Floor Statements

Offered By: Ms. Bordallo

Amendment No. 7: In section 8071, strike ``the District of

Columbia, within the District of Columbia,'' and insert ``the

District of Columbia or any United States territory, within

the District of Columbia or that territory,''.

Offered By: Ms. Bordallo

Amendment No. 22: Page 11, line 8, after the dollar amount,

insert ``(reduced by $600,000)''.

Page 12, line 15, after the semicolon, insert the

following: ``for distance education grants for insular areas

under section 1490 of the National Agricultural Research,

Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3362),

$800,000;''.

Page 12, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert

``(reduced by $200,000)''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 23, the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2007, which is a bill to amend title 46, United States Code, to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States Merchant Marine, including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service during World War II.

United States Merchant Mariners served as a crucial component of America's seapower force during World War II. Merchant Mariners were responsible for transporting armies and equipment behind enemy lines. Merchant Mariners helped transport not only troops, but also delivered ammunition, provisions, tanks, airplanes, fuel, and other wartime materiel into theater. Their significant contributions were critical in providing logistical support to the United States Armed Forces and that support helped our Armed Forces and allies achieve victory in the war in both the Pacific and European theaters.

Over 243,000 Merchant Mariners served during the Second World War. These brave individuals endured the elements and constant threats from enemy submarines, mines, armed raiders, destroyers, and aircrafts. An estimated 9,300 Merchant Mariners lost their lives during the Second World War. The Merchant Mariner casualty rate was the highest percentage of war-related deaths when compared to each of the military services.

Unlike other military servicemembers, Merchant Mariners were not offered similar opportunities to participate in the G.I. Bill of 1945. H.R. 23 will provide long-awaited parity for these selfless individuals. It is unfortunate that after 60 years these Merchant Mariners have not been provided access to a benefit they deserve. In the spirit of fairness and equity, and in keeping with this Congress's recent and previous actions of providing long-awaited and most deserving recognition to forgotten groups of Americans who served and sacrificed during World War II, I urge passage of H.R. 23.

Today, the United States Merchant Marine continues its tradition of providing an essential component to our national security as the ``fourth arm of defense.'' Our merchant ships bear the brunt of delivering military supplies overseas to our forces and allies. The stark lessons of 20th century conflict prove that a strong Merchant Marine is an essential part of American seapower.

It is time that we thank these brave men and women whose efforts contributed greatly to the success of the United States during the Second World War. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 23, which is sponsored by our colleague from California, Mr. Filner, the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 27) supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Purple Heart Recognition Day,'' as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

I rise today in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 27, which calls upon this Nation to take one day per year to honor those brave warriors whose tremendous dedication and self-sacrifice have earned them the Purple Heart.

As noted earlier today, the Purple Heart is awarded by a grateful Nation to those brave soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who have been wounded in battle while protecting their fellow citizens from enemies of the United States.

Established in 1792 during the Revolutionary War as the Badge of Military Merit, this sacred metal was revived in 1932, 200 years after the birth of George Washington. To date, there have been over 1.5 million recipients of the Purple Heart. This number gives me pause. Over 1.5 million Americans have been wounded, injured, and some have even given their lives so that we might stand here today as the oldest democracy in the world. Their families have endured hardship; their children have had to deal with fear and uncertainty that their brave and heroic father or mother may not return from keeping them safe.

I cannot help but feel that we, as beneficiaries of this sacrifice, owe these brave men and women time to reflect on the price of our freedom. We should stand shoulder to shoulder with the military families of this great Nation to recognize our military going into harm's way, to pray for their safe return, and when that fateful moment comes, to honor the bravery and the courage of warriors who did not blink in the face of danger, but who sacrificed for the democratic ideals that we cherish.

That is why a resolution supporting a national day to commemorate our brave men and women who have so valiantly earned the Purple Heart has been brought to the floor of Congress today.

