Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today the Republicans bring to the floor a bill that would undermine yet another basic freedom. The so-called ``Public Expression of Religion Act'' is nothing more than an attack on religious liberty. It promotes government-sponsored religion by limiting challenges to such constitutional violations.

This bill is about the government stopping people from standing up for their civil rights. By restricting people's ability to stand up for their civil rights when governments promote a particular religion, this bill chips away at the constitutionally protected separation of church and state.

That's not all that's at issue here. Language in the bill leaves the door open to all sorts of state-sponsored violations of constitutional freedoms. It casts a dangerously wide net.

This bill also gives the green light to civil rights violations. Exempt from monetary damage payments, local, State and Federal Governments would not have to think twice before violating the separation of church and state. They could act with impunity.

Paying attorneys' fees is a normal, time-honored procedure. It allows citizens to stand up for their constitutional rights, knowing that if the court rules in their favor, they can recover the legal fees. This bill is an egregious ploy to undercut Americans' civil rights.

Barring attorney's fees would be unprecedented. This dangerous example would set our civil rights on a slippery slope to extinction.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order.

Mr. Speaker, today, September 21, 2006, the world celebrates International Peace Day. Unfortunately, as we look around the world, we see more unrest and more people living in poverty, and certainly not more genuine peace.

This administration has chosen the road of conflict and war, leaving diplomacy and discussion on the side of the road. The President's cowboy swagger and use of ``You're either with us or you're against us'' gets us absolutely nowhere.

Mr. Speaker, today, International Peace Day, is the appropriate time for a new direction for our foreign policy and for our country. That is why on Tuesday of next week I will be hosting a third congressional forum on the occupation of Iraq. I am doing this because until the Congress begins real oversight into the tragedies of our occupation in Iraq, forums like these serve as one of the only ways, the only ways to examine our actions.

I am organizing this forum on the cost of our actions in Iraq because President Bush's Iraq policy has been an absolute failure and our Nation will suffer. Our Nation will suffer its effects for years to come. Besides making us

less safe, it has ruined our Nation's credibility in the eyes of the world, and it has made us worse off economically and militarily as well.

On Tuesday we will hear from experts, including Lieutenant General William Odem and former CIA employee and Georgetown professor Dr. Paul Pillar. Additional testimony will come from experts from Save the Children, the National Priorities Project, and a representative from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

This war, Mr. Speaker, has many unseen costs: the costs to our military and diplomatic standing in the region; the cost to the Iraqi civilians, especially the most innocent victims, the children; the cost to America's working families who see funds being diverted away from important domestic programs to fund the ongoing occupation; and the cost to our brave men and women in service to our country. Almost 2,700 troops have given their lives for this misguided cause.

And the costs to our veterans, which may be the most heartbreaking of all: the underfunding of veterans clinics, the lack of support for those dealing with posttraumatic stress, the families left behind with little benefits or support from the Department of Defense. Veterans have sacrificed for our country. They deserve to receive our Nation's support. We have a responsibility, Mr. Speaker, a responsibility to take care of those who sacrifice and defend us during times of war.

Mr. Speaker, I voted against this war. Some of my colleagues voted for it. We disagreed then, but I think we can all agree now our troops need our support, and the best way to support the troops is to bring them home.

Earlier this year I introduced H.R. 5875, a bill to repeal the President's Iraq war powers, because Congress needs to stand up. Congress needs to take back its constitutional responsibilities. And Congress needs to insist that the President, the Commander in Chief, stop this misguided occupation of Iraq.

I urge my colleagues to join me at the forum on Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m., and I urge you to cosponsor the Iraq War Powers Repeal Act. I also urge you to stand up for our troops by standing up for peace.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose the so-called Student and Teacher Safety Act. This bill would impose a one-size-fits-all policy on student searches on every school district in the country.

You know, in my experience with children and youth, it is a mistake to assume that every student is as guilty as a few troubled persons, making all youth feel guilty because a few actually are.

