Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated group of sportsmen, merchants and citizens who have reached an important milestone as they celebrate the 50th year of the Free Fisherman's Breakfast. On May 27, 2005, from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m., volunteers will serve pancakes, sausage, bacon and eggs, hash browns, coffee, milk and juice to more than 5,000 people at Clyde Keefer Memorial Park in St. Anthony, Idaho.

Volunteers join together each year to continue the tradition which began near the opening of fishing season in May of 1955. The St. Anthony Chamber of Commerce and the Sportsmen's Association came up with the idea to try to draw fishermen into town on their way to their favorite fishing hole. The idea grew from just coffee and doughnuts to a full free breakfast, served faithfully each year despite rain, wind, snow and floods.

Informational booths were added in the park for guests to enjoy as they wait in line to be served. Many local, state, and national elected officials take advantage of the opportunity to visit with friends and supporters. Each year fishermen come from all over the state, as well as adjoining states, to renew old friendships and make new ones. An outstanding community member is honored each year.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate everyone who has been involved in the ``Free Fisherman's Breakfast'' over the years and join them this month as they commemorate its 50th anniversary. I have enjoyed socializing at this event in the past and will be looking forward to it in the future. I wish the City of St. Anthony well as they continue this great hometown tradition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated group of Filer Elementary School students, teachers, parents and volunteers who will be participating in a fifty mile walk between the Malad Gorge State Park and Filer, Idaho.

Each day this week, the fourth grade class of Filer Elementary School will walk 10 miles along the Snake River Canyon, following the same path crossed over 150 years ago by settlers migrating west on the Oregon trail. These students have been training for months for this big week where they will literally be taking school out on the road. By participating in a physical challenge that is attainable through goal setting, hard work and perseverance, these students redefine their personal potential far beyond what they once thought possible.

While the students journey through Southern Idaho, they will learn about and identify the large melon shaped boulders along the Snake River Canyon that were formed 15,000 years ago. They will also learn about the hardships faced by the first settlers in whose footsteps they are following. Much like Lewis and Clark, every evening the students will record their impressions in a journal. These journals become a reflection of the transformation that takes place within these children during this memorable week.

Over the past 10 years, more than 1,000 students, teachers, parents and volunteers have completed the ``50 Mile Big Walk'' The students come to understand that if you can walk 50 miles when you are in fourth grade, there isn't anything in life you can't do if you set a goal, work hard and help others along the way.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the ``50 Mile Big Walk'' and commend them on their hard work and dedication. To the walkers, I want you to know that I will be thinking of you and wishing you well every step of the way. Thank you, Filer Elementary School for being an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Post Register Newspaper for providing 125 years of service to eastern Idaho. I'm proud to recognize and congratulate the Post Register for this achievement.

The Post Register can trace its roots to the founding of the Idaho Register in Blackfoot, Idaho in 1880. J. Robb Brady, son of former Idaho Governor and Senator James H. Brady, purchased the Daily Post in Idaho Falls in 1925. In 1931, The Post and Times-Register merged to create the Post-Register.

The Post Register is a longstanding corporate citizen committed to following its stated mission of being fair, ethical, accurate and courageous. The Post Register covers an area that stretches the miles from the Salmon River area, east into Montana, into western Wyoming including Jackson and south to Blackfoot, Idaho. Citizens who reside within these areas have benefited from the Post Register's 125 years of community journalism.

The Post Register is a newspaper that moves quickly to adjust to readers needs. In 1995, the first online pages were posted at www.postregister.com. In 1997, the newspaper hit another milestone when it changed to morning publication and added a Saturday edition.

Currently, the Post Register is owned by its employees and the descendants of James H. and J. Robb Brady. The Post Register's values are to serve ``this special place, our home, now and in future generations,'' and they have held true to these values for the last 125 years. To the Post Register and all their employees, I congratulate you on such a successful business and look forward to the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in expressing my grave concern over China's proposed anti-secession law. This highly provocative law greatly increases the risk of a military confrontation across the Taiwan Strait. Specifically, it assumes China and Taiwan are now unified, and it gives China the right to punish anyone expressing separatist sentiments or engaging in separatist activities. Ultimately, China may use force to push for unification with Taiwan, a scenario we all must work to prevent. This law would have serious consequences for relations between China and Taiwan, and it would threaten stability in the region.

In my district, Idaho State University has developed a unique program, the only program of its kind in the United States, to provide a language and cultural education program for junior diplomatic officers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have spent time discussing the American political system and current events in Taiwan with the junior diplomats, and they have repeatedly expressed their country's desire to avoid confrontation with China. These students look to the United States as a model of freedom and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, we do not need military confrontation in the Taiwan Strait now or anytime in the future. I urge the Chinese leaders to reject the anti-secession law, and I hope the international community will join us in voicing their disapproval of this provocative and dangerous law. Inaction by the United States will only serve to encourage China to escalate its political rhetoric and belligerent action against the democratic Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Dr. Paul Kearns of Idaho Falls for his service as Laboratory Director of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL).

On February 1, Paul's tenure as Laboratory Director will come to an end and I want to thank Paul and his wife Lynn for their contribution to Idaho. Paul has guided the INEEL through a time of great change and challenge and he has been a true friend and champion of the lab and its employees.

