner who acknowledged the call of God to preach the gospel at age 17 in San Antonio, Texas and continued as a gospel preacher for over 75 years (Diamond Jubilee).

Bishop R.E. Ranger rose from very humble beginnings on his own via early self-education at the St. Mary's Baptist Church using Catholic books and materials and without customary parental support to become an outstanding radio and TV trailblazer and pioneer in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as the nation and with the aid and assistance of radio and TV stations owned by Amon Carter, Jr.--WBAP Radio and WBAP-TV--achieved a number of historic `firsts' in the 1930's, 40's and 50's, including but not limited to: the Founding Bishop of the Church of God In Christ (Southeast) in Texas; a pioneering Pastor and Bishop in the Church of God In Christ in the State of Texas; the first African American appointed a denominational Bishop in Fort Worth History; the first African American minister in America to receive `national' radio air time; the first African American minister in the South to have a national radio ministry in the early 1930's; first African American minister south of the Mason/Dixon line to have weekly broadcasts short waved to many parts of the world--such as Australia, South America and England; and, became internationally known and his homilies were featured on television from such locales as Piccadilly Square in London and Honolulu, Hawaii; first African American minister in America to be seen in a ``live'' television worship service from a church auditorium; featured in June 1949 issue of Ebony Magazine as one of the ``Outstanding Black Ministers on Radio''; and a survey revealed his WBAP radio audience to be about six (6) million at its peak.

Bishop R.E. Ranger was the historic minister of the Wayside Church of God In Christ. In 1944, he personally drew up the blueprints for the current Wayside Church after receiving a God-given vision of a new, brick church in the ``shape of a cross'' with a tower. With that vision, he tore down the former church facility--the ``Little Wooden Church on the Hill''--with his own hands.

Bishop R.E. Ranger was a pioneer in the Church of God in Christ in the state of Texas and was appointed Presiding Bishop of the Church of God In Christ (Southeast) by the founder of the Church of God In Christ--Bishop C.H. Mason. He also became an influential state and national religious leader headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

Bishop R.E. Ranger willingly opened doors for activities for the good of the larger community and provided material and spiritual assistance to countless numbers of people in need. As a member of the NAACP and the Interdenominational Minesterial Alliance, he was actively involved in religious, civic, and educational activities and the struggle for human rights.

Mrs. Blanche Mae Ranger was born March 20, 1904 in Houston, Texas, and graduated from the City of Houston's Normal and Colored High School on June 1, 1922. She also received a teaching degree from the historic Tuskegee Normal & Industrial Institute on May 22, 1924, during the time of George Washington Carver. Blanche Mae Ranger served with Bishop Ranger at Wayside Church from January 16, 1930 until her passing on October 26, 1985.

Mrs. Blanche Mae Ranger was an exemplary Christian wife, a licensed missionary, musician and singer of the radio/TV ministry theme song-- ``The Old Ship of Zion'', homemaker, mother of eleven (11) children, home economics teacher, poll tax collector and civic worker of Fort Worth, Texas. She reared and supported the education of a host of children and grandchildren who studied at and received numerous college and postgraduate degrees from institutions such as Huston Tillotson, Wiley College, Hastings Law School (UC), Lincoln University, University of Minnesota, Howard University, Howard University Law School, Lane College, University of Texas, Rutgers Law School, Morehouse College, Bowdoin College, Harvard Law School, University of Michigan Law School, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Oberlin College, MIT, Stanford, Boston University, Perdue University, Northwestern University, United States Air Force Academy, Loyola Marymont University, and University of Virginia.

I am very proud of the achievements of Bishop and Mrs. R.E. Ranger and historic Wayside Church. Thanks to their significant achievements, Bishop and Mrs. R.E. Ranger and Wayside Church were symbols of selfless

service and achievement for African American citizens in our community and across this nation.

In recognition of its historic past, Wayside Church is currently in the process of receiving an official designation as a Cultural and Historical Landmark of the City of Fort Worth and is being considered for a Texas Historical Landmark designation and the National Register of Historic Places.

Wayside Church of God In Christ, Inc., congratulations on 92 years (1912-2004) of outstanding local, state, and national service!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a young man from my district who exemplified great courage while serving his country. Army Spc. Jason Chappell was fatally wounded 2 weeks ago in Iraq when a suicide bomber hit his vehicle.

Chappell displayed his extraordinary commitment to fight for freedom and justice. Freedom and justice are the building blocks of democracy, and these values are the heartbeat of all our soldiers who fight for our country every day.

Chappell's wife, Stephanie, reflects on her husband's kind nature by describing him as an ``angel'' who ``wanted nothing more than to help other people.''

