Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to welcome today our guest chaplain, Pastor Kelly McInerney, from Wilmington, Ohio, and I thank him for leading the House in prayer.

Paster McInerney has led the congregation at Bible Baptist Church in Wilmington since its inception in 1995. The church began as a mission project of the Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church. Before the construction of its first facility in 2001, the congregation met in a storefront, a former bank building, and a historic theater in the heart of downtown Wilmington. The church's membership and attendance have grown steadily each year from a group of 40 charter members to a congregation whose average Sunday morning attendance currently averages over 1,000 persons.

Pastor McInerney is a respected community leader who is devoted to his congregation and his family and his faith. He is currently the chaplain for the Southwest District of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, and the Wilmington City Fire Department. As part of his service to the first responders of our community, Pastor McInerney also holds annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at his church. The event recognizes outstanding members of the law enforcement community and pays tribute to all the officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty in the history of Clinton County.

His family includes his wife Theresa, and his sons Kenton and Kaden. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Pastor McInerney and his family to Washington, and I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking our guest chaplain for his thoughtful and inspirational words.

Mr. Speaker, today I speak in favor of H.R. 3981, the Save America's Treasures/Preserve America Authorization Act of 2008.

I want to thank Representative Miller, the co-chair of the Historic Preservation Caucus, for his collaboration on this bill, as well as Senator Domenici and Senator Clinton for their work in moving this bill forward in the Senate.

I also want to thank Chairman Rahall and Ranking Member Young of the House Natural Resources Committee, as well as Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Bishop of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands for their work on this bill.

Finally, I want to commend the work of the national historic preservation advocacy groups, many of which have collaborated with our offices in crafting this bill.

To this date, the Save America's Treasures and Preserve America Programs have been authorized through executive order, and I want to point out that through both First Lady Laura Bush's and former First Lady Hillary Clinton's efforts and commitment to historic preservation, these programs have been a success for many local communities.

H.R. 3981 would ensure that these two important programs continue by codifying them into law.

Both the Save America's Treasures and Preserve America Programs have had an enormous impact on historic preservation nationally, as well as in Ohio. Ohio is home to nine Preserve America communities, Dayton, my hometown, being one. In fact, Dayton recently received a Preserve America Grant that will help analyze heritage tourism in the area.

Additionally, since 1999, Ohio has been the home of 45 Save America's Treasures Projects. These projects total nearly $11 million in funding toward bricks and mortar restoration of important Ohio historic assets such as the Paul Lawrence Dunbar House in Dayton; Cincinnati's Union Terminal; the Wright Flyer III in Dayton, Ohio; the Palace Theatre in Columbus; and last, but not least, The National First Ladies Library in Canton, Ohio.

It's certainly interesting to note that the First Ladies Library was a recipient of the two programs started by these two First Ladies.

H.R. 3981 will ensure a stable and continuous funding source is authorized to assist in funding these important projects.

Additionally, the bill ensures that public-private partnerships remain a key aspect to the preservation of important historic assets by requiring non-Federal funds be used in collaboration with these Federal grants.

The authorization of these programs will help highlight the importance of historic preservation as an economic development tool, as well as a core national value.

It is clear that saving our heritage in these buildings and neighborhoods is not just a way to pay homage to our past. It is also an important way to boost our economy in the present, in addition to the future.

This bill enjoys a broad range of support, including many historic preservation organizations and over 55 cosponsors in the House.

Again, I want to thank Congressman Miller for being the lead sponsor of this legislation, as well as the leadership of the Resources Committee for ushering this bill through the committee process.

This bill is also important because many of the recipients are organizations that are staffed by volunteers. These programs recognize their efforts to preserve the fabric of their community and help tell the story of our Nation's heritage. These programs work.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.

July 7, 2008.

Hon. Nick Rahall,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Hon. Don Young,

Ranking Member, Committee on Natural Resources, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Rahall and Ranking Member Young: We are

writing as representatives of the national preservation

community in support of H.R. 3981, a bill that would

authorize both the Preserve America (PA) and Save America's

Treasures (SAT) programs. Our organizations support this

measure and we are grateful to Reps. Miller and Turner for

their initiative in authoring this legislation, as well as

their leadership as co-chairs of the House Historic

Preservation Caucus. We hope that Congress will pass H.R.

3981, legislation which is critical to the historic

preservation community.

Despite all of their success and support, the PA and SAT

programs are unauthorized and funded from year-to-year

through the annual appropriations process. We would like to

see Congress authorize SAT and PA with a long-term

programmatic and funding vision that would enable both

programs to work in harmony with the other components of the

national historic preservation program. Authorization would

codify the successful implementation and practices of the

ten-year old SAT program along with its newer partner,

Preserve America, led by First Ladies Clinton and Bush

respectively. While each of these historic preservation

initiatives apply to projects of a different nature--SAT for

``bricks and mortar'' preservation and PA for heritage

education and outreach, it is important that they should be

authorized and mutually supportive of each other to maximize

federal resources and goals in saving the nation's historic

assets. We already know that PA and SAT are working together

at specific locations throughout the country.

