Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I am not here to protect the industries in Mozambique. I am here to protect the people in Belle Glade, Florida. If the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings) were with us today, he would tell you the same thing. It is about jobs in this country. I appreciate all this ruckus being made on the floor about subsidies. There are no subsidies. Sugar is at the lowest price it has been in decades. When was the last time a candy bar reduced its price? When was the last time a Coca-Cola was sold cheaper in the machine? Has it happened? No. It has not happened. We are talking about trying to reintroduce an amendment that has been introduced for now 10 years, since I have been in this process.

They talk about wealthy growers, wealthy farmers. You come out to Belle Glade and see people that are farming sugar in my district, people that need jobs, people of all races and ethnicities, people that are working hard for a living supplying America's sugar needs. They are not on the dole. They are not on the take. They have not forfeited their sugar. They have not turned in their goods. They have not asked the government for special favors or money. They have worked hard and paid their taxes. But all of a sudden on the floor I am told I have got to help the people in Mozambique. Well, God bless America. I will help my people. You help Mozambique.

Mr. Speaker, at 3:48 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, May 22, an 8-year-old girl from my hometown of Lake Worth, Florida, was reported missing. She was thought to have been abducted by someone she knew and the Lake Worth Police Department quickly went into action.

In coordination with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, an Amber Alert was issued at 7:30 a.m. and an all-points bulletin, including off-duty police, were called in to respond. Under the leadership of Deputy Chief Patrick Hampshire, more than 100 officers from five agencies responded within an hour.

Sergeant Michael Hall was charged with searching for her at the city dump. Opening a large bin, Sergeant Hall found cement blocks, but on a second look he saw the faint shadow of a small hand. With the help of Corporal Robert Cresswell of the Palm Beach Sheriff's Department, Lieutenant Dave Matthews of the Lake Worth Police Department, Special Agent Mike Driscoll of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the searchers were able to get this young girl out from under these blocks and debris and save her life. SWAT Medic Earl Bakki gave her medical attention until she could get to the hospital.

Mr. Speaker, these are true heroes, working as a team and using the tools they had been provided to save this young, precious life. I want to commend Chief William Smith and the members of the Lake Worth Police Department for their swift, heroic response on Sunday, as well as the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department, Lantana Police Department, Boca Raton Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for aiding in the search for this young girl.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, let me support strongly this bill which supports our veterans who have served this country so incredibly well. We are a nation of freedom because of the hard work and sacrifice of veterans everywhere, and every day of my life I think of my father and others who have served this great country with distinction.

We are a free nation, and we are winning the battles because of the bravery of our active duty Reservists. But it is the veteran who has brought honor to the flag behind the Speaker's well, and it is the veteran who has made it possible for us to be the free and proud Nation we are.

Today, at 12:45, I will go to the Board of Veterans Appeals on a case that is vitally important to a person in my district, and that is Almon Scott. I have never personally gone to the Board of Appeals level for any veteran personally. My staff has worked tirelessly, Diana Robins in my district, fighting for veterans. But this is a unique case.

Almon Scott served this Nation during Vietnam. He was asked to guard a base where we believe there were potential radioactive materials. Almon Scott is dying now of cancer, a cancer largely linked with radioactive material.

Almon Scott has been shunted aside, if you will, by a system that suggests somehow his ailments are not related to his tour of duty. Unfortunately, he is not entitled to his records, they have been sealed, so Mr. Scott cannot even prove his case, which is why I have taken this extraordinary opportunity to testify on his behalf. He is in Stuart, Florida, today and cannot travel because of his illness. His illness is serious, and it is possibly close, from what I understand, to the end of his life.

What we are hoping to do today is to give Al Scott justice. We are hoping that they recognize his valiant efforts at service, and that the final measure of devotion to this Nation is, he did what he was told. Now they will not tell him what he was guarding.

Subsequent facts have indicated there may have been nuclear or other kinds of biological-type weaponry stored at the site he was requested to guard. At the end of his tour of duty he was told to go home and remain silent about what he did at that time. He honored that contract with America. Now I am hoping today, as I approach the Board of Veterans Appeal not as a lawyer, not as a Congressman, but as a fellow American, that Almon Scott's plea for justice will be heard, and that those hearing his appeal will look at his case specifically and recognize that the right thing to do for this veteran, this proud American, this Marine, is to stand by that same commitment he gave this Nation, that same devotion and that same dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I was stunned today when I picked up a copy of The Hill magazine and saw an article written by Hans Nichols, and the headline was ``Rubin Urges Democrats Not to Reveal Their Hand, Clinton Aide Tells Party to Hold Firm on Social Security.''