Specialist Chappell served in the Army's 1st Cavalry Division's Company B in Fort Hood, Texas. He is remembered by his family as one who was devoted to family and country and dedicated to the causes of justice, freedom, and peace.

He lived an extraordinary life, rich with love, laughter, and pride. As a Member of Congress, I rise today to acknowledge Specialist Chappell and his family for his sacrifice and service to the cause of freedom and the war against terror.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jason Chappell's wife and family. May you be strengthened and comforted in this challenging time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a young man from my district who exemplified great courage while serving his country. Private First Class Ervin Dervishi was fatally wounded two weeks ago in Iraq when his unit was attacked by grenade fire.

Private Dervishi displayed his extraordinary commitment to fight for freedom and justice. Freedom and justice are the building blocks of democracy, and these values are the heartbeat of all immigrants, like Private Dervishi, who fight for our country every day.

Born in Albania, Private Dervishi came to America with his brother and his parents in search of a better life for their family. He quickly enrolled in his local high school and became a heralded athlete on the soccer field. Not merely settling for citizenship alone, Private Dervishi wanted to contribute to society. That's why he began participating in a two-year volunteer program called Young Explorers with the Waxahachie Police Department. At his memorial service, Private Dervishi's adviser for Young Explorers, Police Chief Nathan Bickerstaff, praised this young man for his enthusiastic nature and fascination with law enforcement. Police Chief Bickerstaff smiled as he recalled Private Dervishi telling him that someday he would become a police officer.

Private Dervishi moved to Fort Worth and joined the Army's 4th Infantry Division in Fort Hood, Texas, after graduating from Western Hills High School. After deployment to Iraq, Private Dervishi showed exemplary combat skills and was present at the capture of Saddam Hussein. He was laid to rest with military honors, and Brig. Gen. Robert Crear presented the family with two distinctive posthumous decorations--the Purple Heart and Bronze Star--for their son's service. High-ranking officials of the Albanian government, including President Alfred Moisiu, have also recognized Private Dervishi's mark in the world by conferring the Golden Eagle Medallion on Private Dervishi. This award is rarely given, but it marks Private Dervishi as a martyr for freedom and peace for two countries.

Private Dervishi is remembered by his family and peers as a true friend who was devoted to family and country and dedicated to the causes of justice, freedom, and peace.

Private Dervishi understood more about freedom in his short life than many will in an entire lifetime. He lived an extraordinary life, rich with love, laughter, and pride. As a Member of Congress, I rise today to acknowledge Private Dervishi and his family for their sacrifice and service to the cause of freedom and the war against terror.

In his eulogy, Police Chief Bickerstaff vowed to carry a photo of Private Dervishi as a reminder of his ultimate sacrifice, saying ``he will always be a hero in my eyes.''

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Dervishi family. May you be strengthened and comforted in this devastating time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a brave young man from my district who was fatally wounded two weeks ago while serving his country in Iraq.

Only 36 years of age, Army Master Sgt. Kelly L. Hornbeck displayed unbending love for his family and an insatiable appetite for living. As an avid outdoorsman, he always looked for adventures and conquered any obstacles that lay before him. It did not take his family and friends by surprise when he joined the United States Army in 1987 and quickly rose through the ranks to be selected for the Army's prestigious ``Old Guard,'' which stands watch at the Tomb of the Unknowns here in Washington. Hornbeck was quickly promoted to drill sergeant and joined the Army's elite Special Forces in 1990 where he served as a combat diver, free-fall parachutist, and jump master.

In recent years, Master Sgt. Hornbeck had served tours of duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group stationed at Fort Carson, CO. He received many awards and decorations while serving the Army which include: two Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

Hornbeck is remembered by one of his former commanders as a true patriot to the United States and to his native State of Texas, and his friends describe him as someone who had a strong moral compass.

Hornbeck's two daughters, Jacqueline (11) and Tyler (7), shared such precious memories of their father at his memorial service as a ``great friend'' who was ``brave.'' When asked what her favorite memory of her dad was, the youngest daughter Tyler said, ``I don't know because I have so many.'' His parents, Camille and Jeffrey Hornbeck of Fort Worth, praised their son's accomplishments and the cause for which he fought.

Master Sgt. Hornbeck lived an extraordinary life, rich with love, laughter, and pride. As a Member of Congress, I rise today to acknowledge Master Sgt. Hornbeck and his family for their sacrifice and service to the cause of freedom and the war against terror.

I wish to conclude by reading a letter from Master Sgt. Hornbeck to his parents.

