Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and courageous spirit of U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Chad Rosenbaum of Hope, AR. Sgt. Rosenbaum, just 25 years old, was killed in the line of duty in Iraq on September 18, 2004. I am deeply saddened by this tragedy. I wish to recognize his life and achievements.

Sgt. Rosenbaum attended my alma mater, Hope High School, where he participated in a number of extracurricular activities. He was a member of the Bobcat football team, the golf team, weight lifting team, Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America and took part in the FFA rodeo. After graduating from Hope High School in 1997, Sgt. Rosenbaum enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas.

Sgt. Rosenbaum was stationed in Iraq since March where he worked as a chemical specialist and trained Iraqis in the use of firearms. His exemplary service and dedication to our country did not go unnoticed. His long list of distinguished medals includes: the Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two NCO Professional Medals, the Army Service Ribbon, the master parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Weapon Qualification Badge, and the French Parachutist Wings.

America will be forever grateful for Sgt. Rosenbaum's service to our great country. He gave his life to serve our country and will forever be remembered as a terrific father, courageous son, and a hero. My deepest condolences go out to his son, Ty; his parents, Jackie and Donna Rosenbaum; and his brother, Zane. I know Sgt. Rosenbaum was proud of his service to the U.S. Army and to our country. He will be missed by his family, fellow soldiers, and all those who knew and counted him as a friend. I will continue to keep Sgt. Rosenbaum and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma.

(Mr. CARSON of Oklahoma asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I rise today and join 43 of my Democratic colleagues to voice my support for H.R. 3193, a bill that would allow citizens of the District of Columbia to own rifles, shotguns and handguns.

The second amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America specifically grants all Americans the right to bear arms in order to protect themselves and their families. Under this bill, Washington, D.C. citizens would simply have the same self-defense rights as residents of the 50 States of America do.

In a New York Sun editorial printed on Thursday, September 23 of this year, a D.C. resident expressed his concerns on not being able to legally protect his home from intruders. He stated, ``The fact is, if you have an intruder come to your home, there is nothing you can do to protect yourself except wait for the police.'' This Washington, D.C. resident went on to describe an incident where he stared and waited as a man was attempting to break into his home.

This is absolutely inexcusable. No one, no one, should be forced to sit and wait while witnessing an intrusion upon their home, upon their family, possibly putting themselves and their family in danger.

Mr. Speaker, I stay in Washington, D.C. 3 or 4 nights most weeks, and I truly believe the police do a fine job in this city. But if someone were to break into my apartment, I would have to wait for them to arrive before any action to be taken.

If I were to have a gun, if I were to have gone through all the red tape, which includes taking an exam and paying money for fees and a license to have a shotgun in my home, I would have to take the time to assemble or unlock and load my gun. By that time, it could be too late to defend myself. No intruder is going to stand around and wait for me to assemble or unlock and load my gun, and they certainly are not going to wait for the police to arrive before completing the job they came to do.

Mr. Speaker, this is not just a matter of personal protection, it is a matter of constitutional freedom. The second amendment is a right bestowed upon us by our Founding Fathers. It is a right I have exercised my entire life in my home State of Arkansas.

Current Washington, D.C. law requires all guns to be registered with the Metropolitan Police Department. All handguns are banned unless they were registered before the gun ban was enacted, but, even so, Washington, D.C. citizens are prohibited from carrying their handguns in their homes, even those legal handgun owners. Rifles and shotguns can be legally registered and owned, but they must be stored unloaded and disassembled or locked.

The District of Columbia has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the Nation, but at the same time, the District has one of the highest murder rates in the United States of America. Prior to the enactment of the gun ban, homicide had been declining in Washington, D.C. but increased after the ban was imposed back in 1976. In 2002, the D.C. homicide rate was almost double the rate when the handgun ban took effect, and was five times higher than the national average.