Mr. Speaker, this bill would strip Safe and Drug-Free School Acts funding from any school district that decides that local parents, that teachers,

and administrators know better than Congress how to make their schools safe. In fact, the President and the Republican Congress have cut Safe and Drug-Free funding every year since the year 2002.

This bill's proponents argue that it will clarify student search rules for school administrators and teachers, but the American Association of School Administrators has said that the bill simply will create unnecessary new Federal mandates. The American Federation of Teachers has said that the bill will complicate school districts' efforts to develop student search policies. And the National Parent Teacher Association, the PTA, has said that the bill fails to improve the safety of students and school personnel.

Mr. Speaker, if we are serious about school safety, we will reject this bill, we will reject the President's and this Congress's continuing cuts to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program, and we will stop any new program that would label all youth as guilty.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order.

Mr. Speaker, this Thursday, September 21, is the International Day of Peace, as established by the United Nations a quarter century ago. To recognize it, a coalition of peace and religious organizations are mobilizing thousands upon thousands of people around the country in a week's worth of marches, vigils, and rallies. Their goal: an end to the Iraq occupation and the safe return of our troops back home to the United States.

I have signed their Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge, and I strongly urge my colleagues to do the same. In addition to troop withdrawal, the pledge calls for important post-occupation steps that I and many of my colleagues have been pushing for some time now: among other things, no permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq; a reconciliation process led by the Iraqis which may include an international peacekeeping presence; Iraqi control over its internal affairs and its rich oil supply; increased support for veterans of the Iraq conflict; the establishment of a peace dividend with the money being spent on occupying Iraq being reinvested in our people so they will have more jobs, stronger schools, better housing, and more efficient and affordable health care.

So how is the Bush administration celebrating International Peace Day? By promising us a semipermanent state of war, an open-ended occupation of Iraq. General Abizaid said today that we will maintain our current troop levels for at least the next 9 months. There you have it. The ultimate expression of ``stay the course.'' So much for last year's predictions by General Casey and others that there would be a significant drawdown in the year 2006.

Keeping 147,000 American soldiers as occupation forces in Iraq through the middle of next year and beyond, what will that mean? It will mean more American casualties. It will mean billions more of the people's dollars sunk in a failed policy. It will mean Iraq will become an even more fertile terrorist training ground. It will mean more violence and venom directed toward Americans by radical jihadists. It will mean that the sectarian strife, the civil war in Iraq will continue unabated.

If that is not bad enough, there is convincing evidence that our finger is on the trigger when it comes to launching a strike against Iran. Retired Air Force Colonel Sam Gardner, who has taught at the Army's National War College, said on CNN yesterday that ``we are conducting military operations inside Iran right now. The evidence is overwhelming.''

Mr. Speaker, there has to be a better way to manage global conflict. Actually, as he so often did, Martin Luther King, Jr. put it best. He said: ``The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.''

He continued: ``The chain reaction . . . hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars, must be broken or we shall be plunged into a dark a business.''

Mr. Speaker, I believe we need to go beyond ending the occupation of Iraq to an entirely new national security paradigm, one that emphasizes diplomacy, multilateralism, strong intelligence, containment strategies, weapons inspections, real democracy building, and humanitarian aid. But we must avoid war, rather than making it our default national security strategy.

On this year's International Day of Peace, Mr. Speaker, let us rededicate ourselves to protect the country we love, not by relying on our basest impulses, but on the most honorable and humane of American values.

Mr. Speaker, we rise today to honor Roberta Hollowell of Santa Rosa, California, who passed away on August 10, 2006, after a two-year battle with cancer. We know that, though she has left this earthly plane, she will be continuing her work as a feminist activist elsewhere. Hers is the kind of voice that will never be silenced, and her spirit lives on in the many she inspired.

Born 77 years ago in Brooklyn, NY, Roberta moved to California as a teenager when her father took an engineering job in the Bay Area. She graduated from UC Berkeley (where she met her husband Ellis Hollowell) and later earned a master's degree from Mills College. The couple had three children before divorcing in 1962.

In 1962 Roberta and the children moved to Sebastopol and later to Santa Rosa. At that time, Roberta began teaching English at Healdsburg High School, a position she held for 23 years.

