Floor Statements

Offered By: Mr. McCaul of Texas

Amendment No. 32: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address this body with a heavy heart. Judy Jones, the mother of my dear friend Melinda Little, passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2006 with her family by her side.

Judy was a proud Texan, a native Houstonian and a staunch Republican. She graduated from the first graduating class of Bellaire High School in 1958, attended the University of Houston, and for the last fifteen years, she worked at the Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems.

Judy was also a founding member of Heritage Republican Women's club and spent years working in grassroots for the Republican Party in Harris County and also statewide. She chaired two successful campaigns to elect her husband Sonny Jones to the Texas House of Representatives as the first Republican to be elected to that body since Reconstruction, and she worked tirelessly to successfully give Harris County and Texas a Republican majority.

Judy loved life. She will always be remembered for the love she gave to her husband Sonny and her three children Melinda, Michael and Maggie. She will also be remembered for the love she received from her family and friends, her wonderful sense of humor and her joy in celebrating the holidays. Judy will truly be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution to fight childhood cancer. I would like to especially thank Congresswoman Pryce for her leadership and strong dedication to this issue, which I can't think of any issue more important than this one.

My father died from this disease, but no parent should ever have to bury a child. As the father of five, I wake up every morning thanking God for the health and happiness of my children. Not all parents are as fortunate.

Unfortunately, cancer is the number one killer of children in this country today, and it destroys not only these innocent victims, but their families as well.

In too many cases, the moms, the dads, the sisters and brothers of children with cancer must stand by a hospital bed and watch helplessly as this horrible disease consumes the life of an innocent child.

Two of my constituents, Tim and Donna Culliver, lost their son Adam to childhood cancer. Faced with the loss no parent could put into words and a lifetime of pain they will feel forever in their hearts, they bravely have chosen to honor Adam by leading the fight to cure childhood cancer and by courageously working to ensure that no other mom or dad has to suffer as they did. And we should help them.

We can and must increase the funding for childhood cancer research. Underfunding this cancer research delays the goal of finding a cure for children like Adam Culliver. This is an investment we cannot afford to pass up. Unlike many of the investments that we make here in the Congress, this one will actually save the lives of innocent children.

Every day we do get closer to a cure. Three out of four children who are diagnosed with cancer will survive the disease, but that is not good enough. The loss of one child to this disease is too much.

Congresswoman Pryce and I have introduced legislation called the Conquer Childhood Cancer Research Act, which provides for $100 million in desperately needed grants for childhood cancer research, and I urge all my colleagues to show their support for this important bill.

I spent the last 2 days with the families whose children have been afflicted by this terrible disease. They gave me a baseball bat that was signed by children at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. The fortunate thing is that some of the children who signed that bat are survivors. The unfortunate thing is some of the children who signed that bat no longer are alive.

I want to take that bat and get our bill passed through the Congress, and, once and for all, defeat childhood cancer.

Many of my colleagues' offices will be visited today by the families who have suffered through this nightmare. I urge them to listen to the compelling stories the families have to tell and imagine how you would feel if you were in their place, and find the compassion in your hearts to help. This is an issue that no Member of Congress should say no to.

I ask you to fight for these families so no more families will have to suffer again.

I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this, and, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this important piece of legislation that will work to deter fraud in the wake of disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Disaster assistance fraud is something I have been fighting for quite some time now. I recently held a hearing in the Homeland Security Investigation Subcommittee to uncover the findings of a 6-month fraud investigation by the GAO. What they found was nothing short of shocking.

The GAO testified before my subcommittee that FEMA disaster assistance after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was applied for and received by criminals who used deceased individuals' identities, and even a cemetery as an address to receive the emergency funding. Federal investigators also testified that prisoners in jail before the hurricanes were able to receive almost $11 million from their jail cells by fraudulently applying for the FEMA disaster assistance funds.

The total price tag for the fraud committed after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is not yet known; but GAO investigators have testified that it will, at the very least, be in the billions of dollars. This is an insult to the victims of these natural disasters and an insult to the ultimate victim, the American taxpayer.

