Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the success of NASA's latest mission to the International Space Station. I also wish to celebrate the safe return of the STS-117 Atlantis crew and honor the accomplishments of the astronauts, including Colorado's very own Steven Swanson.

From a distinguished member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society to a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, Mission Specialist Swanson's path to space is paved with miles of achievements. Long before he took in the majestic sights of our galaxy, a young Swanson was in search of new heights of adventure amidst our Rocky Mountains. After whetting his appetite for sky-high ventures in Steamboat Springs, Mr. Swanson went on to graduate from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in engineering physics. A year after he received a master of applied science in computer systems from Florida Atlantic University, Steve Swanson joined NASA.

As a systems engineer in the Aircraft Operations Division of Johnson Space Center, JSC, Swanson worked on the Shuttle Training Aircraft, eventually earning both the JSC Certificate of Accommodation and the Flight Simulation Engineering Award. After earning a doctorate in computer science from Texas A&M University in 1998, Swanson was selected as an Astronaut Candidate and successfully completed intensive training to eventually become a member of the crew on STS-117.

Building on the lessons and mission objectives of the two previous NASA shuttle missions, STS-115 and STS-116, the STS-117 mission focused on further construction of the International Space Station. The seven- astronaut crew, under the command of Marine Colonel Rick Sturckow and the piloting of Air Force Colonel Lee Archambault, successfully installed a large truss needed to expand the orbiting space research facility and added third pair of solar wings to power the station. The STS-117 mission represented the 28th flight of the space shuttle Atlantis and NASA's 118th shuttle mission.

As the 18th graduate of the University of Colorado to fly in space for NASA, Steve Swanson's safe return not only reaps great pride for his family and friends but the entire state of Colorado as well. Colorado has a rich history of accomplished space pioneers as the state has the second highest private aerospace employment concentration in the country. Swanson serves as a great embodiment of the determination and fearless pursuit of adventure found so deeply ingrained in the American West.

In fact, the entire Atlantis crew embodies the very best of the American ingenuity and limitless capacity for human achievement that make this country great. I join my fellow Members of Congress in celebrating and honoring the fine astronauts of STS-117 and the accomplishments of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is appropriate for the House to approve this bill in the form that it comes before us today.

As I said at the time, I do not think additional federal legislation dealing with firearms can prevent tragedies such as the killings at Virginia Tech. However, the changes this bill would make would improve the current federal law and are worth making.

The bill will create incentives for states to submit to the National Instant Background Check System (NICS) legal records about individuals who are ineligible to obtain firearms. This closes a loophole in the current background check system. In addition, and importantly, it will require states and federal agencies to allow individuals to appeal their status if they are currently considered ineligible to acquire firearms. And it will bar agencies from sharing mental health records that are irrelevant to the background check system.

The bill has been significantly revised since its introduction. As it comes before the House, it would prevent use of federal ``adjudications'' based on medical diagnoses without a finding of dangerousness or mental incapacity. To understand what this means, consider the fact that the NICS currently accepts Veterans' Administration decisions that a veteran or other

patient is an ``adjudicated mentally defective'' where there was no ``adjudication'' at all--only a medical diagnosis agreed to as a condition of receiving disability benefits. Veterans have a financial incentive to agree to this determination, and may have done so without expecting to lose their legal rights to acquire firearms.

The bill as revised would eliminate purely medical records from NICS and allow a person to be prohibited on medical grounds from acquiring a firearm only as a result of a specific finding that he or she is a danger to himself or herself or to other people, or lacks the capacity to manage his or her own affairs. In addition, the revised bill would require all federal agencies that impose mental health adjudications or commitments (such as the VA) to provide a process for ``relief from disabilities.'' That would be a de novo judicial review when an agency denies relief--that is, the court would look at the application on its merits, rather than deferring to the agency's earlier decision.