While much has been achieved since SAT was established, the

need remains great and we must look to future needs. In just

the first eight years of the program, 2,702 grant

applications were received, representing requests for more

than $1.17 billion in critical preservation assistance. SAT

has provided more than $264 million in federal challenge

grants to 1,024 historic preservation projects through 2007.

These funds have helped bring new life to irreplaceable

historic treasures--including buildings, documents and works

of art--in every state. SAT funds have made a huge

difference, but without Congress' ongoing commitment to the

program, it would be virtually impossible to stimulate the

required dollar-for-dollar non-federal matching contributions

and hard to imagine where else the money would come from to

preserve our national heritage.

That same ongoing need applies to PA projects as well with

grants to support community efforts that demonstrate

sustainable uses of historic and cultural sites, and the

economic and educational opportunities related to heritage

tourism. The first round of Preserve America Grants in 2007

provided 43 applicants with a total of $2.6 million

distributed across the nation. The second round provided

$2.26 million to 29 recipients in 20 states. The importance

of resources to support this effort has not diminished since

then--in fact, it has grown.

SAT and PA reflect the bipartisan and bicameral commitment

that has characterized historic preservation policy in

Congress and the White House over the years. SAT was created

during a Democratic administration and embraced by the Bush

Administration and Congressional Republicans. Likewise, PA

was created during a Republican administration and is now

supported by Members on both sides of the aisle. This is the

strongest signal that authorizing both programs makes sense

when bipartisanship is sometimes an elusive quality. We urge

you to pass this timely authorization.

Sincerely,

Richard Moe,

President,

National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Heather MacIntosh,

President,

Preservation Action.

Mike Polk,

President,

American Cultural Resources Association.

Lu Ann De Cunzo,

President,

Society for Historical Archeology.

I speak today in favor of H.R. 4199, which will add two important historic sites into the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Park. I want to thank Natural Resources Chairman Rahall and Ranking Member Young, as well as Subcommittee Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Bishop for ushering this bill through the Resources Committee process, as well as bringing it to the floor today. I also want to thank the members of the Ohio delegation, many of whom have cosponsored this legislation.

Mr. Chairman, Ohio is the birthplace of aviation, and Dayton is the home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the two men that invented the airplane. Some consider their invention to be the most important innovation in modern history. When the Wright brothers took flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, our world became connected in a dramatic way, transforming travel, commerce, and communication.

Dayton is also the home of Paul Laurence Dunbar. Dunbar was a classmate of Orville Wright, and was a contemporary of the Wrights. Throughout his life, he was known as the poet laureate of African Americans, and achieved national success after his second collection of poems was reviewed in Harper's Weekly in 1896.

The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park is a celebration of the legacies of the Wright brothers, as well as Paul Laurence Dunbar. Currently, many people enjoy our National Historic Park. The park includes the Wright's Cycle Shop, the Wright Flyer Airplane, and the Huffman Prairie, where the Wrights perfected fixed-wing flight, among other sites.

However, the Wright's history within the park remains incomplete. Currently, the Wright Company factory buildings and their home, Hawthorn Hill, are not included among the sites at the park. That is why I have introduced H.R. 4199, which will complete the Wright's story told at the park, by adding these two critical sites.

The Wright Company factory buildings in west Dayton are the first American facilities specifically designed and built for the manufacture of airplanes. These buildings had a production capability that was greater than any other airplane manufacturing facility at the time.

The Wright Company operated at the site from 1910 to 1916, and produced 13 different models of airplanes. This site is currently owned and controlled by the Delphi Corporation, who will operate at this site until later this year.

Hawthorn Hill was designed by Wilbur and Orville Wright and was the home of the Wright family until 1948. This historic architectural landmark tells the story of the Wright brothers as inventors. Amanda Wright-Lane, the great-grandniece of the Wright brothers, testified before the Resources Subcommittee on National Parks earlier this year, discussing the Wright's incredible history and the importance of Hawthorn Hill to the Wright's story.

Mr. Speaker, the addition of these sites to the existing park is critical to the park's purpose, which was outlined in the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992. The purpose is ``to create partnerships among Federal, State and local governments and the private sector to preserve, enhance, and interpret for the present and future generations the historic and cultural structures, districts, and artifacts in Dayton and the Miami Valley in the State of Ohio associated with the Wright brothers, the invention and the development of aviation, or the life and works of Paul Laurence Dunbar.'' Put plainly, the addition of these sites completes the Wright's story at the park.

