Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Yes, I am.

Madam Speaker, as I listen to the debate on the current CR and where this debate has been taking us throughout this year, I have some reasons for alarm. I think the best way to start it off is to at least start to let you know a little bit about myself.

For most of my life, I have worked in the private sector. I have worked all my life and paid into Social Security. And the folks that I live with and live around and the people of my district have come to rely on Social Security, as it provides for, actually, generations at this point.

As I have been sitting here listening to this current CR, which I am opposed to, you know, all 435 of us are sent here to lead. Unfortunately, what we have heard time and time again is finger- pointing as, ``It's your fault,'' ``It's our fault,'' ``It's their fault,'' instead of us sitting down, talking to one another and figuring out where we can compromise and how we can come to a final solution to what our problems are. And it's really very disheartening.

I can understand that the folks who watch this at home are trying to figure out, well, whose side are we on? Are we on their side? Or are we on our particular party's side or on our particular stance's side? And I think it's very unfortunate because, at the end of the day, we all have very strong opinions on what the best way forward is in this country. Unfortunately, it's about compromise. Because even though we all have strong opinions, we all have differing opinions; and if we don't work it out, we are not going to get anywhere.

As I stand in opposition to this CR, it is something that is disheartening.

Now, I am on the Armed Services Committee and have been hearing from industry time and time again at how difficult it is for them in the long term. So as we talk about cutting, we are going to cut $2 billion a week for these next 3 weeks. Well, by doing these short-term CRs, we are actually costing our country money. And no one talks about that, of what the impact is going to be from this temporary solution. The Republicans have talked about, well, the Democrats didn't complete their work last year. That's true. But now the Republicans are in charge. You are in charge. You were given a charge to lead this country. And here we are going around again doing a 2-week, a 3-week. This isn't leading. This is playing games, and it's time to stand up and do the right thing for this country.

But my MTR, motion to recommit, involves Social Security, because the debate that has been happening has been trying to frame Social Security as a problem and the reason for the deficits that this country is experiencing. I brought a chart with me, and I want to read to you the net increase in assets in the Social Security Trust Fund for the last 6 years.

In 2005, the Social Security Trust Fund increased $172 billion. In 2006, it increased by $189.5 billion. These are increases. This means that the money that comes in to Social Security via your taxes and interest is more than what is going out, being paid in benefits. So when people start talking about, well, Social Security is causing our deficit problem and we have to address entitlement programs, they're not giving you the whole picture. They are trying to tell you that down the road we may have an issue. Well, no.

In 2007, the Social Security Trust Fund increased $190.4 billion. In 2008, it increased $180 billion. In 2009, it increased $122 billion. So the trust fund is going up. And it actually has $2.6 trillion in it right now. So the people that are receiving Social Security now shouldn't be worried about what it's doing to the deficit, because that increase in the trust fund is actually money that's coming in to the government in excess of what Social Security is spending.

But I brought up a chart here because I want to show people that when you start talking about Social Security--now, if you look at the 12th District of Pennsylvania, I have an elderly population. I am one of the districts that has a lot of senior citizens in it. A lot of people are on Social Security. And if you look at this chart, 77 percent of people say, Leave Social Security alone. Don't touch the retirement age. Don't touch the benefits. They say,

Come to a solution. Figure out a way to move forward.

And there are compromises that can be had to help solve the Social Security issue because we do have an issue long term. Baby boomers are retiring. Less people are paying in. So there are some issues that we have to address. But don't be buying into this crisis legislation that, if we don't do something immediately, Social Security is going to be in trouble. You are hearing all kinds of scenarios.

I urge support of this amendment. It does not recommit the bill. It is an amendment and will just be added to the bill.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a special young woman who has done a great deed for our servicemen and woman. The actions of Chrissy Young of Clymer, Pennsylvania, truly embody what it means to honor those that serve.