Through this investigation, we have referred over 7,000 fraud cases to the Department of Justice Task Force for prosecution, and this legislation will ensure that they receive the harshest penalty for their actions.

It saddens me to think about the gulf coast families that could have used this money to rebuild their homes and their lives. We need to make sure that these disaster victims and the American taxpayer are never robbed like this again. This legislation is a great first step in making that happen, and I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for the Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act.

Mr. Speaker, September 11 changed our lives forever. But the war on terror started long before that. The year 1979 changed the world. When Iran took our embassy hostage, the seeds of Islamic jihad were spread all over the Middle East.

These seeds planted hatred and contempt for freedom in the souls of men like Osama bin Laden. In 1983, they murdered our marines in Beirut. In 1993, Ramzi Yousef and his al Qaeda associates bombed the World Trade Center. They were supposed to fall that day, but that day would come later.

They struck the Khobar Towers in 1996. They bombed our embassies in Africa. They defeated us in Somalia. And they deliberately attacked the USS Cole.

Each time we failed to respond. And then came September 11. It was as if the United States was a sleeping giant. And not until the bloodiest alarm of 9/11 did the giant finally awake. America cannot afford to go back to sleep again.

We are fighting this war in distant lands, and we are winning. Our struggle in Iraq and Afghanistan is the great stand in this war on terror. The terrorists are there. Zarqawi was there before, and we are there. And if we fail, the terrorists will prevail just as they have over the last 30 years.

Behind me is a picture of Sergeant Byron Norwood taken moments before he died for his country in this global war on terror. In Fallujah, Sergeant Norwood helped save seven of his fellow marines in a gun battle with insurgents and gave his own life in the process. Simply put, Byron was a hero.

His story reminds me of the Bible verse found in the Gospel of John: ``Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.''

Some say we should retreat in this war on terror, but to them I say to cut and run now would not only be an insult to those waging this liberating battle but a dishonor to those like Byron who made the ultimate sacrifice because few causes are as worthy, few prices are as great.

I received a letter from Byron's mother expressing her concern that the American people would soon forget about Byron and his sacrifice for freedom. To Janet and all of the other Gold Star Mothers, I say we will never forget Byron, and we will never forget about the other fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Whether it is Bill and Janet Norwood or the wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital or the soldiers I met with in Iraq, they all tell me the same thing, Congressman, finish the job. And finish the job we will.

I would like to close with a message that Byron's father gave to me to deliver to this Chamber. Byron's father said, ``Byron understood the meaning of Semper Fidelis, always faithful, as do all marines who were there that day in Fallujah. He willingly gave his life, and others were seriously and permanently wounded as they sacrificed for their band of brothers and their country. He would never have traded honor for political advantage.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great man, a man of God, a man of faith, a man who has devoted his entire career, indeed his entire life, to the service of his fellow man.

Monsignor Edward Jordan, who offered this morning's prayer for the House of Representatives is revered, admired, and loved by all in his congregation and by all those whose life he has touched. He is the voice and shepherd of our parish at St. John Neumann's Catholic Church in Austin, Texas.

Born in Springfield, Ohio, Monsignor Jordan entered the priesthood after receiving his doctorate in theology from the Angelicum University in Rome. From there he served and strengthened the Catholic Church and its flock in central Texas for over four decades.

It has been a great privilege to call Monsignor Jordan my pastor. And everyone who knows him experiences the true message of Christ. In his words and in his deeds, and above all, in his heart, his example is a beacon of light which draws us all closer to the Creator. His faith and devotion to the life of Christ is an inspiration to us all.

Both as a candidate and as a Member of Congress, Monsignor Jordan gave me the spiritual guidance and taught me the true meaning of sacrifice and public service. He baptized my triplets, not an easy accomplishment, and he administered the Sacrament of Holy Communion to my oldest daughters.

And while his retirement this Sunday marks the end of one spiritual journey, it also marks the beginning of another.