Mr. Speaker, adding these sites to the national park enjoys a wide range of support from both local and national organizations, including the City of Dayton; Montgomery County; the State of Ohio; the Wright family; the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce; the Dayton Development Coalition; the Ohio Historical Society; the Dayton Historical Society; Sinclair Community College; The University of Dayton; the Dayton Foundation, the National Cash Register Corporation; the Delphi Corporation; the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers; and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

H.R. 4199 also includes the exact language from H.R. 4191, which passed the House by a voice vote earlier this year. This language would change the name of the Dayton Aviation National Historic Park to the Wright Brothers-Dunbar National Historic Park.

Changing the name of the park has been the result of a community-wide process, led by Federal Judge Walter Rice and the Dayton Aviation Heritage Commission. I want to thank Judge Walter Rice and the other commissioners for their time and dedication to making the name of our park a fitting salute to those for whom it is a tribute.

It is clear that this bill is an important priority to the Dayton region. It is also important to the Paul Laurence Dunbar and the Wright brothers' legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you again for this opportunity, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4199.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 5975, designating the post office in Waterville, New York, as the Corporal John P. Sigsbee Post Office.

In October 2005, Corporal Sigsbee joined the 101st Airborne Division 32nd Cavalry Unit, based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, famously known as the home of the Screaming Eagles. After being deployed to Iraq, he was injured by a roadside bomb in July 2006. For his action, he was honored with the Purple Heart. After recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center, he insisted on returning to Iraq. Steve English, one of Corporal Sigsbee's high school teachers, said, ``John was doing something he knew was important. After being injured, he could have chosen to be assigned anywhere. He chose Iraq.'' English noted that it was indeed Corporal Sigsbee's commitment to his fellow soldiers that drove him to return to Iraq.

Sadly, during his second deployment, Corporal Sigsbee was killed in action on January 16, 2008, along with two other American soldiers when they came under small arms fire and grenade attack in Balad. He was posthumously honored with a bronze star for his service and a promotion to the rank of corporal.

Corporal John Patrick Sigsbee's life and tragic death have served as a rallying point for his community of Waterville, New York. By naming the new post office in his hometown after this brave young American, we will establish not only a permanent monument for this fallen soldier, but a permanent reminder of his example.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey), the author of H.R. 6092.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 Tallapoosa Street in Bremen, Georgia, as the ``Sergeant Paul Saylor Post Office Building.''

Friendly. Dedicated. Hardworking. These are but a few of the magnificent words of praise that arise when friends and family speak of the memory of Sergeant Paul Saylor.

A native of Bremen, Georgia, Paul was a shining star in his community. A starter on the football team and committed thespian, Paul was voted ``best personality'' by his graduating class of 2002. After graduation, Paul attended North Georgia College and State University, a military college.

Tragically, on August 15, 2005, Sergeant Saylor lost his life while serving as part of the National Guard's 48th Infantry in Al Mahmudiyah, Iraq.

Described by his brother, Jamie, as the ``. . . type who would help you, but he wouldn't let you know it,'' Sergeant Saylor served his family, community, and country with selfless devotion.

I rise today in honor of not only a tremendous patriot, but an outstanding citizen. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution in honor of a valiant life that should not, and will not, soon be forgotten by a grateful Nation.

I yield back the balance of our time.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following:

1. Project--Operable Unit-1 (OU-1) Cleanup at the Miamisburg Mound.

Requesting Member: Michael Turner.

Bill Number: H.R. 5658.

Account: DOE, Other.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Miamisburg Mound.

Address of Requesting Entity: Miamisburg, OH.

Description of Request: $10,000,000 is authorized for the Miamisburg Mound site in fiscal year 2009. The entity to receive funding for this project is the Miamisburg Mound site in Miamisburg, OH. The funding would be used by the Department of Energy for the Miamisburg Mound to complete the remaining clean up of Operable Unit I (OU-I).

2. Project--Integrated Electrical starter/Generator (IES/G).

Requesting Member: Michael Turner.

Bill Number: H.R. 5658.

Account: Air Force, RDT&E.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Air Force Research Laboratory.

Address of Requesting Entity: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH.

Description of Request: $3,500,000 is authorized for an Integrated Electrical Starter/Generator in fiscal year 2009. The entity to receive funding for this project is Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. The funding would be used to help develop a pre-prototype, sensor-less IES/G to demonstrate the feasibility of supplying both main engine start function and the electrical power necessary to operate all aircraft systems.

3. Project--Security Forces Operations Facility.

Requesting Member: Michael Turner.

Bill Number: H.R. 5658.

Account: Air Force, Mil Con.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Address of Requesting Entity: Dayton, OH.

Description of Request: $14,700,000 is authorized for a Security Forces Operations Facility in fiscal year 2009. The entity to receive funding for this project is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base located at Dayton, OH. The funding would be used to house the operations of the 88th Air Base Wing Security Forces Squadron (88 SFS), which provides security and police services for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

4. Project--Tactical Metal Fabrication System (TacFab).

Requesting Member: Michael Turner.

Bill Number: H.R. 5658.

Account: Army, RDT&E.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, Engineering Center.

Address of Requesting Entity: Dearborn, MI.