H.R. 3193 simply allows law-abiding citizens to possess a firearm without going through the registration requirements and they would not suffer criminal penalties for such possession. This bill permits storage of armed firearms in one's home or place of business and repeals the ban on the possession of

ammunition, allowing citizens to protect their home and family in times of danger within Washington, D.C., as families can do in all 50 States across America.

H.R. 3193 would not affect any law directed at true criminal conduct. This bill leaves in place strict penalties for gun possession by criminals and for those who commit a violent crime with a gun.

Any criminal interested in obtaining a gun for harm against another can easily do so right now. This bill simply ensures that law-abiding citizens of the District of Columbia are able to protect themselves by legally owning a firearm, just as the citizens of the 50 States of America can do.

Mr. Speaker, this is a piece of commonsense legislation, and I urge my colleagues to join the 44 Democratic cosponsors of this legislation and vote in favor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Indiana for yielding me this time this evening to talk about a very important issue.

Thinking back, it is hard to believe that from 1997 through 2001, this country was running on a balanced budget. It is hard to believe, because in 2002, this country ran a $155 billion deficit. In 2003, it was $374 billion. In 2004, it is $422 billion. Guess what? If you subtract out the money they are borrowing from the Social Security trust fund, it is actually a $574 billion deficit for fiscal year 2004. It is hard to believe that our Nation today is spending $900,000 more than it is taking in.

For years, ever since I was a small child I have heard the Republicans talk about how it is the Democrats that spend the money. This is the first time in 50 years that the Republicans have controlled the White House, the House, and the Senate; and for the second year in a row, they have given us the largest budget deficit ever in our Nation's history. The debt today is $7.3 trillion. By 2009 it will be $10 trillion, and by 2013, it will be $13 trillion. A trillion here, a trillion there, and before long we are talking about some real money.

Let me tell my colleagues this. This motion to instruct conferees simply says this: we support tax cuts for working families; we simply want them to be paid for. In other words, if you are

going to cut taxes, cut spending. This Nation today is spending nearly $1 billion a day simply paying interest on the national debt. It is what I call the debt tax, D-E-B-T, and that is one tax that can never go away until we get fiscal responsibility and fiscal discipline restored to our Nation's government.

We could build 200 brand-new elementary schools every single day in America just with the interest we are paying on the national debt. These tax cuts may make for good politics for the wealthiest 2 percent of the people in the country. The 2003 tax cuts, 60 percent of the people that I represent received less than $2 a week. A tax cut for the wealthiest people in this country with borrowed money, and, I might add, every single dime of the tax cuts of 2003 were with borrowed money. The money came directly from the Social Security trust fund and what did not come from there came from the Bank of China. That is right. Seventy percent of our deficit in 2003 came from foreigners; 70 percent.

A tax cut for the wealthiest people in this country with borrowed money, money that is coming from Japan, Hong Kong, and the Bank of China and from the Social Security trust fund is nothing more than a tax increase on our children and grandchildren; and it is wrong, and that is why I am pleased to stand here tonight and rise in support of this motion to instruct.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Eugene Farrell from Dermott, Arkansas who passed away on July 3, 2004. As a dedicated member to the City of Dermott, Mr. Farrell's life was full of honors and achievements.

Mr. Farrell was a selfless public servant, serving not only as Mayor of Dermott from 1988-1999, but also as a Quorum Court member. For his dedication and loyalty to the City of Dermott and Chicot County, I will forever be grateful.

I am deeply saddened by the death of Mr. Farrell. His passing will leave a huge void on the Chicot County Quorum Court, the City of Dermott, and in the lives of many friends. My heart goes out to his wife of 59 years, June Barrett, and their four children, Sheila Brannon, Linda Fowler, Buddy Farrell, and Brian Fowler. I extend my sincerest sympathies to them and can only hope that we find some solace in the lasting legacy of Eugene Farrell as his spirit lives on in each of us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and courageous spirit of SSgt. Dustin ``Bob'' Peters of Shirley, AR. SSgt. Peters, just 25, was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, July 11, 2004 near Bayji, Iraq.

