Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Joal Emerson Wolf of the U.S. Army Reserves for his dedicated service to the United States of America. Colonel Wolf's colleagues, family, and friends gathered on January 20, 2006 at Bolling Air Force Base to celebrate his promotion to the rank of Colonel.

Colonel Wolf has dutifully served our Nation's military since 1983. Most recently he distinguished himself as the Commander of the 3401st Military Intelligence Detachment, and Chief of Staff of the Iraq Intelligence Task Force and the Iraq Working Group of the Joint Staff at the Defense Intelligence Agency. Colonel Wolf honors his family's military legacy with his selfless commitment to the security of the American people. He comes from a distinguished family of military tradition: both his father, the late Dr. Alan Emerson Wolf, and his mother, Phyllis Marie Clairmont, served in military intelligence. I am honored to be married to Colonel Wolf's sister, Camille Spinello Andrews, and to say that he represents our family--as well as our Nation--with great honor and integrity.

Colonel Wolf is an inspiration to service members everywhere, and to all citizens of our great Nation. I commend and congratulate Colonel Wolf for his promotion to such an esteemed rank in the U.S. Army Reserves. We are all safer because of his service.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding, and I rise in support of this motion.

This motion asks the Members three questions. The first question is whether we should take the position that before airline pension plans of companies that are in real trouble terminate their pension plans, whether those companies should be required to take every reasonable step prior to that termination; whether we should be able to put those companies in a position where they can stretch out their payments to the pension plan, look for other ways they can fund the pension plan, and meet their pension obligations to their retirees.

I would suggest, Mr. Speaker, the answer is yes, we should require that the law do that, which is why this motion takes the right course.

The second question that this motion asks is with respect to healthy pension plans. Should it be the principles of the new law that we should operate with care and avoid new funding requirements on these healthy pension plans which are more likely to push them into disrepair and trouble?

I would suggest that the answer is yes, we should. The guiding principle, as the conference proceeds in writing this new law, should be to first do no harm to the healthy defined benefit plans that exist. So I think this motion correctly answers that question and follows the right path.

Finally, this motion raises the question as to whether we should permanently enshrine in the law the savers credit. The savers credit has been used by more than 5 million Americans in recent years. These are Americans who wait on tables, fix engines, work in child care centers, who have managed to squeeze out just a little bit of what is left out of their paycheck to put it away into a retirement plan. Wisely, Uncle Sam matches a part of that small savings from that worker to try to encourage more people to do that. This is good for those families, it is good for the country's economy, it is good for the Social Security system.

That credit is due to expire at the end of 2008. This resolution raises the question as to whether we should let that credit expire. We think the answer is no, we shouldn't let that credit expire, it should be permanently enshrined into law.

So I think those are three eminently reasonable propositions. We should encourage airlines not to terminate their plans if there is a reasonable and viable alternative; we should go to well-funded healthy plans and do no harm to them as we write new rules about funding pension plans; and, finally, we should take this very useful provision, supported by both the Republican and Democratic parties, that more than 5 million Americans have used, and keep it in the law.

For these reasons, I would urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Miller motion.

Mr. Speaker, in this debate we see the irony of the majority leadership of the House of Representatives in a rather strange way. They are rushing to get to the floor a provision that has barely been debated and discussed, that is highly controversial, highly technical, and not very well understood by a lot of people. An absolute rush to get this to the floor.

The number one issue, I trust in most Members' districts, it sure is in mine, is the urgent pendency of a deal that would turn over major port operations throughout this country to a company wholly owned by the United Arab Emirates, an ally of rather questionable and debatable standing with the United States.

Now, this is going to happen, this port deal, if Congress does not act. The President has made that very clear. And many of us believe that we need to get to this floor right now, not later, legislation on this issue so that the majority can work its will. Members on both sides of the aisle have said this is what we need to be doing right now. But there is nothing on the agenda to do anything about that. Nothing.

We are going to go off for another recess, and who knows what is going to be negotiated on this deal when we are gone? My sense is this is what our constituents want us to debate and legislate on, the wisdom or lack thereof of this port takeover deal.

We will have an opportunity by voting ``no'' on moving the previous question to bring to this floor a piece of legislation the American people really do want debated right now; don't want sent back to committee for further hearings or further consideration.

This is just bizarre. It is bizarre. A piece of legislation that appears to be a solution in search of a problem is rushed to the floor so it can be considered, and something that is acknowledged from coast to coast by both parties in both Chambers as a huge problem cannot make it to the floor at all.

Well, we have a chance to do something about that. Vote ``no'' on the previous question and make the people's House reflect the people's business.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor those students from Deptford Township schools who participated in a contest to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks on January 11, 2006. The way in which these students portrayed their thoughts on Dr. King and Ms. Parks was touching and memorable.