On September 2, 2010, Ms. Young experienced an angst that the family members of our brave uniformed men and women dread to bear. She received the call that her high school sweetheart, Lance Corporal Joshua T. Twigg, had lost his life while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

While Chrissy suffered a great loss, she did not recluse herself from the world. Instead, she decided to organize a care package drive to deliver essentials to her fallen hero's unit, the Marine's 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. By leveraging resources from area churches, schools, businesses, and individuals, she was able to send almost 300 care packages to the Marine unit on Veterans Day 2010. It is efforts like these that convey to our service members that there are Americans who care about you, who miss you, and who are thankful for the job that you are doing to protect our freedoms and to keep our Nation safe.

This past February, Chrissy had to bear the brunt of Lance Corporal Twigg's unit returning home without him or the fourteen other Marines who lost their lives in Afghanistan. While he did not return with his unit that day, Chrissy could stand proud knowing that he had served his country bravely and that her act of kindness had deeply touched this Marine unit.

In referring to the dedication someone must possess to serve in the military, Chrissy wrote, ``it takes a person of character, a person who knows what they have, is thankful for what they have, and is willing to give whatever it takes to preserve those freedoms for all of us.''

Mr. Speaker, although she may not be in the military, Chrissy exemplifies the person of character, valor, and dedication that she so eloquently spoke of. Once again, I would like to honor Chrissy Young for her actions and selfless efforts.

Offered By: Mr. Critz

Amendment No. 187: Page 286, line 11, after the second

dollar amount, insert ``(reduced by $1,000,000)''.

Page 286, line 20, after the first dollar amount, insert

``(increased by $1,000,000)''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind this body of what the American people asked of us in November. They did not ask us to continue the parliamentary back and forth this institution has become known for; nor did they ask us to stand around while small businesses are hurting on Main Street. What the constituents of the 12th district of Pennsylvania asked of me, and what the American people demanded from this Congress, is for us to help build an environment where business can create jobs.

Yet today, we are here considering a resolution that would give lip- service to creating jobs, but have no actionable results. H. Res. 72 simply instructs House Committees to review existing, pending, and proposed regulations by federal agencies. These Committees are to then create an inventory of these regulations to report this information. Mister Speaker, this is what our committees are already doing. These are the actions we are already taking to ease the burden on the small businesses in this country. What productive action are we taking by debating and voting on our Committees to fulfill a role in Congress that has already been defined for them?

This resolution is the epitome of the redundancy. I can say with certainty that H. Res 72 does nothing to reduce real regulatory burden on small businesses. Yet we are on the cusp of adopting a rule that will have my colleagues charged in a debate for an extended amount of time. This is what Americans see as the problem in Washington. As they are struggling, we are engaging in debate on a symbolic measure that does nothing more than reiterate what we have already been charged to do as Members of Congress. What are we doing for our small businesses today?

Small businesses create two-thirds of net new jobs each year in this country. It is our duty to make sure that we help generate the best environment to allow these job creators to thrive. Some of the reasons we were all elected to the 112th Congress was to help these small businesses and help our economy. What we are considering today, will produce no actionable result for either of these two goals.

There is no question that the small businesses of America face a large burden when it comes to federal regulations. Federal regulations now cost Americans $1.75 trillion each year; that's up 50% from their annual costs in 2005. Federal agencies continue to add thousands of pages of new regulations which add to the already challenging task of creating a small business. It's estimated that these federal rules cost $10,585 per worker for businesses with less than 20 workers. This cannot be the environment in which we expect our unemployment rate to turn around. It will take a bipartisan effort to reduce this burden and guarantee that our economy continues to thrive.

As a member of the Small Business Committee, I am determined and ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to review these challenges and barriers faced by job creators in this country. But I am sure this can be accomplished with the rules already set in place for this body. What will hinder this process and do nothing for small business is a debate on the House floor for nine and a half hours, as this rule sets in place, on instructing members to do what has already been asked of them. After that time, how can Congress say that it helped foster the environment for small businesses to create jobs? How many jobs can we say have been created as a result?