When Paul took over as INEEL Laboratory Director, he reached out to employees, DOE and the Idaho congressional delegation to improve communication and understanding. That effort has helped the INEEL grow and prosper under Paul's leadership.

Under Dr. Kearns' guidance, the research and development programs of the INEEL have experienced significant growth and so has the recognition of the lab's accomplishments. The growth in R&D programs coupled with a sterling safety and performance record give the new Idaho National Laboratory a strong foundation for future growth and success.

Paul has been a respected leader in Idaho serving as a member of Governor Kempthorne's Science and Technology Advisory Council and a board member of the Idaho Nature Conservancy.

Paul and the Bechtel team have been very good for Idaho and the INEEL and while their association with the lab will soon end, we want to thank them for their efforts and support. I want to wish Paul and Lynn all the best as they embark on new challenges and opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, fundamentally, hiring former servicemembers is a good business decision. They are a competitive business asset and a unique national resource. They represent the very best of commitment, reliability, and resolve.

In the 107th Congress, President Bush signed into law the Jobs for Veterans Act (Public Law 107-288), which I authored with my friend Silvestre Reyes. It established the President's National Hire Veterans Committee (NHVC) with a mission to reach out to employers and make them fully aware of the skills and attributes veterans offer to the civilian workforce. As we fight the war on terrorism, America's sons and daughters continue selflessly to volunteer for military service and then join the civilian workforce better prepared to make a significant contribution to our private economy. The NHVC expires on December 31, 2005.

Since its genesis in 2003, the President's National Hire Veterans Committee has initiated a nationwide marketing campaign which has brought more employers seeking veterans to the Department of Labor's One-Stop Career Centers.

NHVC launched a sophisticated website, www.hirevetsfirst.gov that helps employers and veterans while embracing the existing workforce development systems. Prior to this website there was no single national location of which I am aware for the either the employer or the veteran to find relevant information about each other.

NHVC initiated a unique advertising campaign to attract human resource specialists, business executives, and public sector employers. These are highly effective ads conveying a message of the value that veterans bring to the workplace. To guide employers to the website, a wrap-around cover ``outsert'' program, mailed to selected executive readers of Business Week, contains interviews with four business leaders including Robert Lutz, Vice Chairman of General Motors; Jackson Moore, CEO-designate of Regions Financial Corporation; and Bob Nardelli CEO of Home Depot.

NHVC has also been a catalyst for local and statewide initiatives to support jobs for veterans. NHVC worked with the governors of many states, including my home state of Idaho, to declare Hire Vets First month. The Committee is working directly with employers throughout America, and in a cooperative venture with NHVC, Home Depot hired over 13,000 veterans in 2004.

Mr. Speaker, we must continue to convey the message of the competitive value and bottom-line results that veterans add to our economy. We must ensure that we as a nation properly leverage in our domestic economy the investment of over $17 billion a year in training our military. But more importantly, we must continue to commend the virtues of our veterans who have the ability to learn new skills, and a propensity for teamwork, self discipline, loyalty and many other characteristics

that translate into productivity, innovation, and leadership.

Hiring former servicemembers is good for business, it's good for veterans, and it's good for America. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. XXXX, providing for a 3-year extension of the President's National Hire Veterans Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Darryl Kehrer, Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Benefits of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, who is retiring after 37 years, 33 of which were devoted of public service to our nation's veterans.

Darryl's distinguished career in public service began with active duty in the United States Air Force from 1966-1970, after which he received an Honorable Discharge as Staff Sergeant. Since then, he has served with distinction at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Senate, and as Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Benefits of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs at the United States House of Representatives. Furthermore, he served as Executive Director of the Congressional Veterans Claims Adjudication Commission, and Staff Director of the Panel on Veterans' Benefits for the Congressional Commission on Servicemembers and Veterans Transition Assistance.

Darryl has dedicated his career to improving the lives of our nation's veterans and to provide them with the very best with respect to benefits and services in their transition to civilian life. He has made significant contributions to the development and enactment of veterans' legislation to improve education, employment, and transition assistance, to name just a few of his accomplishments.

As the Chairman of the Veterans Benefits Subcommittee during the 107th Congress, Darryl's strong work ethic and commitment to the issues was unwavering. He worked tirelessly with me to enact the Jobs for Veterans Act (PL 107-288), and since then he has continued his work with the Department of Labor to ensure the legislation is reaching veterans and helping them make the transition from military service to civilian employment. His comments and insight into issues affecting veterans was invaluable to me when I served as the Chairman and continues to be today.

Darryl has been a guest instructor at the University of Missouri and the Harry S Truman Library, the John Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University, West Potomac and Annandale High Schools in Virginia, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy. Using the Montgomery GI Bill as an example of how legislation is made, he developed a case study on the enactment of this significant piece of veterans legislation, providing students with a hands-on approach to law-making. He has accompanied me to both West Point and the Air Force Academy, where we visited with instructors and spent time with the cadets. At the Air Force Academy, we did a joint presentation to students regarding the Member and staff perspectives of the U.S. Congress. His success as a guest instructor is clearly demonstrated by how frequently these renowned institutions ask him to return.