Also, under the revised bill a person who is inappropriately committed or declared incompetent by a federal agency would have an opportunity to correct the error--either through the agency, or in court. And the bill would prevent reporting of mental adjudications or commitments by federal agencies when those adjudications or commitments have been removed.

The substitute would also make clear that if a federal adjudication or commitment has expired or been removed, it would no longer bar a person from possessing or receiving firearms under the Gun Control Act. This actually restores the person's rights, as well as deleting the record from NICS. And States that receive federal funding would also be required to have a program to provide similar relief from erroneous mental adjudications and commitments. And the relief granted by such a state program would remove the federal prohibition on the person possessing or receiving a firearm under the Gun Control Act.

I think these changes are appropriate and an improvement over current law.

Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment.

Passage of this amendment will not stop the proposed expansion of the Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeastern Colorado, but it will delay consideration of the Army's plans until two very important questions can be answered: (1) What are the Army's real training needs, and (2) will the Army assure Coloradans that it will not resort to condemnation to acquire land?

Before giving the Army money to take the first steps toward expanding these training grounds, we should be convinced that there is a real military need for the Army to acquire an additional 418,000 acres. I have kept an open mind on this question and that that is why, along with the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, I have asked the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on whether this expansion is the right way to meet the Army's training requirements and what other alternatives the Army should consider.

More important, it is abundantly clear to me that there is no support--even among proponents of an expansion--for the Army's use of eminent domain to acquire any land. But so far, the Army has been reluctant to give the State of Colorado and the landowners in the area a commitment that it will not resort to condemnation. For me, that commitment is essential, and unless and until the Army makes clear it will not use condemnation, I believe Congress should not allow the expansion process to go forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the retirement of Chief of Police Dan Montgomery, of Westminster, Colorado.

Chief Montgomery's retirement was news in my district, and I believe it is fitting to honor his public service in the Denver metropolitan area for nearly four decades. Chief Montgomery has served as the Chief of Police in Westminster for more than 24 years. Such a life-long commitment to public safety is deserving of special recognition.

Dan Montgomery is passionate about protecting the public and realized early in his life that his calling was to serve in the police force. From his first job as a campus police officer, to his leadership as a police chief for one of Colorado's fastest growing suburban communities, Chief Montgomery has demonstrated a strong commitment to upholding law and order in our society. As a field officer, he will be remembered for his work on the Leeora Rose Looney case in Lakewood, Colorado, in 1971. Chief Montgomery leaves a professional legacy as a law enforcement official who always ``supported his troops.''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in expressing our gratitude to Police Chief Montgomery, and others in the law enforcement community just like him, for their steadfast commitment to justice and public safety. We also recognize Chief Dan Montgomery's leadership and fortitude. I am also proud to acknowledge Police Chief Montgomery's accomplishments as noted in the following article published by the Westminster Window on May 24, 2007.

Police Chief Set To Cap Career

(By Rachel Ceccarelli)

Westminster Police Chief Dan Montgomery says he is ready to

finish his 45-year career in law enforcement.

Montgomery will retire as Chief of Police on June 1, and

Deputy Chief Lee Birk will take the lead.

``It just dawned on me one day that I have been married to

my wife Bonnie for 46 years and been a police officer for

45,'' Montgomery said. ``It was just time.''

Montgomery says he decided it was time to retire and devote

more time to his wife, grown children and granddaughter.

Nonetheless, he plans to continue doing some part-time

police consulting.

Montgomery has been the Westminster Police Chief for more

than 24 years.

His career began in the 1960s as a police officer in Los

Gatos, California. After years of working in California, he

moved to Colorado to work with the Lakewood Police

Department.

It was at this job that Montgomery encountered what he

considers his most memorable and difficult case.

``I haven't forgotten about Leeora Rose after all these

years,'' Montgomery said.

Leeora Rose was a 20-year-old waitress at a Lakewood

doughnut shop who disappeared on Aug. 20, 1971. Police found

her raped and killed three days after her disappearance.