During this contest, students were given the opportunity to express their thoughts on these important historical figures by creating a poster or writing an essay highlighting memorable events in the lives of these two heroic Americans. The contest corresponded with the annual celebration of Dr. King. The students whose essays and posters won are: Scott Medes, Andrea Akins, Lauren Perry, Rachel Hajna, Jimmy Kunkle, Sheena Williams, Sara Duffy, Zachary Kummer, Ashley Duffy, Danielle Hogan, Ronald Grace, Danika Atkinson, Jordan Johnson, Michael Baney, Justina Dougherty, Jared Field, Ann Mary Tullio, Nicholas Eisen, Madelyn Elliot and Sean Clason. Their works showed exceptional thought and creativity.

We have seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that Dr. King's and Mrs. Parks' message of justice for all people is still as important today as it was in the 1950's and 1960's. Although it disproportionately affected people of color, Hurricane Katrina affected anyone young enough, old enough or poor enough to be left behind. The students that participated in this contest embodied Dr. King's and Mrs. Parks' message and are truly an inspiration to all citizens of the United States of America.

The following are five of the winning essays:

Making a World of Difference

(By Zachary Kummer, Grade 6)

As I sit in my classroom and look around, I see students of

many different races. We are all here to learn and everyone

has the same opportunity to get a good education. The teacher

treats us all the same, and we use the same books, desks,

fountains, and lavatories. All the students are together in

the same classroom without any discrimination by race or

religion. If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were alive today,

he would see his dream fulfilled in my classroom.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a minister who believed in

equality for all. He thought that the Constitution of the

United States was meant for all people. His famous speech of

``I Have a Dream'' said that he dreamed of a time when people

of all races and religions would be treated the same. Dr.

King was influenced by many people. His grandfather, his

father, Abraham Lincoln, and Rosa Parks were some of these

people who had an influence on him.

Dr. King admired the courage Rosa Parks showed in her

refusal to give up her seat on a bus. He respected her non-

violent protest. Rosa Parks' action was one of the things

that led to the boycott of the buses by people of color. Dr.

King became involved in this peaceful action and showed that

there is power when people join together in a protest.

Not only has the United States changed because of Dr. King,

but the rest of the world has been influenced by his peaceful

ways to bring about change in laws to give equality to all

people. People of color in South Africa were influenced by

Dr. King and have changed the apartheid laws.

In conclusion, the influence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

and Rosa Parks has greatly changed the rights of all people,

especially minorities, from separation and discrimination to

equality in all parts of our lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Tom Page for his many years of service to his community. Starting in 1958, Mr. Page devoted 30 years of his life to the Barrington Police Department, climbing the ranks from patrolman to chief. His service did not end there. He went on to represent Barrington, New Jersey, as a councilman for a total of 7 years, with a term as mayor in between.

Mr. Page took time out of his busy schedule to coach in and manage the Barrington Little League and Girl's Softball League. He is a past member of the Barrington Ambulance Corps., the PBA Local 328, and a past associate member of the Barrington Fire Co. Tom is retired from the International Association of Chiefs of Police and NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as the ex-president of Camden County Police Chiefs Assoc. Currently, Tom Page works for Camden County Department of Corrections as a training officer.

Tom Page is a pillar in my community, and he has served us well for 43 years. I express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Page for over four decades of service to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Jenny Silver for her efforts to brighten the holidays of those children in New Orleans who have been affected by the recent devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Ms. Silver's actions have served not only as a means of bringing holiday cheer to the children of the Crescent City, but also as an impetus for those of us not directly affected by Katrina to keep its victims in our thoughts.

Ms. Silver recently organized a community bowling event in my district, held on December 18, 2005. The event itself was free, provided that each participant raised at least $8 in donations. One hundred percent of the proceeds from that event were used to buy teddy bears, which have since been sent to Children's Hospital in New Orleans. There, the hospital, in conjunction with a local nonprofit organization, distributed the bears as holiday gifts to disadvantaged children both at the hospital and elsewhere in the city.

Ms. Silver's generosity in devoting her time and energy to this cause exemplifies the selflessness and civic-mindedness that makes our country great. I commend Jenny Silver, and all those who took part in this event, for their embodiment of what it means to be good neighbors and good Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th birthday of Florence Gertrude Baker of Collingswood, New Jersey. A dedicated kindergarten teacher for 46 years, Ms. Baker has served my community well throughout her lifetime.

During World War II, Ms. Baker organized and served as Co-Chair of the Collingswood Veterans' Service Council. As Chair, she organized military wives in Collingswood and helped to provide them with many beneficial programs. During that time, she began a lifelong commitment to service through the Red Cross. Ms. Baker served as a Red Cross Gray Lady and spent numerous hours at Fort Dix and Walson Army Hospital. Additionally, she was a Red Cross Canteen worker and over the years has chaired many successful Red Cross Blood Drives. These are just a few of the many charitable works to which she has devoted her time and energy.