Dear Mom and Dad: If ya'll are reading this, then I am on

my way to help do my part to ensure the future security of

our great nation. I don't take this charge lightly or with a

cavalier attitude, rather with a resolute heart and a clear

conscience. I am strongly convinced that what we are doing is

just and worthy of all that could be spent in the effort. I

am not afraid and neither should either of you be, for I

trust in my God (Psalm 23) and my training, two powerful

forces that cannot be fully measured.

My training is not only limited to that which has been

bestowed on me by the mightiest military in the world but

also by the greatest set of parents in the world. I am who I

am because ya'll made me that way, and for that I thank you.

If anything untoward should befall me please insure that

the qualities you raised me with get passed onto my children.

I love you both very much and intend to see you soon!

Isaiah 6:8

Kelly.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hornbeck family. May God bless and comfort you during this tragic time.

I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, Mark Twain once said, ``Out of our schools grows the greatness of our Nation.'' Today I want to introduce you to the greatness of our Nation. I want you to meet Logan Granger. Yes, that is right, Granger. Logan is my grandchild. He is one of the loves of my life. I actually have two grandchildren, I have Logan and Jack, but today we are going to focus on Logan. When I look at Logan's big brown eyes, I absolutely melt and I want him to have the very best in the world. I want him to have the best education, the best job, the best family life. I want him to have everything. And I know the right place to start with making sure that Logan has it all is to make sure that Logan has the best education available.

Today, the finest education is marked by a college degree. When I taught, a high school certificate was a mark of success. Today, a college degree is a must. In the past 5 years, jobs requiring a college degree have increased almost nine times more than jobs requiring a high school diploma. The fact is that the college degree is a must-have for today's students. I believe little Logan should have the opportunity to have that college diploma. Logan should be able to attend the public or the private school of his dreams. In other words, he should have choice. But his family should also have affordability.

Unfortunately, we all know the cost of a college education can send any parent or grandparent into financial hiding. Today at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, a college degree will cost about $19,000 a year and students come from all over the world to attend there. When Logan is ready to go to TCU, or whatever school he chooses, schools like TCU could cost as much as $45,000 a year. Yes, a year. It is sticker shock for all of us, but it is something we need to face. But before we decide the situation is futile, we need to recognize that with proper planning, a college education can be affordable.

For several years now, public schools have joined together in co-ops that work together to set up one prepaid plan for parents to pay into. Then when the young one is all grown up and is ready to go to college, the family can choose from a list of schools that participate in that plan. The result is choice and affordability in public education.

Today I am here to praise the expansion of the prepaid tuition plans. I introduced legislation that was signed into law 2 years ago that would allow private schools to join together and offer similar choice and affordability in education. Today I am here to congratulate the more than 200 private colleges and universities in the recent launch of their prepaid tuition plans. Together, the plans are known collectively as the independent 529 plan and many of the schools in Texas, including Texas Christian University and Southwestern University in Georgetown, are participants in this plan. The creation of this plan means that Logan's parents can save around $100,000 in total private education. That is right. If Logan's parents buy into the independent 529 plan today, they can save around $100,000. We are literally talking about tomorrow's education at today's price. The 529 plans are all about choice and affordability in private schools. Choice for Logan and affordability for his parents.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be the sponsor of House Resolution 378, which congratulates private colleges and universities for their ongoing commitment to make a college education affordable and accessible to thousands of families. This will mean more opportunity for more young people and more universities. That is a small price to pay for Logan or Jack or any other child for something as worthy as a college education.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor a good friend, Jay Sandelin, for his outstanding contributions to the practice of osteopathic medicine, the Osteopathic Health System of Texas/ Osteopathic Medical Center of Texas, and to the citizens of Fort Worth, Texas. Jay Sandelin not only exemplifies great leadership in his professional life, but has also shown leadership by being a current or past member of at least seventeen civic, trade, philanthropic, cultural, and business groups.

In 1989, Jay Sandelin was elected Chairman of the Board of Health Care of Texas, which comprises both the Osteopathic Health System of Texas and the Osteopathic Medical Center of Texas. During his time as Chairman of the Board, Mr. Sandelin helped influence the transition of Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine from a private institution to a state medical school, which has evolved into the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Previous to his work as Chairman of the Board, Mr. Sandelin served for many years on the boards of various osteopathic organizations in the course of a distinguished career in the financial services industry.

Mr. Sandelin's leadership has been vital in raising the profile of the osteopathic medical profession and its philosophy to a greater level of awareness and acceptance in North Texas and throughout the Nation. Because of his work, today I want to congratulate Jay Sandelin on an outstanding career and wish him well in his retirement.