Montgomery said after months of investigations, a single

fingerprint on a coffee cup left behind by a suspect solved

the case. The fingerprint matched that of a man named Carl

Taylor. After his arrest, he and his partner in crime,

Sherman McCray, admitted to 15 homicides across the United

States. They were sentenced to life in prison.

Montgomery said as far as he knows, Taylor is still in

prison, and McCray committed suicide in 1988.

``I didn't like the carnage left behind by criminals, so I

decided to do something about it,'' said Montgomery on why he

chose a career in law enforcement. ``That was my calling.''

Montgomery said as he continued his police work in

Westminster, he knew that he wanted to be a chief that

supported officers.

``My motto is support me and I'll support you,'' said

Montgomery, adding that he doesn't mean blindly agreeing with

everything his officers do but supporting them when it's

needed.

Birk said Montgomery was an excellent chief to work with at

the department.

``Dan has been a great role model and mentor,'' said Birk,

adding that Montgomery's leadership has set him in the right

direction to take over as police chief.

Public support for police officers is one thing Montgomery

said was his career highlight along with the passage of the

public safety tax in 2003. Montgomery said the fact that City

Council and residents voted to pass the ballot issue was

integral to the operation of the police department.

``It's my crowning moment of glory,'' Montgomery said. ``It

really was a team effort, and I don't know where we would be

if it hadn't passed.''

Montgomery said he knows the police department will be left

in good hands with Birk replacing him and the public safety

tax in place.

In his spare time, Montgomery plans to golf and spend time

with his family.

What Montgomery said he would miss the most is the

relationships he has created with city staff and members of

the police department.

He will also miss fighting crime.

``I'm going to miss putting punks, perverts and predators

in jail,'' Montgomery said.

Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2007. I am joined by Bart Gordon, Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, as an original cosponsor of the Act.

This legislation is focused on ensuring the FAA will have the tools that it will need to keep the Nation's air transportation system safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. To that end, the act reauthorizes a range of important R&D activities at the FAA, starts up new initiatives in some key areas, and contains provisions aimed at strengthening the interagency Joint Planning and Development Office, JPDO, which has the responsibility of planning and developing the Next Generation Air Transportation System, NextGen.

With respect to the JPDO, the act responds to the recommendations of the Government Accountability Office, GAO, as well as other expert witnesses that the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee heard from at our recent hearings by including provisions aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the JPDO. These include such things as: (1) strengthening the authority of the JPDO Director; (2) requiring each participating agency or department to identify a senior official to be in charge of its activities in support of the NextGen initiative; (3) requiring an integrated plan with date-specific timetables for implementation of NextGen capabilities; (4) requiring the JPDO' s Senior Policy Committee to meet at least four times per year; (5) having OMB coordinate each agency or department's budget in support of the NextGen initiative; (6) directing JPDO to develop contingency plans for dealing with degradation of the NextGen system due to a natural disaster, major equipment failure, or act of terrorism; (7) requiring the JPDO to establish noise, emissions, and energy consumption requirements for the NextGen system; (8) directing JPDO to develop an R&D roadmap for the integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system; (9) having GAO carry out annual reviews of JPDO's effectiveness.

As important as the JPDO and the NextGen initiative are, the act recognizes that the FAA, in coordination with other agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, has a critical role to play in supporting other important aviation R&D activities, a number of which have been underfunded in recent years according to' the testimony of the GAO and FAA's own R&E advisory committee. To that end, the act augments the President's funding requests for human factors research, weather research, unmanned aircraft systems research, and energy- and environment-related research.

In addition, recent announcements from Europe regarding the potential imposition of emissions penalties on aircraft operations in the next decade have made it clear that the United States needs to better understand the impact of aviation on the climate as well as what might be done to mitigate that impact. This legislation takes the first step in that direction by directing the FAA, in coordination with NASA and the U.S. Climate Change Science Program to develop a plan for such research and then having the National Research Council carry out an independent assessment of that research plan.