As an activist, Roberta was a leader and member in many organizations, and as a retired teacher, education was one of her passions. She was active in the California Teachers Association (CTA), National Education Association (NEA), the Sonoma County Educators Council, and the Healdsburg Area Teachers Association. Other affiliations included National Organization for Women, Sierra Club, NAACP, Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women, and California State Democratic Central Committee.

Her union work and liberal politics probably started as a family trait, but Roberta blazed her own path and was a mainstay of the Sonoma County Democratic Party. She was active till the end in a host of issues that benefited from her skills and contacts.

But it is Roberta's personal contacts and example that we remember the most. Stories told at her funeral attest to her unique ability in bringing others into the fold. She insisted that since we all have voices we should use them. Her humor and warmth as well as her determination, leadership, and sense of organization were all key to her success. And fond nicknames, like The General and La Jefa, were also marks of respect.

Roberta was very proud of her wonderful family. She is survived by her daughter Mardi, her son Tom, grandchildren Ryan and Danielle, and great-granddaughter Melody Ann. Her son David preceded her in death in 1995.

Mr. Speaker, we are honored to have been counted among Roberta Hollowell's many friends. We will miss her support and inspiration and will carry her legacy with us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dianne Edwards of Santa Rosa, California, who is retiring after ten years as Director of Human Services for Sonoma County,

Dianne's job required overseeing one of the largest departments in County government. Human Services provides essential services to one in nine residents including cash aid, medical assistance, and food stamps to low income individuals and families; employment and training services; assistance to the elderly, disabled and veterans to maintain quality of life; and child welfare and child protective services. Dianne managed the 600 staff and their supervisors responsible for these activities at 8 locations.

Children are among our most vulnerable populations, and during Dianne's tenure the County, with the assistance of other organizations, built the Valley of the Moon Children's Home, an emergency center for child victims of abuse. The department also manages the Redwood Children's Center for a safe, supportive environment for child victims of sexual abuse.

Dianne holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration and has spent the last 34 years in social services in California at both county and state levels. She began her career as an eligibility worker, worked 2 years as State Chief of AFDC and Food Stamps Policy for all 58 California counties, and served as Director of Adult and Employment Services for Orange County just before moving to Sonoma.

Locally, Dianne has shared her expertise with the community including the Board of Directors of United Way, commissioner on the Children and Families Commission, and member of the Mayor's Gang Task Force for the City of Santa Rosa. She has also participated, as a member and officer of the County Welfare Directors Association of California, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of County Human Services Administrators.

Mr. Speaker, Sonoma County has been fortunate to have Dianne Edward's leadership for the Human Services Department, a department which is responsible for the welfare of many of our community's most vulnerable citizens. We appreciate the skill, proficiency, and dedication with which she has guided these crucial services for 10 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor our historically black colleges and universities, or HBCU's.

It is important that every American understands the history of these institutions and the great impact that they have had on our Nation, and I thank Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for introducing the resolution declaring this week ``National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.''

For years, HBCU's offered many African Americans their only educational opportunity. HBCU's remain a vital part of our higher education system because they continue to offer high quality educational opportunities.

In fact, about one-third of black lawyers, one-half of black engineers, two-thirds of black physicians, and four-fifths of black federal judges are graduates of HBCU's.

Among the leaders who HBCU's have produced throughout our history are artists and writers, astronauts, business leaders, civil rights leaders, mayors, Members of Congress, a Supreme Court Justice, university presidents, and countless others.

So, today, we honor HBCU's because of their glorious past and look forward to what I am sure will be an even more glorious future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order.

Mr. Speaker, on May 1, 2003, under a banner displaying the words, ``Mission Accomplished,'' President George W. Bush stated, ``Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.''

In the summer of 2005, Vice President Cheney told Americans that the so-called insurgents of Iraq were in their last throes.

Fast forward to the morning papers this week. The Washington Post, and I quote, ``Situation Called Dire in West Iraq; Anbar is Lost Politically, Marine Analyst Says.''

The San Francisco Chronicle, quote, ``Police Discover 65 Bodies Across Iraq.''