As you move on from your official role within the Church, you will always remain our shepherd, our spiritual leader, and, above all, our friend. Monsignor Jordan, I know that I speak for all of us in the Catholic community when I say that we will miss you, but we know that you will always be there for your flock.

I am reminded of the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus said, ``Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.'' May the peace of Christ be with you and may He hold you in the palm of his hand.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who has for the past 31 years brought honesty, integrity and distinction to this Chamber, to his party and to the people of Sixth District of Illinois. I consider myself fortunate to have my congressional career overlap with his, even if only for one term.

At several points throughout Chairman Hyde's career, he served in a position of leadership within the U.S. House of Representatives when a strong and competent leader was needed, and at all times he was the right man for the job. He served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee during a difficult time in our country's history, and brought the highest level of integrity to his position.

Mr. Hyde was appointed chairman of the International Relations Committee shortly before 9/11, where he has valiantly led us through the early crucial years of the War on Terror. In his career, Chairman Hyde has worked diligently to protect and expand the freedoms of unborn children, to protect the honored symbols of this Nation from desecration and to protect the freedoms of citizens all over the world.

Chairman Hyde has dedicated his career in public service to ideals worthy of a great Republican, and to principles worthy of a great statesman. His determination to seek truth and justice has earned him the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

My single regret is that I only had 2 years to learn from Chairman Hyde, but those are lessons I will carry with me throughout my career. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce today the Early Career Research Act and the Research for Competitiveness Act. These bills expand and strengthen science and engineering research programs at the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy to encourage young scientists and engineers to pursue innovative research that could lead to the major scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow.

President Bush, in his State of the Union Address, articulated the link between science and engineering research and national competitiveness. I agree with the President. Like him, I believe that science shapes the future. And, like him, I believe that for America to remain number one in the world, it must remain number one in science. I want to ensure that the highly-innovative, highly-productive industries of tomorrow are created here in America and stay in America to provide high-wage jobs for our children and grandchildren.

Texas is one of the world's leading technology centers and I have the privilege of representing Texas' high-tech core. In Texas, we

know that science and technology are the wellsprings of economic competitiveness and national strength.

In December of last year, Mr. Richard Templeton, President and CEO of Texas Instruments, came to Washington to lead the National Summit on Competitiveness. The theme of that Summit was ``Investing in U.S. Innovation.'' Mr. Templeton and 60 business, academic, and government leaders, including four Cabinet Secretaries, came together to discuss the competitiveness challenge posed by globalization and the rise of new economic competitors, such as India and China. Mr. Templeton and his business and academic colleagues told the President and the Congress that our government must do more to foster America's capacity to innovate by focusing on the health of the American scientific enterprise.

The President rose to the challenge and proposed The American Competitiveness Initiative, a bold plan to double Federal investments in fundamental physical science research over 10 years at three science agencies: the National Science Foundation, the Office of Science in the Department of Energy, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

My bills build upon the President's initiative and focus on fostering innovation by providing grants to promising young researchers to pursue research that could lead to the technology breakthroughs of tomorrow. One of my bills provides for matching funds from industry to promote closer ties between academic and industrial researchers.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that so many business, science, and educational organizations have endorsed my bill, including Texas Instruments, AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Telecommunications Industry Association, the Electronics Industries Alliance, the Council on Competitiveness, the Battelle Memorial Institute, the American Chemical Society, the Association of American Universities, and a host of other organizations. I am grateful for their support. Together, we can ensure that America remains first in science and first in economic competitiveness--so that Americans can continue to enjoy the highest standard of living in the world.

Madam Chairman, I would like to thank Chairman King, Ranking Member Thompson, and Representatives Lungren and Harman for their hard work in bringing this vital and bipartisan piece of legislation to the floor.

I rise today in support of this crucial bill that will build upon existing initiatives to improve port and cargo security both abroad and here at home.