I want to take this moment to recognize our colleagues in the other body, the gentlewoman from New York, the honorable Mrs. Clinton, and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Hagel) for their sponsorship of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hall).

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 49) recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and commending recipients of the Purple Heart for their courageous demonstrations of gallantry and heroism on behalf of the United States, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 49, introduced by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones), my good friend and colleague on the House Armed Services Committee.

This resolution honors the men and women in the Armed Forces who have demonstrated selfless and heroic acts on the field of battle. They are recipients of the Purple Heart. I am also proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution that so rightly honors those in uniform who sacrifice so much for our country.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of a medal awarded to soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors who have been wounded or killed by an enemy in combat. To date, over 1.5 million members of the Armed Forces have been awarded the Purple Heart, or its predecessor, the Badge of Military Merit, in conflicts spanning from the Civil War to the present-day Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war on terrorism.

The Purple Heart was revived in 1932 on the 200th anniversary of President George Washington's birth. Originally awarded only to Army soldiers in 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt extended the honor to all military services. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy extended the honor to civilians working alongside the military in the time of war.

The Purple Heart is recognized as the oldest military honor in the United States that is still in use and the first to be given to any soldier who is wounded or killed by an enemy of the United States.

Faced with situations from which most people would shrink, our Nation's warriors have gone boldly into battle and met democracy's enemies with a fierce commitment to protect those liberties that allow all of us to stand here today. They recognized the truth so often overlooked by their fellow citizens: a free Nation requires constant protection and constant protectors.

Even in our modern age, complete with all the technology that human intellect can muster, our men and women in the Armed Forces continue to prove that it is selfless and patriotic citizens that must ultimately stand tall to protect our great Nation.

Formed in 1932, the Military Order of the Purple Heart has the solemn obligation and duty to foster an environment of goodwill among combat- wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives, and, most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families. It fulfills this mission through community and volunteer efforts and by employing low-income combat veterans. Their sacrifice and dedication to this country are a testament to the quality of individuals who volunteer to serve our Nation in uniform.

So it is important that we honor this sacrifice by congratulating the Military Order of the Purple Heart on its 75th anniversary, commend all recipients of the Purple Heart for their courage and sacrifice on behalf of the United States, and encourage all Americans to take time to learn about the Purple Heart and the honor, the courage, and the bravery it symbolizes.

I would also like to note that the Guam Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart has been a tremendous community leader for all veterans on Guam. Their voice is heard through representation on the Guam Veterans Advisory Council. Our Guam chapter is also accredited to provide assistance to veterans who are applying for VA benefits. The group has been a critical partner for our Nation's most deserving, and we know that the Military Order of the Purple Heart has stood just as strong in communities across the Nation.

At this time, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Jones, the sponsor, for his leadership in this cause.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 568) honoring and expressing gratitude to the 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry (``Ironman Battalion'') of the Iowa National Guard.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 568, introduced by my colleague from Iowa, Mr. Braley, which recognizes the bravery and the tremendous self-sacrifice of the 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard.

Beginning in September of 2005, this ``Ironman Battalion'' was mobilized for active duty, and by April 2006, 490 members were deployed to al-Anbar Province to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since deploying as part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division, this Iowa battalion has completed the longest continuous deployment of any Army National Guard unit during the Iraqi war, and is the longest deployed Iowa Guard unit since the Second World War.

They have completed over 500 missions and logged over 4 million mission miles, delivering over one-third of the fuel needed to sustain coalition forces in Iraq.

While performing operations in Anbar, this battalion dutifully detained over 60 insurgents, and they remained steadfast and strong when their tour was extended at a time when this country needed their leadership.

On September 30, 2006, Sergeant First Class Scott E. Nisely and Sergeant Kampha B. Sourivong paid the ultimate sacrifice and courageously laid down their lives for this Nation. It is a solemn and sad occasion when this country's sons and daughters give so much, and often words are insufficient to describe the humble gratitude and dignified thanks that we owe these brave soldiers and their families. In times of war, Madam Speaker, it is important that this Nation, this House, halt for a brief moment and speak with actions what words cannot articulate.