The New York Times, ``New Wave of Violence Flares Across Baghdad.''

The BBC, ``Iran Offers Iraq Full Support.''

On top of that, according to the Department of Defense, in September so far 23 of America's brave servicemembers died in this seemingly endless occupation. Throughout this occupation there have been 2,900 coalition deaths. Almost 2,700 of those are Americans. An average of 100 Iraqi civilians are dying each day.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for a reality check. The so-called insurgents are not in their last throes. The mission is not accomplished, far from it.

This administration, the President, the Vice President, Secretary Rumsfeld, and Secretary Rice, won't admit they have made a mistake. Instead of planning for withdrawal, which is supported, by the way, by the American people and the Iraqi public as well, this administration is wearing blinders and pressing on. They even have the very nerve to question the patriotism of anyone who dares to take off the rose- colored glasses and speak the truth about the occupation of Iraq.

What kind of America is that? Americans are asking, they are asking, are we safer than we were 5 years ago? They know the answer; the answer is no. They question why the President didn't dedicate serious efforts to the capture of Osama bin Laden. And they know when they ask, is he working on that, the answer is no. And they also ask whether the President has dedicated serious efforts to being a partner for peace in the Middle East, and the results that they see prove that the answer is no. Instead, private citizens are being wiretapped, torture runs rampant, and the administration plays politics with the tragic events of September 11.

Is this the kind of America we want to pass on to our children? Is this the kind of America that will win us friends on the world stage? The answer, of course, is no. It is time for a reality check. It is time to support an alternative to these misguided policies.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to seriously consider whether our current policy is going in the right direction, because Congress has the power to change it. Congress has the power to make the much-needed changes. And one important change for Congress to make would be to resume our constitutional role and revoke the President's Iraq war powers. We could also insist on a plan, and we must insist on a plan, to bring our troops home. And it is time to give Iraq back to the Iraqi people. But, most of all, it is time to tell the President, no more.

I urge my colleagues, stand up for our troops. Cosponsor my bill, H.R. 5875, the Iraq War Powers Repeal Act, because, Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. It is time to bring our troops home.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Larson and Iraq Watch for what you have been doing to bring attention to the follies of what is going on in Iraq.

I will stay here and talk back and forth, but we have folks here who have been so important, Maxine Waters and Donald Payne and I saw Bill Delahunt, who are all part of this, and we want everybody to have their say.

What I want to emphasize is that the people of this country, the people of this world know that this was a mistake. Our very own constituents are ahead of the Members of Congress that they have elected to serve them because they know we should leave Iraq. They tell us that.

What they don't know, however, is how to make it happen. Guess what, that is not their job. It is our job. It is our job to say, Mr. President, commander in chief, stop this war. Put together a plan and bring our troops home. You see, that is our job. It is very clear to me when you lead, people will follow.

Just under 2 years ago I believe I was the first person to request of the President that he bring our troops home. My request had just under 20 signatures on a letter to him.

Then we had a hearing, informal hearing with Senator Max Cleland and generals and an Iraqi citizen. It was bipartisan and the room was full. We had a little bit of press, not much, but it was a good hearing. It was about why we are there and why we shouldn't be there.

Following that we had an amendment of mine that came to the House floor. Some folks asked me not to call for a vote on it because they thought it would be embarrassing to all of us. But 128 Members of this House, a bipartisan effort actually, voted to tell the President to put together a plan to bring our troops home and bring that plan to the appropriate committees in the House of Representatives.

Since then we have written a letter to the President that over 50 Members signed saying, Mr. President, bring our troops home. Do this in a multinational way with multilateral involvement. Work with the Iraqis on reconstruction in a nonmilitaristic stance, and work with them for reconciliation.

Then I introduced legislation that I talked about earlier tonight to repeal the President's Iraq war powers because that is one way to tell him enough is enough. This is not a war, this is an occupation.