In my home State of Texas, the Port of Houston operates as the United States' top port for foreign tonnage and our second largest for total tonnage, so I know how important this bill is for the protection of the American people.

Madam Chairman, the House of Representatives has repeatedly supported measures that provide for risk-based funding for homeland security. The SAFE Port Act does just that. It will create a risk-based strategy for securing America's ports and will make sure that we are using the best technology available to law enforcement today.

Equally important, this bill will provide $400 million per year in risk-based funding through a dedicated Port Security Grant Program to harden U.S. ports against terrorist attacks. This kind of funding strategy is smart, effective and responsible for our national security because it gets the required funding to the ports that are most at risk for terrorist attack.

Unfortunately, right now, it is economically impossible for Customs and Border Protection to inspect every container entering U.S. ports. However, the SAFE Port Act would require DHS to deploy nuclear and radiological detection systems at 22 U.S. seaports by the end of fiscal year 2007. This means that 98 percent of all incoming maritime containers would be screened without stopping our economy in its tracks.

In addition to securing ports in our homeland, we must also look overseas at what we can do to prevent dangerous or threatening cargo from ever reaching American soil. The SAFE Port Act will do this by improving our tracking system for shipping containers overseas and by requiring DHS to examine high-risk maritime cargo at foreign seaports. If we can catch them before they reach our shores, we can begin to ensure 100 percent security at America's ports.

The SAFE Port Act is a commonsense, responsible and effective piece of legislation that is needed for the security of our Nation, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, in 1981, NASA embarked upon a new mission with an amazing vehicle that would take America's astronauts, satellites and space stations into the next age of man's exploration of the final frontier. Next week we will honor the 25th anniversary of that first Space Shuttle mission and reflect upon the great success of the Space Transportation System.

The Space Shuttle is widely considered the most complex machine ever built, and to date is the only spacecraft capable of putting into orbit large payloads such as the Hubble Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. It is this capacity that enables NASA and its partners to build the International Space Station, which will pave the way back to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Accordingly, President Bush has laid out a plan that sets a goal of returning Americans to the Moon within 15 years.

President Bush's ``Vision for Space Exploration'' is a plan that is again making space exploration an exciting and educational priority for America. He has made it clear, within the next half century America will be the world leader in space exploration.

In this respect, the shuttle program remains an integral part of the President's vision as we continue the return to flight missions, complete the International Space Station and phase in the Crew Exploration Vehicle.

Equally important is the Space Shuttle's role as an icon for manned space flight, a symbol for exploration and an example of man's eternal thirst for knowledge. In this role, the Space Shuttle's mission will never end.

Mr. Speaker, on March 2, 1839, the Republic of Texas declared its independence on the banks of the Brazos River, which eventually gave rise to the great Lone Star State. Tomorrow, in honor of this historic event in Texas and American history, we will celebrate Texas Independence Day.

I am proud to say that part of this great story of freedom, independence and democracy took place in the 10th Congressional District of Texas, the district I am proud to say I represent.

Texas Independence Day marks a time when today's Texans honor and celebrate the work and sacrifice of Texans many generations ago, people who heroically claimed their freedom from Mexico and sought out their own destiny governed by the laws of a true democracy, a constitution written by the people and the colors of their country's flag waving over what would become the free and independent Republic of Texas.

Between 1820 and 1836, the Mexican Government offered Americans the opportunity to live and work in Texas under Mexican rule, but they grew disheartened by the tyranny and depression. In the Steven F. Austin Colony, which was the first colony, Texans first established a provisional government in 1835 with the intention of writing a declaration of independence soon after. However, the Mexican army was intent on destroying any move toward Texas independence, and the Consultation of 1835, as it was known, adjourned without the organization needed to continue the cause for freedom.

Less than a year later, many of the same delegates present at the Consultation of 1835 arrived along the banks of the Brazos River in the town of Washington, just north of the Austin Colony, which is now Austin County.