They go on to describe, ``The steward of President Clinton's economic policy told the House Democratic Caucus yesterday that it needs to continue to hold firm in opposition to the President's plan and advised Democrats not to introduce their own plan, according to aides and lawmakers in the meeting.''

It goes on to say, ``The aide said that Rubin told his party that his party's colleagues would be hard-pressed to win a battle of specifics.''

Hard-pressed to win a battle of specifics, this from the former Treasury Secretary, a man largely credited with building the international reputation of Goldman Sachs, which is all about specifics, tells the party, the Democrats, not to offer specifics.

And they say, ``Democratic lawmakers said that the encouragement from a Clinton administration figure would steel the Caucus in its resolve to defeat the President's plan.'' Steel the caucus to defeat a plan. Of course, they do not have one of their own.

Since they are using President Clinton as an example, his experts say, ``Do not offer a plan,'' let me read to you Morton Kondracke's editorial, ``Democrats Need Their Own Social Security Plan.''

``It is time for Democrats to declare what kind of Social Security reform they favor. Even former President Clinton thinks so. Yet the Democrats persist in attacking President Bush's ideas, often misleadingly.

President Clinton told ABC's ``Good Morning, America'' in an exchange curiously not broadcast, curiously not broadcast, `` `I think Democrats should say what they are for on Social Security in the next couple weeks. Democrats should have a plan and they should talk to the President and congressional Republicans about it.'

``According to ABC's political blog, The Note, Clinton said he didn't think Democrats deserved criticism for not producing a plan yet, but they still had time to produce one. He added, `I think they need to come up with a plan of their own.'

``One Member,'' the gentleman from Florida, Robert Wexler, whom I respect and admire, ``came up with a plan and he was largely booed by his colleagues.'' Largely booed. ``According to numerous aides, minority leader Pelosi's strategy is to wait until we see the whites of their eyes before offering a Democratic alternative. Democratic leadership aides were critical of Wexler's timing, saying it clashed with Pelosi's strategy of waiting until they see the whites of their eyes before offering a Democratic alternative.''

Wait until they see the whites of their eyes. Like this is a battle, like this is a combat mission. It is, after all, about saving Social Security for future generations, not about fighting an enemy force. Seeing the whites of their eyes has largely been equated to battle, to taking down the enemy. They are using those same kinds of conversations about American citizens trying to build a safety net in Social Security.

Lo and behold: ``Teamsters President Praises Bush's Social Security Work. Teamsters President James P. Hoffa, breaking his estrangement from the White House, praised President Bush on Tuesday for attempting to fix Social Security and said Democrats were wrong to oppose any discussion until Mr. Bush drops his personal retirement account plan.'' That is Jimmy Hoffa representing 1.4 million members of a union. And he said he was willing to work with the administration and the Republican majority in Congress to come up with a bipartisan solution.

I quote Mr. Hoffa: ``Social Security is a major problem in this country. We have to make sure that it is preserved for those that come after us,'' Mr. Hoffa said in an interview with Gannett News Service. ``I think President Bush should be given credit for the fact that he has initiated a debate regarding what we should do.''

Now let me read some quotes from Democrats who, when President Clinton had a plan, oh, they were enthusiastic. This refers to President Clinton: ``This fiscal crisis in Social Security affects every generation.''

Let us read Harry Reid, the minority leader of the Senate: ``Most of us have no problem with taking a small amount of the Social Security proceeds and putting it into the private sector.''

When asked by Tony Snow on Fox News, ``Are you opposed to letting people make the investment decisions? In other words, having some component where they say, I will save the money rather than letting Uncle Sam doing it for me?'' Senator Reid in 1999: ``I think it is important that we look, and I am totally in favor to do this. And, in fact, there are a couple of programs now that we are taking a look at to see if it works for Social Security.''

Now, I agree in my heart that there is opportunity for negotiations, but simply saying ``no'' by the Democrats is unacceptable to every senior and every future generation to follow.

Madam Speaker, as cochairman, along with the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Cramer) of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Childrens Caucus, I rise today in order to recognize National Missing Kids Day.

The numbers are stunning. Every day over 2,000 children go missing. Even though many are returned home, there are still many who remain missing to this day. If not for the efforts of the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children, signed into law by President Reagan in 1983, and thanks to the hard work of John and Reve Walsh, and many of our Nation's law enforcement and colleagues here in Congress, I am afraid many more parents would be mourning the loss of their children.