Darryl's passions are teaching, mentoring, and baseball. He has spent the past fifteen years volunteering for the Annandale Little League, and the League established an ongoing scholarship in his name. Called the ``Kehrer Cup,'' it is awarded to the youngster who personifies the values of Little League Baseball and includes a $550 scholarship to the Little League Baseball International Summer Camp. He also received the Ellie Doyle Award for his exemplary partnership with the Fairfax County government in youth sports activities. A self-proclaimed ``baseball fanatic,'' Darryl has used his passion to instill the love of the game and the ideals of sportsmanship in children and young adults.

Mr. Speaker, throughout his career as a public servant and volunteer in the community, Darryl has exemplified the highest ideals of family, community, and public service. With his retirement, we are losing an exemplary public servant and true friend of our nation's veterans. Thank you, Darryl, for your many years of dedicated service to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and commend Mr. Paul Allen, Mr. Burt Rutan and all the men and women of Mojave Aerospace Ventures on winning the Ansari X Prize competition.

On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first sustained, controlled, powered flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk, NC. Now, a little over a century later Mojave Aerospace Ventures has followed in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers by designing, building and successfully flying the world's first privately funded spacecraft.

Mr. Speaker, the private support of Paul Allen, for the Mojave Aerospace Ventures was critical in reaching this historical milestone. This accomplishment exemplifies the ingenuity on which our Nation was founded and developed. Mr. Allen has shown that the entrepreneurial spirit which has made America great is alive and well and will continue towards even greater achievements in the future.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I thank the Committee on Rules for making this amendment in order.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would split the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and, as has already been stated on this floor, there is some controversy surrounding it. This is an issue that has been discussed for several years, both in the States that are affected by the Ninth Circuit and when I was in the State legislature, I served on the Judiciary and Rules Committee, and we discussed this many times and looked at the Ninth Circuit and the potential need for splitting the Ninth Circuit.

Let me state at the outset of this, it is inevitable that the Ninth Circuit will be split. At some point in time, whether it is with this bill or some other bill in the future, the need to split the Ninth Circuit is undeniable. At some point in time, the growth is such that it is growing so rapidly that we will have to split this court.

What are the factors that we should look at that should determine when it is time to split this court? I agree with the White Commission and the statements made by the gentleman from California earlier. Looking at the decisions of a judge, there is no reason to split the court. Whether one agrees or disagrees with those decisions, that is not the reason to split a court.

The reason to split a court is for administrative purposes, and in the past there has been much debate about the liberal decisions of the Ninth Circuit and so forth; and people have wanted to get out of the Ninth Circuit for that reason. That is not my intention. My intention is because of the administration of the Ninth Circuit.

Look at these facts. The Ninth Circuit has 48 judges, a figure that is approaching twice the number of total judges as the next largest circuit. It is twice as big as the next largest circuit in terms of judges, and the Ninth Circuit represents 56 million people, roughly one-fifth of the population of the U.S. This is 5 million more people than the next largest circuit. The Ninth Circuit encompasses nearly 40 percent of the geographic area of the United States. It runs essentially from the equator to the North Pole and from the corners of Montana to Guam. It is an enormous surface area.

The Ninth Circuit also has the most number of appeals filed and the highest percentage of increases in appeals filed, the most number of appeals still pending and the longest median time until disposition of those appeals.

To address this problem, this amendment creates a new Ninth Circuit featuring California, Guam, Hawaii and the Northern Marianas Islands; a new 12th Circuit, featuring Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana; and a new 13th, featuring Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.

This legislation also allows the President to appoint five new judges to permanent Ninth Circuit seats, along with two other judges who will temporarily fill seats. These additions are consistent with requests made by the Judicial Conference and will ensure that future caseload demands made on the new Ninth Circuit will more closely mirror its new judgeship resources. The amendment further ensures that the duty stations of these judges will be California, where the demand for more judges is highest.

The creation of more judgeships in the absence of additional reform will not improve the administration of justice in the United States. This is an instance in which bigger does not mean better. We must distribute judgeships with an eye toward achieving structural coherence within each circuit. This amendment accomplishes that.

For just a minute, Mr. Chairman, let me address some of the arguments that have already been made and will be made against this bill:

First, that we are doing it just because we do not like the decisions of the Ninth Circuit. While that may have been the case in the past and some of the tactics that has been talked about in the past when this issue has been discussed, certainly that has been one of the premier points of view that some people have raised, that is not the reason to do it. I agree with the White Commission.

Second, the cost. The cost, as has been stated here, is somewhat exaggerated, and the reason for that is that it took into consideration the addition of five new additional judges and two temporary judges. Those judges will be appointed whether or not this amendment is adopted because they are in the underlying bill. So the cost of this amendment is substantially overstated by the opponents of this legislation.

Third, we have talked about Governor Schwarzenegger of California not supporting this and that we should follow our fellow Republican Governor. I can tell my colleagues that there are Republican Governors that do support this that are affected in the Ninth Circuit. The California Governor is not the only Governor in the Ninth Circuit.

The fourth is judges do not want this, that there was a vote taken and it was 30 to nine of the judges of the Ninth Circuit that did not want this split to occur. Let me tell my colleagues how that occurred. That was a straw poll that was taken of the judges. The chief justice of the Ninth Circuit knew exactly how each of those judges voted. It was not a vote in secret, and each one of those judges knew that the chief justice of the Ninth Circuit is adamantly opposed to this split. Did that influence the vote? I do not know, but I can tell my colleagues that of the nine that voted to support the split, they are registered as the nine. Of the 30 that opposed the split, some of them opposed it, some of them were undecided, and they were counted as opposing the split. So to say that it was 30 to nine, I think, is an exaggeration of the case.