I am honored to rise today on the floor of this House to express the thanks of a grateful Nation to the members and the families of the 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard upon their return home from their deployment in Iraq.

The story of Iowa's 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry is even more remarkable because their extended tour of duty in Iraq was a crucial component of the surge policy. This battalion made a great sacrifice that has impacted their family lives and their jobs. However, their unfaltering willingness to serve an extended tour allowed the National Guard to reset the force and begin the process of serving in more predictable deployment cycles. They not only sacrificed for our freedom, but for the betterment of their fellow guardsmen across the Nation.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the men and women of the Iowa National Guard, including MG Ron Dardis, Iowa's Adjutant General. Today this House joins the Iowa delegation in bringing this deserving recognition of their National Guard. We want to commend Mr. Braley for his leadership in support of the National Guard.

Today's resolution again highlights the important role that the National Guard continues to fulfill through wartime requirements. Indeed, the National Guard is now an operational force that can simultaneously provide wartime capabilities while protecting the homeland. And to achieve this mission, it has taken the participation and support of every State and territory National Guard. All of us are very proud of our National Guard units, and I am very proud of the contributions of

the Guam National Guard to missions abroad and in the homeland. Today we recognize a National Guard battalion who has sacrificed above and beyond the normal call of duty and expectations placed upon them.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell).

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, but I do thank Mr. Jones for managing the resolutions this evening, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Offered By: Ms. Bordallo

Amendment No. 22: Page 11, line 8, after the dollar amount,

insert ``(reduced by $600,000)''.

Page 12, line 15, after the semicolon, insert the

following: ``for distance education grants for insular areas

under section 1490 of the National Agricultural Research,

Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3362),

$800,000;''.

Page 12, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert

``(reduced by $200,000)''.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act, because I recognize its value to rural America and the promise it brings for renewing our national commitment to agriculture, nutritional research and food safety, and alternative energy and conservation.

I recognize that this legislation has been carefully crafted by a committee chaired by our highly respected colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Peterson. I commend him for his leadership. This legislation sets Federal farm policy and will be the basis for agricultural governance over the next 5 years. Importantly, it takes into account in several respects, the needs and priorities of farmers and ranchers residing in the territories.

The bill earns my support because it provides a reliable safety net for commodity crops, buttresses, in many respects, core conservation programs, and will now strengthen important domestic and international food nutrition programs.

Within this bill is a renewed and increased commitment to specialty crops. Specialty crops are important to the farmers and ranchers and consumers in the territories. Mr. Chairman, in the territories, we live and share the experiences of everyday life in rural America. We have much in common with our fellow Americans living and working in the small States and in the heartland of the U.S. mainland. We are economically challenged and strong Federal-local partnerships are the backbone of our ability to grow and diversify our economies.

Conservation in the islands is achieved through such partnerships. This bill presents a means through which such partnerships can be continued and strengthened. Historically, the Government of Guam has sought and utilized loans and programs under the Rural Development umbrella of the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, to build its public works and infrastructure. Our utilities have largely and historically been constructed with Rural Development support. The continuation of authority for the range of Rural Development programs administered by USDA through Title VI of H.R. 2419 is one reason why I lend my support to this bill. These programs will be relied upon as a means to help our community of Guam meet additional and projected needs associated with the rebasing of Marines from Okinawa to Guam and realignment of defense forces in the Pacific Rim.

The bill carries other provisions of unique interest to me and to my colleagues from the territories. In particular, I am grateful for the accommodations made and the support received from Chairman Peterson and the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Goodlatte, for two specific provisions.