Description of Request: $6,300,000 is authorized for the Tactical Metal Fabrication System in fiscal year 2009. The entity to receive funding for this project is the Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, Engineering Center in Dearborn, MI. The funding being requested will help Tactical Metal Fabrication (TacFab) System design, develop and build a mobile, containerized foundry, deployable overseas as a companion to RMS, the Army's Rapid Manufacturing System.

5. Project--Open Source Research Centers.

Requesting Member: Michael Turner.

Bill Number: H.R. 5658.

Account: Air Force, RDT&E.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: National Air and Space Intelligence Center.

Address of Requesting Entity: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH.

Description of Request: $3,000,000 is authorized for Open Source Research Centers in fiscal year 2009. The entity to receive funding for this project is the National Air and Space Intelligence Center located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH. This funding will provide support to government agencies that are over-burdened with classified research requirements and do not have resources to meet the open source requirements. In addition, the program will support the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the Ohio Department of Homeland Security with Open Source Requirements as well as support Open Source requirements for the new Department of Defense Africa Command and the US State Department.

6. Project--Metals Affordability Initiative.

Requesting Member: Michael Turner.

Bill Number: H.R. 5658.

Account: Air Force, RDT&E.

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Air Force Research Laboratory.

Address of Requesting Entity: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH.

Description of Request: $14,000,000 is authorized for the Metals Affordability Initiative (MAI) in fiscal year 2009. The entity to receive funding for this project is the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. This funding will enable MAI to maintain leadership in the strategic aerospace metals industrial sector by using technology innovation to maintain global competitiveness while improving performance and increasing affordability of weapons systems.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank House leadership, the House Armed Services Committee chairman, Chairman Skelton, Ranking Member Hunter, as well as the leaders from House Judiciary, Chairman John Conyers, and the Veterans Affairs Committee Chair and ranking member for their assistance in bringing H.R. 6048 to the floor today. I would like to thank our presiding Chair, Ellen Tauscher, also for her support of this bipartisan bill.

This bill was originally included as an amendment to the House version of last year's National Defense Authorization Act when it passed the House by voice vote. The purpose of this bill is straightforward. It provides certainty to servicemembers deployed in a contingency operation that their child custody arrangements will be protected.

Imagine the stress and conflict in serving your country and fearing that a court will take your children away because of your service. In some cases, courts have overturned established custody arrangements because a custodial parent has served our country in a contingency operation such as Iraq or Afghanistan.

Recently, many cases have come to light where servicemembers who have been deployed have had their military service used against them in custody hearings. One such case was that of Eva Slusher. Eva spent nearly $25,000 and years trying to regain custody of her daughter after fighting courts that used her deployment as a factor against her.

We have heard from other servicemembers who have had similar court battles. In fact, recently my office learned about a servicemember who during her custody proceedings was told by a judge that the mere possibility of her deployment weighed against the best interests of the child in denying her custody.

Madam Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record two letters that were written to my office by servicemembers detailing their stories of how this legislation could have helped.

One of those letters is from Heather Watkins, and I want to read some excerpts from that letter. She writes:

At the time of the final custody hearing for my children, the court stated that even though he believed I was a good parent, my being stationed on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower prevented me from being able to care for my children. Shared custody was granted.

In a subsequent court proceeding, the court again stated that he believed I was a good parent and stated that, with the way of the world today, I cannot be sure that you will not be called off of shore duty and deployed back to sea.

In June 2005, I was honorably discharged. It was implied to me by the court that once I was out of the Navy, I would be able to obtain custody of my children. This has not proven to be true. I was proud to serve my country in the Armed Forces for 13 years, but at this time I believe my children were the price I paid for the privilege of protecting the United States of America.

Dear Sir and Madam, I urge you to support the Bill for

amendment of the Service Members Civil Relief Act to provide

for the protection of child custody for parents who are

members of the Armed Forces deployed in the support of a

contingency operation as presented by Congressman Mike

Turner.

I have been separated/divorced from my ex-husband since

1998. At the time of my divorce I did not dream that my being

a Proud Active member of the United States Armed Services

could or would be utilized as a tool to separate me from my

children.

At the time of the final custody hearing for my children

the court stated that even though he believed that I was a

good parent, my being stationed on the USS Dwight D.

Eisenhower prevented me from being able to care for my

children. Shared custody was granted.

I re-enlisted in 2001 on the advice of my lawyer to

maintain work and income stability. My ship was in dry dock

for many months of scheduled maintenance and I was on the

shore duty portion of my enlistment contract. My next court

date was in October 2001. At the time of my court date, the

terrorist attack of September 11 against the United Stated of

America was very fresh in the minds of the U.S. citizens and

the court. He again stated that he believed that I was a good

parent and stated that, with the way of the world today, I

cannot be sure that you will not be called off of shore duty

and deployed back to sea. The court also voiced concerns that

I would join the reserves and not be available to my

children. The custody arrangement for my children was left

unchanged.