We are going to have another hearing on September 26. This is the third forum, and it is on the cost, the human cost, the cost to our treasury and the cost to our reputation. I hope many Members will attend it. You see, that is what the people of this country are looking for and these are the people down on the floor with you that to the best of our ability are trying to provide, and that is leadership, leadership to catch up with them, the public, so we will indeed do the right thing and stop the death and destruction that is going on that we are causing because of our very presence over there.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with pleasure today to honor Jeffrey Meston, one of our community's heroes. He is retiring as Chief of the Fire District in Novato, California, where his service to both the department and community has been an inspiration to all who worked with him.

Jeff started his career in 1976, working 10 years in Corte Madera and 20 in Novato. He became Chief of the Novato Fire District in 1999. His commitment to the community, to professional excellence, and to all firefighters is evident in his work. Locally, he has been president of the Marin County Fire Chief's Association and the Rotary Club of Ignacio as well as Treasurer of the Novato Chamber of Commerce. On the State level he serves as the chair of the Legislative Task Force and an Area Director for the Fire Districts Association of California and the Training Section Chief for the California Fire Chiefs Association. He is also nationally recognized as a course developer and speaker.

If you could hear him speak, as I have, you would understand why he is in high demand. In November, 2003, Jeff organized a moving memorial service for one of his own, Steve Rucker, a Novato firefighter killed battling wildfires in Southern California. He then related how he had taken Steve under his wing and added, ``Steve was probably the most genuine, decent and straightforward human being I've ever known. There were never any hidden agendas with Steve--qualities which made him easy to tease, but easy to love like a brother . . . I never knew anyone who wanted to be a firefighter as much as Steve. Steve lived and breathed his dream.''

After Rucker's death, which may have been caused by lack of communication with State firefighters, Jeff advocated for better systems to prevent such tragedies in the future. ``Rarely a day goes by when we don't think of him (Steve),'' he says.

One of Jeff's proudest accomplishments is the development of a new operating culture called ``Novato Way'' which asks district personnel to go out of their way to provide superior customer service, from rescuing cats to passing the hat for a resident in need of a boost. The department gives back to the community in many ways and enjoys broad support in return.

Jeff holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, is a State Certified Fire Chief, and has completed his Chief Fire Officer Designation by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He also helped Fireman's Fund Insurance Company craft its Fireman's Fund Heritage program which awards millions of dollars in grants to fire departments and fire and burn prevention organizations across the country each year. Jeff continues his involvement, serving on the Heritage Advisory Committee, along with other national leaders in the fire service, to provide strategic guidance for the program.

Mr. Speaker, Jeff Meston says he plans to travel in retirement--and write a fire science textbook. His experience will make the textbook an important resource, and his deep appreciation for the job our firefighters do will make it invaluable. Jeff is definitely one of my heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William Oskar Goggins for the kindness and influence he showed the world during his 43 years here.

Billy was born at St Mary's Hospital in San Francisco, CA on Sunday, May 10, 1963--on Mother's Day. He was the first child of Patrick & Ute Goggins, both very well-known and respected individuals in the Bay Area and beyond.

From the hospital he was carried right into a civil rights demonstration in Golden Gate Park. Billy took his first trip to Ireland at 4 years old to meet his family relatives in the west of Ireland in County Mayo. Annual family trips by car to Montana & Dakota included reunions in the Bear's Paw Mountains, hi-balling on the Iron Road, the old Great Northern Railway and running brave with Chippewa, Cree, Blackfoot and Sioux Indian friends. The Goggins' adventured on two- month road trips to Baja and the Pacific Coast of Mexico where mother Ute painted, and sisters Cathy & Aimee followed in Bill's energetic footsteps. Billy toiled in family vineyards in Germany with equally embracing relatives. These things were the soul of his education.

Over the years Bill played soccer, drew cartoons, tutored younger students from Mill Valley and Marin City, played volleyball at Stinson Beach, surfed in Bolinas, and much much more. He graduated from Tamalpais High School as a National Merit Scholar and Salutatorian.

Summer jobs were at Bancroft-Whitney legal publishers, San Francisco and Wausau Paper Mill, Wisconsin. He worked at numerous restaurants including the Book Depot Cafe and Avenue Grill in Mill Valley, and Embarko in San Francisco. He also volunteered at St. Anthony Dining Room in the Tenderloin, providing free meals for the homeless.