First, now within the research title of the bill, as a result of the amendment I sponsored with the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, Mrs. Christensen, the gentleman from American Samoa, Mr. Faleomavaega, and the gentleman from Puerto Rico, Mr. Fortuno, that was packaged into the en bloc amendment offered by Chairman Peterson, USDA will have authority to award grants to the land grant institutions in the territories for facilities improvements, construction, and equipment acquisition and repair.

Congress designated the University of Guam and the University of the Virgin Islands as land grant institutions by an Act passed in 1972. That Act was amended by Congress in 1980 to designate American Samoa Community College, the Northern Marianas College, and the College of Micronesia, as land grant institutions.

The land grants colleges and universities in the territories are a unique set of institutions with special needs and challenges within the national land grant college and university family. Our institutions are known informally as the 1972 community, and like the 1890 and 1994 communities, are an underserved set of institutions that USDA has authority to support in key areas.

The new authority under this bill for a grants program in support of facilities improvements and equipment acquisition will strengthen the institutional capacity at the land grant institutions in the territories to sponsor research and execute extension activities of national value. This is a $40 million authorization across 5 years. We have requested that this authority be included within the bill to complement USDA resources to support research and extension and instruction capacity building in the territories. Our land grant institutions are vital to our success in the islands--economically,

agriculturally, scientifically, and environmentally. Our institutions have limited resources, but these institutions and the territorial governments meet the matching requirements under the Hatch Act each year because these programs are so important to our communities.

The bill also extends the authorization for two grants programs authorized by the 2002 farm bill. These are the resident instruction and distance education grants programs for the territories.

Second, is an amendment that we proposed and that was placed into the bill to amend the definition of ``State'' in the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to include American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands of the United States, as eligible recipients of block grant funding that stands to be reauthorized by this bill. The inclusion of this provision is a significant victory for the territories. I am grateful for the support received from the gentleman from California, Mr. Cardoza, for its inclusion in the bill.

Our farmers have invested in harvesting many traditional and tropical fruits, nuts, and horticultural specialties. Avocados, bananas, beans, betel nuts, breadfruits, coconuts, cucumbers, grapefruit, guavas, limes and lemons, mangoes, oranges, papayas, peppers, pineapples, squash, sweetsops, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelons, are, for example, several of the specialty crops harvested in the territories whose market competitiveness stands to be improved now as a result of this bill.

The inclusion of the territories in this block grant funding will help our local Departments of Agriculture increase the capacity of our farmers to competitively farm and sell specialty crops. On Guam alone, the market value of specialty crops sold was estimated in 2002 by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) at $3.4 million. We hope this new funding will result in increased production of fresh vegetables and local fruits and make Guam's market prices competitive.

It is for these reasons, and others, that I support H.R. 2419. As the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, I recognize the value the bill presents for conservation. I support it because of its conservation provisions. I look forward to working with the leadership to protect the provisions important to the territories and to national conservation by the conference committee.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I offer this amendment for the purpose of ensuring that not less than $500,000 is expended by NOAA in 2008 for Western Pacific Fishery Demonstration Projects.

This amendment would effectively ensure that such funding is provided for this program. The Western Pacific Fishery Demonstration Projects program was authorized by the 104th Congress through the passage of an act that reauthorized the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This is a program that was funded at the level this amendment proposes each year from 1999 to 2005. However, unfortunately, this program has not been funded in the past 2 years.

Valuable and economically innovative projects have been demonstrated and explored in the past through this program. It is important to the communities represented by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, which includes my home district of Guam, for this program to be funded.

This is a competitive program, and project proposals are reviewed against criteria established by NOAA. The program's chief purpose is to protect and promote traditional fishing practices in the American Pacific basin.

Development of sustainable fisheries in the islands is important to their economic diversification, growth and preservation of traditional cultural practices.

On Guam, for example, a proposal deemed to have merit awaits funding. Our fishermen and -women need continued support to demonstrate and establish a deep-set longline fishery. Funding this program is the key to ensuring that such a meritorious project can be pursued in a Federal-local partnership.