The Nation's colleges and universities have an important role to play in carrying out research in support of the Nation's future air transportation system. At the same time, that research is a critical means of helping to train the next generation of scientists, engineers, and aviation specialists that we will need over the coming decades. Thus, this act establishes a research grants program involving undergraduate students. It also contains provisions aimed at strengthening FAA's Centers of Excellence program.

The act also contains R&D provisions to continue engine research, in coordination with NASA, that has the goal of enabling existing general aviation aircraft to operate with unleaded aviation fuel. In addition, the legislation continues the Airport Cooperative Research Program and also establishes a runway research program that should benefit both general aviation and commercial air carrier airports.

Finally, in view of the increased importance of space weather to aviation, especially with the increased incidence of flight operations over the polar regions, the act establishes a multi-agency research program to conduct research on the impacts of space weather on aviation and air passengers.

Madam Speaker, air transportation is central to the Nation's economic well-being, our international competitiveness, and our quality of life. FAA's R&D programs play an important role in ensuring the continued safety and efficiency of America's air transportation system, and I believe that the Federal Aviation Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2007 will keep FAA's R&D enterprise healthy and productive.

Madam Speaker, on Monday I took part in a meeting in Denver at which the Advisory Board on Radiation and Health considered questions related to a petition to include people who worked at the Rocky Flats site as part of the ``special exposure cohort'' under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

As a result, I was not able to be present for three votes in the House.

Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall No. 448--H.R. 2356, to amend title 4, United States Code, to encourage the display of the flag of the United States on Father's Day--I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 449--S. 676, to provide that the Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank or the Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank may serve on the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation--I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall No. 450--H. Res. 418, Recognizing and welcoming the delegation of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean to Washington, DC, and commending the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for holding the Conference on the Caribbean--I would have voted ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mrs. Marie Steward, a recent recipient of the Adams County Democratic Party's 2007 Life-Time Achievement Award. I am pleased to recognize her service and the many contributions she has made to her community.

Although her work in the Democratic Party has been a major part of her civic involvement, it is not her partisan work that I want to acknowledge so much as it is her long involvement in the civic life of Adams County. In fact, if there could be a ``Mrs. Adams County,'' it is Marie Steward. She is well known in Adams County through her involvement with her family, her neighborhood, organized labor and community activities.

Marie was born the youngest of eleven children in Minor, Kansas to John and Lena O'Brien. Her family lost their farm during the Great Depression and moved to live with her Uncle Benjamin. Marie graduated from Brewster High School, and has fond memories from this time of taking the train to Denver and stopping at the historic Oxford Hotel. She later moved to Sand Point, Idaho after marrying Mike Steward, a young man serving in the Navy. When Mike was discharged from service in World War II, he worked as a machinist for Ringsby Trucking, a company that owned the basketball team that later became the Denver Nuggets-- and a team my father, Mo, used to play for. Mike and Marie were regular attendees at the games, and Marie was a key member of the Prospectors, a booster club for the team. She also volunteered at St. Vincent's Home for Orphans, where, thanks to Marie, no child ever went without a gift at Christmas.

Marie became politically active in northern Denver when she volunteered with her colleagues, Eileen Ray and Dolores Dickman. In 1954, the Stewards bought one of the first brick houses in Thornton, a new development project that was targeted for returning World War II soldiers and their families. Marie used skills learned in Denver politics and became a precinct committee person with her neighbor and long-time activist, Ed Lappart.

For many years, Marie `ran' the Adams County Democratic Party Headquarters. She produced candidate literature and published the county newsletter, the GADFLY. Rumor has it that many Republicans would often drop by for a visit to see what Marie was serving volunteers for lunch. Marie made headquarters a fun place, and with her experience as a leader in the International Machinists Auxiliary, Marie served many meals and taught the basics of political participation.