In June 2005, I was Honorably Discharged. It was implied to

me by the court that once I was out of the Navy, I would be

able to obtain custody of my children. This has not proven to

be true. As of today, I do not have custody of my children.

The court does not wish to hear this case again. I have

permission to change venue but am unable to find a Judge or

court that will hear my case.

I have not spoken to or had other contact with my children

since 12-26-2007. My calls to them have been unanswered and

unreturned. I have been unable to get any assistance on local

or state levels.

I was proud to serve my country in the Armed Forces for 13

years but at this time I believe my children were the price I

paid for the privilege of protecting the United States of

America. Again, I urge you to support this Bill as presented

by Congressman Mike Turner and prevent any other children

being separated from loving parents by virtue of their

serving their country.

Respectfully,

Heather A. Watkins.

Another letter I have is from Eva Slusher, and she writes that she was a full-time member of the Kentucky

Army National Guard, proudly serving her country for nearly 19 years. In February of 2003, she was called to Active Duty to support the war on terror. She writes:

Initially, it was believed that I was going to Iraq, but once we arrived at Fort Knox, it was decided that our Personnel Services Detachment would be better used at Fort Knox to assist with the large number of troops mobilizing and that they were not equipped to facilitate. When I was alerted, I had three days to report. As a single parent, I made arrangements for my child, packed her up and moved her, and wrapped up all my affairs, financial and otherwise, in those three days. My ex-husband and I decided that Sara should stay with him while I was gone, but that it would only be temporary and that she would come back home when our tour was over.

After her tour was over, custody to her was refused.

In August 2004, we went to court. I was under the impression that we were there to have my rights as the custodial parent enforced as no one had filed a motion to change custody. However, the next week I received the ruling that Sara was to stay with her father as she was settled in and that was in her best interest. I was penalized for the time spent away from her in service of my country.

She ends with: Everyone wants to talk about supporting our troops. I beg you to support this legislation in order to support our troops.

May 19, 2008.

Members of Congress,

Washington, DC.

Dear Members of Congress:

I am writing this letter in reference to Congressman

Turner's Bill, HR 6048. I, personally, experienced the

injustice of losing custody of my child, for no other reason

than service to my country. It cost me 2 years of anguish and

nearly $25,000 to get my daughter back. This proposed

legislation is necessary to prevent this discrimination

against our servicemembers.

I am LT Eva Slusher (formerly Crouch). I am a full time

member of the Kentucky Army National Guard, proudly serving

my country and State for nearly 19 years. I joined the

military when I was 17 years old and a senior in high school.

The military has paid for my college education and provided

me with reliable, steady employment all of these years.

I am also a mother. My daughter, Sara, was born in 1994.

Her father and I were divorced in 1996. When we divorced, I

was award primary physical custody of my daughter, and her

father had visitation. My military service was not

questioned. This arrangement went unchallenged, even when I

moved over 150 miles away from my ex-husband. I raised that

child by myself, without any help from him while I worked

full time and put myself through college. Sara was my life.

Every day revolved around her. I volunteered at her school

every other Monday (my day off); she played softball, soccer

and cheered. I was an assistant coach of her soccer and

cheerleading. I cooked dinner, helped with homework, bathed

her and read her bedtime stories every night. I was an

exceptional, loving and attentive mother.

In February 2003, I was called to active duty to support

the War on Terror. Initially, it was believed that I was

going to Iraq, but once we arrived at Ft. Knox, it was

decided that our Personnel Services Detachment would be of

better use at Ft. Knox to assist with the large number of

troops mobilizing that they were not equipped to facilitate.

When I was alerted, I had 3 days to report. As a single

parent, I had to make arrangements for my child, pack her up

and move her and wrap up all of my affairs (financial and

otherwise) in those 3 days. My ex-husband and I decided that

Sara should stay with him while I was gone, but that it would

only be temporary and that she would come back home when my

tour was over.

I was very fortunate to have stayed in country and close

enough that I could visit with Sara on the weekends. Nearly

every weekend, I drove the 4\1/2\ hours from Ft. Knox to

Ashland, KY to see her. I would pick her up and we'd stay in

a hotel, and go to movies, dinner, shopping, etc. Many

weekends, I would stop by Frankfort on my way and pick up one

of her friends, so she could stay in touch with them. I spent

about $300 per trip on gas money, hotels, food and

entertainment, but it was all worth it to be with my

daughter.