After graduating from Shirley High School in 1996, SSgt. Peters entered the Air Force where he attended technical training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and graduated as a vehicle operator journeyman. He completed assignments at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Anderson Air Force Base in Guam.

SSgt. Peters arrived to Little Rock Air Force Base in 2000. After returning from Iraq in July of 2003, he volunteered to return to Iraq for a second tour of duty to serve with a young group of soldiers, most of whom had never been to combat. His sole purpose in returning to Iraq was to protect this group of soldiers. One friend of SSgt. Peters remembers fondly, ``Peters was respected and loved by fellow airmen. They admired this young staff sergeant. He knew his job very, very well.''

SSgt. Peter's exemplary service did not go unnoticed; his military decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and with Valor, and an Air Force Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.

SSgt. Peters gave his life to serve our country and will forever be remembered as a husband, father, son, and hero. My deepest condolences go out to his wife, Heather, their son, Dalton, his mother, Linda Bennings, and his father, Dennis Peters. I know SSgt. Peters was proud of his service to the U.S. Army and to our country. He will be missed by his family, fellow soldiers, and all those who knew him well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Circuit Court Judge H. A. Taylor who died on May 21, 2004 at the age of 63 in Little Rock.

Judge Taylor was originally from Jefferson County and had an impressive career which spanned over the course of three decades. Graduating from Pine Bluff High in 1958, Judge Taylor went on to earn his bachelor of science and his law degree in 1965 from the University of Arkansas. Judge Taylor was elected to office in 1975 to the 2nd Division Circuit Court Judge for the 11th Judicial District West, serving Jefferson and Lincoln counties for 29 years.

Judge Taylor had a distinguished military career, serving in the Vietnam War and earning both the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medals.

I am deeply saddened by Judge Taylor's death and offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Marcy Taylor. His legacy will live on through the lives he touched and by those who knew him and counted him as a friend.

Mr. Speaker, today I learned that I have been listed as a cosponsor of H.R. 3575, something I was not aware of and I did not ask to be cosponsor of, and I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 3575.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Marion Berry and I rise today to honor the

memory of Merle F. Peterson of Dumas, AR. Strong leadership, vision, concern for others, and philanthropy were enduring legacies left by Merle Peterson. He died on March 19, 2004 after having served his nation, state and Dumas with distinction.

After graduating with an electrical engineering degree from Arkansas State University, he came to Dumas in April of 1939 to operate a service station his father had bought. In November of that year, he was married to Deloris Ellegood, and together they built a successful Ford automobile business.

When Mr. Peterson volunteered for the Army Air Force in 1942, he rose to captain and served overseas three years with a bomber squadron in Africa and Italy. His wife kept the business operating during those years. After selling the Ford dealership in 1976, they continued their business and farming operations through Peterson Enterprises and jointly led in service and philanthropic endeavors for over 64 years.

After World War II, Mr. Peterson realized that Dumas faced major economic challenges in order to prosper. With other Dumas leaders, he worked to establish an industrial foundation and organized a drive to buy land for development as an industrial park.

Mr. Peterson founded Dumas State Bank, now Simmons First, and was its board chairman. His financial acumen led him to serve on the boards of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, State Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Development Fund of Arkansas.

Fully devoted to his church, First United Methodist of Dumas, he was active in the Methodist Men's Class, chaired the administrative board and many committees, and served in important roles in the Little Rock Conference.

A mainstay of the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club, he was chosen Citizen of the Year in 1952, and 50 years later was still working with enthusiasm for projects to benefit Dumas. An early supporter of Arkansas Community Foundation, he was a founding board member of Dumas Area Community Foundation. He and his wife established scholarships at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Dumas High School.

A loyal Democrat, he served as a state senator from 1960 through 1966, was chairman of the County Committee for 10 years, and was a volunteer staff member for Governor Bill Clinton for 12 years. He was a leader in the Clinton gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, and was named to the U.S. Electoral College in 1996. He received the Arkansas Democrats' top award in 1994.