She was elected as a delegate to county, congressional, and state committees, assemblies and conventions. At a mini-convention in Kansas City, Marie once met and dined with a young man named Warren Beatty. He told people later that he liked to ``pal around'' with Marie because she treated him like she treated everyone--for Marie every person is a celebrity.

Today, Marie's family includes her son Jim, who is retired from IBM/ Lexmark and shares Marie's Thornton home; her daughter Anita; her husband Gary McCulloch and their four daughters and grandchildren. Not to be forgotten is ``Cookie'' the family rat terrier, who Marie walks several times during the day.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging Marie Steward for her involvement in public life and for her bipartisan interest in treating people well.

She is an example of the heroic generation and an advocate of those values, like hard work and compassion for others, that represent the very best in politics--values that both Republicans and Democrats can celebrate together.

Offered By: Mr. Udall of Colorado

Amendment No. 2: Page 111, after line 17, insert the

following:

Offered By: Mr. Udall of Colorado

Amendment No. 3: Page 111, after line 17, insert the

following:

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan, an eighth grader at Peak to Peak Charter School in Superior, Colorado. She recently made the semifinals at the National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. She has been to several spelling bees and 2 years ago, finished at an impressive 37th place. At this year's National Spelling Bee, Ms. Gopalakrishnan beat out opponents by spelling the word salinelle, a mud volcano erupting saline mud-- solidifying her chance to win the contest. The winner of the National Spelling Bee receives $35,000, a $5,000 scholarship, a savings bond of $2,500 and a set of reference works.

Two hundred and eighty-six extraordinary students from across the Nation train vigorously in preparation for this annual event held at the Grand Hyatt Washington hotel. Students are expected to be able to spell words such as prioplasmosis and my personal favorite, bewusstseinslage, which means a state of consciousness--something my critics occasionally accuse me of losing.

The skills and values that Ms. Gopalakrishnan already displays will help her with many challenges that she may face in the future. Furthermore, her commitment to learning and competitive drive makes her a strong student who is sure to excel in her academic career. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan in all of

her accomplishments and wish her success as she continues on her quest for knowledge.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Army Air Corps' legendary Tuskegee Airmen. On March 29, 2007, in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, the surviving Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the most prestigious recognition that Federal lawmakers can bestow. Tuskegee Airmen, from Colorado, that received the Congressional Gold Medal include: James E. Harrison, James H. Harvey III, Samuel C. Hunter Jr., Franklin J. Macon, John W. Mosley, Fitzroy ``Buck'' Newsum, Marion R. Rodgers, David A. Smith and William A. Walters.

The first African-American airmen unit in the U.S. military trained in Tuskegee, Alabama. A total of 450 Tuskegee Airmen served overseas on various missions. During WWII, the Airmen flew missions over North Africa, Italy and Sicily. Collectively, they flew more than 15,000 combat sorties, shot down 111 German planes, and disabled 150 German planes on the ground. Thirty-three Airmen were shot down and held as POWs, and 66 of the Airmen were killed.

The Tuskegee Airmen got their start in 1941 after the NAACP filed a lawsuit. President Franklin Roosevelt started the Army Air Corps training program as the first African-American training program. The Airmen were segregated from other units and endured blatant racism and discrimination while helping win World War II and change our Nation for the better. Their achievements helped contribute to the eventual integration of African-Americans into the military and also helped lead the way for further desegregation throughout the Nation.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating James E. Harrison, James H. Harvey III, Samuel C. Hunter Jr., Franklin J. Macon, John W. Mosley, Fitzroy ``Buck'' Newsum, Marion R. Rodgers, David A. Smith and William A. Walters for their patriotism and service to the United States of America. Their triumph over racism and discrimination, along with their outstanding service, is inspirational, and they are a source of pride for America and for all of Colorado. I wish them continued health and happiness.

Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group (ISG)--also known as the ``Baker Hamilton Commission''--as a bipartisan foundation for long overdue strategic change in our policy in Iraq.

