Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for debate on the Spending Control Act (H.R. 4663), rollcall vote 305, an amendment by Brady (TX); rollcall vote 306, an amendment by Chocola; rollcall vote 307, an amendment by Castle; and rollcall vote 308, an amendment by Hensarling; rollcall vote 309, an amendment by Hensarling; rollcall vote 310, an amendment by Kirk; rollcall vote 311, an amendment by Ryan; rollcall vote 312, an amendment by Ryan; rollcall vote 313, an amendment by Ryan; rollcall vote 314, an amendment by Spratt; rollcall vote 315, an amendment by Hensarling; rollcall vote 316, an amendment by Kirk; rollcall vote 317, a motion to recommit with instructions; and rollcall vote 318, final passage.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall votes 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 315, 316, and 318. I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall votes 314 and 317.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for debate on the Energy and Water Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2005 (H.R. 4614), rollcall vote 320, a vote on the Previous Question; rollcall vote 321, an amendment by Sanders; rollcall vote 322, an amendment by Wilson (NM); rollcall vote 323, an amendment by Meehan; rollcall vote 324, an amendment by Hefley; rollcall vote 325, final passage for H.R. 4614. Additionally, I was not present for rollcall vote 326, Recognizing the Marshall Islands (H. Con. Res. 410); and rollcall vote 327, Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry Colmery (H. Con. Res. 257).

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall votes 320, 324, 325, 326, and 327. I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall votes 321, 322, and 323.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Goss) for yielding me this time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Intelligence Authorization Act for the next fiscal year. Yes, we are at war. We are at war and a different kind of war than we have seen before. We are at war with an enemy who has no identity, who has no uniform and has no country. And I agree with the statement that was made earlier. I see no end in sight for this war. But, Mr. Chairman, I also see no end to the funding in sight for the intelligence community who does such a good job of providing us with valuable information.

The President said it right at the podium there just past February when he said we are a Nation of many responsibilities, but the primary responsibility of this country and this government is the safety of the American people. We are discussing the authorization for funding, funding that was passed yesterday in the defense appropriation bill. We disagree on the funding levels, yes. We also disagree on whether or not we should create a new bureaucracy, a new level of bureaucracy to head up what I call a super spy organization for the intelligence community.

But as we move forward with the changes that are being made today over at the CIA with the retirement of Director George Tenet, we need to also keep in sight those who are doing the job and make sure that they have the funds and the funds that would be available under this authorization to perform their duties.

We will debate the differences, the differences we have based on the different political parties, the different philosophy, and then we will vote on those differences later on in this process, but I urge those on both sides of the aisle that when it comes to the final passage of this authorization, we should all vote yes. We should vote to support those who are in harm's way gathering information so that we will have the correct information, as best as possible, to fight the war on terrorism and protect the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote 279, Previous Question on the Rule; rollcall vote 280, Adoption of the Rule for Defense Appropriations (H. Res. 683); rollcall vote 281, Honoring Ray Charles (H. Con. Res. 449); and rollcall vote 282, Recognizing Blues Music (H. Con. Res. 13).

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall votes 279, 280, 281, and 282.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote 276, Expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives for the contributions made by America's community banks and the sense of the House of Representatives that a month should be designated as ``Community Banking Month'' (H. Res. 591); rollcall vote 277, Helping Hands for Homeownership Act (H.R. 4363); rollcall vote 278, Congratulating Randy Johnson on his perfect game (H. Res. 660).

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall votes 276, 277 and 278.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 18, 2004, I was not present for the following rollcall votes during debate on the Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 4567).

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall votes, 270--the Tancredo amendment and 275--Final Passage of H.R. 4567.

I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall votes 267--the Jackson-Lee Amendment, 268--the DeLauro Amendment, 269--the Roybal-Allard Amendment, 271--the Maloney Amendment, 272--the Sabo Amendment, 273-- the Markey Amendment and 274--the Velazquez Amendment.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, is it not true that one of the reasons that the quota has gone down in recent years is because of the imported tobacco that has come in and the quota is based on domestic amount?

Is that not what is hurting? It is time to end this program. These are small farmers who need help, who are in debt; and the purpose of this program is to buy a quota from the government.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote 236, a vote on the previous question on H. Res. 671; rollcall vote 237, H. Res. 671 a rule to provide for consideration of the Energy Policy Act (H.R. 4503) and the United States Refinery Revitalization Act (H.R. 4517); rollcall vote 238, a vote on the previous question; rollcall vote 239, H. Res. 672 a rule providing for the consideration of Environmental Review for Renewable Energy Project (H.R. 4513) and Arctic Coastal Plain and Surface Mining Improvement Act (H.R. 4529); rollcall vote 240, a motion to recommit the Energy Policy Act (H.R. 4503); rollcall vote 241, final passage of the Energy Policy Act (H.R. 4503) and rollcall vote 242, final passage of Renewable Energy Project Siting Improvement (H.R. 4513).

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall votes 236, 237, 238, 239, 241, and 242. I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall vote 240.

Mr. Speaker, today, I pay tribute to a great American, our 40th ' President, Ronald Reagan.

Under Ronald Reagan's presidency and leadership, America stood tall again in the world as a ``shining city on the hill.'' Americans were proud once again to be Americans.

Ronald Reagan assumed the presidency when America was facing an Iranian hostage crisis, a rising inflation rate, increasing unemployment, and an energy crisis that saw Americans waiting in lines to purchase gasoline.

Upon assuming the presidency, Ronald Reagan proposed a bold economic and defense program. His economic policy created the longest peacetime job expansion in history. Under his leadership, our defenses were rebuilt to handle any adversary. It was his leadership that saw America triumph as the communist evil empire that scarred Europe fell.