Despite our success in recent years in tracking down our missing kids, much more needs to be done. Over the years, we have heard the names: Jessica Lunsford, Jetseta Gage, Sarah Michelle Lunde, Megan Kanka, Jacob Wetterling, and Adam Walsh, all of them beautiful children carrying with them some hopes and dreams of every young child in this country. All of these children taken away from their parents and killed by sex offenders.

There are over 500,000 registered sex offenders in this country, and 150,000 of them are missing. Now we hear that Medicare may be giving them Viagra. How disgusting. How sad. How sick. We have to stop playing Russian roulette with our children.

Last week, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Cramer), my cochairman, and I, along with Senators Hatch and Biden, introduced the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act. I urge my colleagues in the House to work with the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) in passing this important bill.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 216, I inadvertently voted ``nay.'' I meant to vote ``aye.''

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Hunter

Mr. Speaker, to refute the comments of the previous speaker suggesting we are captives of special interests, that we are not doing the people's work, I will beg to differ.

I see a lot of progress here. But I also see a lot of name calling that I think is unfortunate and unnecessary. Pointing fingers, trying to catch each other in scandal does not bring honor to this House. So they can give their statements and they can give their quotes and they can make soundbytes, but the American public are worried about health insurance. They are worried about gas prices. They are worried about our soldiers in Iraq. They are worried about terrorism. And we should be working on that as Democrats and Republicans. But, instead, we sit here and make accusation, innuendo and create diatribe. We are much better than that.

We had an emergency evacuation today. We are on pins and needles based on the real terrorist threat that exists, and we are just becoming name callers.

So I urge all of us, both sides, to take a moment, pause and honestly focus on the people's business, not on trying to score cheap political points.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and commend the heroism and valor of the United States Navy's Carrier Air Group 83. During World War II, Navy Carrier Air Group 83 was responsible for the identification of, and subsequent successful attacks on, the Japanese midget submarine base on an island off Okinawa before the invasion by Allied forces in April 1945. Carrier Air Group 83 also attacked and contributed to the sinking of the Japanese battleship yamato in April 1945.

Carrier Air Group 83 was specifically commended by the commander of the United States Tenth Army for close air support strikes in support of operations on Okinawa in April 1945, and continued to perform those missions in an exemplary manner through May 1945. In addition, Air Group 83 engaged in attacks against the Kure naval facility and the Japanese battleship nagato in July 1945.

Carrier Air Group 83 is credited with the destruction of over 220 Japanese aircraft in aerial combat and over 75 aircraft on the ground during the months of March to August 1945, a critical contribution to Allied victory over the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater during World War II. All Americans should know of and commend the heroism and valor of Navy Carrier Air Group 83 and the contribution of that Air Group and its personnel to the defeat of Japan in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, the news coming out of Florida is distressing, the brutal murders and abductions of young girls.

Punta Gorda Police Department started a new program yesterday, Adopt- An-Offender, where police officers are placed with sexual offenders in the new program.

In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Police Chief Chuck Rinehart commended all the officers of his department for 100 percent participation.

After the recent murder, said the chief, of Jessica Lunsford, in Citrus County, the Punta Gorda Police Department decided they were unsatisfied with the way they were handling local sex offenders. The result was this program.

He said, ``We will work hand-in-hand with our local probation and parole officers to ensure that offenders and predators are following the lines drawn for them. The bottom line to offenders and predators: Don't cross the line.''

St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara and Under Sheriff Gary Wilson have had a similar program for some time.

I commend both of these agencies for their proactive leadership and urge all cities and counties to follow their lead. It is time we get tough. We should not expect people to register. We should be pursuing them. We should be following them. If they break the law, they should be back in jail.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.

I too want to commend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), particularly his family for willingly sacrificing him both to the service in this Congress as well as the endeavor he is about to undertake.

The President chose wisely. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) has been one of the most intellectually honest, sincere members of our committee. He has tackled the tough issues. He has faced them head on. He comes from a very important State. He understands the dynamics of trade. It is good to have a friend at Trade. I am particularly delighted.

But I honestly and sincerely wish him God's blessing as he proceeds to help our Nation, strengthen our economy, deal with our allies, create new opportunities. We are blessed with the fact that when trade is done mutually and satisfactorily, we open up democracies. We change patterns of behavior. We bring down the walls of communism by opening the hearts, the minds, and the wallets of the oppressed.