What our small businesses need is action. What the American worker needs is action. What our economy needs is action, and today, with this resolution, we have no action. I urge

my colleagues to vote no on this rule, which will result in no jobs for the small businesses of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the members of the Vintondale Veterans of Foreign Wars post, the needle arts club of the Nanty Glo Senior Center, and the In-Stitches Sewing Club of the SS. Gregory and Barnabas Roman Catholic Church for their consorted effort to comfort our wounded troops and their families.

Together, these groups recently provided 100 handcrafted blankets to wounded service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda right before the holiday season.

Organized by Joseph Gresko and Charles Sago, two members of Post 5211 VFW, the project was part of a tradition in helping veterans and active duty service members. Mr. Gresko and Mr. Sago requested the assistance of women in the community to knit these comforting gifts for our brave men and women. Marge Younkin, and her fellow members of the needle arts club at the Nanty Glo Senior Center, and Eleanor Chromy, and her fellow members of the In-Stitches Sewing Club of the SS. Gregory and Barnabas Catholic Church, answered the call. With a donation from the church's Altar and Rosary Society and contributions of yarn from other individuals, these women set out to work.

Their efforts not only touched the lives of the service members that received the blankets, but also earned the participants recognition as ``Persons of the Week'' in the local newspaper, the Johnstown Tribune- Democrat, for their generosity and care. Performing this act of kindness for our brave men and women was not about receiving accolades for these individuals. As Mr. Sago has stated, these gifts are reminders that there are people these soldiers never knew who truly appreciate what they have done.

Upon delivering the blankets to our wounded service members, I let them know that these gifts were a token of our appreciation for the service and sacrifice they have made, and continue to make, on behalf of a grateful nation.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the individuals in the Johnstown community who generously dedicated their time, talent, and heart for this worthy project.

``Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States; but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.''

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Women In Defense, A National Security Organization that will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary this Sunday, December 19, 2010.

Women In Defense began in the fall of 1979 as the brainchild of seven dynamic women, Margo Giordano Anderson, Karen Hopkins, Betty Kimmel, JoHanna Kinley, Diane Lafferman, Lillian Morris, and Rebekah Nottingham. They met and discussed the idea of starting an informal network to assist participants, especially women, in expanding their knowledge of national security issues and of the national defense community in which they participated. The association was incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(6) on December 19, 1985.

For 25 years, Women In Defense has provided women a formal environment for professional growth through networking, education, and career development. Its 3,000 members, and 16 chapters throughout the United States, cultivates and supports the advancement and recognition of women in all aspects of national security. Women In Defense also offers the HORIZONS Scholarship, which was established in 1988 to encourage women to pursue careers related to the national security and defense interests, and to provide development opportunities to women already working in these fields.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Women In Defense for the dramatic impact it has had on professionals who serve the national defense and national security of our nation. Its numerous successes have elevated the presence and stature of women in industry and military leadership. Because of their efforts, the United States benefits from a workforce that is better equipped to serve our great nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize both Conemaugh Township Area Intermediate School and Wylandville Elementary School for being selected as two of this year's 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools. This announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on September 9, 2010.

The U.S. Department of Education selected 304 schools nationwide to receive this year's honor, including 14 schools in Pennsylvania. I'm proud to announce that two of these schools were from the district that I represent.

Conemaugh Township Area Intermediate School is located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and is the home of over 350 elementary students. Wylandville Elementary School, a member of the Canon-McMillan School District, serves a population of approximately 200 students in North Strabane Township, near Eighty Four, Pennsylvania.

Beginning in 1982, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored public and private schools that are models of both excellence and equity. The Award is granted to schools that are either high performing, or have improved student achievement to high levels, particularly among disadvantaged children.