The fact is we have to look at the facts that I stated here. Is it time to split this court? I think it is undeniable that it is time. Justice in the Ninth Circuit is different than it is in every other circuit in this country. We do things differently in the Ninth Circuit because it is so large.

In every other circuit, when there is an appeal of the three-judge decision en banc to the full court, all the judges of that circuit sit and listen to the case, even those on the three-judge panel, so that they can have their points of view inserted into that discussion of the case. In the Ninth Circuit, that is not the case. It is so large that they pull names out of a hat, and 10 members and the chief sit en banc. One may or may not be chosen for it. Individuals that sat on the three- judge panel and listened to it may not even be on the en banc panel; and consequently they cannot have their views inserted as to why they decided the way they did as a three-judge panel.

So justice is different in the Ninth Circuit. I think it should be uniform. I think the size of the judiciary in the various circuits should be more closely related than they currently are with the Ninth Circuit; and, consequently, I hope my colleagues will support this amendment, and we will finally do what we have discussed for many years, that is, split the Ninth Circuit, make justice in the West just as it is in the rest of the country.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

If you were to follow the arguments of the gentleman from California, maybe we should be combining the smaller circuits into larger circuits, if cost is the issue.

And it is the other side talking about judicial activism, not this side. We are talking because of administrative purposes.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), chairman of the full committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi).

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 30 seconds. While I appreciate the facts from the gentleman from California's comments, the reality is that some people, as I stated in my opening statement, support this because they do not like the decisions of the Ninth Circuit. That is a reality. But as the chairman stated and I stated, that is not the reason to do it. Look at the facts. Do not vote on it based on ideology.

I would also state that it is interesting that, from that side of the aisle, there are people who do not want to split it because they do like the decisions of the Ninth Circuit, and so they want them to apply to the entire West. For the same reason that some Members on my side want it split, some people on their side do not want it split.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Otter).

(Mr. OTTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's concern for the squabble between the Republicans from California and the Republicans from Idaho. But I can tell the gentleman that some Republicans from California also see the need to split the Ninth Circuit. They also are concerned about not having the rest of us in the pool with them.

Let me just say this. The White Commission has been mentioned several times here, and I agree with the White Commission, as I have stated before. Splitting the court because one does not like the decisions is not the right reason to do it. If those individuals here want to split this court because they think that they are going to get better decisions out of a new court that they like better, they are going to be mighty disappointed because I can find decisions on any court anywhere in the land that I am going to disagree with. That is not a valid reason to split a court, even though there are some people who want to do it for that reason.

What I am asking the Members to do is to look past that and look at the statistics, look at the numbers, look at the facts that the reality is that it is going to be split at some time. We cannot go on with a court that is twice as large, will some day, looking at the growth rate, be three times as large as any other circuit court. According to the argument of the gentleman from California, what we should have done in 1980 when we split the Fifth Circuit was just add more judges, but we decided to split it, and, yes, all the judges there wanted to split the Fifth Circuit.

I would like to know of this 30 to nine vote that is being touted, how many of them were the undecideds that were counted in the 30. How many of them would have voted one way or another if a secret ballot was taken and they did not have to reveal who they were to the chief justice that they knew was opposed to the amendment.

I will also tell the Members that the White Commission also recognized there was something wrong with the Ninth Circuit because they recommended not a split in the Ninth Circuit, but to split it administratively, something that had not been done in any other region. They recognized that the administration of the Ninth Circuit was too large and needed to be handled differently. It was not efficient. So they recommended splitting the administration of it. Why they did not recommend splitting the court, I do not know. I think it is because it was always looked at as partisan. And I will also tell the Members that five of the nine Supreme Court Justices have made public comments about the need to split the Ninth Circuit.

I urge support for the amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the friends and family of Sarah Pearson Campbell, who recently donated fifty acres of land to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

With this being the last week of September and there being only five weeks before a very influential election that includes a race for the second congressional district of Idaho, as well as a presidential race, I often find myself with too few hours in my day to accomplish everything that I want to do. But when I was recently made aware of a land donation that had been given to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, I felt obligated to say thank you to the families that made the donation possible.

Doug and Mary Campbell, along with the families of Wes, Bob and Hank Wills recently donated a 50 acre parcel of land in the heart of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The land is located within the heart of Boulder City--a present day ghost town that was once a promising mining town in the heart of Idaho's Boulder Mountain range.

Historic Boulder City is located north of Ketchum, a rugged and steep six-mile track from Highway 75 up Boulder Creek to the Basin. The city was the second town established in the Wood River Valley and was once home to a store, hotel, post office, corral, saloon, cabins, an ore processing mill and various mines. The land donated contains the remains of the mill, four cabins and other mining structures.

The gift was given to pay tribute and honor the Campbell's daughter Sarah Pearson Campbell, who was killed in an avalanche in December 2000 while back country skiing in Teton County, Wyoming. ``By donating this historic site, we will be honoring Sarah's commitment to protecting the beauty and integrity of the area,'' said Doug and Mary Campbell. ``This parcel of land is symbolic of Sarah's work and experiences in, and love for, the mountains here in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.''