Many state leadership and service accolades were bestowed on Mr. Peterson, but he always credited the people of Dumas for their support. He served for the betterment of many and leaves a huge legacy to fill.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the life of Billy Bob Smith from Prescott, Arkansas, who died Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the age of 83. As a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew and friend, his life was full of achievements and honors that impacted his entire community.

Mr. Smith was born December 10, 1920, in Nevada County. The World War II veteran was the recipient of 5 battle stars and an Oakleaf, participating in the Battle of the Bulge as well as the Normandy Invasion. His courage and patriotism led him to serve in the 413th Antiaircraft Artillery battalion, C Battery in Central Europe, the Ardennes, the Rhineland, Normandy and Northern France. For his dedication and loyalty to our nation, we will forever be grateful.

Mr. Smith was a selfless public servant and a leader, spending much of his adult life serving his fellow citizens in Nevada County. He was a member of the Prescott Church of Christ and served as a Justice of the Peace for 14 years.

I am deeply saddened by the death of Mr. Smith. His loyalty and dedication to Nevada County, his family and his country will forever be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Elya, his son, Michael, and his three daughters, Bobbie, Donna, and Jan.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Prescott Elementary School Principal, Mr. Howard Austin, for his persistent dedication to education and service in his community. The core of Mr. Austin's community relations are deeply rooted in his 40 years as a public educator.

Mr. Austin received his B.A from Wiley College in Texas and an M.S. from Henderson State University in Arkansas. Through his career, Mr. Austin enriched the many generations of people that he encountered in his community. He is a true role model for not only his students, but for everyone in the community. Mr. Austin was an active leader in the Elementary Principal's Association and served as a zone director for 8 years. In 2002, Mr. Austin was named Arkansas's Distinguished Principal of the Year.

Mr. Austin's constant involvement in his community led him to support and organize many student-orientated groups throughout the years. Mr. Austin worked with the track team, organized and was head scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts of America Troop, and was choir director for Prescott High School and his local church. He also formed a dance band with other directors that played at various school functions. Mr. Austin's devotion to Nevada County led him to be elected to the Prescott City Council.

I am honored to recognize Mr. Austin, and extend my sincere appreciation and thanks for his dedication and guidance to the people of Nevada County and to my hometown of Prescott. He is an inspiration to us all, and I am privileged to serve as his Congressman in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of U.S. Army Private Van Ryan Marcum. Ryan passed away on June 19, 2004 during a training accident in Ft. Benning, GA. He was just 21 years old and a native of my hometown, Prescott, AR.

Upon graduation from high school, Ryan enlisted in the U.S. Army and was qualified for the elite Rangers program. Those who knew Ryan well say he was extremely intelligent, resourceful and determined. He had a love of flying and this passion drove him to become an airborne ranger.

Ryan enlisted for full time service in the U.S. Army where he received the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Ryan's family. We have a lost a brave young man and his legacy will live on through those who knew him well and counted him as a friend.

Mr. Speaker, on the 4th of July our Nation will celebrate its 228th birthday. On this day, we will remember how our Founding Fathers dedicated their lives to honor the novel ideas of liberty, equality, and democracy.

Today, our brave men and women in uniform exemplify the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people to securing freedom and democracy throughout the world, and our veterans are living examples of the ideals of our Founding Fathers.

Unfortunately, there are some in Congress who actually want to cut funding for our veterans. House Republicans passed a budget this year that slashes funding for veterans health care by $1 billion, and President Bush's 2006 budget is expected to include another $900 million in cuts for veterans health care.

Mr. Speaker, we promised our veterans health care for life, not health care someday. I urge my colleagues in Congress to restore these cuts to our veterans programs.

Our veterans are truly America's greatest generation, and this Congress should honor them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a devoted and well-respected Arkansan, Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Sr. Known as Prexy to close family and friends, Dr. Davis passed away on Saturday, June 5, at the age of 89. His deep devotion to higher education and to the well-being of everyone around him, particularly his students, leaves a legacy that will live on for generations in the lives he touched.