By the spring of 1836, the encroachments on Texans' basic freedoms had reached a flash point. On March 1, 1836, 59 delegates hailing from all corners of Texas arrived at the village of Washington along the Brazos River to decide the principles they would invoke in claiming their freedom from Mexico.

There, these brave men drafted the language that would declare their independence from Mexico, and they did so knowing full well that they may have to pay the ultimate price for freedom. As the delegates along the Brazos River wrote the Texas declaration of independence, patriots like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis fought and died for Texas freedom at the Alamo.

After successfully gaining independence from Mexico, Republic of Texas President Sam Houston in 1842 moved the Republic's capital to the birthplace of Texas, Washington on the Brazos River. Three years later, by an act of the United States Congress, Texas was made part of the American Union and became the 28th State of the United States of America.

There can be no argument about the Lone Star State's significant contributions to American history, and we must remember the actions and the sacrifices of those who made Texas independence a reality.

Washington on the Brazos represents an historic event that took place long ago, but tonight we remember Washington on the Brazos as the place where the proud Republic of Texas was born with the desire for freedom and an undying spirit of democracy.

Today, we see that same spirit and determination for freedom and democracy in our fighting men and women overseas and in the people and countries they have liberated. As with the first Texans, those people in distant lands know what it means to be liberated from tyranny and drink from the cup of freedom. They, too, will succeed and flourish in a free and democratic society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a soldier and a hero from Pflugerville, Texas, and to pay homage to the sacrifices our fighting men and women make every day for America and for the world.

Last week, I had the honor of visiting Walter Reed Hospital where Private Jon Abels of the Army's 101st Airborne Division is receiving top notch medical care for the wounds he received in battle.

On November 29, Private Abels, who is a radio operator, was stationed in Iraq and on patrol in Baghdad when his platoon came under fire from insurgents. Private Abels and his fellow soldiers managed to find cover and safety in an abandoned residence that was frequently used by the insurgents. Outnumbered 20 to 6 and trapped in a house, they tried to fight off the insurgents who were surrounding their position. Undoubtedly, many of the soldiers inside, if not all, would have been killed until Private Abels sprang into action.

Private Abels radioed for help and then found and hotwired the insurgents' truck in the house's garage. He then loaded his men in the truck, and they drove from the enemy's trap. As they left, they took on heavy gunfire that injured Private Abels and two others and, ultimately, killed three more as their truck crashed.

Injured and still in the range of the insurgents' fire, Private Abels helped the other survivors to safety and administered medical attention to his wounded platoon leader. His actions brought him and the other survivors just enough time for support fire to arrive, and ultimately, he saved three lives.

Last week, Private Abels proudly received his Purple Heart at Walter Reed Hospital and is making a quick and fast recovery.

Clearly a hero, Private Abels' actions exemplify the efforts of all of our fighting men and women in the war on terror. I was inspired by his optimistic attitude, even as a severely injured soldier at Walter Reed Hospital. He believes that we are getting the job done and making great progress in Iraq.

So as we stand together here this evening in peace, America's soldiers are united in protecting our country as they remain in distant lands fighting the threat and the horror of terrorism. We are there to root out the terrorists who wish to do us harm, who wish to harm Americans.

These terrorists, like the insurgents that Private Abels fought in Baghdad, have a track record of being patient until they succeed in their evil agenda, so we must continue to support our soldiers now more than ever and give our military men and women every tool necessary to protect us and to complete and to win this war on terror.

Some say that we should retreat in this war on terror, but to them I say that our fighting men and women have succeeded on all fronts. In places like Iraq and Afghanistan where oppression, tyranny and inhumane treatment once flourished, we now find nations waking up to the reality of self-ruled government and the benefits that come with their democracies. This success is most embodied by the free and democratic elections in Iraq that took place this very week.

To quit now would not only be an insult to those waging this liberating battle but a dishonor to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, for freedom and for the greater

good. Few causes are as worthy, and few prices are as great. America prides its freedom on how our determination can accomplish any task and defeat any foe. So finish the job we will. And because of heroes like Private Abels, I have no doubt in my mind that we will prevail.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment. My hometown of Austin has seen the horrifying effects that a sanctuary policy can have on a community.