Words such as these make me proud to be both an Idahoan and American. I have the utmost respect and gratitude for these families, who are willing to carry on the legacy of their daughter and friend through a donation they know would have made her very proud. Although Sarah is no longer able to share in the scenic beauty of the SNRA, her friends and family wanted to make sure others would be able to experience the same beauty that Sarah came to know and love.

I obviously cannot begin to put into words the sentimental meaning and significance this gift has for the families involved; that is something one would have to ask Sarah's family and friends about. But I can tell you this is only the third land donation to the SNRA since its establishment in 1972, and is critical in helping the US Forest Service preserve an area rich in beauty and history.

I would like to extend a personal thank you to all of those involved with this unselfish and generous gift to the SNRA. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Sarah, I can only imagine she shared the same ideals and principals that her family and friends displayed when donating this substantial piece of land.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor America's stenographic court reporters and captioners as they celebrate the 105th anniversary of their association.

For centuries, scribes have captured the spoken word to record major and everyday events in recorded history. Shorthand reporters were vital to the preservation of our Nation's founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. We use them every day in Congress to record the proceedings of our body.

They also provide a valuable service in reaching the hearing-impaired by providing broadcast captioning through Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART). This service benefits millions of Americans every day.

Mr. Speaker, I join with other Members of Congress in honoring and celebrating the efforts of all stenographic court reporters and captioners on July 30, 2004, as they celebrate the 105th anniversary of their association.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 257, expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery. Harry Colmery is truly an American treasure. In December of 1943, Mr. Colmery sat in room 570 of the Mayflower Hotel drafting what arguably became our most successful domestic program ever, possible even more remarkable than the Homestead Act.

I believe Mr. Colmery simply wanted a decent opportunity for the 14 million GIs we brought home after World War II. The GI bill provided veterans with opportunities that were limited only by their own aspiration, ability and initiative. The VA provided the opportunity; the veterans provided the initiative.

On June 20, 2002, I joined Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Christopher Smith, former Senator Bob Dole, former House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman G.V. Sonny Montgomery, Congressman Jim Ryun--who authored the legislation we are considering today--author Michael Bennett, and National Adjutant Robert W. Spanogle of The American Legion, at the Mayflower Hotel to dedicate room 570. This was our first step to recognize the man who authored legislation which, unbeknownst to him, would create the modern middle class.

After the ceremony, this distinguished group of individuals wrote letters in support of honoring Mr. Colmery with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This was followed by Congressman Ryun introducing H. Con. Res. 257, of which I am proud to co-sponsor.

Harry Colmery was a visionary and deserves the Nation's highest honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The GI bill transformed America. Former President George Bush put it best, ``The GI bill changes the lives of millions by replacing old roadblocks with paths of opportunity. And, in so doing, it boosted America's work force, it boosted America's economy, and really, it changed the life of our Nation.''

Mr. Speaker, let us honor the man who redefined our way of life. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, every visitor who comes to my office is greeted by a plaque that bears the inscription of Ronald Reagan's signature and this quote, ``There's no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit.'' These words are characteristic of the great man that served as the fortieth President of the United States of America. I am involved with politics today because of the inspiration I received from Ronald Reagan. I believe he was the true example of what a statesman can be, and I hold that example close to my heart as I carry out my own duties.

President Reagan will always be remembered as an unabashed patriot. He was convinced of the ability of the United States to provide the hope of freedom to those enslaved by totalitarianism and communism. President Reagan's vision of the world and the future of this country would not be dimmed or daunted by ideological threat, and he was not afraid to stand up to tyranny and aggression. From the beginning of his presidency, President Reagan realized the potential cost of inaction and weakness in the face of Soviet defiance and nuclear threat, and he took action. Through a series of defense budgets, he increased defense spending 35 percent during his two terms, ensuring the country the resources necessary for security. Additionally, President Reagan managed to negotiate the first U.S.-Soviet treaty to reduce the number of nuclear weapons through a series of four summits with Mikhail Gorbachev. President Reagan was always clear about what he expected and never more so than when he pleaded at the Brandenberg Gates, ``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!''

President Reagan planted democracy in regions of the world that have never tasted the joys of freedom. He taught newly liberated people across the globe that hard work and faith in God could result in prosperity, a sense of satisfaction in one's own legacy, and a better outlook for tomorrow. He wanted the American dream to be a reality throughout the world.

President Reagan will also be remembered as a man of humble beginnings. He proclaimed America as a place where ``everyone can rise as high and as far as his ability will take him.'' Born in Tampico, Illinois, President Reagan used his abilities to establish a career in Hollywood. He continued to work and learn as he rose through California politics and went on to serve two successful terms as the leader of our nation. He wanted all Americans to have the same freedom and opportunity to pursue success, and he consistently promoted that ideal through policies of limited government. He said, ``Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it.''

What makes Ronald Reagan most unforgettable was his unfailing optimism. Even as our nation mourns, we cannot help but smile at the thought of his cheerful and radiant personality. President Reagan possessed a sense of humor strong enough to withstand even the pain of an assassin's bullet. Demonstrating his trademark good nature, he said to the doctors about to operate on his bullet wounds, ``I hope you're all Republicans.'' It was this characteristic sanguinity that swept up a downtrodden America and reenergized its faith in freedom, the Presidency, and our military.