A native of McCroy, Arkansas, Dr. Davis graduated magna cum laude in 1937 from Arkansas AM&N in Pine Bluff. He went on to receive a master's degree in English from the University of Kansas and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Arkansas.

Dr. Davis spent most of his career at Arkansas AM&N, where he served as an English professor, registrar, dean, and assistant to the president. In 1943, at age 29, Dr. Davis became president of AM&N, making him the youngest college president in the Nation. Thirty years later, he oversaw the merger of Arkansas AM&N with the University of Arkansas education system, creating the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and became the school's first chancellor. His son, Dr. Lawrence A. Davis, Jr., has followed in his father's footsteps and serves as the current UAPB chancellor.

Under Dr. Davis' leadership, the institution experienced substantial growth in enrollment, academic programs, faculty, and expansion of the physical campus. Believing that every person has the right to receive a college education, Dr. Davis inspired and helped countless students who had limited resources to complete their degrees and go on to accomplish great things.

Serving his community and improving the lives of others were life- long commitments of this compassionate and diligent leader. Dr. Davis was a member of numerous community and university committees.

My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Davis' family, friends, and colleagues, to whom I extend my deepest and sincere sympathies. May his legacy endure in the many lives that he touched and inspired.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday the House of Representatives approved H.R. 3658, the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act (commonly called the STOP Stroke Act). The STOP Stroke Act will:

Raise public awareness by authorizing funding for a national public information campaign to educate the public about stroke, including how to prevent it, recognizing the warning signs, and when to seek emergency treatment;

Help states fight stroke by establishing a grant program to help states ensure that stroke patients have access to quality care;

Collect and share best practices by authorizing the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry and creates a clearinghouse to provide technical assistance to states and share best practices; and

Educate medical professionals by providing opportunities to train appropriate medical personnel in newly developed approaches for preventing and treating stroke.

This legislation is an important step in preventing and treating the devastating effects of stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the nation and a leading cause of long-term disability. In Arkansas, stroke accounted for 2,600 deaths in 1999--making it the second highest state with stroke deaths. In fact, Arkansas is located in the country's ``stroke belt,'' a section of the country made up of 12 Southern states that have high occurrences of stroke. In May, I had the opportunity to join the Arkansas Department of Health in launching its stroke awareness campaign in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. As part of the campaign, stroke warning signs and symptoms will be placed on grocery store sacks. Additionally, the health department will partner with at risk and hard to reach populations to teach heart healthy meal preparation, provide hypertension screenings and obesity awareness, and other prevention mechanisms. I worked closely with Linda Faulkner, Program Coordinator for the health department's Cardiovascular Health Program, and Diane Mulligan-Fairfield, Vice President of National Communications, National Stroke Association on the campaign's rollout. I commend them for their work on the project.

It is estimated that stroke cost the nation $45.4 billion in 2001, including $28 billion in direct costs and $17.4 in indirect costs. A large share of the direct cost is paid by public payers such as Medicare and Medicaid. Passage of H.R. 3658 and funding the legislation will go a long way towards lowering these statistics and helping Arkansas to implement a full-scale public education campaign effectively.

Mr. Speaker, after months of record-breaking gasoline prices, the pocketbooks of America's working families are hurting. Rising gas prices mean working families have less money to spend on important items, such as clothing and groceries, a factor that hurts our overall economy as well as individual families. Family vacations are being canceled.

Today, the average price of a gallon of gas in the United States is $2.10, but in Iraq the cost of one gallon of gasoline is only 5 cents. It only costs $1.10 to fill up a 22-gallon tank in Baghdad.

Americans deserve to know why their gas prices are soaring out of control, and, just as importantly, Americans need a solution. It is time to pass a real, meaningful, common sense, comprehensive energy policy and bring down the high cost of gasoline for America's working families.