President Reagan fought for his convictions and followed up his campaign promises with successful action. Under his leadership, government bureaucracy and regulations were reduced. Taxes were lowered and a strong national defense was rebuilt to fight against the spread of communism. These moves won him a landslide re-election victory.

I agree with the words of this great President when he said, ``government is not the solution. Government is the problem.''

I also agree with President Reagan's words at the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston, TX, when he said:

A lot of liberal democrats are saying it's time for a

change; and they're right; the only trouble is they're

pointing to the wrong end of Pennsylvania Avenue. What we

should change is a Democratic Congress that wastes precious

time on partisan matters of absolutely no relevance to the

needs of the average American. It's time to clean house.

Clean out the privileges and perks. Clean out the arrogance

and the big egos. Clean out the scandals, the corner-cutting

and the foot-dragging.

Ronald Reagan was a president who, in a time of politicians, proved himself a statesman. He was a leader who, when others demanded compromise, preached conviction; a gentleman who, in time of average men, stood taller than anyone else.

He ranks as one of the finest men ever to hold the office. He was successful as a radio broadcaster, actor, union leader, Governor and President. But, above all else, he was a successful American whose legacy lives on in these halls and across this land. May God bless this great man, his family and this land that he so dearly loved.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote No. 229, expressing the profound regret and sorrow of the House of Representatives on the death of Ronald Wilson Reagan, former President of the United States of America (H. Res. 663); and rollcall vote No. 230, a vote on the Journal. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall vote Nos. 229 and 230.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote 227, on Motion to Instruct Conferees on Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (H.R. 3550); rollcall vote 228, condemning the crackdown on democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in the People's Republic of China on the 15th anniversary of that tragic massacre (H. Res. 655).

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall votes 227 and 228.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to state my strong support of H.R. 4109, the Simple Tax for Seniors Act of 2004, which would require the Internal Revenue Service to offer a simplified tax form for America's senior citizens.

I commend my Georgia colleague, Congressman Max Burns, for introducing this legislation. This common sense legislation would create a new form entitled ``1040-S'' that would enable seniors to file their tax returns in less time and in a simpler format. The new form, which would be similar to the 1040EZ, would be available to seniors for their use when they file their 2005 income tax returns.

Under current law, many seniors cannot use Forms 1040A or 1040EZ, because the IRS limits their use to individuals with less than $50,000 in taxable income.

The bill instructs the IRS to make the form available in spite of the receipt of Social Security benefits, interest or dividends, capital gains or losses, or distributions from a qualified retirement plan, annuity, or other deferred payment arrangement. The IRS is also instructed not to establish an income threshold on the form so that seniors with incomes in excess of $50,000 will be permitted to use the simplified form.

I urge all my colleagues to lend a helping hand to America's senior citizens and vote in favor of the Simple Tax for Seniors Act of 2004.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote 210, Congratulating and saluting Focus: HOPE; rollcall vote 211, Recognizing and honoring the firefighters, police, public servants, civilians, and private businesses responding to the Richmond fire on March 26; rollcall vote 212, Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall votes 210, 211 and 212.

Mr. Speaker, throughout the history of the United States, men and women have paid the ultimate price for freedom.

Memorial Day is a day dedicated to the remembrance of those who gave their life in the name of freedom.

The U.S. House of Representatives has assembled in the Capitol to pay special tribute to those who have lost their life in the war against terrorism. Henceforth, the battle has been in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I salute those from Georgia who have died on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan:

U.S. Army Specialist Jamaal R. Addison of Roswell.

U.S. Army Private First Class Diego Fernando Rincon of Conyers.

U.S. Army Private First Class Michael Russell Creighton Weldon of Conyers.

U.S. Army Captain Edward J. Korn of Savannah.

U.S. Army Specialist David T. Nutt of Blackshear.

U.S. Army Specialist John K. Klinesmith of Stockbridge.

U.S. Army Sgt. Michael T. Crockett of Soperton.

U.S. Army Sgt. Nathaniel Hart Jr. of Valdosta.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bobby C. Franklin of Mineral Bluff.

U.S. Army Private Benjamin L. Freeman of Valdosta.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Jerry L. Wilson of Thomson.

U.S. Army Specialist Marshall Edgerton of Rocky Face.

U.S. Army Specialist Christopher J. Holland of Brunswick.

U.S. Army Specialist Nathaniel H. Johnson of Augusta.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ricky L. Crockett of Broxton.

U.S. Army Sgt. William J. Normandy of Augusta.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Thomas R. Thigpen, Sr. of Augusta.

U.S. Army Specialist William R. Strange of Adrian.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Antoine J. Holt of Kennesaw.

U.S. Army Private First Class Marquis A. Whitaker of Columbus.

U.S. Army Specialist Justin W. Johnson of Rome.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to state my strong opposition to the Davis Amendment to H.R. 4200, which would allow abortions to be performed at our overseas military hospitals.

Throughout my years in Congress, I have consistently opposed efforts to allow abortions to take place in taxpayer funded military hospitals, and a majority in Congress has consistently opposed these efforts as well. The Davis amendment would repeal the current ban on abortions in our military hospitals, which was signed into law in 1996, and would seek to turn our military medical facilities into abortion clinics. If the Davis amendment is adopted, not only could taxpayer funded facilities be used to support abortion on demand, but resources could be used to search for, hire, and transport new personnel simply so that abortions could be performed. These facilities which are dedicated to the save the lives of the men and women in our Armed Forces should not be used to take the lives of innocent, unborn children.

I urge all of my colleagues in the House to vote to support life and to oppose the Davis amendment.