Ronald Reagan was many things. He was a man of reason, a man of sincerity, a man willing to listen. And he is a man whose character, grace, and wisdom will be deeply missed by this nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that would improve access to dental coverage for our Nation's most precious commodity, children. As a former practicing dentist in my home state of Idaho, I have long been concerned about access to dental coverage for our most vulnerable citizens. While most Americans have access to the best oral health care in the world, low-income children suffer disproportionately from oral disease. Even as our Nation's health has progressed, dental caries or tooth decay remains the most prevalent chronic childhood disease. Millions of Americans, adults and children, lack access to dental care. In many parts of Idaho, as in many rural States, there simply aren't enough dentists within reasonable distance of some communities.

For people who don't have access to dental care, oral disease is almost 100 percent inevitable--albeit 100 percent preventable. This is particularly heartbreaking when it affects children. Recent demonstration projects have shown that with some Federal support, a little funding can go a long way toward ensuring that low-income children have access to good oral health care. My legislation, H.R. 4622, cosponsored by Congressman John Dingell, would assist States in doing just that.

H.R. 4622 would not issue Federal mandates, but rather would provide support to States as they determine how best to improve access to dental care in their communities. I believe that States are the best arbiters of how to enhance access to care for their residents, with the understanding that for any such effort to succeed, it must begin by reimbursing dentists who participate in Medicaid and SCHIP at market rates.

H.R. 4622 would: Provide financial incentives and planning grants to help States improve their Medicaid programs. States must first create a comprehensive plan for improving the delivery of dental services, and they must also adequately reimburse dentists for children's dental services; Offer grants to expand the availability of dental services in health professional shortage areas. Grants would be made available to dentists who practice in federally designated dental shortage areas if at least 25 percent of their patient-base receives assistance under Medicaid or SCHIP. Grants would also be available to qualifying community health centers, State public health departments, Indian tribes/tribal organizations and accredited dental education programs; Ensure that States provide some level of dental benefits through SCHIP; Offer States the option to use their SCHIP funding to provide dental coverage to children in families who have medical but not dental coverage and meet SCHIP income-eligibility requirements; Expand School- Linked Dental Sealant Programs to include eligible school-linked public or non-profit organizations and Indian tribes that are under contract with an elementary or secondary school to provide dental services to school-aged children.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is but a small step forward toward the goal of ensuring that every child in America has good oral health, but it is a necessary first step. I ask all my colleagues to join with me in supporting H.R. 4622.

Mr. Chairman, would the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, first let me thank the chairman for his support as he completes his term as chairman of the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. I add my congratulations to those that have already been stated for the great job that he has done for America and for our military.

I appreciate the Chairman's raising the important issue of Japan's contributions in Iraq and join with him in acknowledging their historic role. As he mentioned, this operation is unprecedented and has been severely tested during the recent hostage crisis. However, Tokyo's commitment has not changed. In fact, Japan has just dispatched the 2nd Contingent of its Ground Self-Defense Forces to Iraq.

I also understand the Japanese forces have recently commenced airlift operations between Iraq and Kuwait. Other humanitarian and infrastructure projects include food and medicine and construction or repair of seaports, power plants, hospitals, and schools.

In fact, on May 26, Japan played a leading role as the chair of the second meeting of the Donor's Committee of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq at Doha.

Prime Minister Koizumi has been a key ally on the war on terrorism. On June 8, Prime Minister Koizumi and President Bush had a bilateral meeting on the occasion of the Sea Island G-8 Summit meeting. During the meeting, the Prime Minister announced Japan's full support for the U.S. policy on Iraq through the continued dispatch of Self-Defense Forces as well as financial assistance through the government's official development assistance.

We highly value the contribution of Japan and other allies. I hope that all Members will read the Fact Sheet from Japan's assistance that I will insert into the Record at this point.

Japan's Assistance for Iraq

The attached Fact Sheet outlines Japan's very significant,

and continuing, efforts in providing critical assistance to

Iraq. Following are some of the highlights of the fact sheet:

The total number of Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF)

participating in the reconstruction of Iraq is approximately

1,000, including nearly 600 ground troops. Several naval

vessels and aircraft are also present. This is an historic

operation, the first of its kind for SDF since World War II.

Japan has decided to fund both bilateral and multilateral

projects as part of the implementation of the $1.5 billion

grant out of the $5 billion Japan pledged in Madrid last

fall. Such humanitarian and infrastructure projects include

food and medical assistance, employment, and construction or

repair of key seaports, power plants, hospitals, schools and

other facilities.

Japan's Self-Defense Forces have commenced airlift

operations between Iraq and Kuwait, and are now providing

humanitarian assistance in Samawah, Iraq.

Japan's commitment was severely tested during the recent

hostage crisis. Fortunately, that crisis was resolved

favorably. Here is what Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said

on April 22 on the subject:

``This hostage taking has not undermined Japan's firm

resolve to engage in humanitarian and reconstruction

assistance in Iraq.

It is precisely because the situation in Iraq makes the

activities of ordinary individuals impossible that the Self-

Defense Forces (SDF) have been dispatched to engage in

humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq.''