These two schools are outstanding examples of how hard work and commitment can pay off in achieving these criteria. Both of these schools recognize the importance of achievement, and the need to ensure that students have the resources to learn and to succeed. I appreciate the efforts of Conemaugh Township Area Intermediate School and Wylandville Elementary School in teaching our children to recognize their full potential, and equally important, providing them with the tools they need to achieve success in life.

Madam Speaker, I conclude my remarks by congratulating these schools on their exceptional dedication and passion for helping our students succeed. I wish them well as they continue to inspire our young scholars.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1605) recognizing the service of the medical and air crews in helping our wounded warriors make the expeditious and safe trip home to the United States and commending the personnel of the Air Force for their commitment to the well-being of all our service men and women, as amended.

Mr. 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.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1605, recognizing the service of the medical and aircrews in helping our wounded warriors make the expeditious and safe trip home to the United States and commending the personnel of the Air Force for their commitment to the well-being of all our servicemen and -women.

I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) for bringing this resolution before the House.

Mr. Speaker, twice a week, those of us who have south-facing offices in the Cannon, Longworth and Rayburn House Office Buildings can sometimes catch a glimpse of something subtle but something altogether awe-inspiring. Every once in a while, we can see the arresting silhouette of a C-17 in a flight pattern towards Andrews Air Force Base in the final few minutes of the journey home for some of America's wounded warriors. Twice per week, on schedule, these aeromedical crews bring our wounded servicemembers home right here to the National Capital Area after having fallen ill or having suffered injury during an already difficult deployment overseas. This powerful image is part of a much larger system.

The Air Force has up to 500 aeromedical personnel deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, in Europe, and in the United States as part of the team providing care and helping to ensure that wounded soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines get safely home to their families. It takes an average of 3 days for wounded troops to arrive at hospitals in the United States. This is over 40 days faster than during the Vietnam war. We have Air Force aeromedical evacuation to thank for being the transportation spine of the effort to bring our ill and injured men and women home as safely and as quickly as possible.

Ultimately, aeromedical evacuation by the Air Force is part of an integrated combat casualty care system that includes front-line medics and corpsmen of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as medical evacuation and casualty evacuation by Army, Navy and Marine Corps flight, air ambulance and ground ambulance crews.

We owe our sincerest gratitude to each and every person in this system who has yielded an extraordinary 98 percent survival rate for wounded servicemembers.

So, Mr. Speaker, if you are ever facing south on the Hill and see a C-17 on the horizon, you might now just sigh in relief because it might be one of our aeromedical evacuation transports bringing our wounded warriors home to receive world-class medical care.

I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1605.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 319) recognizing the anniversary of the tragic shootings that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009.

Mr. 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.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 319, recognizing the anniversary of the tragic shootings that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009.

I am grateful to my colleague from Texas (Mr. Carter) for his work in authoring this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, last November a gunman opened fire at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, where military and civilian personnel had recently returned from deployment or were preparing to go overseas. This was an event that saddened every American, and it is important that we as a Nation remember those killed and injured and that we honor those who responded with courage and skill to assist the victims.

Ultimately, 12 soldiers and one civilian lost their lives in this atrocious attack. In addition to these 13 unfortunate Americans who were murdered that day, 31 more were wounded. Many of them were seriously wounded, but a quick response from Army medics saved lives and mitigated the severity of some of the injuries. Soldiers and civilians rushed to remove those in need of medical attention from the building, even while the threat of the gunman was still present. At the same time, law enforcement personnel worked to eliminate the danger to Fort Hood and to the surrounding community.

I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the Fort Hood shootings and express gratitude to the soldiers, Army civilians, and local residents who assisted in the rescue and recuperation of the victims, especially as the anniversary of this event draws closer.

I urge my colleagues to recognize the soldiers and civilians killed and wounded by voting in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 319.

List of Soldiers and the Former Soldier Who Lost Their Lives at Ford

Hood

Lieutenant Colonel Juanita Warman.

Major Libardo Caraveo.

Captain John Gaffaney.

Captain Russell Seager.

Staff Sergeant Justin Decrow.