I am grateful for the opportunity to offer this amendment, and I want to thank the distinguished gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) and our colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen) at this time for their able leadership in bringing this bill to the floor, and also as Chair of the Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans Subcommittee, I also want to acknowledge the full committee Chair, Mr. Obey, here on the floor for his work and leadership on behalf of Members of this body, and I also would like to recognize Mr. Lewis, the ranking member.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2400, the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act, which I introduced on May 21, 2007, and which the Committee on Natural Resources ordered to be favorably reported to the House on June 28, 2007.

The surveying and mapping of our coasts and oceans is one of the oldest functions of the Federal Government. In 1807, Thomas Jefferson signed into law an act requiring the President ``to cause a survey to be taken of the coast of the United States . . . together with such other matters as he may deem proper for completing an accurate chart of every part of the coasts.'' Ever since the enactment of that law, the mapping and charting of our coasts and marine waters, including the Great Lakes, continues to be an activity of great national importance.

In 2004 the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy released a report at the request of the President recommending actions needed to improve ocean policy in the United States. Among the suggestions made by the commission was a recommendation that existing Federal mapping activities be consolidated and coordinated, and that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, lead this effort.

At the same time, the National Research Council, NRC, completed a study identifying the most pressing national needs for coastal mapping and charting. This study, requested by three of the primary agencies involved in ocean and coastal surveying, identified the same need for coordination. The NRC findings included a need for a consistent spatial framework, increased access to geospatial data and mapping products, and increased inter- and intra-agency communication, cooperation, and coordination.

Learning of these recommendations, I introduced H.R. 2400 along with my colleague from South Carolina, the ranking Republican Member of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, Congressman Henry Brown, to coordinate and strengthen the efforts of Federal agencies to map our oceans and coasts.

The coordination required by this legislation will result in increased efficiency, eliminate redundant mapping efforts, and allow data collected by one agency to be used multiple times by other agencies and stakeholders for myriad purposes.

Passage of this legislation will fulfill an important recommendation of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and result in immediate benefits for national security, maritime commerce, navigation, and marine resource, management and scientific research.

For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I ask members on both sides to support passage of this non-controversial bill.

Offered By: Ms. Bordallo

Amendment No. 17: Page 11, line 19, after the dollar amount

insert ``(reduced by $500,000) (increased by $500,000)''.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Antonio Manibusan Palomo for a lifetime of service to our community, and for his efforts to preserve Guam's history and culture. Mr. Palomo, a prolific writer and long-time reporter for Guam media, and a former Guam lawmaker, recently retired as the administrator of the Guam Museum on June 13, 2007.

Tony was born in 1931 in Hagatna, the eldest of the nine children of the late Vicente Gogo Palomo and Dolores Lydia Mendiola Manibusan. He attended Guam's prewar Padre Palomo and Agana Elementary Schools and graduated from George Washington High School. He also attended Belmont Abby Preparatory School in Belmont, North Carolina, and Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating from Marquette's College of Journalism in 1954. He worked full-time as a copy boy for the Milwaukee Sentinel while in school. Upon his return to Guam, Tony applied his skills as a proofreader, a general assignment reporter, a sports editor, and an assistant managing editor for the Guam Daily News, forerunner of the Pacific Daily News. He also served as a correspondent for the Associated Press and as a stringer for the Pacific Stars and Stripes.

During his long career as a journalist, Tony served as editor of the Pacific Journal, a daily newspaper; as publisher-editor of Pacific Profile, a monthly magazine; and editor of the Pacifican, a weekly newspaper.