On April 15, the Embassy of Japan in Baghdad reported that

the three Japanese were released in Baghdad and were under

secure custody of Embassy officials. The Embassy of Japan

would like to extend its sincere gratitude for the efforts of

those concerned in Iraq and for the support from all over the

world. Foreign Minister Kawaguchi's statement can be found on

the following website: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/ announce/2004/4/0415.html

japan's assistance for iraq (fact sheet)

(Note: All number are approximate.)

1. Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance to Iraq

(total: $846.35 million).

(A) Assistance in cooperation with international

organizations ($91.4 million).

(1) Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq ($29.5 million) (2003

March 20 and April 9).

(a) World Food Programme (WFP): food supply.

(b) United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): child

protection, education, water/sanitation.

(c) International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC):

medical assistance, provision of food and life supplies,

restoration of water supply facility.

(d) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):

assistance for refugees.

(2) Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage,

Education ($2 million) (2003 April 23).

(a) Restoration and preservation of cultural heritages ($1

million, in cooperation with UNESCO).

(b) Education ($1 million, in cooperation with UNESCO).

(3) Umm Qasr Port Project ($2.5 million) (2003 April 25).

Activities: carry out an emergency dredging of Umm Qasr

Port (In cooperation with UNDP).

Impact: realize effective port operations and smooth

delivery of humanitarian assistance.

(4) Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq

($57.4 million) (2003 May 16, 21, July 4, Oct 17; 2004 Jan

16, Jan 26).

(a) Iraq Reconstruction and Employment Program ($6 million,

in cooperation with UNDP).

Activities: employ Iraqis in Baghdad to perform functions

such as debris removal, garbage collection and rehabilitation

of buildings.

Impact: creation of 35,000 jobs, improvement of the

sanitary conditions in Baghdad.

(b) Project for Reactivation of Primary Education in Iraq

($10 million, in cooperation with UNICEF).

Activities: rehabilitate schools and provide school

supplies in Baghdad, Mosul, Najaf and the surrounding areas.

Impact: 1 million children in 3 cities and their suburbs

will benefit.

(c) Rehabilitation of the National Dispatch Centre ($5.55

million, in cooperation with UNDP).

Activities: rehabilitate the National Dispatch Centre and

provide it with necessary equipment and materials.

Impact: improve provision of electricity to the

institutions such as hospitals which are essential for

humanitarian needs by proper control on the power

distribution.

(d) Project for Emergency Rehabilitation of Al-Kadhimiya

Teaching Hospital ($3.64 million, in cooperation with UNDP).

Activities: rehabilitate the Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital

and provide materials and equipment.

Impact: improve the hospital's medical services and the

lives and hygienic conditions of the people.

(e) Project for the Emergency Rehabilitation of the Hartha

Power Station ($8 million, in cooperation with UNDP).

Activities: rehabilitate the Hartha Power Station and

transmission in Basra region.

Impact: increase electricity supply and improve the life

and hygiene of the civilians in Basra region.

(f) School rehabilitation Project ($6.1 million, in

cooperation with UN-HABITAT).

Activities: rehabilitate 271 schools in Basra, Samawa,

Nashiria and Amarra.

Impact: resume lessons and create job opportunities.

(g) Community Rehabilitation Project ($2.7 million, in

cooperation with UN-HABITAT).

Activities: rehabilitate a total of 3,000 damaged houses

and/or community facilities in Baghdad, Samawa and Kirkuk.

Beneficiaries will be selected from vulnerable groups

particularly from households headed by women.

Impact: improve community neighborhood through

rehabilitation of infrastructure and create job

opportunities.

(h) Iraq Reconstruction and Employment Program ($15.4

million, in cooperation with UNDP).

Activities: hire local Iraqi people for restoration of

water/sewage systems, garbage collection, clean-up activities

etc.

Impact: hire local Iraqi people etc.

(B) Direct Assistance to Iraq ($227 million).

(a) Provision of 1150 Police vehicles to be deployed in 27

cities. 40 vehicles will be deployed to Samawa. ($29 million)

(04 Jan 16).

(b) Provision of 27 mobile substations throughout Iraq ($72

million) (04 Mar 26).

(c) Rehabilitation and provision of equipment to 4

hospitals (Nasiriyah, Najaf, Diwaniyah and Samawah) $51

million) (04 Mar 26).

(d) Provision of 30 compact water treatment units to the

city of Baghdad ($55 million) (04 Mar 26).

(e) Provision of 70 firetrucks to Baghdad, Al Basra and

Muthanna ($20 million) (04 March 26).

(C) Assistance through funds ($500 million).

(a) International Reconstruction Fund Facility For Iraq

($490 million).

$360 million to the Fund administered by the UN.

$90 million to the Fund administered by the WB.

Additional $40 million will be also available to the Fund

administered by the WB after the approval of FY2004 budget.

(b) IFC small business finance facility ($10 million).

(D) Assistance in cooperation with NGOs ($27.9 million).

(1) Assistance for the emergency medical activities of NGOs

($3.3 mil) (2003 March 20).

(a) Japan Platform Joint Team operating in Jordan.

(b) Peace Winds Japan operating in Northern Iraq.

(2) Assistance to the following NGO activities ($21

million) (2003 May 16, 21, Dec 11, 2004 Feb 8, Feb 20 and

March 4).