So his job is significant, it is important, and he is not only suitable to the task, but he is genuinely one of the best representatives our President could have chosen. And I wish him God speed.

Madam Speaker, it has been one interesting week here; and if my colleagues read the media and listened to the noise and the clatter, one would think that nothing is ever getting done in this building.

I opened the Washington Times today and I found a very thoughtful article that I will enter into the Record written by Gary Andres. Let me read the headline: ``The Little Engine That Could. Hill Bipartisanship Helps Pass Important Legislation.''

I will read the article: ``The noisy rub of grinding partisanship drowns out most other sounds on Capitol Hill these days. Controversies about congressional ethics and confirming judges not only threaten to jam the legislative gears, but also fuel the media's motor. Yet, a closer peek under the lawmaking hood reveals a quietly humming bipartisan engine. Despite roaring hyperbole from some Democratic congressional leadership offices, a significant number of rank-in-file minority party members are joining Republicans to pass an impressive list of significant accomplishments.''

This is maybe why they fear the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) and tried to characterize him in some of the meanest ways.

Listen to the scorecard:

``So far this year in the House,'' thanks to the leadership of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), ``50 Democrats helped pass class action reform, 112 Democrats voted for congressional continuity, 42 Democrats joined in legislation repealing the death tax, 73 supported the bankruptcy bill, 42 Democrats broke ranks on the Real ID bill'' dealing with immigration and driver's licenses, ``and last week, 41 Democrats joined the Republicans on the final version of the energy bill.''

That is legislative accomplishment. That is legislative leadership, and that is provided by this majority.

I continue: ``This bipartisan `little engine that could' is gaining so much momentum that it is causing certain Democrats to wrap common sense around their rhetorical axles. Nancy Pelosi's spokesperson was quoted in this newspaper last week saying, Republicans were trying to `distract' people by passing bipartisan legislation, a novel interpretation of what others might consider laudable accomplishments.''

In fact, these are my words, every time we have a bill, people say, if they would only work in a bipartisan manner, we would be able to help the Republicans pass these important bills.

I continue with Gary's analysis: ``Being `shut out of the process' or Republicans `abusing power,' promoting an `extremist agenda' have been central lines in this year's Democratic leadership political prose. Yet, if the process is hopelessly flawed and ideologically unbalanced, why are so many Democrats voting for this growing agenda of success? Part of the explanation is what political scientists call `hyper- pluralism.' A growing number of liberal interest groups join together and making rigid, uncompromising demands on lawmakers. These demands are not about supporting an alternative agenda; it's all about opposition, all the time.

``Hyper-pluralism begets extreme partisanship, meaning Democrat leaders get stuck in `just say no' speed. No matter what the issue, they oppose. And when they try to shift gears, like Democratic whip Steny Hoyer recently did by supporting the final passage of the bankruptcy bill, torrents of vitriol rain down upon them from interest groups, making breaking out of the opposition lock-step even more difficult next time.''

Let me go on, and I will miss this, but it will be entered into the Record:

``The major pieces of legislation passed in the House so far this year on legal reform, energy, taxes, and congressional continuity are not, as some of the Democrat leadership argues, part of an `extreme right-wing agenda.' An average of 62 Democrats joined with the Republicans to pass the six referenced bills.

``Rank-and-file Democrats with reasonable ideas aimed at improving the legislative product, as opposed to bogging down the process or embarrassing Republicans, will have numerous opportunities to play a constructive role. Reasonable Democrats should not miss the chance to put their mark on public policy.''

Now, this demonstrates dramatically that we have been able to construct bipartisan legislation to the credit of the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay). He is so successful that the only way to beat him is to demean him and to pillorize him, and I can tell you one thing about the man that I know. He is a kind, decent, God- fearing man. And when he is able to construct these kinds of victories, it is a result of leading this Congress in the direction that most Americans agree with.

We just heard from the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood) talking about immigration. That is an issue America cares about. That is one we should tackle. I think Americans care about Social Security too, but instead of talking constructively about fixing Social Security, we demonize the President, we demonize the plan. They are not even sure what is in the plan, but they are going to continue to demote and demean the plan.

Now, I believe in my heart that a lot of people came here to do the right thing. I know a lot of Democrats and a lot of Republicans want to make America better and stronger. We have to get out of the mindset of beating, berating, destroying individuals in order to succeed at our game. We should not sacrifice any Member of this Congress on the alter of personal destruction. We will not allow this process to be bogged down by them using one individual to characterize this Chamber or this process. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) is a fine, fine gentleman. We may disagree on some issues, but he is a fine gentleman; and I can suggest to my colleagues, looking at this scorecard where so many Democrats joined us on so many bills to reform this process, that this is, in fact, a bipartisan body that is working. This is a bipartisan body that is producing real product on behalf of the American people, and this is a Chamber that has decided to work on behalf of the American people to get things done for the American people.