I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues Representatives Frank Wolf, Michael McCaul, and Daniel Lipinski--and 41 other Members--in introducing this bill, and I am grateful for all their help in building support for this legislation. Representative Wolf deserves special recognition for the role he played in spearheading the creation of the Iraq Study Group and in pushing forward its recommendations.

The ISG was created in March 2006 at the request of a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, led by Representative Wolf, and was co- chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker and former chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Lee Hamilton. In December 2006, the ISG released its recommendations and outlined a bipartisan approach to bringing a responsible conclusion to the Iraq war.

What this legislation does is to take these recommendations and establish them as official United States policy. Among the recommendations outlined in the bill are a new diplomatic offensive in the region that includes the creation of the Iraq International Support Group; giving the highest priority to training, equipping and advising the Iraqi military and security forces; assessing the full budgetary and personnel impact of the war in Iraq on the U.S. military; accelerating and increasing oil production and accountability including equitable distribution of oil revenues in Iraq; implementing and oversight of economic reconstruction programs in Iraq with the creation of a new Senior Advisor for Economic Reconstruction; ensuring that the President includes the cost of the war in his annual budget request; and setting conditions that can lead to redeployment of U.S. combat forces as early as the first quarter of 2008, including necessary diplomatic, infrastructure and security benchmarks.

It is clear to me that a Democratic majority in Congress cannot unilaterally legislate an end to this war and expect its architect and champion--President Bush--to sign on the dotted line. In my view, the only way to end this war--and to end it in a way that minimizes the likelihood of greater regional bloodshed--is to broaden the tent of opposition, and engage concerned Republicans in pressuring the Bush Administration to change course. That is why I worked last year with Representative Joe Schwarz on a resolution insisting on benchmarks for Iraqi political stability and a process to hold the Bush Administration accountable.

That is why I am introducing this bill today. Democrats and Republicans must work together to change the course in Iraq, and implementing the major policy recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group is an overdue step in this direction.

As an early and consistent opponent of this war I do not believe that embracing these recommendations is the only action we in Congress must take, but it is important as a foundation. I, for one, will also continue to push for a strategy of military disengagement in Iraq and phased redeployment of our forces, because I do not believe we should ask our soldiers to referee a civil war.

Ending American military participation in this war and managing the consequences of the Bush Administration's failures will not be easy and it will not come overnight, but it will come--and the ISG recommendations offer a means of moving toward these goals.

Many of us embraced the ISG's recommendations when the report was first released last year, and many of us believe that the report still provides a comprehensive blueprint for a way forward in Iraq and the Middle East, from both the military and the diplomatic perspective.

I do not believe the ISG recommendations or my bill will offer a complete solution, but they will offer a start.

We went into war as a badly divided country; I hope we can end it differently and that is my motivation in offering this bill today.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the life of one of our great space pioneers, Walter M. ``Wally'' Schirra and to speak in support of H. Res. 446, a resolution to recognize his many accomplishments and honor his memory.

Wally Schirra was one of the original seven Mercury Astronauts and the only astronaut to fly in all three of the earliest manned space programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo.

He was known for being an exact and precise pilot, and this aviation excellence speaks for itself as Capt. Schirra flew 90 combat missions while serving in the Navy during the Korean War. Later, during his Gemini 6 mission as a NASA astronaut, Schirra conducted the first rendezvous of manned spacecraft in orbit, considered one of the most challenging tasks in space flight at the time.

Capt. Schirra was a great astronaut and a great American. What many of my colleagues may not realize is that Wally Schirra became an active businessman and citizen in Colorado after retiring from the space program.

In the decade after he retired from NASA's Astronaut Corps, he moved to Denver where he lived a life as a successful businessman and an active environmentalist. When he first came to Colorado, he became the president of an investment company. Several years after that, he started an environmental management firm that concentrated their efforts towards developing solutions for environmental problems faced by the government and private industry.