(a) Medical projects and distribution of emergency supplies

in Iraq carried out by Japan Platform (Japanese NGOs, 2003

May 21).

(b) Project distributing medical supplies including

antibiotics in Iraq run by Hashemite Charity Organization

(Jordanian NGO, 2003 May 16).

(c) Project distributing medical equipment such as Infant

Intravenous Kits run by CARE International (International

NGO, 2003 May 16).

(d) Emergency Rehabilitation of public facilities by Japan

Platform (Japanese NGOs, 2003 Dec 11).

(e) Cultural Grassroots Projects to the Iraq Football

Association (Iraqi NGO, 2004 Feb 8).

(f) Emergency Aid of Medical Equipment to Samawa Maternity

& Children Hospital (Japanese NGO, 2004 Feb 20).

(g) Emergency aid for Iraq to the NGO unit of Japan

Platform (Japanese NGOs).

(3) Humanitarian and Recovery Assistance ($3.6 million)

(Grassroots Assistance).

(a) The Project for Humanitarian Operation in the Umm Qasr

Community $90,000.

(b) The Project for the Equipment Supply for Rashid RF

Community Council $73,000.

(c) The Project for Improvement of Schools in the Rashid

District $206,000.

(d) The Project for Improving Hibatoallah Institute for

Down Syndrome $42,000.

(e) The Project for Reconstruction of Mustakbal Secondary

School in Mosul City $375,000.

(f) The Project for Construction of Wastewater Treatment

Plants in Mosul City $460,000.

(g) The Project for Rehabilitation of Water Treatment

Plants in Nineveh Governorate $230,000.

(h) The Project for Improvement of Medical Transportation

in Nineveh Governorate $620,000.

(i) The Project of supplying Water Tankers to the

Governorate of Al-Muthanna $800,000 (for 12 water tanks).

(j) The project for Provision of Emergency Medical Supplies

to Al Samawaha General Hospital $770,000.

(E) Others.

(a) Assistance for supplying TV program ``Oshin'' by Japan

Foundation (the broadcast started from 2003 Oct 27).

(b) With regard to the friendly football match between the

Japanese national team and the Iraqi national team hosted by

the Japan Football Association, GOJ provides approximately

10 million as the travel expenses of the Iraqi team

through the Japan Foundation.

(c) Provision of Judo equipment to the Iraq Judo Foundation

and its transportation ($50,000).

(d) Provision of football equipment to the youth and sports

department in the governorate of Muthanna ($41,000).

((e) Dispatch of research missions for grant aid projects

formulation to Jordan and other surrounding countries (from

Jan 2004).

(f) Provision of 240 tents to the Governorate of Al-

Muthanna to counter the flooding of the Euphrates River in Al

Muthanna.

2. Consolidating broad based solidarity among the

International Community.

(a) GOJ believes that an international conference for

assisting Iraq should be organized with broad participation

of countries and international organizations. To this end,

GOJ has urged relevant international organizations such as

the UN and others, to take an active role in organizing

such a conference. As a result, the International Donors'

Conference for the reconstruction of Iraq was held in

Madrid, Spain, in 23-24 October. The Conference was able

to send a united and strong message of the international

community that the international community should actively

implement the assistant to Iraq in order not to make Iraq

the ``failure state.''

(b) Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto visited France

and Germany last December, as Prime Minister Koizumi's

special envoy, and emphasized to the leaders of the both

countries the importance of broad based solidarity among the

international community on assisting reconstruction of Iraq.

As a result, France, Germany, and Japan have agreed with

pursuit of cooperation among the three countries regarding

reconstruction assistance to Iraq. GOJ is consulting with

France and Germany through

the framework of trilateral consultations on reconstruction

assistances to Iraq in such areas as cultural affairs and

police personnel training.

3. Cooperation under the Special Measures Law for

Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance for Iraq.

GOJ dispatched Self Defense Forces to Iraq and surrounding

countries and areas to provide humanitarian and

reconstruction assistance for people of Iraq.

4. Coordination with CPA.

GOJ extends personnel cooperation through the Coalition

Provisional Authority.

5. Cooperation with Arab and neighboring countries.

GOJ will promote such cooperation, for example, by

promoting medical assistance through the Hashemite Charity

Organization of Jordan, and Japan-Egypt Joint Medical

Cooperation. As for the Japan-Egypt Joint Medical

Cooperation, it is planned to start training of approximately

100 medical related Iraqi personnel in Egypt.

6. Cooperation under the International Peace Co-operation

Law.

(1) In-kind contribution to UNHCR (2003 March 28).

Tents for 1,600 refugees were transported by 2 special

government aircraft, and handed over to UNHCR in Jordan.

(2) Transportation cooperation.

Operation of JSDF Aircraft (C-130H) between Brindisi

(Italy) and Amman (Jordan) for transportation of humanitarian

relief materials (140 tons) of UN from 17 July 2003 till 12

August 2003.

7. Assistance for neighboring countries and others ($322.25

million).

(1) Jordan: grant assistance ($100 million) (2003 March

23).

(2) Palestine: food aid ($4.2 million) (2003 March 23).

(3) Palestine: announcement of a new assistance package

($22.25 million, including the above-mentioned food aid)

(2003 April 29).

(4) Egypt: loans and grants (over $200 million) (2003 May

24).