He then served as a special assistant to Guam's first elected Governor, Carlos G. Camacho, and as administrative director and records manager for the Eighth Guam Legislature before being elected to the legislature himself. Tony served in the 12th, 14th, and 15th Guam Legislatures. As a lawmaker, Tony chaired the legislature's Committee on Rules and the Committee on Territorial and Federal Affairs, which spearheaded the movement for a change in Guam's political status. He served as president of Guam's first Constitutional Convention in 1969 and was a member of Guam's first Commission on Self-Determination. He served briefly as general manager of the Guam Tourist Commission, predecessor of

the Guam Visitors Bureau, and as Guam's delegate to the South Pacific Conference in Noumea, New Caledonia, in 1969, and as adviser to the U.S. delegation to the South Pacific Commission.

In 1982, Tony served as special assistant to the assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior. He later served as desk officer for American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands and as DOl's field representative in Guam from 1986 until 1994. He also served as acting assistant secretary of the Interior for Territorial and International Affairs.

He served as chairman of Guam's Political Status Education Coordinating Commission, which produced and published the ``Haleta'' (``roots'') series of history textbooks for Guam's public schools. He is a member of the Chamorro Historic Society, the Guam Humanities Council, the Chamorro Heritage Institute Planning Group, the Manenggon Memorial Foundation, the Fena Memorial Committee, the Guam Preservation Trust, the Council on Cultural Tourism, and GVB's subcommittee on Community Development, and is the corporate secretary of the Latte of Freedom Foundation.

Tony still makes time to teach History of Guam courses at the University of Guam and the Guam Community College today. He continues his long membership in the Knights of Columbus, having served as grand knight, deputy grand knight, recorder, and trustee; as well as in the Young Men's League of Guam, for which he as held the positions of director, historian, and chairman of the Council of Elders. He is a past member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Rotary Club of Tumon, and served on the governor's Vision 2001 and Vision 2005 committees on Family Values and Education and Culture.

Mr. Antonio Manibusan Palomo's many contributions to the history, language and culture of Guam are significant, and today we commend him for his lifetime of service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act. Too many of our country's promising young men and women do not go to college because of the prohibitive cost of tuition. Many of those students who decide to attend institutions of higher education require loans to finance their education. A college education has always been expensive. But it is quickly becoming unaffordable for students and their families. Tuition rates at four- year colleges have increased by approximately 35 percent

over inflation during the last five years. The rising cost of tuition causes approximately 200,000 students annually to delay beginning college or forgoing the chance to study for a higher degree altogether. This disturbing trend must change. The adoption of H.R. 2669 will help make college as affordable as possible for every qualified student who would like to earn an advanced degree, without new costs to taxpayers.

H.R. 2669 would authorize an increase to the maximum value of the Pell Grant scholarship by $500 over the next five years. The legislation would also cut interest rates in half on need-based student loans, reducing the cost of those loans for millions of student borrowers. H.R. 2669, moreover, would prevent student borrowers from facing unmanageable levels of federal student debt. It does this by guaranteeing that borrowers will never have to spend more than 15 percent of their yearly discretionary income on loan repayments and by allowing borrowers in economic hardship to have their loans forgiven after 20 years.

H.R. 2669 also promotes the development of the next generation of high-quality teachers and public servants. It does this by authorizing tuition assistance for excellent undergraduate students who agree to teach in public schools and authorizing loan forgiveness for college graduates that enter public service professions.

Of particular importance to my constituents is the Upward Bound program which seeks to increase high school completion, college participation, and graduation rates among low-income and first- generation college students. H.R. 2669 would provide $228 million in funding over four years for Upward Bound, restoring critical funding for programs that were not funded in fiscal year 2007, as well as fund over 100 new programs. Students from minority communities--including the Asian and Pacific Islander American community--make up nearly 50 percent of all Upward Bound participants.

What is more, this legislation would make significant and needed investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and other minority serving institutions. I commend my colleague from California (Mr. Miller) for his commitment to assisting the minority serving institutions. I do, however, have two concerns with respect to this aspect of H.R. 2669. I respectfully request that they be favorably considered as this legislation proceeds through the legislative process.