Sergeant Amy Krueger.

Specialist Jason Hunt.

Specialist Frederick Greene.

Private First Class Aaron Nemelka.

Private First Class Michael Pearson.

Private First Class Kham Xiong.

Private Francheska Velez.

Michael Cahill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague, the chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee and original cosponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1630) expressing support for National POW/MIA Recognition Day, as amended.

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

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

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1630, expressing support for National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day. I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) for sponsoring this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, on September 17, a very important and symbolic flag flew over the United States Capitol, one that represents both the deepest and rawest wounds of war as well as uncommon valor and the most selfless of sacrifices. This is the POW/MIA flag. Etched in black and white on this flag is a silhouette of a young man whose face cannot be seen. This is the face of every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine who has endured imprisonment and the harshest of conditions as a prisoner at the hands of the enemy, and of every brave soul who did not return home from battle but remains unaccounted for in a distant land.

As a Nation, it is our sacred duty to ensure that these missing soldiers are not forgotten and to work tirelessly until every story ends and all are accounted for. By recovering our missing soldiers, we also recover a missing piece of our national heritage and honor, those who fought to preserve it. Honoring American POWs and MIAs is a reminder to look back on our proud history, a tapestry woven of thousands of individual stories and sacrifices and of lives dedicated to the preservation of the freedom we hold so dear. This is the embodiment of our country's solemn promise to the prisoners of war and missing in action of our Armed Forces. We will never stop searching for you, and you are not forgotten.

I urge my colleagues to recognize and commend the service of the thousands of former prisoners of war and servicemembers missing in action by voting in favor of House Resolution 1630.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague, and the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5606, which would rename the United States Postal Service building in Indiana, Pennsylvania, after Jimmy Stewart, one of the most distinguished and acclaimed actors of American history.

James Maitland ``Jimmy'' Stewart was born on May 20, 1908, in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He studied at Princeton University, where he developed his love of acting before pursuing a career in theater and film. He starred in several movies, including the 1938 Academy Award- winning Best Picture, ``You Can't Take It With You.'' In 1939, he starred in the acclaimed ``Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,'' a film in which he played an idealist statesman trying to make a difference for his constituents.

After his early Hollywood success, a sense of patriotism compelled Stewart to serve his Nation during World War II. He enlisted in the Army in 1941, becoming the first major American movie star to wear the uniform during the war. After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he helped with recruiting efforts, and in 1944 he was sent to Europe where he participated in 20 air missions over Nazi Germany. After the war he continued to play an active role in the Air Force Reserve and was eventually promoted to the rank of Major General. He served during the Vietnam War as a nonduty adviser and retired in 1968, after 27 years of military service.

Stewart resumed his acting career following World War II, and in 1946 he starred in the classic ``It's a Wonderful Life.'' In 1989, he cofounded the American Spirit Foundation, which helped to develop new approaches to public education and assisted in budding democratic movements in former Soviet satellite states. He retired from acting in 1991, after providing the voice for Sheriff Wylie Burp in ``An American Tail: Feivel Goes West.'' In his 35 years of acting, Stewart appeared in 92 films, television programs, and shorts. He passed away on July 2, 1997, in Beverly Hills, California.

Mr. Speaker, renaming the Indiana, Pennsylvania, post office after one of its most accomplished natives is fitting for one of the most inspiring and patriotic actors of the 20th century.

I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5605, which would rename the facility of the United States Postal Service in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, after its most famous son, George C. Marshall, Jr. Most notable for the Marshall Plan, he was born on December 31, 1880, in the coal hills of southwestern Pennsylvania. Marshall was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1902, following his graduation from the Virginia Military Institute. He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed Chief of Staff of the Army in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Marshall inherited an Army on the cusp of a Second World War and oversaw the largest military expansion in U.S. history. In 1944, he became the first American General to be promoted to a five-star rank, the newly created General of the Army.