Bill attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and San Francisco State University, Departments of Communication and Philosophy. He began his vital journalism career with Frisko Kids, KALW radio, and then moved on to the old SF Weekly.

Former SF Weekly editor and colleague Andrew O'Hehir remembers, ``Of course he worked harder than anyone and became essential, and in three years moved from all-purpose intern to copy editor to running the Arts & Entertainment section. I can't remember exactly when he became the go-to guy for headline copy, but I'd say that by the time he'd been there a year, he was writing half the heads in the paper.''

Bill thrived at Wired for 10 years. He started as a freelance copy editor and rose to become deputy editor. Bill served as a special link between the digital industry's pace-setting magazine in the center of San Francisco's media gulch and an eager, educated national and international readership. His colleagues admired him tremendously.

``Bill was that rarest of things: a true original,'' says Chris Anderson, the magazine's editor in chief. ``He was brilliant, witty and culturally omnivorous, all of which combined in his signature headlines. They usually worked on at least three levels of meaning, from some remixed cultural reference to at least one pun. In many ways his winking style and clever turns of phrase became Wired house style for nearly a decade, and to look at our covers and headlines over those years is to hear Bill's voice again.''

Bill's voice also made its mark through the alternative dot-com generation's website Suck.com where he wrote under the name `Bartelby'. Bill recently enjoyed writing and editing with the new magazine Todo, and they remember him not just as a logophile, a wordsmith, a gifted editor, a true friend; but also as ``one who tirelessly pursues perfection, fraternity and goodness.''

A real linguist (German, Spanish and Bill-English) and traveler--Bill visited Tunisia, the Philippines, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, and all over the United States and Europe. He was a dual citizen of the U.S. and Ireland. Bill was a citizen of the world.

Bill was a San Franciscan through and through. He openly embraced and explored all of the city's neighborhoods. He was an avid supporter of the arts, with active memberships to many museums and regular attendance at the symphony, opera, ballet, varied theatres and clubs.

Bill participated with his family and compatriots in the antiwar demonstrations from the Vietnam era to Iraq of today.

My daughter, Amy Critchett, had the good fortune to be a friend with and to work with Bill at Wired for many years. ``Bill Goggins made work seem like work--because it was and he was so incredibly good at what he did--but with him around there was always a twist of irony and a splash of curly-haired, smiling-cheeked sunshine not far away,'' according to Amy. ``Get ready to laugh all you up there.''

Bill inexplicably collapsed and passed away suddenly during mile 24 of the San Francisco Marathon Benefit for Cancer on Sunday, July 30, 2006. He was in fit condition and many knew him as a wonderful, companionable runner, reconciled, strong and happy.

An outpouring of hundreds from around the globe, representing family, friends, colleagues, public officials on local, state and national levels, ambassadors, the Irish and British governments, the Democratic party, and diverse cultural non-profit organizations attended a memorial mass held at our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and a life celebration at the Outdoor Art Club in Mill Valley on August 4, 2006. Billy was a deeply-loved member of a very close family. He supported all of them individually and together--helping hang his mother Ute's art shows, assisting his father Pat with community outreach via organizations such as the Irish Forum, Irish Mexican Association, and Irish Literary and Historical Society to name a few, being the proud uncle to sister Cathy's two children, Lina Rose and Dominic Chester, and showing up for sister Aimee's various work events or helping edit her writing.

Bill believed in justice, peace and humanity. He connected with people everywhere he went. No one and nothing escaped his keen eye and warm words. His sense of community was broad and all-encompassing. Bill was a man of grace. He chipped in for everyone.

He had old-fashioned manners, was a staunch listener and he gave of himself enormously. His roughish grin, sparkle in his eye and love of discussion and opinion will live on with us forever.

Mr. Speaker, Bill had enormous integrity and loyalty, and taught us all how to be total human beings. To be fearless, to be bold, to be true to yourself. To be both gracious and outspoken. To pursue what matters in life and cherish each other. Bill knew all of these things and helped us be them too. Bill lived his life and made all of us proud. He will be deeply missed by many.