In addition to being an advisor to Colorado State University, Capt. Schirra was also an avid outdoors man, as evidenced by his tenure as a trustee of the Colorado Outward Bound School.

Later in his life, while he continued to be busy in civic life, he played an active role in Colorado politics and served as Colorado's honorary chairman for Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign.

I and my fellow Coloradans will miss him, and I urge my colleagues to honor his memory by passing H. Res. 446.

Mr. Speaker, I will vote for this supplemental appropriations bill today, but like many Americans who want to see an end to the war in Iraq, I am not happy about it.

In fact, I am deeply frustrated and saddened by the prospect, but I also am compelled by my conscience to this vote.

On Monday, Memorial Day ceremonies throughout Colorado and across the country will honor the men and women in uniform who have paid the full measure of devotion to duty in all of America's wars.

But as long as the war in Iraq goes on, every day will be Memorial Day.

Already, more than 3,400 of our servicemen and servicewomen have died in Iraq, and more will die before we withdraw our troops. Just last Friday, for example, 33-year old SFC Scott Brown of Windsor, Colorado, and 27-year old SGT Ryan Baum of Aurora, Colorado, were among them.

A friend of Ryan's family told reporters, ``Ryan never wanted to be known as a hero, he just did his job.'' In fact, he did his job--and he is a hero.

This is not a heroic day in Congress, but as his comrades are faithful to their responsibilities, we must be faithful to ours.

And one of those responsibilities--even for those of us who have opposed this war--is to support those brave comrades as they continue to do what the President has ordered them to do.

And now, today, all of us in the Congress face a dilemma that I foresaw 4 years ago--when President Bush first sent our forces into Iraq: having to choose either to take the guns out of the hands of our soldiers in the field or to let the President move forward with a misguided and reckless policy.

Cutting off funds for supplies and equipment for our troops is one way, of course, to bring this war to an end, and I understand why many Americans believe Congress should do so. But the more responsible way to end this war, in my opinion, is to change our policy, and to avoid making an already bad situation worse.

I opposed the Bush administration's decision to launch a pre-emptive war in Iraq because I believed it would be a diversion from our larger post 9-11 strategic objectives and I was not convinced that the President had an adequate plan and enough international support to secure and stabilize Iraq after overthrowing its regime.

I said at the time that getting into this war would be far easier than getting out. I wrote in March, 2003 that ``success in Iraq is not just about eliminating Saddam Hussein. . . . Success in Iraq also means managing the ensuing social chaos, keeping a lid on the Middle East powder keg, thwarting terrorist attacks at home, and occupying and rebuilding Iraq--and doing all of this when our own economy is faltering, energy prices are rising and domestic priorities like health care and education are crying out for attention.''

So, I offered my own resolution to slow the rush to war in 2003 and argued for a program of coercive inspections that would have uncovered the truth about weapons of mass destruction before shedding American blood.

When that was rejected, I voted against authorizing the President to send our forces into Iraq--and today, more than ever, I am convinced that my vote against the war was the right vote.

Congress, nevertheless, voted to give the President the authority to go to war, and he has used that authority, to disastrous effect.

I have worked to extricate us from the ongoing disaster. I was among the first in Congress to call for an exit strategy from Iraq. I have introduced legislation, cosponsored legislation, spoken out with my colleagues, published articles, traveled to Iraq to better understand the challenges we face, and asked tough questions of our military leaders during Armed Services Committee hearings. And I continue--every day--to pressure this administration in every way I can.

I firmly believe that our challenge is to withdraw from Iraq rapidly--but responsibly. For me, the debate today should be about how to carry out a responsible withdrawal. And that is the point on which I find myself disagreeing with many whose passion to end this war I respect.

They argue that the best way to get out is to vote today to cut off funding for our men and women in uniform, and in harm's way. I respectfully disagree, because that would sacrifice a responsible exit in favor of a rapid one--and in good conscience, I cannot support that anymore than I could support the reckless way we were led into this war in the first place.