On July 20, 2004, as I pulled into my driveway, I called my

ex-husband on the cell phone and told him I was home and that

I would be picking Sara up the next day, and to please have

her things packed. His response was ``Not without a court

order''. Until that moment, no one made any indication to me

that Sara would not be coming home as planned. I immediately

hired an attorney to file a motion to have my daughter

returned to me. In August 2004, we went to court. I was under

the impression that we were there to have my rights as the

custodial parent enforced, as no one filed a motion for

change of custody. However, the next week I received the

ruling that Sara was to stay with her father, as she was

settled in there and it was in her ``best interest''. I was

penalized for the time spent away from her in service to my

country. When I got divorced the courts deemed me a fit

parent, but now, suddenly, because I served my country, I

should not be allowed to raise my child anymore? I was

completely appalled! It never occurred to me that this

could happen. Soldiers are protected under the

Servicemember's Civil Relief Act, or so I thought; an

employer has to give me my job back after I return from a

deployment, but they don't have to give me my child back?

That is insane!

I was devastated. After having a life that was so full of

her, I now came home to an empty house every day! I didn't

know what to do with myself! Sara was terribly distraught

over the whole situation, to the point that we had to take

her to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for stomach problems,

all stress related. I only got to see her every other

weekend, and she would cry and beg me not to make her go

back. It ripped my heart out! Why would a parent put his

child through all of this? The real question is: How could

our justice system allow this to happen? I still don't have

an answer for that.

After the Court ruling, I hired a new lawyer and we

appealed the ruling. In September 2005, they ruled in my

favor and my ex-husband appealed to the Kentucky Supreme

Court. In September 2006, they also ruled in my favor and my

daughter came home on October 15, 2006. I spent more than 2

years and between $20,000 and $25,000 in legal fees. Sara is

now a happy, healthy, well adjusted child, but I lost so much

time with her, and she is not the child I set out to raise.

Our lives were turned upside down and the results are

everlasting. All of this because I was deployed . . .

It is a disgraceful injustice to punish a Soldier for their

service. The military has done so much for me: a college

education, a way to pay my bills and feed my family, a sense

of honor and pride . . . When they called on me to do my

part, what should I have done? Said ``No thanks, I need to

stay home . . .'' Even if that were an option, which it is

not, I could not do that. It is not the right thing to do.

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity,

and Personal Courage: these are the things I stand for,

should I lose my child for that? What kind of message is that

sending? How is the United States Military supposed to

recruit when you send a message like that? Don't we, as

Soldiers, already sacrifice enough? How is a Soldier to

concentrate on his/her mission while worrying about what will

happen to their children? No Soldier should have to incur the

emotional and financial cost that I have, only because they

serve their country.

I have my daughter back home with me, but I cannot sit back

and allow this to happen to others if I can do anything about

it. Since my story was publicized, I have learned that many

other Soldiers have also had to deal with similar situations.

Not to mention that every unmarried parent in the military,

and every parent that has children from previous

relationships and any parent that may be divorced in the

future has to be concerned with whether or not they may be

penalized for their service. This is not the way to treat our

military service members.

Due to the nature of military service, there really needs

to be guidance at the federal level. This issue needs to be

spelled out as it is in Congressman Turner's Bill: (1) No

court may permanently alter an existing custody agreement

while a military parent is deployed; (2) Upon the return of

the service member from deployment, any temporary change in

custody shall be immediately reversed; and (3) No court may

consider a military parents' deployment in determining the

best interest of the child. Had this been the law in 2004, my

daughter and I would not have had to deal with the

separation, stress, expense and lifelong effects of a

prolonged custody battle.

Everyone wants to talk about supporting our troops, I beg

you to support this legislation in order to support troops.

We are not asking for any special consideration, only that

our military service not be used against us.

Very Respectfully,

V. Eva Slusher,

Frankfort, KY.

She has since regained custody of her daughter.

This bill prevents judges from changing the custody arrangements of servicemembers and their children during a servicemember's deployment unless clear and convincing evidence says a change would be in the best interest of the child. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that while one parent is deployed, another party cannot permanently change custody arrangements. Temporary orders may be enacted and entered until the serving parent returns.

Additionally, the bill requires a return to the original predeployment custody arrangement after the servicemember returns from the contingency operation. And, finally, the bill prohibits the use of a servicemember's absence because of their deployment, or the possibility of deployment, against that servicemember when ascertaining the best interest of the child. Their service cannot be used against them.

Much is asked of our servicemembers, and mobilization can disrupt and strain relationships at home. This additional protection is needed to provide them peace of mind that the courts will not take away their children because they answered the country's call to serve or have the possibility of being called to serve. This bill protects them and it protects their children.

Again, I thank the House leadership for their support of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman

Grijalva and Ranking Member Bishop, as well as Natural Resources full committee Chairman Rahall and Ranking Member Young, for their support in bringing this bill to the floor today.

H.R. 4191, the Wright Brothers-Dunbar National Historical Park Designation Act, is identical to H.R. 4612 from the 109th Congress which passed the House Committee on Resources by unanimous consent on June 21, 2006. It renames the Dayton Aviation National Historic Park as the Wright Brothers-Dunbar National Historical Park.

In 2002, Chairman and Federal Judge Walter Rice of the Dayton Aviation Heritage Commission appointed a committee made up of commission members to make recommendations regarding the name of the Dayton Aviation National Historic Park.