Mr. Speaker, today the Republican leadership decided to consider legislation that would substantially revise the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA)--the first time we have been allowed to address our concerns with IGRA since it was enacted in 1988. The bill we are voting for today, while it does much to stop the most egregious forms of reservation shopping allowed by IGRA, is not wholly adequate. Suspending the House rules to vote on this bill forces my colleagues and me to settle for a makeshift and inadequate solution to the proliferating problem of off-reservation gaming. Since Mr. Pombo's bill fails to thoroughly address the gaming issues facing my constituents, I would have liked the opportunity to offer an amendment that reflects the concerns of the people in Marin and Sonoma Counties. I sincerely hope that the Republican Majority will allow for a full debate that includes the opportunity for Members to amend this bill, as we should not shortchange our constituents in the process of passing this important piece of legislation. Circumventing traditional House procedure, obstructing debate, and forcing us to vote on inadequate legislation is wrong, and I will be voting ``no'' on H.R. 4893.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I spent Monday commemorating the horrific attacks on our Nation 5 years ago. It was a day to reflect on the courage and the compassion demonstrated on September 11, 2001, by police officers, firefighters, medical personnel and average, ordinary citizens.

It was also a day to remember those who could not be saved and to say a prayer for the families, especially the young children, who were left behind.

But with this resolution, the Republican leadership has chosen to exploit a national day of mourning to again justify the occupation of Iraq, a disastrous policy and a failure that has led to untold death and destruction, a policy which has been rejected by the American people.

Again, the Republican leadership is trying to blur the distinction between Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, even though it has been well-established that one had nothing to do with the other.

The fact is, we never honored the memory of the victims of 9/11 by finishing the job in Afghanistan. Bin Laden remains on the run, even though we had him surrounded in Tora Bora nearly 5 years ago.

Far from some paragon of freedom, much of Afghanistan is still dominated by Taliban rebels and warlords, with the opium trade remaining the country's dominant economic force.

From 9/11 on, the President and the Republican leadership have used that day of terror to run roughshod over the Constitution; wiretapping American citizens without a warrant and setting up secret gulags around the world.

This 5-year anniversary cried out for genuine bipartisan leadership to comfort the Nation while acting intelligently, rather than impulsively, in the face of new security threats.

To this day, however, the Republicans use 9/11 as a talking point to make a dishonest argument.

It is shameful that some are taking one of the gravest moments in our Nation's history to pursue their own political agendas. It is with great sadness that I rise in opposition to this bill.

This Congress owes it to those who gave their lives on the hallowed ground in New York, in Washington and in Pennsylvania to consider a balanced bill, a bill which truly honors their memories.

How dare anyone try to capitalize on the heartbreaking events of September 11.

Shame on this Congress if this bill passes and shame on those who let politics get in the way of a solemn opportunity in order to honor the very innocent victims of September 11.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor both Center Point, Inc. and its President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sushma Taylor. The agency is commemorating 35 years of service to the people of California while celebrating Dr. Taylor's 25 years of visionary leadership with the agency.

Founded as a small rehabilitation program in Marin County, California, Center Point now offers a continuum of statewide services for high-risk families, adults, and youths. With 30 sites in California and over 12,000 clients per year, the staff provides a wide array of health, social, and rehabilitative services to combat poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and psychological and substance abuse problems. Sushma Taylor's dedication has been the driving force behind the creation of this expansive and successful agency we see today.

Center Point's mission is to provide a range of affordable support services by offering education, training, health care, and counseling support so that those they serve can claim self-worth and dignity. Dr. Taylor's values and experience have been an ideal match for this mission.

Throughout her career, Sushma's primary focus has been to create opportunities and remove barriers for high-risk clients. She has long been a champion of those requiring social rehabilitation to improve their quality of life and their personal and social responsibility,

Sushma's father was an ambassador for the government of India, where she was born. The family relocated frequently, giving her a multi- cultural and multi-lingual orientation. She moved to Marin County in 1974. With a Master's Degree in Public Administration, and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and as a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, she had the background to serve as Director of Marin and Sonoma County's Treatment Alternative to Street Crime projects in coordination with each county's mental health department. She worked to develop a unique justice diversion project that was replicated nationally.