Marshall resigned his post of Chief of Staff of the Army in 1945 and devoted himself to international security and peace. Between 1945 and 1946, he served

as the envoy for President Truman in China to peacefully resolve a conflict between the nationalists and the communists. President Truman appointed him as Secretary of State in 1947, where he oversaw the Marshall Plan, the $13 billion economic recovery plan that was instrumental in the rebuilding of Europe. For his efforts, Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize. He retired from the State Department in 1949 and became the president of the American Red Cross. In 1950, President Truman appointed Marshall Secretary of Defense. During his tenure he oversaw the formation of a United Nations international force that turned back the North Korean invasion of South Korea. He retired from public life in 1951 and passed away on October 16, 1959.

Mr. Speaker, George C. Marshall had a profound impact on the 20th century, not only here in the United States, but across the globe. This year we celebrate the 130th anniversary of his birth, and renaming his hometown post office is a fitting and worthy tribute to this great soldier, general, secretary and true American statesman.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a real American Hero, SFC Richard McDougle from Connellsville Pennsylvania, of the 901st Minimal Care Detachment Combat Medic of the United States Army. Richard has served in the Army for over 16 years, he is a Medic, a Angel On The Battlefield. Over in Iraq he contracted renal cell cancer, and even though it is in 4th stage, he fights on! With the aid of his wonderful wife Donna, a former Medic herself, he continues his battle each day. Who knows, what child may come from someone he has saved fields of honor. . . . who might one day save the world! His quiet courage and unrelenting faith is an inspiration to us all, and especially to his brothers in arms over at Walter Reed Medical Hospital. We can all learn something from Richard, as he never surrenders! Our prayers are with him and his family. I ask that this poem penned in honor of him and his family, by Albert Caswell, be placed in the Record.

Courage Comes

Amen!

Courage Comes. . . .

Comes in all shapes and sizes. . . .

All in our fine men and women in uniform, who death defies

this. . . .

Who go off to war, as no one denies this. . . . who all in

the midst of hell, upon each other so relies this. . .

.

All for Brothers In Arms, for them will die this. . . . For

there are all kinds of courage, so why this?

How does such Strength In Honor, one find this? From deep

inside of ones heart, arises!

From Angels on The Battlefield, are so high this!

Arises, such splendid splendor. . . .

To such hearts of faith so rendered!

As Mac, you are such splendor. . . .

For you went so bravely off to war. . . .

All for your Country Tis of Thee, bore. . . .

And now that you've come home. . . .

As a new battle, a new fight you must own. . . .

All part of the cost of war. . . .

As now Richard, your courageous fight must begin. . . .

Step by Step, Day by Day. . . as your brave heart will not

give in. . . .

Will not give way. . . . as for such fine heroes we all now

so pray. . . .

All in your quiet courage, your heart so cries out let this

war begin!

For a heart of faith and courage, can against all odds so

victory so win!

With head held high, as Mac you so wiped all of those tears

from your brilliant eyes. . . .

With the kind of courage, that up in Heaven so makes even The

Angels sing and cry!

Fight on America's Heroic Son, as we watch in great awe. . .

all to what heights your heart can run. . . .

As you us touch with your splendid grace, as your heart of

courage brings us to tears and smiles upon our face!

For Heaven so holds a place, for such ones!

When, Courage Comes!

Amen!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5827, the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act of 2010. As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe that owning a gun is a right and that this right extends to all people, including those in bankruptcy.

After declaring bankruptcy, people are often denied their Constitutionally protected rights by being forced to relinquish their firearms. While other property, such as televisions, radios, china, crockery, and appliances, is protected from repossession, firearms are not. If owning a gun is a right, shouldn't guns be protected from repossession just as other property is protected?

Right now, only 10 states have laws that protect gun owners from firearm repossession during bankruptcy. Currently, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not one of these 10, so I support this bill because I believe that my constituents' Second Amendment rights, as well as the Second Amendment rights of all Americans, should be protected during bankruptcy.

This is a good bill and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''