The committee held several hearings and solicited comments from businesses, government, stakeholders, neighborhood and citizens groups on the name change. Based on the public comments, the committee recommended to the commission that the name of the park, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, be changed to the Wright Brothers-Dunbar National Historical Park.

Following input from the community, that committee recommended to the commission that the name of the park be changed to the Wright Brothers- Dunbar National Historical Park, which was approved by the full commission and the National Park Service in 2003.

The commission recognized a number of reasons for the name change. The new name establishes a clear connection to the universally recognized Wright brothers, the inventors of the airplane, and the new name also creates a better link between the park and the primary park assets. All four of the park sites, a majority of interpretive exhibits and media at the park sites describe the accomplishments of the Wright brothers and the first recognized African American Poet Laureate, Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Finally, the new name also establishes a better distinction between the park and the new National Aviation Heritage Area.

The new name of this park will truly be a reflection of Dayton's heritage, that of innovation and creativity. The Wright brothers' airplane and Dunbar's famous poems are two historic assets which make Dayton a great place to call home. It is fitting that the new park name pays homage to Dayton's hometown heroes, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Orville and Wilbur Wright.

It is also important to note that the National Heritage Park in Dayton is unique in that it is a scattered site national park and it works with regional partners to advance the park's mission. The Park Service partners with ``Dayton History'' at Carillon Park and Wright- Patterson Air Force Base to provide maintenance and program assistance for park assets.

Both entities contain different parts of the national park. The Wright Flyer III, the world's first practical airplane, is located at Carillon Park, and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field, where the Wright brothers perfected flight, is located on the grounds of Wright- Patterson Air Force Base. This bill authorizes grant funding to these partner organizations to ensure their continued cooperation with the Park Service in fulfilling the mission of the park.

Mr. Speaker, today's bill is the result of a community process which has resulted in an improved and more appropriate name to a regional asset, a name which reflects Dayton's true heritage. While Ohio is the birthplace of aviation, Dayton is the birthplace of the first airplane and the birthplace of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where 1 million people every year visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Dayton's future is bright, with over 1,000 jobs headed to Wright- Patterson Air Force Base as a result of 2005 BRAC process, and it will continue to be a leader in American innovation.

Mr. Speaker, the Wright brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar would be proud of the accomplishments in their hometown, and I am proud today to speak for this bill, which will honor their legacies.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 39 (Republican Motion to Recommit) and 41 (Adoption of H. Res. 947) I was present for the vote however my voting card malfunctioned and did not record my votes. Had my voting card not malfunctioned, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote 39 and ``aye'' on rollcall vote 41.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member Hunter for their leadership in completing the conference report for FY08 National Defense Authorization Act.

On December 6, Chairman Skelton announced that an agreement had been reached on the conference report stating that ``this bill supports the troops, restores readiness, and improves accountability.''

I would like to point out that this bill includes a key policy provision that directly supports our troops. This bill will amend the Service Members Civil Relief Act to protect the children and custody arrangements of servicemembers deployed in a contingency operation. This provision is important because it protects our deployed troops from courts that have been overturning established custody arrangements while a servicemember is serving our country in a contingency operation such as Iraq or Afghanistan.

Today, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill because it provides the child custody protection that our deployed troops deserve. Much is asked of our servicemembers, and mobilization can disrupt and strain relationships at home. This additional protection is needed to provide them peace of mind that the courts will not undertake judicial proceedings considering their established custody rights without them. This amendment protects them, and it protects their children.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 1093, I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 968, I mistakenly voted ``nay.'' I intended to vote ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, today Iraq remains the most important issue facing our Nation. The American people want congressional action in a bipartisan fashion. The rhetoric of the last 6 months has left the American people saddened that the work on this

House floor has been focused upon partisan division. The most important action this House of Representatives could take today is to support our troops by coming together in a bipartisan effort.

I want to thank Chairman Skelton, and I also want to thank subcommittee Chairman Abercrombie for his leadership on H.R. 3087, which gives us an opportunity for a bipartisan step in the Iraq debate.

I am a cosponsor of this bill, which was reported out of the Armed Services Committee by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 55-2.

H.R. 3087, as amended, supports our troops, our national interests, and our counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda in Iraq.

The bill requires our Department of Defense to undertake robust and comprehensive contingency planning for a redeployment of the Armed Forces from Iraq. The bill recognizes that the role and mission of our Armed Forces in Iraq will change and properly acknowledges that the Government of Iraq must be responsible for Iraq's future.

As America's responsibilities shift, our focus must include planning to protect our vital national interests and our troops.

In a letter I sent to our Speaker, Speaker Pelosi, on August 1, 2007, I elaborated saying that, for example, this bill states the contingency planning element should include ensuring appropriate protection for the Armed Forces in Iraq, providing appropriate protection in Iraq for United States civilians, contractors and third-party nationals, and Iraqi nationals who have assisted the United States mission in Iraq, maintaining and enhancing the ability of the United States Government to eliminate and disrupt al Qaeda, and affiliated terrorist organizations and preserving military equipment necessary to defend the national security interests of the United States.