In 1981, Sushma became Executive Director of Center Point. Today the agency's clients receive a continuum of individualized services created by Sushma and funded through grants and contracts that she has successfully pursued. Graduates of the treatment programs move on to transitional housing and continuing care services as they prepare to successfully reintegrate into the community.

Sushma has also expanded Center Point programs to the state of Oklahoma has established them in California state prisons, dramatically reducing crime and recidivism. She is one of the foremost authorities in the nation on treatment for women and provides consultation around the world. She also works closely with local state, and federal agencies to form policies that advance the field of addiction treatment.

Mr. Speaker, Center Point's graduates are living proof of the achievement of their mission and of Dr. Sushma Taylor's belief that her true success is the successes of those she serves. Center Point believes that adversity can be overcome and the extraordinary achieved. And with Dr. Taylor's guidance, this has been demonstrated many times over. It is a pleasure to honor Dr. Taylor and Center Point on this memorable occasion.

Madam Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I spent part of yesterday commemorating the horrific attacks on our Nation 5 years ago. It was a day to reflect on the courage and compassion demonstrated on September 11, 2001, by police officers, firefighters, medical personnel, and ordinary citizens. It was also a day to remember those who could not be saved and to say a prayer for the families, especially the young children, who were left behind.

For the first few minutes of his prime time speech last night, the President covered all those things. But, unfortunately, he used the rest of his time exploiting a national day of mourning to justify the occupation of Iraq, a disastrous policy and a failure that has led to untold death and destruction and has been rejected by the American people. He has done this from almost the very moment those planes hit the towers. The President once again blurred the distinction between Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, even though it has been well established that one had nothing to do with the other.

Actually, the President must believe that the American people don't know the difference between the two men and the two countries. What an insult to the American people.

The fact is, we never finished the job in Afghanistan. Bin Laden remains on the run, even though we had him surrounded in Tora Bora nearly 5 years ago. Far from some paragon of freedom, much of Afghanistan is still dominated by Taliban rebels and warlords, with the opium trade remaining the country's dominant economic force.

From 9/11 on, the President has used his status as a wartime Commander in Chief to justify just about anything he wanted to do, without any oversight or accountability from the Republican-controlled Congress, running rough-shod over the Constitution, wiretapping American citizens without a warrant and setting up secret gulags around the world.

9/11 cried out for genuine leadership, for a unifying figure who could comfort the Nation while acting intelligently, rather than impulsively, in the face of a new security threat.

To this day, however, the President uses 9/11 as a talking point to make a dishonest argument. Time and time again, he has made the decision to choose partisanship over statesmanship, taking every single opportunity to fracture national unity for a short-term political gain.

Worst of all, the President put Afghanistan aside and became sidetracked by his white whale in Iraq, using deception, spin and misinformation to push the Nation into an ill-fated war.

Fast forward a few years and look at the mess we are in: nearly 2,700 American soldiers are dead, and over 20,000 wounded; the occupation is costing our Nation dearly and our children and grandchildren will get stuck with the bill, a bill which is projected to top $1 trillion.

And what have we gotten for our sacrifice? Well, we are now a global pariah, viewed with suspicion by even our closest allies, and despised as never before by our enemies. And we have more enemies. This policy has inspired more jihadists and more anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world. Instead of bringing hope to Iraq, we have ripped it apart at the seams. We lit the match that has engulfed Iraq in a bloody civil war, where thugs and vigilantes control the streets. At least 40,000 Iraqi civilians, and possibly many, many more, have been killed for the cause of their so-called liberation.

Our soldiers are not to blame. They do their jobs, and they do their jobs with honor and with valor. They do their jobs, despite being sent on an impossible mission under false pretenses without the proper training or equipment.

Madam Speaker, it is time to return these young people to their families where they belong. It is time, long past time, that we bring our troops home.