I stand here today to commend Ms. Baker, as so many other groups have before. She has educated our children, cared for our wounded, and been a shining example of civic responsibility and dedication. Happy Birthday, Ms. Baker, and thank you for your decades of generosity and service.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me this time.

I rise in support of the conference report, and I express my appreciation that this report affirms the principle that a great power should not need to resort to inhuman tactics to pursue its objectives. The anti-torture language that is in this conference report is entirely appropriate.

I also appreciate the fact that it strikes the proper balance between an affirmation of our principles and an understanding that our intelligence agents must act with discretion and flexibility when dealing with the very difficult job that we have given them. This is an important affirmation that strengthens our country, that improves our intelligence, and makes us safer.

I commend the chairman, the ranking member for making sure the provision is in here. I would urge a ``yes'' vote on the conference report.

Mr. Speaker, I am going to vote to send this bill along to the conference and vote ``yes'' for two reasons: first, I think the bill very wisely includes relief for multi-employer plans, an issue that many of us have worked on for a very long period of time. These are plans run by small businesses who find large contributions to be very stifling to their ability to compete. I think this relief is long overdue, and it is the principle reason that I will vote to send the bill along to conference.

The second reason is I think conference will finally be the forum where some very serious flaws in the bill can be addressed and renegotiated. Mr. Miller's substitute, which unfortunately was not made in order under this rule, addresses those flaws.

First of all, the law makes it far too easy for failed pension plans to be dumped into the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation. Mr. Miller and Mr. Rangel had ideas that would preclude that dumping from happening. They ought to be adopted.

Second, I think the law ought to make it clear that there cannot be bias or favoritism in favor of highly compensated people at the expense of the rank and file. Mr. Rangel and Mr. Miller's substitute accomplishes that. The underlying bill does not.

These and some other issues, I believe, need to be worked out in the conference. I think, unfortunately, they should have been worked out on this House floor with a proper rule, but with those reservations I will vote to send the bill along to conference.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me this time.

This country is blessed with a powerful and brave military. We have incredible natural resources and the strongest economy in the world. But the greatest strength of this country is our reputation for the adherence to human dignity as a core value of our country. The issue in this motion to instruct is whether we are strong enough and confident enough in that value that we are not afraid to make sure that it is true.

We have heard some comments from the other side about accusations being made or not being made about what is happening. There are no accusations here. There is a desire to understand what the facts are.

A country that is strong enough to be self-critical is truly strong, an administration that is strong enough to be evaluated is truly strong, and a Congress that is strong enough to do its job of oversight is truly strong enough to carry out its constitutional responsibilities. This country is able to rally people around the world to our cause because people around the world believe that we hold human dignity as a core value.

It is my belief that there is probably no record of torture anywhere that can be found. And that is precisely the point we want the rest of the world to know, so that those who defame us are not telling the truth about us. But if we are confident in that core belief and we are confident in our behavior, then we will be confident enough within reason of national security to let this Congress know, to let the country know, and let the world know that we practice what we preach.

We should vote ``yes'' for this amendment because we are strong, because what we say are our core values are in fact our core values in practice. Vote for Mr. Skeleton's amendment because its reflects those core values.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I missed seven votes on December 7, 2005. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on S. 467 (Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2005); ``yes'' on H.R. 4096 (Stealth Tax Relief Act of 2005); ``yes'' on H. Con. Res. 196 (Honoring the pilots of United States commercial air carriers who volunteer to participate in the Federal flight deck officer program); ``no'' on the Motion to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair regarding H.R. 3010; ``no'' on H.R. 4340 (United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act); ``yes'' on H.R. 4388 (Tax Revision Act of 2005); and ``yes'' on H.R. 4440 (Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005).

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I missed three votes on November 15th, 2005. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on H.R. 1564 (Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District Conveyance Act); ``yes'' on H.R 323 (to redesignate the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library''); and ``yes'' on H.R. 856 (Federal Youth Coordination Act).

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I missed four votes on November 8th, 2005. Had I been present I would have voted ``no'' on tabling the Obey motion to instruct the conferees of H.R. 3010; ``yea'' on H. Res. 38 (Expressing support for the accession of Israel to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development); ``yea'' on H. Res. 302 (Recognizing and commending the continuing dedication and commitment of employers of the members of the National Guard and the other reserve components who have been mobilized during the Global War on Terrorism and in defense of the United States); and ``yea'' on H.R. 3770 (Grant W. Green Post Office Building Designation Act).

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I missed three votes on November 7th, 2005. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Con. Res. 260 (Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non- Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate, and the continuing need for mutual inter-religious respect and dialogue); ``yea'' on H.R. 1973 (Water for the Poor Act of 2005); and ``yea'' on H. Res. 444 (Gynecological Resolution for Advancement of Ovarian Cancer Education).

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I missed two votes on November 1st, 2005. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on both H.R. 3548 (the Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. Post Office Building Designation Act) and H.R. 3989 (the Albert Harold Quie Post Office Designation Act).