I want to thank Chairman Abercrombie for his leadership on this bill and for his insistence that this bill come to the House floor for a vote. I urge all of my colleagues in the House to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

Madam Speaker, I want to commend the committee chairman, Neil Abercrombie, for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Mr. Castle from Delaware.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Representative English of Pennsylvania, who worked with the original bipartisan legislation with Representative Tanner.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Mr. Shays from Connecticut.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Chair again for his leadership for this bipartisan legislation, where this body will be able to come together for the important statement on the war in Iraq and for the important planning that needs to ensue.

Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I speak in support of House Resolution 604, which expresses the Nation's appreciation and thanks for the servicemembers of the 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) upon the occasion of the final reunion of the 303rd Bomb Group Association.

Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate to learn that the 303rd Bomb Group Association will dissolve following their final reunion this week in Arlington, Virginia. The declining number of these courageous veterans makes it difficult for the association to continue their annual reunions.

With that being said, Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to pay tribute to the valiant men of the 303rd Bombardment Group known as ``Hell's Angels.''

Activated in February 1942 at Pendleton, Oregon, the 303rd was an Eighth Air Force Bomber Group that flew the mighty B-17 Flying Fortress out of Molesworth, England. Living up to their adopted motto, ``Might in Flight,'' the air crews flew a record 364 combat missions against enemy targets, the most of any B-17 Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force during World War II.

For its actions in the skies over Europe, the group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation in January 1944, two of the heroic crew men of the 303rd were awarded with Congressional Medal of Honor, and four earned the Distinguished Service Cross.

For all of their accomplishments, the members of the Bomb Group paid a heavy price in casualties, aircraft losses, and capture by the enemy. Their determination to complete the mission regardless of the opposition or the odds carried them through their losses and on to victory in the air.

Mr. Speaker, given the history of outstanding service by the 303rd Bombardment Group during World War II, as well as the last reunion of the veterans of the 303rd taking place this week, it is fitting that we take the time today to recognize and honor their service. I therefore strongly urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I recognize Mr. McCotter of Michigan for such time as he might consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Mr. McCotter for bringing forth this resolution so that this body might honor the 303rd.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I represent the Third District of Ohio, which includes both the historic birthplace of aviation, home of the Wright brothers, as well as the home of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and I am honored to speak today in favor of H. Con. Res. 207.

The bill remembers, honors, and commends the achievements of the United States Air Force in serving and defending the United States on this 60th anniversary of the creation of the United States Air Force as an independent military service.

I would like to also recognize and thank my colleagues Mr. Spratt from South Carolina and Mrs. Wilson from New Mexico for their efforts in writing this bill and ushering it to the floor.

The United States Air Force is the largest modern Air Force in the world, with over 7,000 aircraft in service and about 358,600 men and women on active duty. The numerous airmen, technicians, and support staff through the years have served in the Air Force with honor, courage, and dignity.

Throughout history, the Air Force has adapted and designed new aircraft to meet the threats faced by the military, such as designing long-range bombers, more advanced tactical fighters, and eventually stealth aircraft. The humanitarian operations in Berlin after World War II, the Berlin Airlift, would not have happened was it not for the accuracy and dedication of the pilots of the Air Force. Today, the United States Air Force continues to be on the cutting edge of technology, pushing the envelope of aircraft and pilot to new bounds.

The F-22A and F-35 are the world's only fifth-generation fighters.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Air Force for its impact that it has had on my community of Dayton, Ohio. Wright Patterson Air Force Base in my district is the largest stand-alone base in the world, as well as being the home to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Wright Pat has a strong tradition as a research and development hub, which started with Wright Pat when it was known as Huffman Prairie. Huffman Prairie is the location where the Wright brothers developed the first practical airplane that was able to sustain flight. During the early years of flight, the Wright brothers used Huffman Prairie as a research and development facility. The tradition continues, as the research conducted at Wright Pat today will provide U.S. troops with advantages on the battlefields of tomorrow. For example, the F-22A fighter, considered the most advanced fighting plane ever

built, was significantly developed, in part, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Again, I am honored to recognize the 60th anniversary of the United States Air Force and all of those who have served, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Dr. Gingrey of Georgia.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Mrs. Wilson of New Mexico.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to Mr. Lamborn from Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to Mr. Stearns of Florida.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer).

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

Mr. Speaker, when the Wright brothers first accomplished flight, when they stretched out the wings of their airplane and began to fly and then returned to continue their work at Huffman Prairie in Dayton, Ohio, which later became Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, they could not have known the importance of their invention to preserving our freedoms and to preserving liberty. But they could imagine the bravery of the pilots that were to follow.

With this resolution, we honor the men and women who have served in the United States Air Force.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.