So I salute our leadership. I welcome the opportunity to continue to participate in meaningful debates, and I urge everyone to open up the Washington Times, read Gary Andres' important observation about this process. And when my colleagues read it in totality, and when they get the full, rich meaning of the words on this page, they will see exactly why we are on the right track to helping grow this economy.

A ``Little Engine That Could''

(By Gary Andres)

The noisy rub of grinding partisanship drowns out most

other sounds on Capitol Hill these days. Controversies about

congressional ethics and confirming judges not only threaten

to jam the legislative gears but also fuel the media's motor.

Yet a closer peek under the lawmaking hood reveals a quietly

humming bipartisan engine. Despite roaring hypebole from some

Democratic congressional leadership offices, a significant

number of rank-in-file minority party members are joining

Republicans to pass an impressive list of significant

accomplishments.

So far this year in the House, 50 Democrats helped pass

class action reform, 122 voted for congressional continuity,

42 joined in legislation repealing the death tax, 73

supported the bankruptcy bill, 42 Democrats broke ranks on

the Real ID bill, and last week, 41 joined the Republicans on

the final version of the energy bill.

This bipartisan ``little engine that could'' is gaining so

much momentum that it's causing certain Democrats to wrap

common sense around their rhetorical axles. Nancy Pelosi's

spokesperson was quoted in this newspaper last week saying

Republicans were trying to ``distract'' people by passing

bipartisan bills--a novel interpretation of what others might

consider laudable accomplishments.

Being ``shut out of the process'' or Republicans ``abusing

power'' promoting an ``extremist agenda'' have been central

lines in this year's Democratic leadership's political prose.

Yet if the process is hopelessly flawed and ideologically

unbalanced why are so many Democrats voting for this growing

agenda of success? Part of the explanation is what political

scientists call ``hyper-pluralism.'' A growing number of

liberal interest groups join together and make rigid,

uncompromising demands on lawmakers. These ``demands'' are

not about supporting an alternative agenda, it's all about

opposition--all the time.

Hyper-pluralism begets extreme partisanship, meaning

Democratic leaders get stuck in ``just say no'' speed. No

matter what the issue, they oppose. And when they try to

shift gears, like Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland

recently did by supporting final passage of the bankruptcy

bill, torrents of vitriol rain down upon them from interest

groups, making breaking out of the opposition lock-step even

more difficult next time.

Compromise may be the mother's milk of the lawmaking

process, but today's opposition leaders believe it curdles

fundraising appeals and sours the party base's energy.

Today's Democratic leaders take their opposition role quite

literally. They do what they think opposition leaders should

do--``oppose,'' always. And evidently the media thinks this

continuing saga whets public interest.

But focusing exclusively on the rhetoric and voting

patterns of Democratic leaders--as the media often does in

writing the conflict story dujour--misses another significant

development. For those not charged with daily maintenance of

fanning the conflict flames, there are tremendous

opportunities to shape public policy. Democratic rank-in-file

lawmakers are not politically tone-deaf to their

constituents' aversion to constant bickering; their

leadership's one-note sonata is beginning to grate. That's

why the list of bipartisan accomplishments in the House is

expanding.

The major pieces of legislation passed in the House so far

this year on legal reform, energy, taxes and congressional

continuity are not--as some in the Democratic leadership

argue--part of an ``extreme right wing agenda.'' An average

of 62 Democrats joined with the Republicans to pass the six

bills referenced above.

Rank-in-file Democrats with reasonable ideas aimed at

improving the legislative product, as opposed to bogging down

the process or embarrassing Republicans, will have numerous

opportunities to play a constructive role. Reasonable

Democrats should not miss this chance to put their mark on

public policy.

The next big test is the Central American Free Trade

Agreement. The question is: Will the ``little engine that

could'' continue to hum along and will a significant number

of Democrats support this legislation promoting economic

growth and open markets? Or will they succumb to the fear

tactics and threats of leaders more interested in party

discipline and consolidating power?

Clearly, Republicans will be open to accommodate reasonable

Democrat amendments and ideas. After all, passing,

legislation with 40-60 Democrats is in Republicans' long-term

political interest as well. The question is how many

Democrats will reject mere nay saying and seize the

opportunity to lubricate the engine of bipartisan success.