First, section 311 of H.R. 2669 establishes categories of minority serving institutions that would be eligible to participate in a Centers of Excellence grant program that would provide funds to help recruit and prepare teachers. Institutions that traditionally serve Asian and Pacific Islander American students would benefit from eligibility for such grants. Unfortunately, the category Asian American and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution does not appear in the bill. I respectfully request that my colleagues support my efforts to make Asian American and Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions eligible for these grants.

Second, section 411 of H.R. 2669 establishes a College Access Challenge grant program for eligible students from underserved populations who enter and complete college. The term ``State'' is defined under this section as each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students who attend institutions of higher education in the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Freely Associated States (FAS)--the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau--would be prohibited from participating in this grant program as a result of the limited definition for the term ``State.'' I respectfully request that my colleagues support the efforts to expand the definition of the term ``State'' in this section of H.R. 2669 to include the U.S. territories and the Freely Associated States.

I support this bill. Its provisions will help ensure that many talented young Americans can afford the benefits of a college education. I urge my colleague to support H.R. 2669.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this renewed debate on the war in Iraq. Iraq is today's signature issue, and it is one of the most divisive and complex ones before this Congress. The choices we make regarding Iraq will establish a legacy for the United States that will define our policy toward the Middle East region for a generation or longer. For that reason, it is my hope that we, as an institution and, indeed, as a country can agree upon a policy that will best protect our national interests and those of our allies and supports those servicemembers and civiians--and their families--who so bravely serve our country today in Iraq and elsewhere around the world.

If enacted, H.R. 2956, the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act, the legislation before us today, would significantly change the direction of current operations in Iraq. Notably, this legislation would require the Secretary of Defense to commence the reduction of the number of United States Armed Forces personnel deployed in Iraq-- beginning as early as 120 days after enactment of this bill--to a more limited presence by April 1, 2008. Also notable, this legislation would require the President to submit to Congress a new comprehensive strategy that would guide future operations in Iraq and that would include specific plans for diplomatic initiatives to engage United States allies and others in the region to bring stability to Iraq.

This strategy, according to H.R. 2956, would be written to reflect an honest assessment of the United States' national security interests in Iraq and the broader Middle East region. The document would be written to include the diplomatic, political, economic, and military components of a comprehensive strategy to maintain and advance such interests as the Armed Forces are redeployed from Iraq. This bill takes into account the importance of protecting United States diplomatic personnel and

combating terrorism in Iraq in any redeployment strategy. The strategy would also include a justification of the minimum force levels required to protect United States national security interests in Iraq after April 1, 2008, based upon a description of the specific missions of the Armed Forces to be undertaken. Of those missions, the strategy would require an assessment of the extent to which military personnel would fulfill roles traditionally performed by diplomatic personnel.

H.R. 2956 will generate Significant debate. Withdrawal timelines and a date have been discussed during recent debate on this issue. Consensus on this aspect of this bill will remain hard to reach. But this bill helps advances our national discussion with respect to the war in Iraq by calling for a new comprehensive strategy. Such a comprehensive strategy is long overdue.

I introduced H.R. 744, the Iraq Policy Revitalization and Congressional Oversight Enhancement Act on January 31, 2007. H.R. 744 would help enhance congressional oversight of Operation Iraqi Freedom by requiring the President to transmit periodically to Congress a consolidated, comprehensive report that would detail the terms of completion for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The bill would also require the President to seek to enter into a multilateral agreement--based on that plan--to help provide for the completion of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am encouraged that the legislation before us today would require a similar plan be drafted by the President and communicated to Congress. Our soldiers and diplomats need a comprehensive, actionable plan that defines what it is that they need to accomplish in order to successfully complete their missions.