I think responsibility demands that we provide the funding necessary to keep the many thousands of brave Americans now in service in Iraq supplied. With our troops stretched thin, forced to perform longer tours of duty and short of equipment and supplies, funding for the immediate needs of these men and women in uniform cannot be held hostage to disagreements about the folly of Bush administration policies.

Make no mistake--I have no doubt that the President's policies have brought our country to the brink of a national security crisis. I am angry that the President still refuses to accept a supplemental funding proposal for Iraq and Afghanistan that provides real accountability measures for ending the Iraq war. I voted to force him to adopt a different course, and when he vetoed that legislation, I voted to override that shortsighted and stubborn exercise of Presidential power. Unfortunately, and primarily because of the misguided loyalty of members of the President's party, that override effort failed, which is why we are considering the legislation now before us.

I did not choose the wording of the bill that we are considering today. It is not the bill that I would have written. But it will provide the essential funding to support and protect America's sons and daughters who are in Iraq right now doing everything we have asked of them and putting their lives on the line every day.

But another part is to bring pressure to bear on this administration to end this war because I don't want any more young dedicated Americans to lose their lives in this war. I want to bring them home.

So far, that pressure has not been enough, as was shown by the President's veto of a bill that fully funded our troops, held the Iraqi government accountable, and demanded that the

President change course and bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end. It is abundantly clear that he is not prepared to adopt a better course--and as long as we lack a sufficient majority to override his veto, we Democrats can't force him to do so without Republican support.

But I will persist, because I think it is up to those of us who opposed this war in the first place to show the way forward.

That is why, after the Memorial Day recess I will introduce legislation that implements the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group and provides a foundation for the phased withdrawal of American troops out of Iraq beginning in March of next year. So far over 40 Members of Congress--both Democrats and Republicans--have agreed to cosponsor this legislation.

I am hopeful that this bipartisan effort will lead to more such efforts. Republicans and Democrats alike believe that this fall is key to the future of U.S. military involvement in Iraq. By then, another funding package will be up for a vote, General Petraeus will be reporting back on the progress of the ``surge,'' and we will have other indications of progress on benchmarks based on reports that the administration will be forced to produce as part of this supplemental funding bill.

I commit to continuing to do what I can every day to bring this war to an end. Today, I believe the responsible thing to do is to provide needed funds for our men and women in uniform with this bill, which also includes benchmarks for the Iraqi government--an indispensable step toward having Iraqis begin to take responsibility for their own country's future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Stephen E. Millard, who passed away on Saturday, May 19th, 2007, and to offer his family and friends my sympathies as they grieve and reflect on their time spent with him. In his passing, Steve leaves us all with occasion to consider our own pursuits of integrity and honesty as we remember a life distinguished by both.

Steve Millard came to Colorado's Second Congressional District late in life and, at the age of 40, began a career in professional journalism with the Boulder Daily Camera. In a fairly quick manner Steve transitioned to the editorial staff of the paper and then to a well-suited perch as the editorial-page editor, which is perhaps the professional position for which he will be best remembered. Steve's editorial writing was remarkable not only for its deep well of knowledge and insight, but also for its adherence to logic and restraint. His arguments were the results of intellectual curiosity and clear thinking, not the pursuit of a political agenda. Steve chose to provoke thought with reason and forceful writing which, in a time of increased media and political sensationalism, is a sobering reminder of the public trust held in our journalists and public servants.

As his family reminds us in a May 22 eulogy in the Boulder Daily Camera, Steve Millard lived his life by those same terms, setting an example of integrity, honesty, and intellectual curiosity for those who had the pleasure of knowing him. For members of the Boulder community and readers of the Boulder Daily Camera, he reminds us of the importance of engaging in issues as an informed, thoughtful citizen. As his family and friends mourn their loss, I hope my colleagues will join me in praising Stephen Millard's example and recognizing his contribution to the public discourse.