Nearly two years ago an 18-year-old woman named Jenny Garcia was found brutally stabbed to death in her Northwest Austin home.

An illegal alien by the name of David Diaz Morales was one of Jenny's coworkers. He made it clear to her that he wanted to be more than just her coworker or friend. When Jenny rejected his advances, this put David Diaz Morales into a murderous rage.

On January 26th of last year, Morales broke into Jenny's home, forcefully grabbed her, held her down, savagely raped her and then brutally stabbed her to death.

In less than 24 hours, the Austin Police Department arrested this 20 year old thug who had absolutely no business being in the United States, let alone Jenny's home.

However, David Diaz Morales had no business being free to walk the streets either. You see, before becoming Jenny's murderer, he had been previously arrested for molesting a child in Austin.

Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle decided not to prosecute Morales's molestation case. Instead, he let him out of jail to commit more violent crimes, and when it came to Morales's immigration status District Attorney Ronnie Earle looked the other way.

If only District Attorney Earle had picked up the phone, he would have discovered that Morales was in our country illegally. He could have contacted immigration officials who would have deported him out of our country. He could have saved Jenny's life.

This is one horrific example of many injustices which could have been prevented. That is why we must include this vital amendment to the underlying bill. This amendment will put $1 billion in the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, and make the Institutional Removal Program, which identifies criminal illegal aliens, mandatory. It also gives states, counties and cities 2 full years to come into compliance or risk losing State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funds.

Mr. Chairman, we owe it to victims like Jenny Garcia and so many others to include this language in the underlying bill, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, our military forces need and deserve ample resources and superior technological capabilities to remain strong, which requires ongoing development efforts by both the public and private sector.

In fact, some of the military's most innovative technologies are being developed by small companies. Two examples are in the 10th District of Texas, with each of these Austin-based companies developing a technology with significant military value. To accelerate the availability of these new technologies for military applications, I have recommended that funding support be included in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2006.

One of the technologies is a unique 3-D holographic imaging system developed by Zebra Imaging, which will soon be deployed by the Army in Iraq for intelligence and operational uses. The $2.25 million requested for this technology would advance the current non-portable imaging system to a field deployable unit for combat forces, with this capability available within 24 months. Army intelligence and operational units have urged the acceleration of this development effort because of the strategic and tactical value to combat troops, which the requested funding seeks to achieve.

The second technology is in the field of micro-electronics and involves RF MEMS switches and relays under development by TeraVicta Technologies. These micro devices, which provide enormous advances in the size, capabilities and performance of military electronics, are key to achieving faster and more powerful network communications, radar and satellite systems. The $2.25 million requested will accelerate TeraVicta's development work, specifically supporting a program to bring RF MEMS switches to a production-ready status and available for a variety of military applications.

These two technologies are recognized within the military as crucial developments, and I hope the Defense Appropriators provide the necessary funding to quickly bring them to operational use.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support a new technology in permanent, self-cleaning air filters for military vehicles operating in high-dust environments, such as in the Middle East.

A company in my district, Signature Science LLC, and its partners are proposing to adapt, integrate and fully test a new self-cleaning air filter technology developed for military vehicles that will save the Department of Defense millions of dollars annually by eliminating the cost of disposable air filters in addition to reducing maintenance costs of vehicle engines. Diesel engines on military vehicles currently use disposable air filters that require frequent changes to protect engines from the damage caused by dusty environments. In Iraq for example, these filters must be replaced after as little as 16 hours of use on some vehicles operating there.

Signature Science's technology for a permanent, self-cleaning air filter will save American tax dollars while avoiding logistical problems for the military such as operational burdens, decreased fuel efficiency and increased security risks.

For these reasons we need to advance this technology beyond the research phase in the very near term, and I believe that the Defense Appropriators would be serving the national interest by funding the development and testing of these air-filter prototypes for our military vehicles.