Madam Speaker, in the first 100 days of this Congress, we have passed class action fairness to combat lawsuit abuse. We have passed a supplemental appropriation funding our troops and their successful war in Iraq. We have passed a budget resolution. We have enforced and passed the REAL ID Act and border security, implementing driver's license reforms, defending our borders, strengthening deportation laws. We have passed the death tax repeal, the bankruptcy bill, and the Job Training Improvement Act. These are significant accomplishments.

Some on the other side of the aisle would prefer to bring down the character of a man that leads this Chamber. I suggest when my colleagues are out of ideas and out of opportunities, they attack other people.

It is time to get our own House in order. Lead forth the American people on behalf of the American people and stop this name calling, finger pointing, and derogatory accusations.

America's House of Representatives is much better than that. Let us lead by example. Let us not lead by destruction.

Mr. Speaker, I read with horror, outrage, and disgust the news accounts of the death of Jesse Lunsford in Florida. Little 9-year- old Jesse Lunsford was buried alive in garbage bags at the hands of a sick, depraved, and despicable John Evander Cooey, a convicted sex offender who has admitted to raping and killing God's little angel, 9- year-old Jesse.

I am more than troubled by this and other murders, including the death of Sarah Lunde, a 13-year-old, again in Florida, killed by David Ostott; David Ostott being another convicted rapist, a violent rapist convicted in 1997 for violently raping a woman and walking the streets in Florida a few short years later.

What is wrong with our system? We made a Federal case out of Martha Stewart recently, and we have ankle bracelets on Martha Stewart's legs as she goes around her $20 million mansion in upstate New York. Hardly, hardly a threat to anyone in society. But David Ostott, a convicted rapist, and John Cooey, a convicted sex offender, are free to roam the communities in which our families live and who are subjected to the violence and demonic and desperate behavior of these perverted and sick individuals.

The tragedies that have happened in Florida recently are inexcusable. The fact that families have to be frightened is a sad commentary on our system. I must tell you, Mr. Speaker, I am absolutely determined to change the fate of the laws of this Nation. As cochairman with my good friend, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Cramer), of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, we are working and have been working for some time on a fundamental rewrite of the laws governing the way we conduct both investigations, hopefully sentencing, as well as registries to try to make these issues and these systems more effective for our constituents and for our communities.

We have to get a handle on and our hands around this significant problem. We cannot allow another life to be wasted in such a vicious and malicious fashion, buried like garbage. We treat our pets better. We have had foster kids abused, we have had problems rife throughout the system, and it has to stop.

I am encouraged that so many in Congress and so many in the State legislatures who have heard these dramatic cases are working aggressively to try to change the laws and to strengthen the laws. We have to do more. We can do more. We can do better. I am embarrassed beyond belief that these type of people could be wandering the streets.

There is a 90 percent likelihood of recidivism for sexual crimes against children. Ninety percent. That is the standard. That is their record. That is

the likelihood. Ninety percent. Yet we say that the prisons are too crowded and we probably have to let these people out early on good behavior. Oftentimes they tell their probation officers and the courts that they are sick and they need help; and yet they are told, well, you will have to find it somewhere in the mental health corridor of your community.

We expect them to show up. That is another really mind-boggling thought here, that we tell these people that have been convicted of violently raping women and children that they should show up to a local official and register so that they can be on an offender list. That is not going to happen, so we have to stop trusting them to show up and register.

As we begin this process, I welcome both sides of the aisle, as I mentioned my colleague, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Cramer), in this debate to try to strengthen and codify into law things that will actually work. No more panaceas, no more feel-good solutions, no more expectations that these people who commit these crimes repeatedly will somehow become models of behavior in their communities. We have to be sure that they are monitored. Whether it is through ankle bracelets or other means, we will insist that they be followed, that they be pursued, and if they violate again that they never be let out of jail to harm another individual or innocent citizen.

Mr. Speaker, today people across the world have watched the ceremony and historical proceedings in Vatican City with anticipation and joy. Today the Catholic Church receives its 265th Pope. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger rises to his new name, Pope Benedict XVI, and takes with him the blessings of Catholics across the world.

In a time of global unrest and terrorism, people of all faiths need to join together in prayerful contemplation of what we hope the world can become. Pope John Paul II brought the church to billions of people and Pope Benedict XVI inherits the throne of Saint Peter the Fisherman at a precarious time in world history. Our prayers are with him and for our collective salvation.