It is true the Government of Iraq must increasingly shoulder the burden of, and better fulfill its obligation to, govern from moderate positions, with uniformity, and with regard to the rule of law. But recent history tells us that we cannot rely on the Government of Iraq to govern in that manner. As H.R. 744 notes, the inability or unwillingness of the Government of Iraq to govern in moderate terms contributes to violence against United States servicemembers and Coalition forces, creates barriers to national reconciliation in Iraq, and impedes the expeditious completion of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the return of our servicemembers to their peacetime duty stations. The outcome of policies that are overly dependent upon a reportedly broken, corrupt, and sectarian government delivering on complicated policies, against great odds, and during a compressed period of time is uncertain. This fact underscores the importance of and the need for a new comprehensive strategy.

I believe that continued, honest and open exchange of views on the substance of what our country and our allies must achieve in Iraq in order to complete Operation Iraqi Freedom is needed. Finding an achievable, expeditious, and honorable way to complete Operation Iraqi Freedom should be a primary goal for all of us. We owe this to those who have sacrificed so much for this mission. But the situation in Iraq will not yield a solution easily. Nevertheless, we must endeavor to find one. In doing so we will be helping shape in the best way possible the legacy future generations of Americans will inherit and the one we will have to defend to history. The United States assumed a moral obligation to bring a minimum of order to Iraq when we, in a pre- emptive manner, attacked that county four years ago. History will judge us harshly if we act to abandon this obligation. The consideration of H.R. 2956 allows us an opportunity to formulate a national strategy that more effectively addresses the realities of Iraq.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Cpl Charles W. Lindberg (Retired). Corporal Lindberg is one of six United States Marine Corps servicemembers that climbed Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima and raised the American flag. At 10:20 a.m. on February 23, 1945, the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Regiment, 5th Marine Division were the first group of Americans during World War II to raise the American flag on Japanese soil. This momentous occasion demoralized the Japanese and signaled the beginning of the end of the war in the Pacific Theater.

According to several accounts, Corporal Lindberg along with about 40 other members of the 3rd Platoon climbed Mount Suribachi to secure the highest point on the island. Despite clear danger to life and limb, Corporal Lindberg, carrying a 72-pound flamethrower and his platoon captured Mount Suribachi, forcing many enemy combatants out from their entrenched positions in tunnels on the hill. After raising the flag, Corporal Lindberg and members of the platoon continued to fight Japanese forces to gain complete control of the strategic location. Nearly a week later, on March 1, 1945, Corporal Lindberg was shot in the stomach while fighting on other parts of the island. Corporal Lindberg received a Purple Heart for his injury and Silver Star Medal for valor for his heroism on Iwo Jima. He was a member of the elite Carlson's Raiders, a group of Marines that operated behind enemy lines, and was also a part of the Guadalcanal and Bougainville campaigns.

History was not always fair to the 3rd Platoon. History has immortalized the second raising of the U.S. flag rather than the first raising. The well-known photo taken by Associated Press Photographer Joe Rosenthal occurred nearly 4 hours after the initial raising of the U.S. flag and has been commemorated by the United States Marine Corps Memorial and is depicted in history books across the Nation. After his discharge from the United States Marines in January 1946, Corporal Lindberg returned to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and eventually Minneapolis, Minnesota. He began to raise awareness of the initial raising of the U.S. flag but was rebuffed time after time. Finally, in 1995 the United States Marines officially set the record straight and had Corporal Lindberg flown to a reunion of war veterans on Iwo Jima.

Corporal Lindberg's heroism in securing Mount Suribachi from Japanese forces symbolized the strength, perseverance and fortitude of American servicemembers during World War II. Raising the American flag demoralized the enemy and gave hope to the beleaguered Marines on the beach. The hope rallied the U.S. Marine forces to fully secure the island by March 26, 1945. The efforts of Corporal Lindberg are also similar to the efforts of other United States Armed Forces when they liberated Guam and the Mariana Islands in July 1944. Let us pause and honor another outstanding member of the Greatest

Generation and his contributions to our Nation's defense. His patriotism, bravery, and sacrifices for our country should never be forgotten.